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Nick Lowe Reworks “Different Kind of Blue” on First Album in Over a Decade, ‘Indoor Safari’

Nick Lowe has shared “Different Kind of Blue,” the latest preview from his first new album in 11 years, Indoor Safari, out September 13 via Yep Roc Records. Originally written and scratch-recorded during sessions for Lowe’s classic 2001 album The Convincer, the song did not surface in the U.S. until Yep Roc included it in an expanded 20th anniversary reissue of that album in 2021. Newly recorded with a lyrical refresh and the gently swinging support of Los Straitjackets, the track finds Lowe pining“I’m lonely and I miss you grievously / In the night especially, wondering over you.”

“I had recorded this one as a demo back during The Convincer sessions and Neil Brockbank sent it off as a b-side to the label to be included as a bonus track on an exclusive version of the album,” says Lowe. “I had forgotten about this song for the most part until recently fans have rediscovered the track and brought it back to my attention. I listened to the original demo, wrote new lyrics and added a full band arrangement to it and think it turned out pretty good.”

To accompany the news, Lowe has announced a seventeen-date fall tour with Los Straitjackets across the East Coast and Midwest, including multiple nights in each of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Toronto and Chicago. Before that, he’ll return to the US later this month for The GRAMMY Museum’s ‘A New York Evening with Nick Lowe,’ taking place at National Sawdust in Williamsburg on July 30. The event will feature Lowe in conversation with current Saturday Night Live cast member James Austin Johnson, with a brief performance to follow. Tickets here: https://www.universe.com/events/a-new-york-evening-with-nick-lowe-tickets-PCZ2NK

“Different Kind of Blue” follows Indoor Safari lead track “Went To A Party,” which Rolling Stone says “[plunges] Lowe back into the kicky, witty pop that first set him apart from the new-wave crowd in the late Seventies.”.

Indoor Safari is twelve songs of brand new originals, signature deep-cut covers and refitted versions of tracks previously released in nascent form as singles, representing a culmination of Lowe’s decade-long working relationship with those mysterious masked men and Yep Roc labelmates Los Straitjackets (Eddie Angel/guitar; Pete Curry/bass; Chris Sprague/drums; Greg Townson/guitar). Indoor Safari was recorded at various locations and mixed by Alex Hall (JD McPherson, Cactus Blossoms) and Lowe at Reliable Recorders in Chicago. The collection “is nothing less than a free-roaming journey through the wilds of recorded sound,” says Emmy-winning writer Eli Attie (The West Wing, Billions, The Diplomat) in the album’s accompanying liner notes. “No matter the style or genre, Nick knows the taxonomy of song like a zoologist knows the hippo’s bones.”

Since releasing his last long-player – 2013’s “characteristically great” (New York Magazine) Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for all the Family – Nick Lowe has toured three continents with Los Straitjackets, recording a series of rapid fire singles and EPs along the way. In time-honored fashion, the “master songwriter who never takes himself too seriously” (Rolling Stone) kept fine-tuning those songs and coming up with new ones. With help from Alex Hall “they all sound of a piece” now says Lowe, adding that with the old Straitjacket magic “hey, presto, you’ve got the sauce on it all.”

Nick Lowe Indoor Safari tracklist
1. Went To A Party (Lowe, Angel, Curry, Sprague, Townson) 2:57
2. Love Starvation (Lowe) 2:51
3. Crying Inside (Lowe) 2:55
4. A Quiet Place (Bell, Meade) 3:13
5. Blue On Blue (Lowe) 3:38
6. Jet Pac Boomerang (Lowe) 3:14
7. Tokyo Bay (Lowe) 2:24
8. Trombone (Lowe) 4:06
9. Different Kind of Blue (Lowe) 3:34
10. Raincoat In The River (Schroeder, Kaye) 3:00
11. Lay It On Me Baby (Lowe) 2:51
12. Don’t Be Nice To Me (Lowe) 2:55

