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Super Bowl LIX Pregame Entertainment Announced: Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle and Ledisi

The NFL announced today the pregame entertainment for Super Bowl LIX, which will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 and air live on FOX. The star-studded lineup of Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle and Ledisi honors the legendary music scene of New Orleans and features artists who call Louisiana home.

“We’re honored to work with this year’s pregame lineup to celebrate the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the entire state,” said Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL. “The Super Bowl is a rare moment to unite fans around the world, and this year’s performers will bring the energy, soul and vibrant sounds of the region to a global stage, as we kickoff Super Bowl LIX with a celebration to remember.”

Acclaimed musical artist Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem. Batiste is a five-time Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-winning artist known for his dynamic work as a singer, songwriter and composer. The New Orleans native and twenty-two-time Grammy nominee recently released Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), which reimagines Beethoven’s iconic works through a blues lens and debuted as the #1 Classical album. In addition, Batiste composed the innovative score for the critically acclaimed film Saturday Night from director Jason Reitman, which Batiste arranged live on-set during filming. Batiste also composed the score for his documentary American Symphony, which was recently nominated for two Grammys.

Trombone Shorty, the Grammy Award-winning New Orleans musician and producer, will perform “America the Beautiful” alongside Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle. Together, the two artists will deliver a powerful rendition of the iconic song, capturing the vibrant energy and spirit of Louisiana.

Born Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty blends funk, soul, R&B and rock in his music. A true New Orleans legend, Shorty performed at Jazz Fest with Bo Diddley at age four and led a brass band by age six. Since then, he’s released five acclaimed albums, toured with major acts like Lenny Kravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Foo Fighters, headlined festivals worldwide, and performed at the Grammys 4 times and the White House six times. Deeply connected to New Orleans, he closes Jazz Fest’s legendary final set and leads his own Mardi Gras parade atop a float in his likeness.

Accompanying Trombone Shorty, Louisiana native Lauren Daigle is a multiple Grammy, American Music and Billboard Music Award winner known for her powerful voice and chart-topping hits. Her 2018 album Look Up Child debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, making her the first female artist to reach the Top 10 on both the Pop and Christian Album charts simultaneously. The album’s lead single “You Say” has been certified six-times Platinum. Daigle’s recently released self-titled album spawned her 6th chart-topping song, “Thank God I Do,” and boosted her worldwide streaming numbers past 1 billion.

Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A proud New Orleans native, her artistry embodies her hometown’s vibrant musical and cultural heritage while resonating on a global scale. With 15 Grammy nominations and a win for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Anything For You,” Ledisi has earned international acclaim, redefining soul and R&B with her electrifying performances and commanding stage presence. She has graced many prestigious stages, including The White House and the Kennedy Center, and sold-out performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, captivating audiences around the world with her unmatched vocal prowess and magnetic artistry. Ledisi is celebrated as a true musical force and cultural trailblazer.

The Super Bowl pregame entertainment and Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show will also feature American Sign Language (ASL) performances. Stephanie Nogueras will perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Matt Maxey will deliver the ASL rendition of the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. The ASL pregame performances and the ASL Halftime show will be supported by Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.

The NFL previously announced that critically acclaimed artist Kendrick Lamar will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, which will be produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers.

Jon Batiste is a five-time Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-winning artist, composer, and bandleader. He won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for his work on the Disney/Pixar film Soul. Batiste has received 22 Grammy nominations, winning five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for We Are. He also earned five Grammy nominations for World Music Radio, which includes the hit single “Freedom” and draws inspiration from Batiste’s mission to create community and expand culture with the power of music and features collaborations with Jon Bellion, Lana Del Rey, and Lil’ Wayne. Batiste’s most recent album Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1) showcases his unique reimagining of Beethoven’s music. Batiste also composed the score for his documentary American Symphony, which was recently nominated for 2 Grammys. In addition to his musical achievements, Batiste served as the bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and is a passionate advocate for arts education and social justice.

Trombone Shorty, born Troy Andrews, is a Grammy-winning musician, producer and cultural icon known for his dynamic fusion of funk, soul, R&B, and rock. Shorty first appeared at Jazz Fest at the age of four, performing with Bo Diddley, and by six, he was leading his own brass band through the streets of New Orleans. Since then, he’s recorded with artists like Bruno Mars, Zac Brown Band, Pharrell and Ringo Starr, and has headlined major festivals around the world. A magnetic showman, he has graced the Grammy Awards stage four times and performed six times at the White House. In New Orleans, he closes Jazz Fest’s legendary final set, leads his own Mardi Gras parade atop a float in his likeness, and hosts the Treme Threauxdown, drawing stars like Usher and Nick Jonas. His recent album, Lifted, showcases his trademark energy and groove, blending hard-hitting rhythms with soulful melodies. A passionate advocate for youth music education, Shorty’s Trombone Shorty Foundation inspires young musicians, and his cultural exchange program in Cuba fosters international collaboration. With a star on the New Orleans Walk of Fame and a Caldecott Honor for his children’s book Trombone Shorty, he stands as a cultural ambassador, embodying the soul and spirit of his city.

