Cheers filled the room as the lights dimmed at Webster Hall on Friday, September 24th as Mild High Club sauntered onto the stage to greet their fans for the first time since late 2019.
Formed in 2012, Mild High Club is the solo project of Alex Brettin. Influenced by jazz and AOR, Brettin tours with a talented supporting band to bring his music to life.
With roughly half of the crowd covering their faces in masks, the room felt friendly but tense as everyone eased back into being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. Once the band played a few tracks off of their first album in four years, Going Going Gone, the tension eased as the crowd sang along.
Brettin mixed in crowd favorites such as “Windowpane” and “Skiptracing” which got the crowd waving their hands in the air and dancing. The pure joy of being back at a concert was palpable as one front-row attendee gushed to his friend, “Dude, I am so happy we made it out to this show…it’s been so long since I’ve seen live music.”
After a long touring hiatus due to COVID-19, Theophilus London was able to return to his hometown of New York City for his “Bebey, It’s Never Too Late” tour on Wednesday, September 22nd at Time Square’s Sony Hall. In addition to playing many tracks off his third LP, Bebey (released in January 2020), he also played several songs from his previous albums and mixtapes.
Theophilus London at Sony Hall, 09/22/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger
Bebey was released nearly two years ago, but if an observer only went by the enthusiastic crowd reactions, they would most likely think that it came out very recently. Theophilus was a great performer, constantly interacting with the very devoted crowd and seemed incredibly thankful and happy to be back performing in front of an audience.
Theophilus London at Sony Hall, 09/22/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger
Having been active for over a decade an amassing a large collaboration list, including the likes of Kanye West, Tame Impala, & Jesse Boykins, Theophilus has a large amount of hard-hitting tracks to choose from. While Bebey has a more tropical sound, many of his previous albums have a constant mix between pop, R&B, and hip-hop. He’s able to seamlessly switch between singing and rapping at a dime, resulting in fairly riveting performances. His music has the energy that fits in live performance and the crowd was riveted by any song he played, whether it was two years old or ten years old.
Enough cannot be said about how happy Theophilus was to be back performing. He invited audience members up on stage to dance with him, took song requests from the crowd, and even asked everyone to stick around after the show outside to meet and speak with every fan who was still there. Having personally stuck around, I can attest to the enthusiasm he had and the fact that Theophilus spoke with every fan he could. No picture request was turned down and he even spent a large amount of time with each person who was interested in speaking with him.
The “Bebey, It’s Never Too Late” tour runs for the rest of September. You can see the rest of his tour dates here. Check out the full photo gallery from the show below.
Update – September 17, 2021: Elton John is postponing his 2021 European dates on his world tour until 2023 so that he can have an operation on an injured hip. Elton John said of the injury and postponement:
Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving. I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications.
With great sadness and a heavy heart that I am forced to reschedule the 2021 dates of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Europe and the UK to 2023.
Elton John
Elton has promised fans that “the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait.”
REcently, Lil Nas X and Elton John have teamed up for “One of Me,” the pair’s first collaboration, appearing Lil Nas X’s debut album, Montero, which released on Friday, September 17.
Original article follows below
The final dates for Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour have been announced. This final tour for Elton John will take him around Europe, America and New Zealand, with dates into 2023.
Elton John released a statement regarding his new tour dates, and the return to his ‘final’ tour:
Hello, all you wonderful fans out there. I’m coming to you today with an announcement I’ve been working towards for, well, all my life: the shows that I announce today will be my final tour dates ever in North America and Europe. I’m going to go out in the biggest possible way, performing at my very best, with the most spectacular production I’ve ever had, playing in places that have meant so much to me throughout my career.
Elton John
photo by JTGPhoto
Elton John made his way through New York in February 2019 with a stop at the Times Union Center. Check out photos and our review of the evening for a taste of what’s in store when The Rocket Man returns to the road.