Nick Lowe Tour Dates
July 30 – The GRAMMY Museum at National Sawdust – Brooklyn, NY
September 24 – The London Palladium – London, UK (with Los Straitjackets)
September 26 – The Fire Station – Sunderland, UK (with Los Straitjackets)
September 28 – National Concert Hall – Dublin, Ireland
September 29 – O2 Ritz Manchester – Manchester, UK (with Los Straitjackets)
September 30 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham, UK (with Los Straitjackets)
October 10 – Bowery Ballroom – New York City, NY (with Los Straitjackets)
October 11 – Bowery Ballroom – New York City, NY (with Los Straitjackets)
October 12 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA (with Los Straitjackets)
October 13 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA (with Los Straitjackets)
October 16 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA (with Los Straitjackets)
October 17 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA (with Los Straitjackets)
October 20 – Atlantis – Washington, DC (with Los Straitjackets)
October 21 – Atlantis – Washington, DC (with Los Straitjackets)
October 22 – Thunderbird – Pittsburgh, PA (with Los Straitjackets)
October 24 – TD Music Hall – Toronto, ON (with Los Straitjackets)
October 25 – TD Music Hall – Toronto, ON (with Los Straitjackets)
October 26 – Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI (with Los Straitjackets)
October 29 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL (with Los Straitjackets)
October 30 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL (with Los Straitjackets)
November 1 – Vivarium – Milwaukee, WI (with Los Straitjackets)
November 2 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN (with Los Straitjackets)
November 3 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN (with Los Straitjackets)

Okayplayer Unveils Official Trailer for “The Almanac of Rap” Podcast Hosted by Donwill

Brooklyn-based rapper and Webby Award winner Donwillis thrilled to announce the release of the official trailer for the third season of his highly anticipated podcast, “The Almanac of Rap,” now presented by Okayplayer. Set to premiere on August 1, the podcast promises to be a deep dive into the rich history and culture of hip-hop, featuring exclusive interviews with influential figures such as A-Trak, Von Pea, Lalah Hathaway, and more. The trailer, which includes music created and rapped by Donwill, offers an exciting preview of what listeners can expect from this groundbreaking series.

Donwill is a rapper, producer, and member of the hip-hop group Tanya Morgan. Known for his innovative approach to music and storytelling, Donwill has received critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase throughout his career. His solo projects and collaborations have solidified his place in the hip-hop community as a versatile and creative artist. With “The Almanac of Rap,” he continues to push creative boundaries, offering listeners an engaging exploration of hip-hop culture.

Donwill expressed his excitement about the podcast’s Okayplayer launch, saying, “Hip-hop has always been more than just music to me – it’s a culture, a movement, and a way of life. With ‘The Almanac of Rap,’ I want to honor the legacy of hip-hop while also exploring its current state and future direction. I’m thrilled to share these stories and conversations with listeners and to celebrate the art form that has given so much to me and many others.”

“The Almanac of Rap” podcast combines educational investigation with entertainment, diving deep into hip-hop culture to uncover its origins, evolution, and societal impact. Each episode features candid conversations with influential artists, producers, and industry insiders who have shaped the genre. The process begins with a spark of curiosity for host Donwill, whether sparked by an overt question or a subtle detail. He dives into extensive research, immersing himself in full discographies, exploring YouTube rabbit holes, and scouring obscure corners of the internet for answers. Once the groundwork is laid, Donwill and his team book interviews with guests who provide insights and anecdotes, recorded at Okayplayer’s studios to infuse each episode with dynamic energy and engagement.

“The Almanac of Rap is the first offering from Okayplayer’s brand new podcast unit and I couldn’t be more proud to share it with the world!” explains Isha Sesay (CEO of Areya Media including Okayplayer and OkayAfrica). “Donwill’s love and near unparalleled knowledge of hip hop make this an exceptional show – one that perfectly captures OKP’s long standing commitment to showcase the very best of Black culture.”

Launched in 1999 by Questlove of The Roots, Okayplayer is the original progressive urban music site and remains the premier digital destination for music culturists worldwide. It delivers a full spectrum of premium music content and entertainment, serving as a gateway to multi-faceted cultures and communities. As the gold standard in music media, Okayplayer defines and creates the cutting edge in sound, art, film, politics, and more. With an influential voice that champions black culture, Okayplayer’s global community is equipped with scholarly knowledge in music and culture. Our loyal audience, passionate and socially aware, engages with impactful cultural moments, innovative sounds, and healthy debates, while staying attuned to current events.

The Flaming Lips Celebrate 25 Years Of ‘The Soft Bulletin’ With Limited Edition 2LP Zoetrope Picture Disc

The Flaming Lips will celebrate 25 years of their seminal 1999 album, The Soft Bulletin, with the brand new The Soft Bulletin 25TH Anniversary Vinyl out September 6. It will be available in limited-edition 2LP Vinyl with stunning Zoetrope designs notably co-created by Drew Tetz and band frontman Wayne Coyne. Plus, it boasts brand new sleeve artwork in addition to an insert with text penned by Wayne.

