Press Releases Archives - Page 4 of 75

August 4, 2023

BRIAN SETZER Discusses Second Track “Black Leather Jacket” From New Solo Album ‘The Devil Always Collects’ Out September 15 Via Surfdog Records

DATE: AUGUST 4, 2023

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/ANDREA FAULK

BRIAN SETZER
RELEASES SECOND TRACK
“BLACK LEATHER JACKET”
FROM NEW SOLO ALBUM
‘THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS’
OUT SEPTEMBER 15 VIA SURFDOG RECORDS

BRIAN DISCUSSES THE SONG HERE

THE ICONIC GUITARIST, SONGWRITER, VOCALIST
AND 3-TIME GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER WILL
EMBARK SEPTEMBER 27 ON
“ROCKABILLY RIOT” FALL TOUR
MARKING HIS FIRST LIVE SHOWS IN OVER FOUR YEARS

A person with tattoos on his back

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Album artwork for THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS

BRIAN SETZER today (August 4) has released “Black Leather Jacket,” another new track from his forthcoming THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS album out September 15 via Surfdog Records digitally, on CD and vinyl. The single follows “Girl On The Billboard,” which Guitar World (7/28/23) praised as “pure roadside bar sleaze in the best way—with strutting Chuck Berry-by-way-of-the-gutter riffs, and even a Route 66 namecheck. You’ll want to put the pedal to the metal with this coming through your speakers.”

The iconic 3-time Grammy award-winner discusses his self-written “Black Leather Jacket,” saying, “‘Black Leather Jacket’ is the story of my black leather jacket I bought when I was 18. It followed the guy through his whole life. He wore a black leather jacket when he met his girl and then got into a crash. Til the very end he had a black leather jacket. I like the idea of it. Black leather jackets are very personal things. They’re something you keep. You don’t get rid of those. So one of the first ones I bought was probably down at St. Mark’s Place [in NYC]…But I still have one from England from the 80’s. Surprisingly it’s a little small,” he adds jokingly. “It must have shrunk. But I still take it out for a ride.”

SETZER’s guitar work is virtuosic on the new album’s 11 tracks, and his vocals deliver the clever storylines of catchy songs like “The Devil Always Collects,” “Girl On The Billboard,” and “Rock Boys Rock.” Add in non-stop freight train rhythms, and you have an album—produced by BRIAN SETZER and Julian Raymond and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge—that stands with SETZER’s best. It’s always been BRIAN’s special talent to inject the roots of rock with a contemporary freshness that unites fans of rock, Americana, rockabilly, and punk. Stream and pre-order the album here.

BRIAN will support the album, his first since 2021’s Gotta Have The Rumble, this fall on his U.S “ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour starting September 27 (the dates are below).

Marking his first live shows in over four years, the “ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour will kick off September 27 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ and includes stops in Nashville, TN (at the historic Ryman Auditorium), Foxwoods Casino, Cincinnati, Chicago (Waukegan) and others before wrapping in Minneapolis (his adopted hometown). For these dates, SETZER will be joined by, in his words, an “international rockabilly band, Chris D’Rozario from Melbourne, Australia and Juan Laurios from Mexico City, Mexico.” Although BRIAN has a 40-year career as a solo artist, leader of The Brian Setzer Orchestra and as a Stray Cat, he continues to play with a jaw-dropping level of vigor. Tickets are on sale at: www.briansetzer.com

His set lists will include “some of the favorite covers I’m doing now. I haven’t recorded it, but I really like playing my version of ‘Georgia On My Mind.’ And then with the band, I want to play a new song ‘Girl On The Billboard’ because it tells a fun story.”

Here’s the track listing for THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS:
1 Rock Boys Rock
2. The Devil Always Collects
3. Girl On The Billboard
4. The Living Dead
5. What’ll It Be Baby Doll?
6. Black Leather Jacket
7. She’s Got A Lotta…Soul!
8. Play That Fast Thing (One More Time)
9. A Dude’ll Do (What a Dude’ll Do)
10. Psycho Suzie
11. One Particular Chick

A person in a leather jacket

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Photo credit: Russ Harrington

“ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour dates are as follows:

Date	City	Venue
Wednesday, September 27	Red Bank, NJ	Count Basie Center for the Arts
Friday, September 29	Mashantucket, CT	Foxwoods Resort Casino – Premier Theater
Saturday, September 30	Greensburg, PA	The Palace Theatre
Monday, October 2	Nashville, TN	Ryman Auditorium
Tuesday, October 3	Cincinnati, OH	Taft Theatre
Thursday, October 5	Nashville, IN	Brown County Music Center
Friday, October 6	Northfield, OH	MGM Northfield Park
Saturday, October 7	Waukegan, IL	The Genesee Theatre
Monday, October 9	Madison, WI	The Orpheum Theater
Tuesday, October 10	Des Moines, IA	Hoyt Sherman Place
Thursday, October 12	Davenport, IA	Adler Theatre
Friday, October 13	Minneapolis, MN	State Theatre