Elton John ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road” World Tour
2021 (European dates postponed until 2023)
Sept. 01 – Berlin, DE – Mercedes Benz Arena Sept. 03 – Berlin, DE – Mercedes Benz Arena Sept. 04 – Berlin, DE 2 Mercedes Benz Arena Sept. 07 – Cologne, DE – Lanxness Arena Sept. 08 – Cologne, DE – Lanxness Arena Sept. 11 – Hamburg, DE – Barclaycard Arena Sept. 12 – Hamburg, DE – Barclaycard Arena Sept. 14 – Hamburg, DE – Barclaycard Arena Sept. 17 – Stockholm, SE – Tele2 Arena Sept. 18 – Stockholm, SE – Tele2 Arena Sept. 21 – Helsinki, FI – Hartwell Arena Sept. 22 – Helsinki, FI – Hartwell Arena Sept. 25 – Oslo, NO – Telenor Arena Sept. 26 – Oslo, NO – Telenor Arena Sept. 30 – Cologne, DE – Lanxness Arena Oct. 05 – Zurich, CH – Hallenstadion Oct. 06 – Zurich, CH – Hallenstadion Oct. 10 – Paris, FR – Accor Hotels Arena Oct. 12 – Paris, FR – Accor Hotels Arena Oct. 13 – Paris, FR – Accor Hotels Arena Oct. 16 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Oct. 17 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Oct. 22 – Barcelona, ES – Palau Sant Jordi Oct. 23 – Barcelona, ES – Palau Sant Joride Oct. 30 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena Nov. 02 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 03 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 05 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena Nov. 07 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 09 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 10 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 12 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 14 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 16 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 17 – London, UK – O2 Arena Nov. 19 – Manchester, UK – Arena Nov. 21 – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena Nov. 23 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Nov. 24 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Nov. 27 – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena Nov. 28 – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena Dec. 01 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena Dec. 03 – Dublin, UK – 3Arena Dec. 04 – Dublin, UK – 3Arena Dec. 06 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena Belfast Dec. 09 – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live Dec. 10 – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live Dec. 13 – Glasgow, UK – SSE Hydro Dec. 14 – Glasgow, UK – SSE Hydro
2022
Jan. 19 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center Jan. 21 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center Jan. 22 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center Jan. 25 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center Jan. 26 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center Jan. 29 – N. Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena Jan. 30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Energy Arena Feb. 01 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center Feb. 04 – Chicago, IL – United Center Feb. 05 – Chicago, IL – United Center Feb. 08 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena Feb. 09 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena Feb. 14 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Feb. 15 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Feb. 18 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre Feb. 19 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre Feb. 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Feb. 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Feb. 25 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center March 01 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center March 02 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center March 05 – Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum March 06 – Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum March 19 – Fargo, ND – FARGODOME March 22 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center March 23 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center March 26 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Center March 27 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena March 30 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center April 01 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse April 02 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum April 05 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena April 08 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena April 09 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena April 12 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center April 13 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center April 16 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center April 19 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum April 20 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena April 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena April 24 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena April 27 – Orlando, FL – Amway Arena April 28 – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena May 22 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park May 29 – Leipzig, DE – Red Bull Arena June 04 – Milan, IT – San Siro Stadium June 07 – Horsens, DK – CASA Arena Horsens June 09 – Arnhem, NL – GelreDome June 11 – Paris, FR – La Defense Arena June 15 – Norwich, UK – Carrow Road June 17 – Liverpool, UK – Anfield June 19 – Sunderland, UK – Stadium of Light June 22 – Bristol, UK – Ashton Gate Stadium June 29 – Swansea, UK – Liberty Stadium July 15 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park July 18 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park July 23 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium July 28 – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium July 30 – Cleveland, OH – Progressive Field Aug. 5 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field Sept. 7 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre Sept. 10 – Syracuse, NY – Carrier Dome Sept. 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park Sept. 18 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium Sept. 22 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sept. 24 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park Sept. 30 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field Oct. 2 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium Oct. 21 – Vancouver, BC – BC Place Oct. 29 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome Nov. 4 – Houston, TX – Minute Maid Park Nov. 12 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field Nov. 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Dodgers Stadium Nov. 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Dodgers Stadium
Guitarist/composer Ramiro Marziani is taking the NYC music scene by storm using his international style influenced by a love for culture. The Argentinian-born musician has recently released his newest EP, Sep ’20: From a Living Room in Brooklyn, on Friday, August 13.