Recently, Wayne took to Instagram in order to quietly tease this moment and share candid memories of The Soft Bulletin. Specifically, he reminisced about the finale “Sleeping On The Roof.” He revealed, “this little piece of music encapsulates the theme of The Soft Bulletin.. It’s bleak and resigned but also comforting.. it somehow is hopeless and hopeful at the same time..”

The Flaming Lips first unveiled The Soft Bulletin on May 17, 1999. Anchored by staples such as “Race for the Prize,” “Waitin’ for a Superman,” and “Feeling Yourself Disintegrate,” it earned some of the highest critical praise of the band’s career. Pitchfork placed it at #3 among “The Top 100 Albums of the 1990s,” hailing it as “godlike music” and professing, “Remarkably, the band’s music maintains a general air of feel-goodness while their lyrics concern sobering subjects as bleeding, bites, and mortality.” Moreover, Entertainment Weekly bestowed an “A” rating upon the record, Spin scored it “9-out-of-10,” NME applauded it with a “9-out-of-10,” and Pitchfork delivered a rare perfect “10.0” score.

They will continue to tour throughout 2024. These shows once again see the band deliver a full performance of their 2002 groundbreaking, Gold-certified Warner Records album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety, continuing to honor over two decades of this creative and critical career high watermark.

On August 30 and 31, the band will host their “Summer Freak Out,” playing two nights at Zoo Amphitheatre in their hometown of Oklahoma City. The band will perform Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety on night one, with a full performance of The Soft Bulletin to follow on night two. Check out the full confirmed tour itinerary below and click HERE for ticket information.

Formed in Oklahoma City, OK in 1983, The Flaming Lips have since become one of the most iconic, influential, unpredictable, and vital forces in American alternative rock music. The band has garnered three GRAMMY Awards, a Tony nomination, and an RIAA Gold-certified Record for Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Q Magazine named them one of the “50 Bands to See Before You Die.” The band has made countless late night television appearances, appeared in a Super Bowl commercial, contributed to many film soundtracks, and collaborated with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Kacey Musgraves, Yoko Ono, The Chemical Brothers, and many more. More recently The LIPS have recorded an album of Nick Cave covers featuring vocalist Nell Smith called “Where The Viaduct Blooms.” They have set countless records, broken attendance records, have a hometown street named in their honor, created spectacular interactive audio/visual events now regarded as legendary. Frontman Wayne Coyne has been recognized for works of art that graced many LIPS album covers along with his traveling art exhibit (and subsequent album) “The King’s Mouth,” an audiovisual art installation that has been featured in many contemporary art museums around the US. Their latest LP, American Head, marks a return to a more melodic and song-oriented body of work and has critically been lauded as their best work in years placing on several “Year End/Best Of lists” around the world. Evan after a combination of 23 studio recordings, 16 singles, 11 compilations, 12 EPs and 11 self-released experimental collaborative oddities released in various forms, quantities and unique mediums, The Flaming Lips remain in a creative apex that has no bounds. To that end, they have become an American Treasure and created a genre all to themselves.

The Soft Bulletin TRACKLISTING:
DISC 1:
o Side A:
1. Race for the Prize
2. A Spoonful Weighs a Ton
3. The Spark That Bled
4. The Spiderbite Song
o Side B:
1. Buggin’
2. What is the Light?
3. The Observer
DISC 2:
o Side A:
1. Waitin’ for a Superman
2. Suddenly Everything Has Changed
3. The Gash
o Side B:
1. Slow Motion
2. Feeling Yourself Disintegrate
3. Sleeping on the Roof