Lauren Daigle is a 2x Grammy, 7x Billboard Music, and 4x American Music, but the numbers only tell half the story. Since her GRAMMY Award-winning, 2x platinum album Look Up Child (2018), featuring the unforgettable 6x platinum anthem “You Say,” Lauren’s music has been an unstoppable force on the charts. When Look Up Child debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart, she became the first female artist ever to break into the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Album charts—a history-making moment that stunned fans and critics alike. With her recent self-titled album, nominated for yet another GRAMMY, and its lead single, “Thank God I Do,” Lauren scored her 6th Billboard No. 1, pushing her to over a billion streams. Yet for Lauren, success is about something greater: giving back. In 2018, she launched The Price Fund, a foundation with a mission close to her heart—serving at-risk youth, children, and the elderly. Thanks to her dedication, The Price Fund has distributed nearly $3.5 million to nonprofits worldwide, making waves of change wherever it touches.

Ledisi, a Grammy Award-winning artist, is renowned for her powerful voice and impactful contributions to soul and R&B. Born in New Orleans, she has earned 15 Grammy nominations, including a win for Best Traditional R&B Performance. Beyond music, Ledisi is an actress, author, and advocate, with notable roles in Leatherheads and Spinning Gold. A passionate supporter of artists’ rights, she serves as a Trustee of the Recording Academy and was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Berklee School of Music in 2024.

Stephanie Nogueras is a vibrant and versatile actor hailing from a Puerto Rican background. Beyond her acting career, Stephanie embraces her role as an ASL consultant, coach and mentor, dedicating her time to teaching American Sign Language and deaf culture to students and families. Her personal experiences growing up Deaf in a predominantly hearing Puerto Rican family fuel her passion for mentoring deaf children, instilling in them the strength, compassion, determination, independence, and empathy that define her own character. Her acting credits include a recurring role on Freeform’s Switched at Birth, as “Camille” on Killing It, and as “Ava” on The Accused.

Otis Jones IV, also known as “O4” in American Sign Language, is a talented deaf actor and performer known for his dynamic performances in film and theater. He discovered his passion for music early on and began posting videos of himself signing to music, enriching his artistry. Dedicated to breaking barriers for deaf artists, Otis’s work emphasizes the importance of authentic representation. He has received critical acclaim for roles in adapted productions like Fidelo and American Idiot, showcasing his emotional range. Additionally, he has collaborated with major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney, Apple, and Coca-Cola.

Matt Maxey is the founder of DEAFinitely Dope, established in 2014, and created to break barriers between the Deaf and hearing communities through sign language and music. Maxey has presented to thousands of students at educational institutions nationwide, hosted workshops with numerous top companies worldwide and often speaks on the intersectionality of being both Black and Deaf. In addition to also becoming the first Black and Deaf man to tour with a Grammy Award winning artist in Chance The Rapper as DEAFinitely Dope was invited to join his “Be Encouraged” tour, Maxey has since used his platform to promote resilience, positivity, accessibility and inclusion for those without community and language deprivation as people of color.

K-Pop Superstar Rosé Signs Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

Warner Chappell Music has signed a global administration deal with K-pop superstar ROSÉ. Known as the lead vocalist of the world-renowned girl group BLACKPINK, ROSÉ is one of the most celebrated K-pop artists in history. Her recent collaboration with leading WCM hitmaker Bruno Mars on the single “APT.” has spent four weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. chart. It also debuted at No. 1 on both charts, making ROSÉ the first female K-pop solo artist to do so simultaneously. In addition, the single hit the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – another historic milestone for ROSÉ as the first female K-pop act to reach these positions.

On Friday, she released her newest single “Number One Girl,” and her long-awaited solo debut album, rosie, is set to follow on December 6.

ROSÉ said: “I am beyond excited to join the team at Warner Chappell. There is so much more to come that I can’t wait to share—it’s going to be an amazing journey.”

Ryan Press, President, North America, WCM said: “ROSÉ has earned this moment, and it’s a huge honor to officially welcome her to our Warner Chappell family. As she breaks record after record, she’s singlehandedly redefining the K-pop genre while also paving the way for a new era of cross-cultural expression. We’ve already hit the ground running with our partners at Atlantic to support ROSÉ’s bold vision and explore new creative opportunities for her songs. Above all, we can’t wait to see where her music takes us next.”

Born in Auckland, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, ROSÉ moved to South Korea at 15 years old to pursue a music career. In 2016, she rose to global fame as the lead singer of the K-pop quartet BLACKPINK. They quickly became a leading force in the music industry, setting new records as the first K-pop girl group to win a VMA and the first to appear on the cover of Billboard magazine. Additionally, they were the first Korean act to headline Coachella and become recognized by the RIAA with their gold-certified “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” as well as join Spotify’s Billions Club with their hit “How You Like That,” among many other achievements. In 2021, ROSÉ launched her solo career with the release of her debut album, R, featuring the lead track “On The Ground.” The song debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

How to Stay On-Trend with Ariat Boots in Equestrian Fashion

By Mitch Rice

Key Highlights

  • Discover the latest Ariat boot styles for 2024 and elevate your equestrian fashion.
  • Learn how to effortlessly pair Ariat boots with your equestrian attire for a chic look.
  • Explore the durability and functionality of Ariat boots, ideal for all seasons.
  • Understand how Ariat boots are revolutionizing the equestrian industry with innovation.
  • Find out why Ariat boots are a must-have staple in every equestrian’s wardrobe.

Introduction

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Ariat boots are known for their strong style and lasting quality in equestrian fashion. They mix new technology with timeless designs. This means you get comfort and high performance. In this guide, we will look at how Ariat boots can improve your equestrian look. You will stand out from the crowd with these boots.

Staying Trendy with Ariat Boots in the Equestrian World

The equestrian world mixes old traditions with new trends. The main ideas of riding and working with horses stay the same, but fashion is always changing. Ariat boots focus on classic styles and modern looks. They give equestrians stylish footwear to keep up with the latest trends.