Marziani is a young, worldly guitarist based in Brooklyn, New York City. He has previously performed at venues across New York and Europe, from NYC’s Sony Hall, to Le Bal Blomet in Paris and Prague’s Jazz Dock. He has also made appearances at Austin, Texas’ SXSW festival, California WorldFest, and was even featured in a Polynesian string-inspired NPRTiny Desk Concert with ukulele virtuoso Taimane.
Music played an important role in Marziani’s life since the beginning. Marziani notes that his family’s influence inspired him to take up guitar, due part from Argentinian musical culture. After gravitating towards the guitar from a young age, he began taking the instrument seriously at 11 years old.
Old Spanish guitars were always sitting around my family home growing up, I had an intense curiosity to pick it up and start playing.
Ramiro Marziani
Marziani’s earliest inspiration was 80’s rock band Asia, after attending a concert of theirs with his father. The revolutionary rockers opened a new door for Marziani to explore endless genres of music, fueling his passion for all forms of musical expression. He enrolled in professional lessons, studying traditional Spanish guitar as well as rock and other genres as he got into his mid-teens.
1980’s supergroup Asia
When you’re young, you have an aesthetic ferocity to try an instrument. How it sounds, how it looks, what it does. For me, it was the guitar, and the Asia concert made me think “yeah, I’m doing this.”
Ramiro Marziani
His musical training continued into attending Berklee College of Music which sealed his future as a professional guitarist. After graduating from Berklee, Marziani moved to Brooklyn in search of bigger and better things. He uses New York as a headquarters for music production and performance in-between travels while he continues on his journey as a blossoming international artist.
NYC as a culture capital is very romantic to me, it’s filled with amazing musical talent and has provided me with inspiration that I had not found anywhere else.
Ramiro Marziani
Travel is apart of the magic for Marziani, allowing him to indulge in his love for discovering new forms of music. His style is self-described as “putting together techniques from everywhere” to create something truly unique; the exchange of knowledge and culture seems to make music so enticing for Marziani.
It’s the fact that I’m not a tourist, and I have immediate access to meeting and learning from the people of any place I visit, the people that come to your shows. This is the biggest prize for a musician like myself.
Ramiro Marziani
Marziani in the studio
Marziani’s professional studies have guided him to an intuitive way of music-making, comparable to an orchestral composer. His process of creating is much less focused on just throwing things out and seeing what sticks. Instead, he takes an intentional approach, focusing in on the conditions behind the creation of an album. This unique approach to musical artistry allows for a freeform fluidity between genres to properly fit the music’s intended role.
I strive to create an environment of composition with my music that leads into intentional improvisation and collaboration. I want to make things feel purposeful, no matter the genre.
Ramiro Marziani
Marziani released another EP, a meditation music guitar album titled Cielito Blue, in July 2020. Cielito Blue is a short 20-minute album of eight solo guitar songs, written with a service mindset rather than a purely artistic goal. Produced in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, its purpose is to allow oneself to re-connect with the present, by quieting the mind through meditation, stretching, yoga or daily tasks.
Marziani’s newest EP, Sep ’20: From A Living Room in Brooklyn marks his return to the sound of high energy rock n’ roll guitar and extended jazz improvisation. The meditative period of Cielito Blue, is greatly juxtaposed by this new project, as Sep ’20 marks a return to normalcy.