Links:
Website:briansetzer.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/briansetzerofficial/
Twitter: twitter.com/briansetzer59
Instagram: instagram.com/briansetzer59/
YouTube: youtube.com/user/BrianSetzerOfficial

SRO Press Releases + Media Assets

ABOUT BRIAN SETZER:

Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and 3-time Grammy award-winner BRIAN SETZER has achieved one career milestone after another. He’s sold millions of albums and is a “Musician’s Musician” credited with continually taking chances with innovative and daring musical styles. Setzer is widely credited for taking two forgotten genres, rockabilly and swing, adding his own blend of gunpowder and rockin’ style, and completely reinventing and single-handedly resurrecting them in the process. Along the way, he has scored chart-topping hits, sold 13 million records and received the Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award throughout his decorated career as founder/leader of the Stray Cats, his 19-piece Brian Setzer Orchestra, and as a solo artist. He is consistently cited as one of the world’s greatest living guitarists, and has a best-selling, extensive line of elite Gretsch signature model guitars bearing his name. SETZER is also, fittingly, in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. On the live front, Setzer has headlined venues and festivals worldwide, including a 1983 headlining slot on the iconic US Festival in California, The Playboy Jazz Festival, a three-night, sold-out headlining run at the Hollywood Bowl with the 98-piece Philharmonic Orchestra, Woodstock ’99, and performing in front of more than 150,000 people as headliner of the Montreal Jazz Festival. His reach also includes films and TV, where his roles include portraying rockabilly pioneer Eddie Cochran in the 1987 film, La Bamba, Fox’s “Beverly Hills 90210,” among many others, and he is one of the few musicians to be animated in an episode of “The Simpsons” in 2002. That same year, SETZER was personally requested to induct Chet Atkins into the 17th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. SETZER had the honor of being invited in 2006 to perform at the White House for the President of the United States. Also in 2006, he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame with the Stray Cats. In 2014, SETZER received the distinct honor of being asked by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to donate a replica of his original 1959 Gretsch 6120 “Stray Cat” guitar, joining an elite collection of iconic treasures at the museum.

About Surfdog/DKM:

Surfdog/DKM is an entertainment company, founded in 1985 and located in Encinitas, CA, which includes DKM Management, Surfdog Records, Surfdog & Surfmutt Music Publishing, and Surfdog’s Java Hut Cafe. Surfdog/DKM has a diverse and acclaimed roster and, since its inception, has worked with a number of legendary and iconic artists, including Brian Setzer, Eric Clapton, UB40, Sublime, Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics), Glen Campbell, Joss Stone, Stray Cats, Butthole Surfers, Dan Hicks, Slightly Stoopid, and many others. Surfdog/DKM is involved with several environmental charities including Oceana, Surfrider Foundation, Sea Shepherd, among many others, and is proud that our Encinitas offices are GreenPoint Rated and operate as a certified California Green Business and remain a member in good standing with 1% For The Planet.

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August 4, 2023

Emo Rockers THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT Release “Generation Psycho” Music Video; Announce Fall ‘Devotion Ceremonies’

DT: AUGUST 4, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

THEATRICAL EMO ROCKERS
THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT
RELEASE TAUNTING NEW SINGLE & MUSIC VIDEO
“GENERATION PSYCHO”
VIA BETTER NOISE MUSIC

WATCH “GENERATION PSYCHO” VIDEO HERE

STREAM/DOWNLOAD “GENERATION PSYCHO” HERE

ANNOUNCE FALL “DEVOTION CEREMONIES” INCLUDING
OPENING FOR ICE NINE KILLS’
“SILVER SCREAM CONCERT” ON 9/9 IN MASSACHUSETTS
FOLLOWED BY “EMO DREAMS TOUR” ACROSS U.S.
WITH ICON FOR HIRE, CONQUER DIVIDE & CONCRETE CASTLES

“Generation Psycho” Single Art (Download HERE)

“So you can crown me the king of misery
Cause I don’t want your American dream.”

Combining modern rock anthems with emo-drenched pop-punk melodies, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT caters to outcasts from all walks of life. Their over-the-top theatrics and loud, uncompromising music offer audiences a sense of community where the “weird kids” can let loose. The band have today (August 4) released the new single “Generation Psycho,” a sarcastic take on our current cultural climate. “Generation Psycho” will be featured on THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT’s debut album due later this year via Better Noise Music. The massive, no-holds-barred forthcoming release was co-produced by Johnny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Motionless In White, Halestorm) and Josh Landry, aka Lø Spirit (Motionless In White) while mixing and mastering was completed by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Arch Enemy). Listen to “Generation Psycho” streaming across all digital platforms HERE. A horror-inspired music video for “Generation Psycho” can be seen streaming below or via YouTube HERE.