Ariat has a wide range of boots. You can find classic English riding boots and tough Western styles. There is something for every riding discipline.

1. The Latest Ariat Boot Styles for 2024

This year, Ariat has launched new arrivals that mix new technology with classic designs. One boot that stands out is the Heritage Western R-Toe boot. It remains a favorite because of its detailed stitching and timeless shape. If you want a more modern style, the Ariat Heritage Lacer is a great choice. It has a smooth look and better ankle support.

No matter your riding style or personal taste, you will find the perfect pair in Ariat’s durable 2024 collection. Whether you’re in the show ring or out for a casual day, Ariat helps you look good and feel confident. Their focus on quality shows in every detail, making these boots a smart choice for every equestrian fan.

2. How to Pair Ariat Boots with Equestrian Attire

Ariat knows that equestrian fashion is more than just what you wear in the saddle. Their riding clothes and apparel go well with their shoes. This helps you make stylish and matching outfits. To get a classic equestrian look, try wearing your Ariat Heritage Western R-Toe boots with fitted breeches and a stylish riding shirt.

On casual days at the stable, Ariat has a lot of comfy and trendy options.

Here are some ideas to help you with your equestrian style:

  • Wear your Ariat jeans with a classic plaid shirt and a comfy pair of Ariat Heritage Roper boots for a timeless look.
  • On warm days, choose a flowy top, breeches, and Ariat paddock boots for a chic and balanced outfit.

3. Why Ariat Boots Are Ideal for All Seasons

Ariat boots are made to be strong and useful. They can handle all types of weather. Their work boots are made from materials that are waterproof and breathable. This helps keep your feet dry and comfy during wet winter days. Many Ariat boots have special features like ATS (Advanced Torque Stability) and Thinsulate insulation. These provide great support and warmth.

In the summer, Ariat offers lighter boots. These often have breathable mesh linings to keep your feet cool and comfortable on hot days. Whether you are riding through muddy fields or taking a walk in town, Ariat has a boot that fits every season.

4. How Ariat Boots Are Revolutionizing the Equestrian Industry

Ariat is known for its strong focus on new ideas, making it a leader in the equestrian world and popular among those who embrace the cowgirl lifestyle. The brand frequently brings new technology and design to the table, aiming to improve riders’ comfort and performance. For example, the Ariat Heritage Roper has a unique heel stabilization system that offers riders great support while they are in the saddle.

Ariat also uses top-notch materials. This commitment means their boots are made to last. By mixing old traditions with modern ideas, Ariat is changing the future of equestrian footwear. They provide riders with the best shoes at the best prices to succeed in their sports.

Why Ariat Boots Are a Staple in Equestrian Fashion

Ariat boots mix style, durability, and performance. They are a must-have for anyone who loves riding horses. The makers of Ariat focus on quality and new ideas. This means each boot is made to last and perform well in an equestrian life.

Whether you are a pro rider or just love horses, buying Ariat boots means you’ll have good footwear. They will support you on many adventures.

1. Durability Meets Style: The Ariat Promise

Ariat knows that equestrian footwear needs to be tough and stylish. The brand uses high-quality materials like full-grain leather and strong hardware. This choice helps their boots last through daily use.

Their boots are made to last through muddy fields and dusty trails. This focus on durability makes Ariat a trusted name for equestrians everywhere. Ariat boots not only last long but also blend practicality with style. This combination lets you go from riding to social events while staying comfortable and looking good.

2. Ariat Boots: From Riding to Street Fashion

Ariat boots are great for riding, but they also look good in everyday fashion. Ariat Men’s boots have a tough style that works well with many casual outfits.

You can wear them with classic denim or chino pants easily. Western wear is now very popular in today’s fashion. Ariat connects equestrian needs with street style, making it a favorite brand for anyone looking for stylish and comfy footwear.

Incorporating Ariat Boots into Everyday Wardrobe

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Ariat clothing and boots are very versatile. They can go easily from the stable to many parts of your life. You can build stylish outfits while still being comfy and enjoying the long-lasting quality Ariat is known for. Use this chance to show your special style by adding Ariat boots to your daily wardrobe.

Whether you are running errands or going to a social event, Ariat boots bring a bit of rugged charm to any look. Feel free to try new things and see how Ariat can enhance your style.

Tips for Styling Ariat Boots for Work and Play

Ariat’s work boots are great for those who want both function and a bit of Pure Western style. You can wear your Ariat boots with strong denim jeans and a work shirt for a classic look.

If you want a look inspired by the Dutton Ranch style, try wearing your boots with a denim jacket and a wide-brimmed hat. For day-to-day activities, check out Ariat’s more laid-back styles like the Cruiser or Terrain.

These flexible boots can be worn with jeans, chinos, or even skirts and dresses.

Pairing Ariat Boots with Denim

Denim and Ariat boots are a classic pair that shows off Western style. You can pick bootcut or straight-leg jeans to get a look that goes well with Ariat boots. Try different shades of denim to see what style you like best.

A darker wash gives a more dressed-up look, while lighter washes feel more laid-back and casual. The secret to matching Ariat boots with denim is to find a good fit and style. Choose boots that work well with your denim, without taking over your outfit.

Mixing Textures and Layers

One way to make your outfits look great is to use different textures and layers. You can try wearing a warm sweater or cardigan over a chambray shirt. Then, add in your favorite Ariat boots and a pair of jeans. Don’t worry about mixing textures, like pairing a chunky knit with a smooth leather jacket.