Sep ’20: From a Living Room in Brooklyn, was recorded shortly after Cielito Blue, but was kept on the back burner while Marziani worked on other projects. It represents a fusion of cultures through collaborations with musicians from Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina. Best described as “jazz and American folk with a little rock n’ roll sugar,” be sure to expect some unique yet enchanting guitar rhythms.
Now is the right time to release Sep ’20, as it marks the moment in time when it was recorded, but allows us to celebrate that things are beginning to open up again.
Ramiro Marziani
Marziani looks to recreate a banjo-like sound through the electric guitar with first track, “Celtic Dreams.” “El Rio,” the second track, is a slower ballad where Argentine folk and country influence become present. The third and final song on the EP is titled “Oliver Oil”, which floats across dreamy Brazilian rhythms.
Other than creating and traveling, Marziani can be found teaching aspiring musicians of all ages as well as sharing various jam sessions and musical covers on Youtube. From just scrolling down his posts, ranging from Clapton to AC/DC and everything in-between, his musical ambiguity is clear.
Sep ’20: From A Living Room in Brooklyn is available now on all major streaming platforms. Stay up to date with all things Ramiro Marziani through his Instagram and website.
NYC and surrounding areas have been forced to postpone various shows due to Hurricane Henri. Concerts and events have been cancelled and postponed in Hudson Valley, NYC, and Long Island.
Hurricane Henri
Hurricane Henri originated in the 200 miles north-northeast of Bermuda and is currently threatening Long Island, NYC, Hudson Valley, and the New England area as a whole. On August 16, the storm system became designated Tropical Depression 08L and a mere eighteen hours later the system strengthened into being declared a Tropical Storm Henri.
On August 21, 2021 Madison Square Garden announced that due to the state of emergency that was declared from the impending hurricane that the Eagles performance scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, August 22, 2021, has been postponed to Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Tickets for Sunday’s show will be valid for the rescheduled date and will not need to be exchanged. The Eagles performance scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Madison Square Garden will proceed as planned.
The Eagles.
Bardavon Presents announced that due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Henri and the potential for dangerous storms in Kingston, New York they have postponed the Trombone Shorty performance. The performance was supposed to take place on Sunday August 22 and has now been rescheduled to Sunday September 26 at UPAC, 7PM.
Outside the State of New York performances are getting cancelled as well. Due to the state of emergency issued by the State of Connecticut Jason Mraz has been forced to postpone his performance which was originally scheduled for the evening of August 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Updates on a rescheduled Jason Mraz concert at Mohegan Sun Arena will become available via mohegansun.com and Ticketmaster.com. Guests can hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled date.
Jason Mraz
Scotty McCreery’s show at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA scheduled for Sunday, August 22 has been cancelled. The pre-concert cruise on the Indian Princess is also cancelled. Samuel Slater’s Restaurant will be closed all day Sunday.
Scotty McCreery
Pix11 is currently giving updates on events across NY state that are being cancelled. Visit their full list here. Hopefully Hurricane Henri will pass through the area without return to stages across NYC and surrounding areas.
The immersive NYC event Undercurrent has been announced featuring installations from Bon Iver, Grimes, Jorja Smith, Khruangbin, Miguel, and The 1975. The event will take place on September 9, 2021 and will use creativity to try to spark conversations and expose new perspectives about the critical issues shaping people’s lives beginning with the Climate Crisis.
Undercurrent is going to be a new type of event for art and music that will work to engage the audiences in immersive experiences that have been created by some of the most influential musicians and cultural figures of the moment. The event will feature 60,000 square feet in NYC of original audiovisual art installations, music, and much more.
The installations include work from well known musicians including Bon Iver, Grimes, Jorja Smith, Khruangbin, Miguel, The 1975, Actress, Aluna, Jayda G, Mount Kimbie and Nosaj Thing. The event will bring together musicians, artists, creatives, and climate experts to present their reactions to the Climate Crisis through new interactive multimedia installations.
Each of the artists involved in Undercurrent’s inaugural event will be creating their own individual immersive experiences that drive attention to one of three nonprofits: Kiss the Ground, Ocean Conservancy, and Global Forest Generation, all within the Undercurrent space.