“‘Generation Psycho’ is a statement piece from our band, a song about the out of control feeling so many people have about our culture, our society, and our government,” shares vocalist Lee Jennings. “The song captures the creeping fear of the future, of being outcasted and abandoned, and of falling through the cracks. We are hoping to connect with the disenfranchised and struggling with this song, the people who don’t know where to turn for help or guidance. We want to offer solace for people in this situation, so they know they are not alone in their fears, worries, and anxieties for themselves & their loved ones. So often it does feel like the whole world has gone crazy. We are no strangers to it and empathize with the experience.”

THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT—Lee Jennings (vocals), Cody Weissinger (guitar), Caleb Freihaut (guitar/auxiliary), Robert Weston (bass) and Homer Umbanhower (drums)—have built an unwavering fanbase, The Coffin Crew, whom they devote their music to thus labelling their live performances as ‘devotion ceremonies.’ The ‘devotion ceremonies’ consists of full theatrics, stage décor, costumed actors and more. With previous tours alongside acts including Shinedown, Underoath, Skillet, Bad Wolves, From Ashes To New, Starset and Pvris under their belt and a main stage set at Inkcarceration Festival, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT will bring their devotion ceremonies to audiences across the U.S. this fall. The band will next be seen opening for horror rock mainstays Ice Nine Kill for their “Silver Scream Concert” on September 9 in Lynn, MA which takes place amidst Ice Nine Kills’ horror convention, Silver Scream Con. They will then make their way to Greenville, SC on September 13 to join the “Emo Dreams Tour” with Icon For Hire, Conquer Divide and Concrete Castles. The tour will make its way across the U.S. and a stop on September 22 in Toronto, ON before wrapping up on Halloween, October 31 in Memphis, TN. All upcoming dates can be found listed below. Tickets are on sale now at www.tfpcoffincrew.com.

THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT 2023 DEVOTION CEREMONIES:
9/9 Lynn, MA – Lynn Memorial Auditorium (with Ice Nine Kills & Inspirit)
9/13 Greenville, SC – The Radio Room^
9/15 Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall^
9/16 Elmira, NY – The L (The Pit)^
9/17 Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater^
9/18 Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s^
9/19 Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom^
9/20 Brooklyn, NY – Kingsland^
9/22 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace^
9/23 Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions^
9/24 Lakewood, OH – The Winchester^
9/25 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar^
9/26 Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome^
9/27 Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache at The Intersection^
9/29 Joliet, IL – The Forge^
9/30 Des Moines, IA – Leftys^
10/1 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium^
10/3 Billings, MT – Pub Station^
10/4 Great Falls, MT – The Newberry^
10/6 Boise, ID – The Shredder^
10/7 Spokane, WA – Big Dipper^
10/8 Seattle, WA – El Corazon^
10/10 San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar^
10/12 Fresno, CA – Full Circle Brewing^
10/13 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues (Parish Room)^
10/14 Los Angeles, CA – The Mint^
10/15 San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick^
10/17 Las Vegas, NV – The Usual Place^
10/18 Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge^
10/19 El Paso, TX – Rockhouse^
10/20 Rosewell, NM – The Liberty^
10/21 Lubbock, TX – Jake’s^
10/22 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger (Small Room)^
10/24 Houston, TX – Scout Bar^
10/25 Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock^
10/27 Destin, FL – Club LA^
10/30 Detroit, MI – Saint Andrews Hall (with Twiztid)
^ “Emo Dreams” Tour with Icon For Hire, Conquer Divide and Concrete Castles

Credit: Aaron Mash (Download HERE)

Follow THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT online at
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

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ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC
BETTER NOISE MUSIC is the premiere independent music label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation, and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, Nothing More, The HU, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, and Fire From The Gods. Partnering with FUGA, AMPED, and Membran, the company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney. The label was named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2022. The label has made history by ranking as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint for five years in a row (2018-2022).

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For press inquiries and/or tour coverage requests, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

August 4, 2023

EVA UNDER FIRE Announce Deluxe Edition of Debut Album ‘Love, Drugs & Misery’; Release “Unstoppable (Feat. Cory Marks)” Music Video

DT: AUGUST 4, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

EVA UNDER FIRE
CELEBRATE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF
2022 DEBUT
‘LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY’
VIA BETTER NOISE MUSIC
WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF DELUXE EDITION
DUE SEPTEMBER 22

PRE-ORDER’S AVAILABLE NOW HERE

FEMALE-FRONTED ROCK GROUP
RELEASE BONUS TRACK & OFFICIAL RADIO SINGLE
“UNSTOPPABLE (FEAT. CORY MARKS)”
TODAY (AUGUST 4) ALONGSIDE MUSIC VIDEO

LISTEN/WATCH HERE

CATCH EVA ON FIRE ON TOUR THIS SUMMER/FALL WITH POP EVIL, FINGER ELEVEN, TAPROOT & MORE

LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY: DELUXE EDITION Cover Art (Download HERE)

Emerging Detroit-based rock outfit EVA UNDER FIRE will celebrate the one-year anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut full-length album LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY with news of a deluxe edition due September 22 via Better Noise Music. The original album, which features tracks with guest performances from Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Jonathan Dörr (formerly of Ego Kill Talent) and From Ashes To New, now gets the deluxe treatment with 10 bonus tracks including a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”; two acoustic tracks; four Noise Machine-remixed tracks; two reimagined tracks featuring country rocker Cory Marks; and more. See the full track listing below. Pre-orders for LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY: DELUXE EDITION are available now via digital download at https://evaunderfire.ffm.to/lovedrugsmiserydeluxe.