The Flaming Lips On Tour 2024
July
23 – LaFayette, NY, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
25 – Portland, ME, Thompson’s Point
26 – Burlington, VT, Waterfront Park
Aug
9 – Bellevue, NE, Outlandia Festival
30 – Oklahoma City, OK, Zoo Amphitheatre
31 – Oklahoma City, OK, Zoo Amphitheatre
Sep
4 – St. Paul, MN, Xcel Energy Center*
6 – Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena*
7 – Columbus, OH, Nationwide Arena*
8 – Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena*
10 – Boston, MA, TD Garden*
11 – New York, NY, Madison Square Garden*
13 – Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center*
14 – Washington, DC, The Anthem*
15 – Washington, DC, The Anthem*
17 – Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena*
18 – Greenville, SC, Bon Secours Wellness Arena
20 – Orlando, FL, Kia Center*
21 – Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino*
27 – Austin, TX, Moody Center*
28 – Houston, TX, Toyota Center*
29 – Dallas, TX, American Airlines Center*
Oct
1 – Loveland, CO, Blue Fcu Arena*
4 – Seattle, WA, Climate Pledge Arena*
5 – Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena*
6 – Portland, OR, Moda Center*
8 – Sacramento, CA, Golden 1 Center*
9 – San Francisco, CA, Chase Center*
11 – Inglewood, CA, Intuit Dome*
12 – Palm Desert, CA, Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs*
*With Weezer

About The Flaming Lips:

Kehlani Announces Highly Anticipated “Crash World Tour”

Following the release of her new album, CRASH, Kehlani announces the highly anticipated CRASH WORLD TOUR featuring special guests FLO & ANYCIA.

Produced by Live Nation, the 31-city tour kicks off on September 4th at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota making stops in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in San Francisco at Chase Center on November 2nd.

Kehlani will open your eyes, open your mind, and open your heart. For as blunt as she may be about life, longing, lust, and love, her music occupies an elevated state above even the best high—yet accessible by simply listening. The Bay Area-born two-time GRAMMY Award-nominated multi-platinum songstress unlocks this place anytime she picks up a pen or grabs a microphone. Since 2014, her light has only continued to glow brighter. Thus far, she’s picked up over twenty Gold and Platinum RIAA certifications, tallied 9 billion streams, and garnered a pair of GRAMMY Award nominations in the categories of “Best Urban Contemporary Album” for the gold-certified mixtape You Should Be Here and “Best R&B Performance” for the platinum single “Distraction.” Beyond blockbuster collaborations with Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Burna Boy, Young Boy Never Broke Again, Calvin Harris, she has appeared on soundtracks such as Suicide Squad: The Album, The Fate of the Furious: The Album, and more. Along the way, she’s received the “Rule Breaker Award” from Billboard Women In Music and performed at Voodoo Music + More, Coachella, and beyond. She reached a critical and creative high watermark with her sophomore offering, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t. It not only bowed at #2 on the Billboard Top 200, but it also concluded 2020 on over a dozen year-end lists from Billboard, Esquire, Hypebeast, Nylon, Seventeen, Spin, Stereogum, The Guardian, and many more. She welcomed everyone into the rapture of her third full-length album, blue water road (Atlantic Records) in 2022. After she concluded a sold-out run through North America, featuring support from Rico Nasty and Destin Conrad, she brought her acclaimed The Blue Water Road Trip to a close in Australia/Asia. Earlier this year, Kehlani made a triumphant return with her acclaimed fourth studio album, CRASH, featuring the smash hit “After Hours.” Hailed by Billboard as “oozing with good vibes spurring fans to get outside ahead of summertime,” the Khris Riddick and Alex Goldblatt-produced track was recently named among Rolling Stone’s “Best Songs of 2024 So Far.” Kehlani describes her new album as her “most free, most fun, most loud, and most fueled” project thus far and plans to keep the party going on her forthcoming global arena tour, CRASH WORLD TOUR.

British girl group FLO (Renée, Jorja and Stella) are three trailblazing young artists reshaping not only the landscape of R&B, but also redefining the very essence of what it means to be in a girl group. With a seismic cultural current and an ever-growing legion of dedicated Flolifers behind them, they are poised to become one of the most successful girl bands on the planet. Their hugely successful debut single ‘Cardboard Box’ released in March 2022, set the stage for their meteoric rise and in 2023, they became the first group to scoop the highly prestigious BRIT Rising Star Award and top the BBC Sound Poll in the same year. With their unapologetic attitude, iconic harmonies reminiscent of soulful legends, and a natural relatability and charisma, these women share an unbreakable bond of “friends by chance, sisters by choice”. Firmly in the driver’s seat, 2024 has already witnessed their debut performance at Coachella and the release of two new singles ‘Walk Like This’ and ‘Caught Up’, signalling that FLO’s ascent shows no signs of slowing down.