The co-founders Steve Milton and Brett Volker of the event spoke,“It’s an exciting time to be working and experimenting in the music space, with technology rapidly changing the way that we create and consume art. We’re thrilled to be offering music fans new ways to experience work by the artists they love and we hope they leave feeling inspired to take action around the climate crisis in the process.”
Tickets are now on sale for its first event and for dates throughout the month can be purchased here.
For more information on Undercurrent visit their website.
Singer-songwriter, guitarist and drummer Rene Lopez has just released his new single, “Flamingo”. A master of cross-genre work, Lopez’ single features Caribbean roots, rhythmic Jamaican ska drum loops, Cuban son montuno with cha-cha-chá influence. “Flamingo” stands as a direct reflection of Lopez’ multicultural upbringing in New York City, where he resides today.
Son of the famed Puerto Rican salsa musician and trumpet player René López, Rene embraces the traditional roots of his father while incorporating his own unique musical influences, including soul, jazz, funk, and rock.
An audience can audibly hear this melding of genres- with the fusion of Latin rhythms and instruments like timbales, congas, cowbell, flute, trumpet, Cuban tres and melodies similar to the pop musical soundscape today.
It just feels so right to incorporate my roots into my songs.
Rene Lopez
Dubbed “a one-man song factory” by Félix Contreras of NPR’s Alt.Latino, Lopez takes a personal approach to songwriting.
There is also a story that I tell in each song that is basically my own way of dealing with stuff going on in my life [and it] helps me face myself when I sing it out loud.
Rene Lopez
Lopez’ ability to write a autobiographical discography that melds Latin music, funk, rock, doo-wop, and soul is what keeps him hitting the mark with these catchy songs. Throughout the course of his work, Lopez’ music has only continued to become more Latinized, invoking a thematic otherness as an immigrant or being from a certain urban ethnic neighborhood. Keeping his songs close to home has reflected an authentic, nostalgic sound that shows listeners Lopez is “being completely honest with who I am, and a big part of that is my Latin roots,” as well as telling stories of personal relationships and experiences in an unflinching way.
Written as an ode to a “special woman” Lopez fell in love with after he got divorced, “Flamingo” bears Lopez’ vulnerability. He successfully transformed a situation he dubbed “extremely difficult and heartbreaking” into a beautiful tribute to the experience. Simultaneously graceful and outlandish, the flamingo serves as the perfect metaphor to quantify his unattainable love.
The title of the single then alludes to the doomed romance due to the lovers’ star-crossed circumstances. Beautiful and tragic, the song is a Latin lullaby of love and healing. The poetic lyrics serve as the perfect gateway into Lopez’ self and coupled with the personal roots of his past, “Flamingo” serves as a testament to Lopez’ past. And evidently, the song is yet another incredible hit to add to his collection of singles, keeping his growing audience waiting for the future.
The single is streaming on Soundcloud and does not disappoint!
Flushing Town Hall Announces a virtual tribute to the American Melting Pot on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 7PM EST. The event will be focusing on and celebrating diverse music and musicians in celebration of the national holiday.
Flushing Town Hall is known as being a Smithsonian affiliate and presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in general. The venue has been around since 1979 and is known for supporting local, immigrant, national, and international artists. Flushing Town Hall aims to serve and represent diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
This Flushing Town Hall celebration of the American Melting Pot is being supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, the monthly Jazz Jams have been led since 2016 by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include illustrious musicians Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann, and Eric Lemon.
Carol Sudhalter, Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Band leader spoke on this upcoming celebration saying, “From Latin Jazz to Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain, music from practically every culture eventually finds its way into the jazz idiom, enriching its array of colors and sounds. In July we look forward to seeing how each participant contributes their own creative corner of the picture!”