When choosing outerwear, pick items that go well with your Ariat boots and keep you warm. Good choices are a shearling-lined denim jacket, a quilted vest, or a classic wool coat. Mixing textures and layers will help you stay warm and make your outfit more interesting.

Dressing Up with Ariat Boots

Ariat boots are great for casual looks but can also work for dressy events. You might like the Ariat Heritage R-Toe or the Ariat Women’s Delilah boot because they are sleek and stylish.

You can wear these boots with a flowing dress or skirt and a fitted blazer or cardigan. To add some color, choose a dress or skirt with bold patterns. You can also try different jewelry and accessories to enhance your outfit. A statement belt, a stylish scarf, or some eye-catching earrings can change your look in an instant.

Ariat Boots for Weekend Adventures

Ariat boots are great for weekend fun. They are comfy and strong. Pick styles that have good ankle support and grip. The Terrain or Heritage Roper boots from Ariat are wonderful choices for different paths.

Wear your Ariat boots with cozy clothes like hiking pants, cargo pants, or leggings. Layer your clothing to fit with the weather. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer. Then add a warm fleece. Finally, use a waterproof outer jacket to be ready for anything.

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/garten-gg-201217/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=852994″>G.C.</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=852994″>Pixabay</a>

Conclusion

Ariat boots are more than just shoes; they show off style and usefulness for riders. They are strong, flexible, and trendy, making them essential gear for any rider’s wardrobe. Whether you are at the stables or out for a casual day, Ariat boots fit well with your everyday outfit, giving you comfort and a nice look. Embrace the riding spirit with Ariat boots and enjoy the perfect mix of style and practicality, ensuring a perfect fit for your lifestyle. Stay on top of equestrian fashion with Ariat boots as your main choice!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Ariat Boots Stand Out in Equestrian Fashion?

Ariat boots are special because they offer a great mix of durability, style, functionality, and special offers. They are made with top-quality materials and modern technology. This helps them provide both comfort and performance for people who ride horses.

Can Ariat Boots Be Worn Outside of Equestrian Activities?

Ariat boots can easily move from riding horses to everyday street style. They are comfy and look great, making them a favorite for casual outfits. Plus, they add some Western style to your look.

How Do I Care for My Ariat Boots to Keep Them Looking New?

To keep your Ariat boots looking great, clean them often with a damp cloth. Also, use Ariat leather conditioner. By taking care of them, you can help your boots last longer and stay in good shape.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Trip Hop Artist Nathalie King Releases Captivating Single “Within A Dream” from Her EP ‘PTSD’

There are songs which one can’t help but listen to for their infectious riff or groove. And there are others because you never know what’s around the corner. The latter is certainly the case for “Within A Dream,” the latest lavishly produced single from Munich, Germany-born and now Toronto-based trip hop singer Nathalie King. It’s a song which is equally unnerving and dreamy as King’s commanding voice works perfectly in tandem with the hushed trip hop structure.

“Within A Dream,” written by King, features musicians Joseph Paris John Snook providing cinematic soundscapes that could be mistaken for a title song from a forthcoming James Bond film. Bringing to mind the work of Portishead and the band’s singer Beth Gibbons, PJ Harvey, and Bjork, among others, “Within A Dream” has a dreamy, lullaby feel at times while brimming with industrial-tinged tension and gravitas in others. This dichotomy provides the single with a beautiful blend of highs and lows, darkness and eventual light.

Do you know what it feels like
Waking up in sweat all night?
Do you hear the screams?
Do you know how it feels?

Within a dream, within a dream
Wake up within a dream

The song’s tone mirrors the trauma of bullying, verbal and physical abuse King experienced growing up, hence the aptly titled EP PTSD. “PTSD is about the hurtful stuff I’ve gone through as a child, the stuff that affects you negatively as you grow up and the stuff that needs work on, to dig and reach deep down into the well of compassion and self-regulation of the nervous system,” King wrote on Instagram days prior to the EP’s release. “I cried, I pondered, I felt anxiety, and I did it. Writing music plays an integral part in my life and is one of many outlets to heal trauma and grow out of it. PTSD is a looking glass at my childhood trauma, my journey through it and the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Within A Dream,” written by King, was co-produced, co-recorded and co-engineered by Joseph Paris John Snook. Both Paris and Snook perform on the song providing various beats, textures, and atmospherics to give the single such wonderful weight. Anastasia Petrova mixed “Within A Dream,” which was mastered by Reuben Ghose. King says the song’s process started with her on piano and developing her “vocal melody and lyrics” before Paris’ production commenced.

The single, the follow up to her dynamic single “You” also from PTSD, is another high-water mark for the singer who grew up in Munich, Germany. King’s affinity for music began when she was nine years old and started playing saxophone. By 16 she was singing in a weekly class focusing on jazz and musical theater. A dream of learning musical theater in England morphed into film making classes, then studying animation and acting in Vancouver. But then things took a downward spiral.

King says “an inner voice” or “female angel-like entity told me to do music” when she was at her lowest. Heeding that advice, King launched her music career as a jazz singer in Toronto while performing songs that would be placed in television shows and commercials. In 2013, she released her debut album Odyssey. Since then, she’s had songs appear in The Fosters, Love Island Germany, Law and Order: Toronto, and the 2022 nature documentary Soul of the Ocean.

Now with a slick, cathartic, and mesmerizing single “Within A Dream,” the reality is Nathalie King’s trajectory is rising sky-high, coming into the light after a dark personal tunnel.

