Jimkata, to the excitement of their fans, debuted their new single “Wait For You” on August 13, 2020. The band recently came out of the woodworks last month dropping their single “Wanna Go” after the band went on an indefinite hiatus back in 2017.
The new single focuses on the feeling of being in limbo. It narrates the feeling of sitting around waiting and feeling restless while navigating uncertainty which is a feeling many can relate to during the pandemic era. The music video accompanying the song was created by animator Ben Clarkson. His animation brings further depth and dimension to the notion of waiting and being in limbo. “Wait For You” isn’t just a heartbreak inspired pop song, it is also a commentary on helplessly waiting and hoping for the world to get itself together.
Frontman of Jimkata Evan Friedell shared some of his insights behind the new single saying, “I didn’t realize at the time I wrote it how prescient and universal that feeling would become as we experience a global pandemic and a world in chaos.”
The band Jimkata is a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band that is based out of Ithaca, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Jimkata is known for their swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics. The band has built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country. The band has a strong and loyal grassroots fanbase created by their relentless performing across the country before their Hiatus.
For more information on Jimkata and to check out “Wait For You” visit their website.
Two U.S. senators introduced a new bill, the ENCORES Act, that will provide economic support to struggling live music venues and their workers.
SaveOurStages hopes to get economic relief for struggling music venues.
Senators Tom Carper and John Tester created the Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for relief & Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act.
The bill gives a new tax credit to venues with less than 500 employees. The initiative is to help cover the cost of refunded tickets and cancelled concerts.
“Today, I am joining Senator Tester to introduce the ENCORES Act, a bill that will provide much-needed relief for our live music venues by creating a tax credit to help cover refunded ticket costs due to canceled events. Music venues are truly special places that have, for generations, provided our families with priceless memories. It’s on us to do what we can to support this industry now so that we can come out on the other side of this pandemic and ensure that this will not be the day the music died.”
Senator Tom Carper
According to a press release, venues will be eligible if they offered costumers a voucher before they requested a refund.
Many live music venues show their support for the #SaveOurStages Act.
The U.S. is not the only nation protesting in support of live concert venues. England took storm with the #WeMakeEvents and Red Alert Movement. Marches throughout Manchester occurred Aug. 11, according to BBC.
The ENCORES Act credit will allow the venues to redeem losses because of cancelled concerts.
Milton Theater Director Fred Munzert from Delaware expressed his gratitude towards Carper.
“History tells us that for every challenging time the arts persist and comes back even stronger. Art is one of the first things people look to when regaining their sense of normalcy.”
Anyone who can spell the word “guitar” likely knows of the formidable Spaniard of the gut string, Andrés Segovia. But too few know enough about the Brit who cast just a smidge less of a shadow in the world of classical guitar and lute, and maybe a far more progressive one at that. Julian Bream passed away this week at the age of 87.
Bream was regarded as one of the instrument’s most formidable, influential and soulful players, a flawless technician with incomparable tone and technique on guitar and, later, the lute. Unlike the traditionalist Segovia who was his inspiration, Bream worked to push classical guitar beyond its Spanish roots by commissioning dozens of works from major composers like Malcolm Arnold and Benjamin Britten, whose “Nocturnal” (1963) is one of the most popular pieces in the modern guitar repertoire. On the traditionalist front, he was the first to revive major works of Spain’s Fernando Sor and Mauro Giuliani of Italy, two important 19th century guitarist-composers, and to serve as the prime interpreter of the lute works of the legendary John Dowland. His painstaking transcriptions, which are a key parcel of the classical teaching lexicon today, included Bach suites and Scarlatti sonatas, as well as works by Purcell, Cimarosa, Diabelli and Schubert.
Julian Bream: Benjamin Britten’s Noctural
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk8VfE-Gzoo
Bream’s initial interest in guitar came about not through the classics but the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. After receiving his first gut string guitar from his father on his 11th birthday, Bream quickly became a child prodigy. He won a guitar competition the following year which enabled him to study at the Royal College of Music (piano not guitar), before making his debut guitar recital one year later in 1947.
By the mid-1950s, Bream’s career was in full swing, with many tours in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, as well as a busy slate of recordings. Bream has a massive discography on the RCA Victor and EMI Classics labels, recordings which earned him four Grammys among other honors.