Today (August 4) ¸ the female-fronted EVA UNDER FIRE have released one of the LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY: DELUXE EDITION bonus tracks; it’s a new version of their passionate single “Unstoppable” which has received a country flair courtesy of breakout country rockstar CORY MARKS. It will be serviced to radio and follows their latest official radio single “Blow (feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)” which peaked at #11 on the Active Rock charts. Combining Marks’ soulful twang with EVA UNDER FIRE vocalist EVA MARIE’s entrancing melodic-yet-heavy rock vocals, “Unstoppable (Feat. Cory Marks)” tugs at listeners’ heartstrings. Listen to “Unstoppable (Feat. Cory Marks)” streaming now across all platforms HERE. Watch its music video streaming below or via YouTube HERE.

“I’m a hopeless romantic so I wrote “Unstoppable” about my parents’ high school love story,” shares EVA MARIE. “My dad used to steal his sister’s corvette while she was at work and pick my mom up for joy rides. For me, this song honors my rebellious roots; a classic outlaw story that fits just as easily in a rock song as it could in a country song and you can hear that in the way we recorded the original version, the swing between rock and country is undeniable. I feel the attitude and the swagger every time we play it live, and now having Cory Marks add his vocals to the track really feels like it brings the song home, it makes the perfect vibe for ‘Unstoppable!’”

“I was thrilled that Eva Under Fire asked me to feature on their song ‘Unstoppable,’ states MARKS. “It’s a rockin tune with a bit of a country groove and story to it. It’s like a rock n roll Bonnie and Clyde, underdogs ready to burn it up and I dig that!”

Eva Under Fire with Cory Marks

LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY: DELUXE EDITION Track List:
1. Blow (feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)
2. Unstoppable
3. With Or Without You
4. Another Shot Through The Heart
5. Misery
6. The Strong
7. Death Of Me
8. Ghost
9. Coming For Blood (feat. Matt Brandyberry from From Ashes To New)
10. Comatose (feat. Jonathan Dörr)
11. Give Me A Reason

BONUS TRACKS
1. I Will Fight (2023 Version)
2. Devil In Disguise
3. Come Undone
4. Separate Ways
5. War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)
6. The Strong (Acoustic)
7. Blow (Acoustic)
8. Comatose EUF version
9. Unstoppable (feat. Cory Marks)
10. Give Me A Reason (feat. Cory Marks)
11. Coming For Blood (Noise Machine Remix)
12. Heroin(e) (Noise Machine Remix)
13. Comatose (Noise Machine Remix)
14. Unstoppable (Noise Machine Remix)

In addition to the success of LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY’s release in 2022, EVA UNDER FIRE substantially expanded their fanbase following Eva Marie’s featured appearance in the horror-thriller The Retaliators (Better Noise Films) and the inclusion of their single “Blow (ft. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)” which garnered over 8 million streams globally. Previously, the album’s single “Heroin(e)” was spotlighted in the soundtrack for the 2020 film Sno Babies (Better Noise Films) which saw astonishing results and to date has over 26 million streams. EVA UNDER FIRE have toured rigorously across the globe including a recent tour earlier this year in Europe with Skillet which saw filled rooms and glowing reviews from critics. The band are currently on tour in the U.S. with Pop Evil throughout August 17 and will be seen throughout fall on jaunts with Finger Eleven, Josey Scott’s Saliva and Taproot in addition to a few headlining shows. See full dates below. Tickets are on-sale at https://evaunderfire.os.fan/

EVA ON FIRE TOUR DATES:
7/30 Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre *
8/11 Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory
8/12 Evart, MI – Rock 4 Vets
8/13 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
8/15 East Moline, IL – Rust Belt *
8/17 Ottumwa, IA – Bridge View Center *
9/1 Madison, WI – Majestic Theater
9/3 Moline, IL – Rust Belt &
9/6 Wyandotte, MI – District 142 &
9/8 Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room ^
9/10 Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Fest
9/12 Ashwaubenon, WI – EPIC Event Center &
9/14 Cincinnati, OH – Riverfront Live &
9/30 Flint, MI – The Machine Shop # SOLD OUT
10/1 Flint, MI – The Machine Shop # SOLD OUT
11/3 Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s #
11/4 New York, NY – Gramercy Theater #
11/17 Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation @ The Intersection #
11/18 Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room #
* with Pop Evil
& with Finger Eleven
^ with Josey Scott’s Saliva
# with Taproot