Quick Hits: Top 40 Trivia Abounds in Tom Locke’s ‘Moments in Time 2.0’ Book

The attic of 20th-century pop music is packed to the rafters with exotic ephemera—a one-hit wonder that launched a nationwide dance craze here, a chart-topping classic from an otherwise forgotten movie there. Digging deep into the minutiae of those halcyon days is the fun of Moments in Time 2.0, a collection of anecdotes and factoids that’s more engrossing than a thousand long-distance dedications. You can get it on Amazon U.S. here and Amazon Canada here.

Just like its subject matter, the book was built with instant gratification in mind. Music historian Tom Locke has parceled out nuggets of pop trivia from the 60s, 70s and 80s, in bite-size morsels that you can sample a few at a time or all at once. Think of it like a great oldies channel but in print, with a playlist that covers one of the richest eras in our pop-cultural past—beginning at a point when Elvis’ stint in the army had ceded the charts to a cadre of squeaky-clean crooners, and running all the way up to the revolution that was the New Wave, in which a catchy synthesizer riff and a handclap machine were all it took to get a nation up and dancing.

But even if you think you know those three decades like the back of your hand, Moments In Time 2.0 will put your expertise to the test. Which TV show had a theme song by Philadelphia Soul kingpins Kenny Gamble and Leon A. Huff? What group named after a Canadian city hit the Billboard Hot 100 seven times between 1972 and 1982? Those are just two of the burning questions answered in the book, which is cleverly structured as a series of two-page mysteries: Each entry spins a fascinating story beginning on Page One but doesn’t reveal the song or artist in question until Page Two. And since music is meant to be heard, not just read about, each passage ends with a QR code that takes you to an audio file of the song itself.

The novel format of the book comes from Locke’s online segment of the same name, which began airing Sunday nights on Treasure Island Oldies in August 2000. He first brought its focus and approach to the page in 2021’s Moments In Time, which covered a time span from the hot-rodding 50s to the discofied 70s. The book would go on to win five awards and continues to receive 5-Star reviews.

“In Moments in Time 2.0, I’ve adopted the suggestions made by my supporters and by music professionals—like interviewers, podcasters and deejays—to include some memorable stories about artists and songs from the 80s, since that decade has entered the ‘oldies’ domain,” Locke explains. The results have clearly won the approval of the public and the industry alike: Both volumes are included in the Library and Archives at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Like many of us, Locke is more of an armchair musicologist than a full-timer; he just happens to know far more about the subject than most of his readers and listeners do. Born in Toronto and a resident of Vancouver since the 80s, he has a diverse professional background that includes advising companies on the use of digital technology and overseeing post-production duties on major feature films and TV shows.

But to hear his admirers in the music business tell it, he’s as well-versed in the field they love as anybody.

“Tom has done it again! This time even better!” raves Geri Petito, Hamilton Radio’s ‘Jersey Jewel.’ “He continues to astound me with his knowledge and storytelling about the music we grew up with and cherish.”
Meanwhile, Alex Ward of SiriusXM Radio’s Pink & Black Days gets right to the oldie-obsessed heart of the matter: “We in radio would call it Solid Gold!”

Wolfman Jack couldn’t have said it better.

Folk/Pop Visionary Matthew Lien Releases 25th Album ‘Full Circle’ in Immersive Binaural Format

Yukon musician/producer Matthew Lien has released his 25th album and his most ambitious to date. Seven years in the making, Full Circle features many of Lien’s trademark characteristics spanning acoustic styles from folk to pop wrapped up in environmental soundscapes, and all of it has been produced in Lien’s new award-winning immersive format developed especially for earphones.

“When I first started recording in the 1980s, headphones were rarely used,” Lien said. “But with the proliferation of smartphones, they’re everywhere!”

From his earliest recordings, Lien was interested in expanding the boundaries of how sound is perceived. Many of his productions employed the Roland RSS or Desper Pro-Spatializer systems (used by Sting, Deep Forest, Roger Waters and others) to expand the stereo soundfield. In 2005, he received support from the National Research Council to expand the perception of 5.1 surround sound, while working with Sony engineer Lon Neumann at Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio.

But it was his first experience with binaural sound that raised the bar. One fateful morning, his recording engineer Michael Harris brought a DIY binaural microphone into the recording studio. It looked like a beat-up mannequin head with rubbery ears and wires underneath. Harris played a recording of himself walking around the studio while talking and shaking his car keys. “Listening on headphones with my eyes closed, I thought nothing of it because it sounded so realistic, until I opened my eyes and Mike wasn’t in the room,” Lien exclaimed. “I couldn’t believe it had been recorded, and I realized this microphone was essentially a periscope for the ears, able to put someone aurally into any space.”

With a loan from his father, he purchased the holy grail of binaural microphones – the Neumann KU100 – and started experimenting. The biggest challenge he discovered which had vexed others attempting and abandoning the binaural format for mainstream music production, was the matter of reverb (the smooth echo you hear in churches, for example).

Most studio music is recorded in layers, so that each instrument can be treated uniquely for tone, position, dynamics, and the sense of space it occupies. That space is usually applied with artificial reverb, so vocalists can sound like they’re in a chapel while a piano can seem to be in a small room.

When artificial reverb is applied to binaural recordings, it causes the immersive quality of the recording to collapse. So, Lien started experimenting with another type of reverb called convolution reverb. This involved recording a special tone within an acoustically pleasing space and using the binaural microphone to capture a digital fingerprint of the space (called an impulse response). His use of a binaural microphone, and broadcasting that tone in 45-degree angles, was his breakthrough.