What cannot be underestimated is Bream’s impact of reviving interest in that hard to handle, many stringed medieval cousin of the guitar, the lute. Bream took up the Renaissance lute in 1950 in order to play 16 century works by Thomas Morley, John Dowland and other Elizabethan composers. In 1959, he formed the Julian Bream Consort, a string, wind and lute ensemble, to perform and record Elizabethan ensemble music, which he also did in a popular duo partnership with singer Peter Pears. Bream’s success as a lutenist inspired a generation of young musicians, including Paul O’Dette, Stephen Stubbs and Hopkinson Smith, to set aside the modern guitar and concentrate on the lute and other early stringed instruments.
Julian Bream Plays Dowland
Bream’s influence as a musician went far beyond the world of classical music and into the world of rock and jazz, where appreciation of his skill and soul transcended the genre.
One of his most fervent admirers is the astounding Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman. Voted Best Guitarist in the World in 1973 over Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and others by that British bible of rock, Melody Maker, Jan is a man with a wide stylistic discography. He’s perhaps best known for the pioneering shred and yodel classic, “Hocus Pocus,” by his former band Focus.
“I was recording with Focus in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire and got fed up with the whole scene so I jumped in my car to escape it all,” begins Akkerman. “I wound up in The Tews, in a little village near the Rollright Stones, a beautiful spot in a valley full of 12th Century houses, real Robin Hood style.”
“When I switched on the radio, what I heard was The Julian Bream Consort on BBC1, playing lovely Elizabethan lute music, which really ran my bell,” he continues. “You look at ten Dutch paintings and seven of them will have a lute in them. It really struck a chord with me, emotionally and musically, and I became slavishly devoted to locating old sheet music and practicing the instrument, so much of it the music that Bream performed.”
“At that time, Focus was touring like crazy, so I would bring the lute along with me and woodshed on flights, in limos, like a madman. I used some of Julian’s concepts on my album Tabernakel, but with my own rock-style twist.”
Jan Akkerman – Tabernakel “Brittania” John Dowland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAUVbzDNYnY
“What made Julian a great player for me is he played the lute in a classical guitaristic way, with a much cleaner sound which I happen to love,” continues Akkerman. “I saw him in concert once in the Netherlands and what occurred to me was he possessed an ungodly fluidity and lyricism and a sort of sense of humor from the guitar faces he threw too as he played, which I like to do. I would say, along with Django, he is my all-time favorite. If you want to hear what classical guitar is all about, just listen to his album, Julian Bream: 20th Century Guitar.
The day-long festival, (De)Tour, will include several all-stars playing in association with Recording Academy’s charity MusiCares. MusiCares’ mission is to raise money to assist with tour and concert cancellations due to COVID-19. The festival is free, but donations to MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund are critical for the concert’s success. The charity aims to lessen the stress felt by the entire music industry as all in it face complete uncertainty.
In a festival like no other, (De)Tour offers fans unlimited online access for the entire day. Everyone will be able to enjoy the many talented artists from the comfort of their own homes. (De)Tour will showcase talent like Ringo Starr, Slash, Gavin Rossdale, Macy Gray, Taylor Momsen, Cheap Trick, and tons more.
From Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, fans of the station can virtually experience a series of live concerts performed over the years.
Radio Woodstock asked listeners to submit some of their favorite concerts to the station that they will feature throughout the weekend.
The town of Woodstock gained its notoriety in the summer of 1969, when they held “three days of peace and music.” The festival showcased a mesh of famous artists like Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane.
Original poster for Woodstock Festival 1969.
Greg Gattine, Radio Woodstock’s Director of Programming, said that they wanted to provide the “Greatest Festival Ever,” in 2020.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2020 we decided to put together the Greatest Festival Ever. A one of a kind virtual live experience from our vast archive. Although we won’t be able to celebrate together we can remember the times we stood shoulder to shoulder at some of the greatest concerts of all time and relive that experience for a few days in the middle of August in upstate New York.”
Greg Gattine
Members of the music-radio industry calls Radio Woodstock “the coolest radio station on the planet”. They are on of the most unique and eclectic radio stations in the world today, according to supporters.
The Greatest Festival of All Time goes live on 100.1 or their website at 5 p.m. Aug. 14.
“This is the kind of innovative programming that makes Radio Woodstock the greatest rock station in the world today. We will continue to be the torchbearer for independent radio,” said President of Radio Woodstock Greg Chetkof.
After serving as Albany’s heart for the punk and hard rock scene since the ’90s, the Fuze Box has been listed for sale according to Spotlight News. For a mere $244,900, the 2,400-square-foot venue is ready to be bought according to the building’s real estate agency NAIPlatform.