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

August 2, 2023

OUT NOW: FROM ASHES TO NEW’s Album ‘Blackout’ Goes #1 Metal Worldwide As Single “Nightmare” Runs Up The Active Rock Charts

DT: AUGUST 2, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

FROM ASHES TO NEWS’
‘BLACKOUT’
DEBUTS AT #1 ON SEVERAL GLOBAL CHARTS

JULY 28 RELEASE OF THE NEW ALBUM
VIA BETTER NOISE MUSIC
COINCIDES WITH THE ACTIVE ROCK RADIO CHART ASCENT OF THEIR NEW SINGLE
“NIGHTMARE”

A person standing in front of a burning building Description automatically generated

21st-century rock vanguards FROM ASHES TO NEW’s explosive blend of hard rock, hip-hop, electronic and alternative music has driven their brand-new album BLACKOUT to the #1 spot on several iTunes and Spotify Rock and Metal charts across the globe. The 12-track album, released via Better Noise Music last Friday, June 28, was produced by vocalist Matt Brandyberry, alongside longtime collaborators and producers Grant McFarland and Carson Slovak. Conceptually it acts as a prequel to their 2016 debut DAY ONE and mirrors the angst and unrest the world felt during the 2020 pandemic at which time it was written.

Featuring their fifth-ever Top 10-charting rock radio single “Hate Me Too,” which peaked at #8 on Mediabase charts, and their latest anthemic single “Nightmare,” now climbing the charts at Active Rock radio, BLACKOUT has made waves with seven #1 iTunes Metal albums chartings and four #1 iTunes Rock albums placements including four dual #1’s globally. See their top chartings listed below.

“This past weekend was absolutely insane,” says the band’s lead singer Matt Brandyberry. “We went from not releasing a record since 2020 to having one of the biggest releases in the industry last Friday. When we decided to write ‘Blackout,’ we chose to write it for us. We wanted it to be a representation of who we feel we are as a band. Much like ‘Day One’ we pushed away outside influences and made something organic. The silver lining to the chaos of 2020/2021 was realizing how quickly everything can be taken away. It reinvigorated the passion that ignited all of our musical journeys. This sound is who we’ve always been and is who we will always be moving forward. Welcome to the BLACKOUT!”

“‘Blackout is the album we’ve always wanted to make,” elaborates vocalist Danny Case. “It’s intense, emotional, heavy, and most importantly, it’s us. This album truly represents who we are as a band and its massive sound will prove to be our best record yet. We are so incredibly proud of this album, and we are confident it will quickly become our fans’ favorite From Ashes To New record ever.”

Global – #10 Overall Albums (iTunes)
USA – Top 10 (Spotify)
UK – #1 Metal & #1 Rock Album (iTunes)
Switzerland – #1 Metal & #1 Rock Album (iTunes)
Belgium – #1 Metal & #1 Rock Album (iTunes)
Australia – #1 Metal & #1 Rock Album (iTunes)
Germany – #1 Metal & #2 Rock Album (iTunes)
Japan – #1 Metal & #4 Rock Album (iTunes)
Austria – #2 Metal & #2 Rock Album (iTunes)
France – # 2 Metal & #5 Rock (iTunes)

FROM ASHES TO NEW are currently celebrating their #1 success on the road alongside rock mainstays In This Moment and Motionless In White plus For A King throughout August 19. See full dates listed below. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.fromashestonew.com/tour. Earlier this year, FROM ASHES TO NEW was featured at several of the top rock festivals including Sonic Temple, Inkcarceration Festival and Welcome To Rockville, in addition to appearing on tours with Shinedown, Three Days Grace and Bullet For My Valentine.

Read what some of the press is saying about BLACKOUT:

“Blackout thrives on electronics, heavy riffs, big hooks, screams and rhymes… Overall, the album is a perfectly good serving of mosh-pit-ready hard rock that should resonate with existing fans and find some new ones.” – Riff Magazine

“The electronic side of From Ashes To New is on show here, accompanying the rap vocals perfectly. Everything about the songs on Blackout screams accessibility…Case unleashes the inner beast in a running battle with Brandyberry that creates a sonic wall of destruction almost impossible to resist.” – Heavy Mag

“twelve tracks of catchy singalong belters… Hugely enjoyable” – The Moshville Times

Stream and/or download BLACKOUT or grab a physical copy on CD, vinyl or cassette at https://fatn.ffm.to/blackoutalbum

FROM ASHES TO NEW Tour Dates:
8/2 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion &
8/4 Council Bluffs, IA – KIWR’s Rockfest – Westfair Amphitheater &
8/5 Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater &
8/6 Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena &
8/8 Memphis, TN – The Soundstage at Graceland &
8/9 Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena &
8/11 Huntsville, AL – Propst Arena &
8/12 Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center &
8/13 Corbin, KY – Corbin Arena &
8/15 Evansville, IN – Ford Center &
8/16 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Expo Center &
8/18 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion &
8/19 Albany, NY – MVP Arena &
& with In This Moment, Motionless In White & Fit For A King

A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
l-r: Mat Madiro, Matt Brandyberry, Danny Case, Lance Dowdle
Credit: Jeremy Saffer

SRO PR Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/from-ashes-to-new

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ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC
BETTER NOISE MUSIC is the premiere independent music label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation, and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, Nothing More, The HU, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, and Fire From The Gods. Partnering with FUGA, AMPED, and Membran, the company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney. The label was named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2022. The label has made history by ranking as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint for five years in a row (2018-2022).