Anycia emerges as a magnetic force from the pulsating Southside of Atlanta, seamlessly captivating both the visual and auditory senses with her music. Her enchanting blend of authenticity, delightful sense of humor, expansive personality, and down-to-earth attitude sets her apart. With a distinctive tone, clever lyricism, and the ability to navigate diverse cadences over hard-hitting tracks, Anycia solidifies herself as an undeniable powerhouse in the industry. Influenced by the unique blend of New Orleans, New York, and California, this Georgia-born rapper embodies the quintessence of Atlanta’s “it girls,” poised for a resounding breakthrough in 2024. The release of her debut EP, “EXTRA,” in October 2023 marked a pivotal moment in Anycia’s blossoming career. Her full-length project, “Princess Pop That,” released on April 26, 2024, has been hailed by Complex and Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of the year. Featuring hit singles like “Back Outside,” “UP, LIT,” and “Nene’s Prayer,” and collaborations with industry talents such as Cash Cobain, Luh Tyler, and Karrahbooo, Anycia’s rise continues. With performances at prestigious festivals like SXSW and Rolling Loud, sold-out headlining shows, and a growing Spotify following of more than 700k monthly listeners, Anycia is undoubtedly the one to watch in 2024.

CRASH 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:
Wed Sep 04 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory
Fri Sep 06 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Tue Sep 10 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Wed Sep 11 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Fri Sep 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Sat Sep 14 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavillion
Tue Sep 17 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Wed Sep 18 – Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
Fri Sep 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Sat Sep 21 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Mon Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre
Tue Sep 24 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Wed Sep 25 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans
Fri Sep 27 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
Sat Sep 28 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center
Tue Oct 01 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
Wed Oct 02 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue Oct 08 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Fri Oct 11 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sat Oct 12 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Tue Oct 15 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Wed Oct 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex
Fri Oct 18 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sat Oct 19 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds
Mon Oct 21 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Wed Oct 23 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
Fri Oct 25 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sat Oct 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tue Oct 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Wed Oct 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Sat Nov 02 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Brekin Meyer Shines in Bob Odenkirk’s Unfinished Sci-Fi Comedy Pilot ‘The Near Future’ In 2000

In the year 2000, The Near Future, an unaired comedic sci-fi TV pilot, showcased Brekin Meyer in a standout role, with Bob Odenkirk behind the camera as writer and director. This ambitious project, blending quirky humor with futuristic themes, explored the absurdities of a world just beyond our reach. Though never picked up for a full series, the pilot remains a testament to Odenkirk’s unique vision and Meyer’s comedic prowess.

‘Baggy Pants and the Nitwits’ From 1977’s Saturday Morning Cartoons with Arte Johnson and Ruth Buzzi

In 1977, Baggy Pants and the Nitwits brought the comedic talents of Arte Johnson and Ruth Buzzi from Laugh-In to Saturday morning cartoons. The show, featuring the misadventures of a Charlie Chaplin-inspired cat named Baggy Pants and the zany crime-fighting duo of the Nitwits, combined slapstick humor with vibrant animation.

The Electric Company’s ‘Lick a Lolly’ From 1971 Is Still A Catchy Classic in Educational TV

In 1971, The Electric Company captivated young audiences with the infectious “Lick a Lolly” song. This playful and catchy tune, featuring vibrant visuals and rhythmic lyrics, became an instant favorite among children and parents alike.

Watch Shelley Duvall and Paul Reubens In A Pinocchio Twist In ‘Faerie Tale Theatre’ In 1984

In 1984, Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre delighted audiences with a unique episode featuring Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman portraying Pinocchio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTPCQ6kzH6g

Steve Martin’s ‘Comedy Is Not Pretty’ From 1980 Is A Bold Blend of Satire and Stand-Up

In 1980, Steve Martin’s TV special “Comedy Is Not Pretty” showcased his unique brand of humor, blending surreal satire with sharp stand-up comedy. The special, renowned for its innovative and often absurd sketches, solidified Martin’s reputation as a comedic genius.

NBC’s Exciting Promo for the Premiere of ‘Pink Lady and Jeff’ From 1980

Take a trip down memory lane with NBC’s vibrant promo for the 1980 premiere of Pink Lady and Jeff. This energetic teaser showcases the buzz surrounding the highly anticipated variety show, featuring the Japanese pop duo Pink Lady and American comedian Jeff Altman.

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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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