Tarantino’s Vegan, 6/6/2020
Last night Rana and I checked out the excellent off-Strip Italian Vegan eatery Tarantino’s here in Las Vegas: imaginative food (“Chick’n Parmesan” and lasagna with “beef crumbles” and “almond ricotta”) with ultra-positive ambiance.
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DT: JUNE 5, 2020
FM: KELLY WALSH  
NORDIC FOLK GROUP REVEAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “LYFJABERG”
 (“Lyfjaberg” single artwork; credit – Ane Os)
After being forced to postpone the release of their upcoming album KVITRAVN to January 22, 2021 due to extenuating circumstances throughout the world, traditional Nordic folk outfit WARDRUNA decided now was not the time to be silent and headed into the studio to write and record a new song, “Lyfjaberg.” The title translates to English as a ‘healing-hill’ or ‘healing-mountain’ and is known from Norse mythology and the Eddic poem Fjölsvinnsmál as a place of comfort and cure for the sick and sore who manage to climb the mountain and bear offerings at its shrines. WARDRUNA filmed a music video for “Lyfjaberg” that was filmed in the mountains of the island Tustna in Norway. Watch the video now, along with translated lyrics in the description, on YouTube HERE or streaming below.
The band shot the video in early May, when suddenly winter decided to return with full strength, and they ended up wading in half a meter of snow for three days and nights. On many levels, the process of making of this video reflected the meaning of the song itself. They all had to climb a few of their inner mountains to get it done. “The song expresses that climbing a tough mountain, both in reality and metaphorically, is a mental as well as a physical effort,” shares founding member and composer Einar Selvik. “I have tried to write this journey up the mountain as one for the mind and spirit as much as the feet and body. Anything of true value, comes at a true cost.”
“Lyfjaberg” is available now across all digital platforms. Stream/download it now at: https://wardruna.lnk.to/Lyfjaberg. Pre-order the single on limited 12″ white vinyl at https://wardruna.aisamerch.com/item/90844.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
585-765-5162
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FROM: MARCEE RONDAN
RELEASES “NOT AFRAID,” LATEST SINGLE FROM HER ‘OVERNIGHT LOWS’ ALBUM WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Singer-songwriter SUNNY OZELL has announced the release of her brand-new single and video for “Not Afraid,” from her recently released second album OVERNIGHT LOWS. Watch the clip here.
The aptly titled new track–marked by its defiant sentiment in the unprecedented situation the world presently finds itself in–espouses a powerful message amidst isolation, fear and the different types of thoughts that creep up and plague us all with worry when we can’t sleep. SUNNY‘s strong personality permeates stand-out production, resolute groove and message of boldness. “Not Afraid” follows the album’s last single “All That I Am,” which debuted earlier this year at AMERICAN SONGWRITER; the video for that track has already garnered more than half a million views.
“I put my record OVERNIGHT LOWS out on February 28 and I had a lot of things ‘on the books’ to promote this album that I’m so fucking proud of,” SUNNY says. “But the planet, or rather, a sub-microscopic pathogen, had other plans.”
“In very short order, the things that truly matter have come into very sharp focus: love, safety, family and friends. I wish health to you and everyone you hold dear. I thought it might be a good time to share ‘Not Afraid,’ another single from my record…it’s appropriately ominous, but triumphant all the same.”
This past weekend, SUNNY was featured, alongside her husband Sir Patrick Stewart, on CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” SUNNY also recently shared her “Church Sessions,” three videos that were filmed at centuries-old churches throughout the UK earlier this year. The clips merge her love of music, history, and travel. Watch the clips here. Next up is a new release, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.
OVERNIGHT LOWS gleams with engaging melodies and intelligent wordplay
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DT: MAY 26, 2020
FM: KELLY WALSH
IN HEARTS WAKE
SHARE NEW SINGLE / MUSIC VIDEO
“HELLBRINGER” FEAT. JAMIE HAILS OF POLARIS WATCH HERE
NEW ALBUM ‘KALIYUGA’ OUT AUGUST 7 VIA UNFD
 Photo Credit: Sally Patti Australian metalcore outfit IN HEARTS WAKE have teamed up with Polaris vocalist Jamie Hails on their new single and music video “Hellbringer.” The single–out today, May 26–is the third release from the band’s upcoming 100% carbon offset album KALIYUGA due August 7 via UNFD. Watch “Hellbringer” below or stream/download it via your preferred digital platform at https://unfd.lnk.to/kaliyuga.