A popular spot over the recent years for those looking to get their ’80s pop dance fix, it also served as the preferred venue for hard rock artists from around the Capital Region. The Fuze Box was known during the ’80s and ’90s as QE2 and was often a frequent jaunt live performances. The Red Hot Chili Peppers even performed in the cramped space a few years before the release of Blood Sugar Sex Magik shot them to superstardom.
One of Fuze Box’s Last Live Performances
Fans voiced their concern on the venue’s Facebook after the pandemic forced them to shut down, leaving the Box dark since March. A post on their social media page announced the closure with no clue to when there would be dancing occurring on the checkered dance floor again.
The Fuze Box weathered the riot that rocked the Central Avenue area of Albany where it is located. Despite concern from locals over the venues condition afterwards, the building remained intact. Silenced ensued from ownership even as neighboring restaurants were given the go ahead to reopen last month. Then the retail sale sign was posted last week.
The 75-year-old Art Deco building is practically a blank slate for the right buyer. The venue has been approved for multiple zonings by the City of Albany which would allow for artisanal manufacturing, cafes, galleries, restaurants, a dayare and much more according to NAIPlatform.
“Albany is probably [my] second favorite city I’ve played in behind Detroit in my 15-plus-year DJ career,” wrote William Dice Willard on FuzeBox’s Facebook page. “Such a vibe up there!”
All of which are far flung from where the building got its start. Advertising for White Tower Burgers that still graces the front of the building giving ode to the early ’50s hamburger chain it was. The restaurant existed into the ’70s according to an online article published last year by Albany Historian Matt Malette. Remaining vacant until 1986, it was bought by purchasers Charlene and Dave Shortsleeve, who turned it into the QE2 Club. And a club it has remained since then.
Headcount and Fort Williams Artist Management have teamed up to present Vote Ready, a free online Concert for Voter Registration, taking place on Friday, August 14th at 7pm.
The online event features The War On Drugs, Robin Pecknold, Daniel Rossen (of Grizzly Bear), Christopher Bear (of Grizzly Bear/Fools), Kyp Malone (of TV On The Radio), Jaleel Bunton (of TV On The Radio), Kevin Morby, Waxahatchee, Tarriona Tank Ball, Hand Habits, Ciggy, Kam Franklin (of The Suffers), The Building, and Allison Russell & Leyla McCalla (of Our Native Daughters)
Leading up to the event, fans who check their voter registration status via HeadCount.org/VoteReady will receive a free eTicket to the stream. Anyone not currently registered will then easily be able to register to vote through an online form.
Headcount believes that voter registration is critical, especially this year with the deadlines for registration coming up fast. ” Vote Ready” is unique as the first online music event dedicated to raising awareness for voting registration guidelines.
This week, Headcount have announced a multi-year partnership with the International advocacy organization, Global Citizen, to further engage young Americans to check their status, register, and vote. Their partnership aims to mobilize support from artists along with entertainers, media, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, to give young Americans the tools to use their voice in the November 3, 2020 election and beyond.
Headcount have been promoting democracy via music, culture and digital media. Since 2004, the organization has recruited nearly 700,000 new voters while working with a long list of musicians including Ariana Grande, Jay-Z and Dave Matthews Band. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the organization was quick to switch their recruiting efforts to online. Headcount remains to be one of the most active grassroots organizations in the Country and continues to keep pushing their efforts.
On August 28, we’ll get our first look at Bill S. Preston, Esq., and Ted “Theodore” Logan in nearly 30 years. Bill & Ted Face the Music finds Bill and Ted as adults, each with daughters, but the life-long friends have yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny.
They’ll run into a new batch of historical figures, as well as a few music legends, while they pursue the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe. And every effort towards universal harmony needs a kickass soundtrack.
The star-studded soundtrack features previously unreleased original songs from other notable rock acts including Mastodon, Cold War Kids, FIDLAR, Big Black Delta, and Lamb of God as well as newcomers like POORSTACY, Alec Wigdahl, and more. The album releases on all digital platforms on August 28, the same day the film will be available on demand and in select cinemas.
Producer Grainge says of the soundtrack:
I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Orion Pictures on their iconic Bill & Ted film franchise for 10K Projects’ first venture into the soundtrack world. Bill & Ted Face The Music is an ode to music enthusiasts around the world and taps into the Gen Z audience, a generation championed by 10K. We are delighted to have our own innovative acts Alec Wigdahl and POORSTACY featured on the soundtrack, next to some of the greatest rock acts of all time including Weezer, Mastodon and Lamb of God, bringing together artists from across generations to celebrate our shared love of music.