In the past 15 months, streams by Flushing Town Hall have hosted over 200 musicians. The upcoming American Melting Pot celebration will host even more musicians adding to the numbers. Musicians who performed in 2020 are now welcome to return to perform in the upcoming performance. Each month, up to five returning musicians and up to 15 new musicians can participate. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Musicians interested in participating on July 14 should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play in line with this month’s theme. The performance can be live or a pre-recorded audio or video (but not a professional, edited recording such as a CD or YouTube video).
Viewers can tune in to Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or Zoom on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00 PM (EST) to join the live event for free, without registration.
For more information on the Flushing Town Hall’s tribute the American Melting Pot visit their website here.
Z2 Comics announced that the graphic novel, Among the Living which was inspired by Anthrax, and the titans of thrash metal’s landmark 1987 album of the same name, to be released in stores on July 6. In an effort to support the comic book specialty market, which had been hardest hit by the COVID-19 health crisis of the past year, Anthrax and Z2 shipped a surprise limited number of copies early that stores could make available for sale this week.
L-R: Jon Donias, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna Photo Credit: Jimmy Hubbard
2021 marks Anthrax’s 40th anniversary, during which time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations, and a host of other accolades from the media, the music industry, and fans. In 1991, the band helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with Public Enemy on the track “Bring The Noise,” and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover in 2012.
I grew up with Marvel and DC, and they were part of my life from the time I was four or five years old. My mom worked at Primrose Bakery on Tremont Avenue in New York, and when I’d go to work with her, I’d sit in the back with the bakers. I’d read and draw the superheroes from the comics she would buy for me from this little shop just a couple of doors down. I’ve loved everything about comic books and the neighborhood comic book stores ever since.
-Anthrax’s Charlie Benante
Anthrax and their landmark 1987 album Among the Living influenced an entire generation of metalheads, cementing the New York band’s place in the Big 4 of Thrash alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. The book pulls together a “who’s who” of names from the worlds of comics and music who created “bubble dialogue” and original artwork to express what the songs meant to them. Taking advantage of COVID-19’s prohibition of concert touring, the band has been hard at work writing the next Anthrax album. Check with your local comic shop for the availability of the standard TPB edition, with all editions available to order directly from Z2’s website now, with Charlie Benante’s Judge Dredd variant exclusive to preorders.
New York City-native and emerging R&B artist Diana Bidea is set to drop her newest single titled, “Would You Still” on Friday, June 11.
“Would You Still” is Bidea’s seventh overall single and third release this year, behind her January single “Forbidden Fruit” and March single “The Game.” She also has one EP album so far, Artemis in 2019, with five songs on the tracklist.
With a background in classical opera, Bidea’s music displays her full vocals, cushioned with bluesy melodies. Her passionate musical tone and meaningful, talented lyricism gives off the full contemporary R&B experience.
Bidea’s original songs seem to have similar themes, discussing self-worth, love, and devotion. Her most recent release, “The Game,” more specifically brings a sultry vibe with guitar riffs and raspy vocals. This single blurs the line between sexual references and casual relationship description with lyrics like “sweet pleasure is the game… my favorite pleasure is pain.”
“Would You Still” is more focused on the self, reconciling with carrying the burden of being the person everyone turns to for advice.
I think some people naturally fall into the role of being the person that everyone comes to for answers, empathy and a safe space to keep their secrets. But when it feels like you don’t have that safe space in return, it leaves you feeling heavy with responsibility and emotionally exhausted. (‘Would You Still’) is about searching for someone who can give you that safe space and they will still love you after they know you at your most vulnerable.
Diana Bidéa
“Would You Still” tells the story of a sensitive girl who wears the mask of a bold, put-together person. Described as a “hero complex,” Bidea highlights the importance of checking up on your friends, no matter how happy they seem on the surface.
Though her lyrics’ meanings are deep-rooted, they are anything but mournful. Bidea takes on an optimistic spirit, not questioning her personal worth; simply asking the question, “will you treat me at my true worth?”
The new single is also chock full of vocal riffs and runs, staying true to her soulful style.