“Hellbringer” features gleefully wicked guitar licks, mosh-friendly breakdowns and the anthemic choruses IN HEARTS WAKE are known for. The single and its accompanying video jubilantly celebrates the freedom and joy of unbridled heavy music, in defiance of those people who call it ‘the devil’s music’. The band reminds people that they don’t need to take themselves too seriously, as they create a video that parodies the awkwardness of live music streams in the new normal created by COVID-19.
Vocalist Jake Taylor shared how the video’s concept was developed:
“At some of our American shows, extremist groups have picketed outside, telling our fans that they’re ‘going to hell’. If only they knew just how positive the energy inside the venue was! Never judge a book by its cover. So rather than fight hate with hate, we decided to have some fun and lean into the metal stereotype. In 2020 with live streams becoming the new norm, we decided to stage our own hell-bent circus. We thought it would be funny to ask Jamie to dress up as a werewolf, turn me into a vampire and rain blood on the entire band. Guess Halloween came early this year. Thank you Blade.”
“Hellbringer” follows two previously released singles, “Son Of A Witch” and “Worldwide Suicide,” from KALIYUGA which was entirely carbon offset. The band measured every power socket, light bulb, pound of freight, travel and food consumed during the recording process of the record. They found the total carbon footprint came to 26.37 tonnes of CO2e. This has been entirely offset through the purchase of carbon credits in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor of Western Australia. The album will also be packaged and manufactured plastic free, using recycled materials.
Pre-orders of KALIYUGA are available now at unfdstore.com.
For more information on the album as well as exclusive insights, news and content, visit thehouseofkali.com.
SRO PR Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/in-hearts-wake
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For press opportunities and/or to speak with IN HEARTS WAKE, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
585-765-5162
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Arts District (cat mural, T-shirt photos), 5/26/20
Kicked around the mural-rich Las Vegas Arts District yesterday, stopping into the Recycled Propaganda art gallery + store (smart message T-shirts) and dining on the patio at the Latin eatery Makers & Finders.
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DT: MAY 26, 2020
FM: KELLY WALSH
NORDIC FOLK OUTFIT WARDRUNA ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE
“LYFJABERG” OUT JUNE 5
When circumstances forced Nordic traditional folk outfit WARDRUNA to postpone the release of their upcoming album KVITRAVN via BY NORSE MUSIC in the U.S. and SONY MUSIC / COLUMBIA RECORDS (worldwide excl. U.S.), it was clear to the band that they still wanted to release new music. Music and art can potentially carry great meaning in times of uncertainty so WARDRUNA decided that now was not the time to stay silent and headed straight back into creative mode and the studio to write and record the song “Lyfjaberg.”
The Old Norse word ‘Lyfjaberg’ translates to English as ‘healing-hill’ or ‘healing-mountain’ and is known from Norse mythology and the Eddic poem Fjölsvinnsmál as “a place of comfort and cure for the sick and sore who manage to climb the mountain and bear offerings at the shrines there–a gift demands a gift in return.”
WARDRUNA founding member and composer Einar Selvik comments: “The song expresses that climbing a tough mountain, both in reality and metaphorically, is a mental as well as a physical effort. I have tried to write this journey up the mountain as one for the mind and spirit as much as the feet and body. Anything of true value, comes at a true cost.”