He then travelled Canada, Europe and southeast Asia to capture impulse responses in many historically significant spaces which, he realized, impart immersive spatial qualities onto the instruments while also contributing cultural qualities to his songs, since the spaces he would later apply to his recordings may include the Marble Hall of the St. Florian Basilica or St. Martin’s Church, the oldest Christian church in the English speaking world. “I’d become an acoustic archaeologist,” Lien observed.

While most songs on Full Circle are personal compositions from Lien’s life and travels over four decades, the album has two cover songs recorded as tributes to those he’s lost. Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah was re-imagined by Lien for his father who passed away while Lien was in the studio. “He often requested k.d. lang’s version in the hospital,” Lien said. “I promised to develop my take on the song, but he passed away before he could hear it.”

The other tribute is for his friend and the bassist on many of Lien’s albums and tours, Paul Stephens. “When Paul received a tragic diagnosis with only months to live, I called him and asked if he wanted to record one last song,” Lien recalls. I’m Gonna Pray was composed by Paul Gatien and Leah DeForrest, close friends that Lien and Stephens had in common. The recording became an international undertaking involving eighteen musicians in six studios with seven engineers in the Yukon, BC and California. The day after the final mixing session, Stephens and his wife Maureen returned home to Canada where he passed away days later. “The project served as a beautiful way for many friends to say goodbye, and it filled Paul’s final months with what he loved most in life,” Lien said.

Overall, Full Circle was curated from forty years of songwriting, and recorded in six countries and eighteen locations, with fifty-two musicians, eight engineers and four foley artists; and with binaural impulse responses (digital acoustic fingerprints) captured in twenty-two chapels, cathedrals, caves and caverns across North America, Europe and Asia. All of this – including the 22 acoustic spaces – was recorded in the binaural format with the KU-100 microphone crafted by Neumann, the renowned manufacturer of high-end studio microphones.

The album was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Romanowski. “When I heard of Michael and his award-winning work on immersive projects, I asked if he thought he could improve on the music, a challenge he thankfully accepted and he’s elevated the immersive quality significantly,” Lien said.

Full Circle is released under a new distribution deal secured with Interstellar Music who represents artists like Taylor Swift and Jackie Chan in southeast Asia, and who’ve just re-released fifteen of Lien’s previous titles. Full Circle is now streaming on all major platforms, so get your earphones on.

Sarah Burton Delivers Americana Excellence with Double Singles “Sorry” and “Oklahoma” from ‘Swoonville USA’

Sarah Burton continues to ride high in 2024 with a brilliant collection of Americana roots music from her Swoonville USA album. Now the Ottawa, Ontario-born, Toronto and Texas-based singer-songwriter is back with one of the year’s better double A-side releases in “Sorry” and “Oklahoma.” Although both are different in terms of structure, style, and sound, the quality and musicianship is something to be envied by anyone who appreciates great, infectious music.

“Sorry” is a reflective, contemplative nugget Burton says speaks to acknowledging past mistakes that could run the gamut from little white lies to something far more significant. It’s a universal emotion that causes people to relive those miscues and criticize themselves for what they did at the time. And it’s something Burton admits to.

“I’ve been a good person in my life, for the most part,” Burton says regarding “Sorry.” “But I’ve had moments that to this day make me cringe. There are times in my life I look back on and have to realize that although I may have thought in that moment that I was right – I was wrong to act the way I did. It pains me to admit that I may have had a part to play in somebody’s bad time, but I surely did. This song is an apology for things I can’t change, for mistakes I made, for hurts I caused, whether I meant to or not.”

Burton, who also spends time in Texas locales including Austin and Terlingua as well as Salmon, Idaho, is front and center on “Sorry.” Although strumming her acoustic guitar to start the track, Burton’s rich voice is accompanied by a simple but timeless mix of folk, roots, and pop that winds its way around her ridiculously sweet delivery. While recounting incidents dating back to high school, Burton’s approach brings to mind artists like Lori McKenna, Sheryl Crow, The Chicks, and Australian folk roots group The Waifs.

“Sorry,” written by Burton and produced by Jane Aurora, features Burton on vocals and guitar, Matt Kelly on keyboards, backing vocalist Jody Peck, bassist Erik Nielsen and drummer Leon Power. The same musicians are also used on the other A-side “Oklahoma” (also written by Burton and produced by Aurora) with Kelly playing both guitar and pedal steel guitar and Australia’s sweetheart, Liz Stringer, leading the charge on the backing vocals.

Speaking of “Oklahoma,” Burton says the punchy, country-tinged jewel was inspired by a man wearing a “denim pearl snap shirt” who Burton struck up a conversation with after a show she played. “He was from Oklahoma, and he was living in his van,” Burton says of the “ruggedly handsome” gentleman. “I love a good van, so I asked him what kind of van. ‘Do you want to see it?’ I knew what he meant, and it had nothing to do with the make or model of his bed on wheels.”

Although Burton declined the invitation, the following morning she woke up with the song in her head. “‘Oklahoma tells the story of a woman tired of supporting her van-life boyfriend, but willing to make it work if he’s willing to work for it,” she says. “A song about making compromises for love and making changes to work towards a better life together.”

“Oklahoma” also has a “self-reflexive element,” as Burton says she often sleeps in her van although she stays in hotels. “It’s a fact which begs the question who is the free-wheeling van-lifer that won’t settle down. Is it the stranger from Oklahoma who I know nothing about? Or is it the woman with a tattoo of a minivan and no fixed address?”