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For press inquiries and/or tour requests, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

August 2, 2023

Bali-Based Alternative Pop-Rock Trio MANJA Debut Video For “Last Night’s Kiss”

DATE: AUGUST 2, 2023

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH

BALI-BASED ALTERNATIVE POP-ROCK TRIO
MANJA
DEBUT VIDEO FOR
“LAST NIGHT’S KISS”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE AND
LISTEN TO THE TRACK HERE

Bali-based alternative pop-rock trio MANJA–James (vocals, guitars) and brothers Nick Vleugels (guitar) and Mark Vleugels (keyboards)–have just released the video for their new single “Last Night’s Kiss.” Out today (August 2), the playful, imaginative clip alternates between live and studio performances, alongside magical hallucinations and the twists and turns of a boy meets girl storyline; the video reinforces the song’s central theme on the power of fantasy and imagination. Watch the video (directed by Rein Maychaelson and Abby Latip) here and listen to the song here.

“When we heard there was going to be a magic potion that could bring you back in time in the music video, we just couldn’t wait to see how the video would turn out,” James Sukadana says. “The process was super-fun, what with the wacky costumes involved, and the production team were so open to us having fun and improvising on set. We hope that when people watch it, they can feel the energy that we and everyone involved put into the process and have as much fun as we did. Hopefully, this would be a great way for people to get to know the real us!”

“I am so buzzed with the end result!” Mark Vleugels adds. “I’ve always liked the film ‘Groundhog Day’ and themes of mystery in pop culture, so I was very excited when the team came up with the time loop concept in the video. Since we grew up and still live in Bali, we know how much spirituality is tied to the island’s culture and roots. Although Hollywood has added a different spin, we also want to include another, perhaps darker, side to things–mystery and magic–while keeping it fun and quirky the way we like it.”

A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
MANJA: Mark Vleugels (yellow jacket), Nick Vleugels (blue jacket), James Sukadana (red jacket)

“Last Night’s Kiss,” is the first song MANJA had ever written as a band and it was more than five years in the making. Initially inspired by the song “Darling” from American indie-rock band Real Estate, “Last Night’s Kiss” underwent various iterations before MANJA settled on the current version. As they developed the song, they struggled with writer’s block. At one point, the original sketch to “Last Night’s Kiss” was scrapped and reworked into a rock track, a la The Black Keys. “It was fun to play live, but it stuck out like a sore thumb against our other songs. It did not fit into our set at all,” Nick says.

Fortunately, the turning point came when they started working with producer duo Brian Kresna Putro and Enrico Octaviano, renowned drummers for Indonesian bands Tiket and Lomba Sihir, respectively. MANJA returned to the original demo and finally got their mojo back.

For more information about MANJA:
Official website MANJA Official
Instagram @wearemanja
Facebook MANJA Official
YouTube MANJA Official Channel

August 1, 2023

Q&A With Frank Peterson, Creator Of “Gregorian,” In Advance Of The Group’s Upcoming First U.S. Tour

DATE: AUGUST 1, 2023

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK

Q&A WITH FRANK PETERSON,
CREATOR OF GREGORIAN,
THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CHOIR,
DISCUSSES THE GROUP’S UPCOMING FIRST U.S. TOUR

Frank Peterson

In advance of the U.S. launch of GREGORIAN’s “PURE CHANTS” debut U.S. tour, founder and owner of Nemo-Studios and omeN-Publishing Frank Peterson discussed the tour and the history of “The World’s Most Successful Choir.” Nemo Studio’s recently announced that GREGORIAN is bringing its first-ever North American tour to theaters and performing arts centers in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, featuring special guest performers Amelia Brightman and sensational male sopranist Narcis. The first leg of U.S. dates kick off October 11 in Atlanta, GA and wrap November 13 in Annapolis, MD. Read the full press release here. News of a fall album release will be announced in the coming weeks.

For over 20 years, more than three million people in 31 countries have been enchanted by GREGORIAN’s live performances. These eight classically trained English vocalists are known to bring their audiences to their feet…multiple times…at every show.

The itinerary is filled with theaters and performing arts centers in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, with 30-45 concerts currently being planned in the U.S., Mexico and Latin America.

Q&A
WITH FRANK PETERSON

Q: Can you explain what Gregorian is and what audiences can expect?

Frank Peterson: Gregorian are basically eight classically trained singers from London, UK plus a band. Usually in traditional Gregorian chant you’ll hear male baritones and tenors singing in unison. While we stick to the original medieval sound, we like to spice things up a little and bring the chants into today’s world.