“Lyfjaberg” will be available on all digital platforms on Friday, June 5.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
585-765-5162
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DT: MAY 22, 2020
FM: MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
LOS ANGELES ALT ROCK GROUP
SONS OF SILVER
SHARE NEW TRACK
“QUARANTINED IN CALIFORNIA“
SONG WAS WRITTEN AND RECORDED REMOTELY
AMIDST WORLDWIDE CORANIVIRUS PANDEMIC
WATCH HERE
 Los Angeles alternative rock group SONS OF SILVER were in the midst of preparing for the release of their upcoming EP when the global coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a quick halt. The result, a new track and video for “Quarantined in California” which has already garnered 68,700 views on YouTube. The band–Peter Argyropoulos: vocals, guitar, Brina Kabler: keys, vocals, Kevin Haaland: lead guitar, Adam Kury: bass, Dave Krusen: drums– wrote, recorded and filmed all from their homes throughout Southern California. Watch the video HERE.
“It’s one of those classic stories of a song that pops into your head in the middle of the night,” Peter Argyropoulos says. “I made a quick recording on my phone, sent it to the band and, the next thing I know, everyone’s recording their parts at home. Dave tracked his drums and sent them to Adam. Adam tracked his bass and sent everything to Kevin. Kevin did the guitars and sent all the tracks back to Brina and I. We did the vocals and mixed it and that was that. To be honest, I wasn’t sure we’d even release it, but Kevin’s guitars gave what was otherwise a campfire song, some Social Distortion-like edge. The video was frosting on the cake because we had no plan other than ‘have fun with it’ and, because of that, it genuinely captures each of our personalities. Shot on our iPhones, one take for each of us. The edit is raw because it suits the approach and the times. And no, the part where I push Brina away when I sing ‘social distance long at last’ wasn’t planned, but she did a good job of playing along.”
With their forthcoming EP Rude Awakenings (details of which will be announced soon), SONS OF SILVER carries on the rock ‘n’ roll tradition that stirs up dialogue and discourse, with rip-roaring riffs, bluesy rhythms and provocatively poetic lyrics. Under the previous name of Peter RG, the group built a catalog of two EPS–Lightning Strikes [2016] and Reaching for the Moon [2016]–and the 2017 full-length Tender Souls. Recharged as SONS OF SILVER in 2019, they served up the singles “Never Enough” and “Down.”
For more information on SONS OF SILVER, please visit:
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DT: MAY 19, 2020
FR: MITCH SCHNEIDER, SRO PR
SAVING VIP’S CAFÉ,
UCLA COACH JOHN WOODEN’S FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP
COMMUNITY LAUNCHES GOFUNDME
TO HELP RESTAURANT AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS
LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2020–Ryan Hagen, San Fernando Valley resident, today announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of saving VIP’s Cafe in Tarzana, CA after the restaurant was forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hagen is turning to the community to help since the restaurant has received no assistance from the SBA loans available to small businesses as of this time.
Owners Paul and Lucy Ma bought the restaurant in 1998 and have built a long list of celebrity patrons in addition to their local loyal clientele over the years. VIP‘s is best known for being UCLA Coach John Wooden’s favorite coffee shop, where his favorite booth is memorialized along with his favorite breakfast being featured as the “Coach Wooden Special” on the menu. It has become a destination for Bruins fans around the globe and the gallery of photos–featuring celebrity athletes, musicians, and actors with owners Paul & Lucy–provide a “who’s who” in major sports and entertainment patrons over the years. Since closing in mid-March, Paul and Lucy have had no income, had to furlough their staff, and hope for a small business loan while awaiting when they may be able to reopen. On May 11th they reopened for takeout, but like any business that closes, it is having a difficult time getting the word out.
Hagen hopes to rally the community along with those who love VIP‘s to give Paul and Lucy an opportunity to recover from eight weeks of no income to assist with outstanding rent; cover business expenses associated with reopening such as food and electricity; bringing staff back onto payroll; and giving the loyal staff with decades of service a place to return to.
VIP’s Cafe was established in 1998 and has served the San Fernando Valley for 22 years. The restaurant is located at 18345 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, CA 91356. Takeout hours are 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM seven days a week.
GoFundMe Link:
 For more info please, contact Ryan Hagen:
(805) 208-8476
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![In Hearts Wake - Hellbringer ft. Jamie Hails of Polaris [Official Music Video]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m6YRtg-sfMw/maxresdefault.jpg)