Fueled by a steady country-leaning melody that is powerful and melodic, “Oklahoma” has Burton leading the way that brings to mind Sheryl Crow’s The Globe Sessions with its authenticity and earthy vibes. The solid rhythm section enables the song to flourish with a bigger arrangement complete with pedal steel and lovely harmonies. Kelly provides some gorgeous roots rock riffs in the bridge before Burton brings it back home masterfully. In short, much like “Sorry,” “Oklahoma” is a keeper!

The double A-sides epitomize Burton’s latest full-length studio effort Swoonville USA but also symbolizes her consistently excellent discography. After a 2008 EP entitled Love Is For Pussies, Burton released her full-length debut Mayflower in 2010. Subsequent albums have included 2015’s Make Your Own Bed, 2019’s Give Me What I Want, and 2023’s 64 Magic Queens. Burton has also shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale, Mary Gauthier, Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson, and Susan Gibson. And she’s played various festivals including Mile of Music, Merlefest, North By Northeast and Canadian Music Week.

Now with a double A-side release in “Sorry” and “Oklahoma” in addition to Canadian and U.S. tour dates throughout 2024 and 2025, Sarah Burton is making new listeners, loyal followers and critics swoon over her remarkable material. You’ll be sorry if you don’t check out both of these captivating, well-crafted singles.

Jamie Fine Unleashes Vulnerable Power in New Single ‘like i do’

Jamie Fine’s latest single, “like i do,” is out now through Frostbyte Media, a boutique division of Virgin / Universal Music. Frostbyte is part of the internationally distributed SRG-ILS label group, home to celebrated artists like UB40, Saukrates, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, J. Brown, and Keke Palmer.

Jamie Fine has always been refreshingly real. It’s her openness—her willingness to share her authentic self—that has endeared her to millions as a relatable, down-to-earth voice in pop today. In “like i do,” the Ottawa-born singer-songwriter celebrates her unique quirks, offering listeners a heartfelt glimpse into the complexities of love and self-acceptance. Fine acknowledges that she can be a handful to love but trusts that, beneath it all, her big heart shines through.

Right from the opening line, she pulls us in with an honest admission about her ADHD, sharing the unique challenges it brings to relationships—from dominating conversations to needing reassurance. She knows it’s a lot to handle, but her promise remains steadfast: “No one will love you like I do.”

And if her words don’t convince us, the song’s sound surely will. Fine’s voice is tender yet powerful, as she lays it all bare over a simple acoustic guitar. Then, out of nowhere—BAM! The track transforms into a full-on banger, putting it up there with her recent hits like “If Anything’s Left” (which soared to #8 on the Canadian CHR chart in 2023 and went platinum) and “You’re Like” (which climbed to #7).

Since going solo in 2020, Fine has cemented her place as a cultural force, with her 2022 EP eight gardengate showcasing her big-hearted, self-reflective nature. She’s been nominated for four JUNO Awards, with her music streamed over 100 million times worldwide by nearly 1.5 million fans who love her authenticity.

In 2025, Fine will be back on stage, bringing her music to fans in person. With guitarist Matthieu St. Jules and drummer Darius Martin joining her, she’ll play key dates across Canada, with additional shows planned for South Africa in April and May, where “If Anything’s Left” became an unexpected double-platinum success.

Tour dates announced so far include:
February 22 – Ottawa, ON
February 27 – Toronto, ON
February 28 – Montreal, QC

Wherever she goes, Jamie Fine’s raw honesty and warmth make her impossible not to root for. She’s perfectly imperfect—and that’s just how we like her.

Tyler Mullendore Releases Emotional Single “Mama Cry” from Debut EP ‘Time Heals Everything’

Issues of addiction are painful for all concerned. From those in the horrific throes of substance abuse to those loved ones and friends who are trying to intervene or provide tough love, it’s a situation that affects everyone. For Americana folk rock artist Tyler Mullendore, that issue is addressed honestly and movingly in “Mama Cry,” a soothing single from Mullendore’s debut EP Time Heals Everything. It’s a song Mullendore says hits quite close to home.

“‘Mama Cry’ is probably the most emotional song on the record, and it’s very personal to me,” Mullendore, a native of Lake Ainslie, a small locale in the western portion of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, says. “The song reads like an intervention letter.”

Mullendore, now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, says a close friend was struggling quite badly with addiction during the time he was writing “Mama Cry.” “His close friends and family had been watching him go downhill for quite some time, and we were all very saddened and concerned to see him that way,” Mullendore says. “I was also having my own issues with substance abuse at the time. I remember having a very emotional phone call with his very desperate and worried mother; shortly after, I gave my friend a long-handwritten letter. It was my best brotherly attempt at helping him turn things around. The song was inspired by that whole situation.”

“Mama Cry” is a mid-tempo, melodic masterpiece that Mullendore guides from its soothing, soulful opening to its fantastic finish. The single, written by Mullendore, contains some great backing harmonies and recalls work by talented singer-songwriters such as Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Bob Seger, and Astral Weeks-era Van Morrison. And, of course, fellow Cape Breton rock icon Matt Minglewood can also be heard in his work. Mullendore provides lead vocals and guitar on “Mama Cry” and is accompanied by bassist Nick Patterson, guitarist Adrian Dunn and keyboardist Sam Fraser. Backups are provided by long time friends, Wendy Martin and accomplished roots reggae artist Jhamiela Smith (Jah’Mila)

“Mama Cry” is the latest single from Mullendore’s six-song Time Heals Everything EP. The effort features quality material from the soulful roots emanating from “365 Days” to the piano-led Seger-esque “Living The Dream,” which screams for being on an open road with the wind in your hair. Meanwhile, “You’re Just A Dream” is a softer but thoughtful piece of quality pop rock that is another gem. Mullendore left nothing to chance with Time Heals Everything, taking five years to finish the effort.