– Bill & Ted Face the Music executive producer Elliot Grainge
There are only two weeks to go before Bill & Ted Face the Music, and the soundtrack gives some hints as to what we can expect from the movie. Tracks by classic metal rockers Mastadon and Lamb of God are standouts, and perhaps they’ll have a cameo in the movie if they stand out on the soundtrack. The final track though, “That Which Binds Us Through Time: The Chemical, Physical and Biological Nature of Love; an Exploration of The Meaning of Meaning, Part 1” is best read in the voice of Ted “Theodore” Logan, a unique if not rambling title that might hold the key to existence as Bill & Ted know it.
Bill & Ted Face The Music (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) tracklisting:
Big Black Delta – “Lost in Time”
Alec Wigdahl – “Big Red Balloon”
Weezer – “Beginning Of The End (Wyld Stallyns Edit)”
Cold War Kids – “Story Of Our Lives”
Mastodon – “Rufus Lives”
Big Black Delta – “Circuits Of Time”
POORSTACY – “Darkest Night”
Lamb Of God – “The Death Of Us”
FIDLAR – “Breaker”
Culture Wars – “Leave Me Alone”
Blame My Youth – “Right Where You Belong”
Wyld Stallyns (feat. Animals As Leaders, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) – “Face the Music”
Wyld Stallyns – “That Which Binds Us Through Time: The Chemical, Physical and Biological Nature of Love; an Exploration of The Meaning of Meaning, Part 1”
Music venues and theaters throughout the UK turned their lights red to support the many music industry workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Similar to America’s #SaveOurStages campaign, the UK has #WeMakeEvents to call upon support for the music industry across the pond.
Red lights shown at the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge.
As a part of the Red Alert movement, a march in Manchester, England on Aug. 11 took place dubbed #WeMakeEvents. Among famous musicians who showed support for the movement were Leona Lewis, Doves and New Order.
Both the Red Alert movement and #WeMakeEvents focus on raising awareness to the live music industry falling apart. This was due to not having live shows during the pandemic. Although artists were hurt from the concert losses, so were the crew members.
According to BBC, “Producers, engineers, tour managers, security staff, truck drivers and cleaners also marched past some of Manchester’s closed venues.”
The Royal Albert Hall joined the Red Alert movement and tweeted about their support as well.
Our events rely on countless suppliers, manufacturers and freelancers and we will all need to work together to make the shows of the future.
“Christmas Spectacular” was cancelled this year for the first time ever since the show was introduced in 1933. The cancellation comes on the coattails of MSG Entertainment (Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation) who runs “Christmas Spectacular,” announcing plans to lay off 350 people due to the COVID-19.
The “Christmas Spectacular” stars the well known Radio City Rockettes who are an American precision dance company. The show takes place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City which is owned by MSG Entertainment and runs November 6 through January 3. MSG Entertainment decided to cancel the popular show this year due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic still raging throughout the world and the United States. The show hopes to be back for the 2021 production, which is on sale now. All tickets for the 2020 production will be automatically refunded at the point of purchase.
MSG Entertainment announced their plans to lay off 350 people, which is around a third of their workforce, due to the economic impact the coronavirus has had on their company. The sister company, MSG Sports, which owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers is laying off people as well. They announced plans to lay off 50 people which is about 15 percent of its corporate staff.
A representative of MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports elaborated on the situation saying, “This was a difficult decision for both companies, as we know that our success rests on the strength of our people, who consistently set the industry standard for excellence and professionalism. While we believe this is a necessary step to protect the long-term future of our businesses, we continue to actively pursue solutions that will allow us to safely reopen our doors, so we’re able to bring as many employees back as quickly as we can, once a return date for live events is established.”
According to the New York Post’s article Laid-off employees for MSG Entertainment will receive severance and benefits packages, outplacement support, to help with their transition to being unemployed. MSG Entertainment had prior efforts before it’s layoffs of 350 employees. These attempts though included other layoffs of part time employees which included the layoffs of 4,000 employees of the MSG arena, home of the Knicks and Rangers, who averaged under 20 hours at the end of March. At the end of May, 1,900 MSG venue employees who averaged over 20 hours of work were also cut.
For more information on the cancellation of “Christmas Spectacular” and the MSG Entertainment layoffs read the New York Post’s article here