Q: These dates will feature special guest performers from Amelia Brightman and sensational male sopranist Narcis. What are their roles in the shows?

Peterson: Narcis is a rare beast, a male soprano…actually, I don’t know one other singer with his incredible skill and stratospheric high voice. He certainly adds another dimension to our sound and repertoire. I love Amelia’s voice and her contemporary, yet classy style. She adds beauty and sensuality to our shows and some “icing on the cake” to the ensemble.

Q: GREGORIAN is the world’s most successful choir. What logistics are needed to stage this show every night?

Peterson: We’ve been touring for almost 25 years now and every tour requires different logistics. Although our current program is called “Pure Chants”, we carry a lot of lights and special effects with us to give people a highly entertaining event. Thus we prefer to call our concerts “shows.” While Gregorian could be considered to be classical crossover, our shows are mysterious but very entertaining, the performers serious but witty and the music classical but with a contemporary backing. As the U.S. is such a vast country, this is our first tour, ever, where the singers will sleep in a nightliner coach. It’ll be a challenge we all look forward to. All we really need for our 10 singers is a space for them to warm up properly…oh…and a fog machine!!!

Q: “Gregorian: Pure Chants in Concert” has recently been airing on public television stations across the country. Is that a good representation of the upcoming U.S. tour?

Peterson: Yes, it is a good representation of what we have done over the past 10 years. Gregorian started as a vocal ensemble, playing mainly churches and small theaters across Europe. With the success the demand grew, the productions became bigger and so did the confidence of the ensemble, each of them developing real entertainment skills. Today, Gregorian is an arena act all over Europe and Asia, with big elaborate shows, lights, pyros, lasers and fully choregraphed entertainment, while the music is a sophisticated blend of rock-anthems and classical vocals. The PBS program shows only a small segment of our repertoire. The upcoming U.S. tour will be a bit more intimate, spiritual and tranquil…just like we started in Europe 23 years ago.

Q: Might audiences hear some familiar songs in the sets?

Peterson: Absolutely…our repertoire is merely based on globally known and beloved compositions. I would think that most people in the U.S. are familiar with at least two thirds of the songs we are going to perform. I myself love going to concerts where I hear the hits…and then a couple of unexpected and surprising pieces.

Q: Beyond the live shows, what’s coming next for GREGORIAN?

Peterson: The Pure Chants Tour will continue in Europe, Asia and Australia. In April or May we hope to do a second leg in the U.S. before we head to South America. If things go as planned by June of next year, we will have played 200 Pure Chants shows around the world. Then we’ll have an 18-month break, record a new album and in early 2025 start our 25^th anniversary show, where we’ll go out again with all the bells and whistles, playing big arenas and hopefully return to the U.S. with our big production show.

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About Frank Peterson

Frank Peterson is the founder and owner of Nemo-Studios and omeN-Publishing and the international award-winning recording and touring act Gregorian. Frank’s musical taste is very diverse and ranges from core classical to rock and throughout his career, Frank has worked as producer and/or composer for artists including Enigma, Alannah Myles, Justin Timberlake, Sarah Brightman, José Carreras, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Errol Brown, Ofra Haza, Paul Stanley (Kiss), Backstreet Boys, Sandra, Josh Groban, Alessandro Safina, Mario Frangoulis, Marky Mark, I Muvrini, Florent Pagny, Ricardo Cocciante, Helmut Lotti and Princessa. Frank has received more than 180 gold and platinum awards from 42 countries on all 5 continents with record sales exceeding 60.000.000 units. He has also composed and/or produced music for international blockbuster movies and global advertising campaigns and produced/directed global concert tours as well as TV-programs for Sarah Brightman and Gregorian.

FACEBOOK

SRO PR CONTACTS:
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com (National)
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com (National)
Andrea Faulk, afaulk@sropr.com (Tour)

August 1, 2023

Abby Posner, Blackbird Record Label and The Schneider-Rondan Organization (SRO PR) Align With The Trevor Project For Uplifting Americana Song “World Is Yours”

DATE: AUGUST 1, 2023

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN

ABBY POSNER, BLACKBIRD RECORD LABEL
AND THE SCHNEIDER-RONDAN ORGANIZATION (SRO PR)
ALIGN WITH
THE TREVOR PROJECT
FOR UPLIFTING AMERICANA SONG
“WORLD IS YOURS”
DIGITAL PROCEEDS FROM THE SONG,
ALONG WITH A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION,
WILL GO TO THE
THE LEADING SUICIDE PREVENTION ORGANIZATION
FOR LGBTQ YOUNG PEOPLE

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

A picture containing child art, flower Description automatically generated
Single cover artwork by Jessamine Sison

“I know you wanna go down, down a different road
Where no one will reject you
For loving who you choose
You got wings to leave this town
And sing your song out loud”
—“World Is Yours,” 2023 (co-written by Mitch Schneider and Abby Posner)

Queer singer-songwriter-producer Abby Posner, Blackbird Record Label and the Schneider Rondan Organization (SRO PR) have aligned with The Trevor Project in connection with Abby’s recently released song “World Is Yours” whose themes of personal freedom, acceptance and resilience are in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Along with a financial contribution, digital proceeds from the uplifting Americana song, written by Posner and Mitch Schneider, will go to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people. Posner is also now training to become a Trevor Counselor. Listen to the song HERE and watch the animated video, created by Jessamine Sison, HERE.