“The album’s title was inspired by a decade of love, loss, and hard times, as well as the will to heal and look to a better future ahead,” he says. “The theme across this record, as well as in other songs of mine, is that life is hard, and times are tough sometimes. We all have regrets, we all experience loss, pain, and suffering, we all fall down; but we get up. The sun comes out, things get better, time heals.”

Mullendore, who cites Seger and John Prine as influences, was a finalist on Canadian Idol in 2007 which helped launch his career nationwide. He also earned top spot in eOne’s national “Big Break” songwriting competition, which garnered the attention of its judges for the singer’s authenticity. Recently Mullendore performed at Nova Scotia Music Week in Wolfville, performing both solo shows alongside band performances. On November 21 he plays an EP release show at Halifax’s The Carlton. And he’s slated to perform as part of The Last Waltz concert lineup set for Halifax’s Marquee Ballroom on Nov. 23, a tribute concert honoring The Band’s legendary farewell show. A second album release show takes place in Mabou, NS at The Strathspey Performing Arts Centre on Nov. 30th.

Now with “Mama Cry” and his Time Heals Everything EP, Tyler Mullendore is about to embark on another chapter in what has already been an impressive career. It’s a testament to his perseverance that Tyler Mullendore is destined for bigger audiences and recognition thanks to songs and music that get to the heart of life’s ups and downs.

Toronto Electro-Rocker Trak Explores Emotional Depths in New Single “Dust & Ashes”

Even in our moments of deepest despair, we’re subconsciously laying the groundwork for what lies ahead. That’s the emotional space Toronto electro-rocker Trak occupies on his new single, “Dust & Ashes”: a crossroads between the wreckage of yesterday and the mystery of tomorrow, where our surest compass is an indomitable will to move forward that we may not even know we have.

With all the raw honesty his skill as a composer and performer will convey, Trak embodies a character who’s feeling “suffocated” by “the ashes of the past”—while at the same time experiencing the sensation of his skin being seared by “the heat from the future.” Sounds like a real no-win situation—except that the “heat” in question might not be a smothering, extinguishing force, but rather an inner fire that imparts the warmth to stay alive and carry on.

The music is appropriately urgent yet somehow also reassuringly symmetrical, with Trak’s emotional vocal keening over a percolating, arpeggiated submelody that sounds almost like a tortured vibraphone. It all builds to a dramatic crescendo that pulls the utmost from the vocalist/keytarist and his newly added cadre of supporting musicians: violinist Tina Sol, drummer Stephan Loebus, guitarist Alejandro Herrera and backing vocalist Kat Valisolalao.

“Dust & Ashes” plays a pivotal role in a long-form science-fiction story Trak began telling on his debut album, Enter the Purgatory, and is carrying forward onto his upcoming EP, The Last Flare. It’s the tale of a space traveler who, as the song begins, has been separated from his soulmate through an act of self-sacrifice and is questioning the choices that have led him there. For Trak, rendering such wounded moments of the heart in song is a highly positive, even cathartic process.

“I’ve always gone to music composition to express sadness, fear, doubt and any negative thoughts,” he explains. “These feelings are the one that create the most meaningful songs and beautiful melodies.”

Just don’t think it’s all a mere academic exercise, because solitude is and always has been a genuine leitmotif for this artist. Since his days growing up in Nice all way through to his momentous relocation to his current home base of Toronto, he’s remained a genuine introvert. For proof, just take a look at his onstage presentation, in which he unfailingly hides behind a face mask that makes him look like a futuristic cousin to The Phantom of the Paradise.

Through it all, his stabilizing influence has been music. Having inherited his father’s appreciation of Genesis (the band, not the Old Testament document), he acquired his first synthesizer at age 13 and immediately set about crafting his own original tunes. (We won’t mention an earlier, aborted attempt to learn classical and jazz piano). Before long, the young visionary was appearing at his high-school talent show, playing three synthesizers at the same time in a performance inspired by Jean-Michel Jarre.

Since then, his development as a writer and player has been an ongoing handshake with developing technology, including the latest up-to-the-minute home-recording software and composing platforms.

The result was Enter the Purgatory, an ambitious electro-opera inspired by the myth of Orpheus’ descent into the underworld. The Last Flare is a more cosmically minded song cycle that Trak says will also reveal a distinct evolution from his electro roots to a fuller rock sound. Due in February 2025, the EP will follow the single’s lead in showcasing a newfound emphasis on live instrumentation, while retaining the dramatic flair of Trak’s more solitary, operatic influences. Having explored the full parameters of electronic music, he’s now focused on carving out a space where live-band energy and the electronic pulse of a DJ set will blend seamlessly. (Ever restless, he’s also planning on yet another major geographical upheaval—a move to Barcelona—in the new year.)

“The ideas behind my music are simple: make music a long-lasting product instead of a short-term phenomenon,” Trak says. “Today’s music is more focused on being catchy and trendy, instead of focusing on the emotions and the message. I want people to explore their musical tastes and connect more with what they listen to.”

In other words, there’s a third alternative to the scars of yesterday and the cloudy skies of next week: the comforting embrace of the eternal. See you there. And don’t forget to kick the “Dust” off your shoes.

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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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