“Many LGBTQ young people turn to music as a source of comfort, joy, and support—and it is wonderful that young people all over will be able to hear a powerful song of acceptance and affirmation in ‘World Is Yours,” says The Trevor Project. “We are incredibly excited to partner with Abby and her team to help spread the word of this anthem to those who could benefit from it.”

Says Abby, the genre-fluid Los Angeles-based artist: “When I first heard the song ‘World Is Yours,’ I was immediately drawn to it, and I wanted to produce/record my own version of it. As a queer songwriter, I believe the world needs more LGBTQ songs that encourage young people to be themselves and lean into their authenticity and strength. She adds: “I recently started training to become a Trevor Counselor, and so far it has been one of the most eye-opening, and rewarding, experiences. I hope to continue giving back to the LGBTQ community with my music and working with The Trevor Project.”

“We are honored to support the work The Trevor Project is doing to end suicide among the LGBTQ youth community,” says Manda Mosher, artist and co-owner of Blackbird Record Label. “Creating an environment of love, encouragement and support is vital. We are grateful that “World Is Yours,” an inspired collaboration by Abby Posner and Mitch Schneider, is connecting to empower and uplift through both the song’s message and support of donation to The Trevor Project.”

Video creator Jessamine Sison explains that, while working on the imagery for this video, “I wanted to stay true to its Americana/country sound by depicting small towns and vast horizons. I also wanted to honor the important message in the lyrics to help spread that message to a wider audience. I felt the imagery had to be relevant, timely, and heartfelt. The last building façade in the first part of the video is the historic Stonewall Inn bar.”

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Every year, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ young people seriously consider suicide in the U.S. alone—and Trevor is on a mission to provide every single one of them with the support that they need as we work to end suicide among LGBTQ youth. Trevor provides free, confidential crisis counseling available 24/7 on the platforms where young people already spend their time: phone, chat, and text. We also run TrevorSpace, an international safe-space social networking site, and work to prevent suicide through education, research, and advocacy. Our services holistically support LGBTQ young people today while shaping a more inclusive tomorrow.

About Abby Posner

Years before creating Americana records that shrink the distance between genres, ABBY POSNER grew up in a small mountain town outside of Denver. By 10 years old, she was making her own recordings on an 8-track cassette recorder, playing all the instruments—including piano, guitar, bass, and drums—herself. Meanwhile, her father introduced her to classic records by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and iconic blues artists. POSNER also became a devoted fan of punk music, moshing in the pit during gigs by bands like Alkaline Trio. Music wasn’t just a hobby; it was a lifeline. “Music has always helped me cope with the difficulties of life,” says POSNER, who’s spent the past two decades in Los Angeles. “I’m queer and I came out at a very young age. Music was the glue that held me together through all of that. It helped me process my feelings about being different.” She shines a light on the full spread of her creative abilities with Second Chances, her upcoming album (August 2023, Blackbird Record Label) that uses modern American roots music as a springboard for a bigger, bolder sound. Influenced by everything from punk/rock to electronic music, Second Chances is every bit as diverse as the artist who made it. Coming on the heels of 2021’s critically acclaimed Kisbee Ring, Second Chances marks the newest chapter in a life story that’s still being written. Flip back a few pages and you’ll find a number of early-career milestones: the episodes of “Glee”that found Posner on prime-time television, playing guitar and banjo; the film scores she created for award-winning projects like the Starz documentary Lady Buds;the shows she shared with headliners like Sierra Hull, Dave Alvin, and iconic lesbian folksinger Phranc; the hundreds of songs she wrote, several of which were used by Hulu, Netflix, Freeform, and “This American Life.”

Abby Posner
Photo credit: Jeff Fasano

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July 28, 2023

FROM ASHES TO NEW Apocalyptic Concept Album ‘Blackout’ Out Today via Better Noise Music; Share Lyric Video for “Monster In Me”

DT: JULY 28, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

FROM ASHES TO NEW
RELEASE APOCALYPTIC CONCEPT ALBUM
‘BLACKOUT’
TODAY, JULY 28, VIA BETTER NOISE MUSIC
DESCRIBED BY THE BAND AS PREQUEL
TO DEBUT ALBUM
‘DAY ONE’

BAND SHARE LYRIC VIDEO FOR
“MONSTER IN ME”
WATCH HERE

TOP 10 ACTIVE ROCK RADIO-CHARTING GROUP
ON TOUR THROUGHOUT AUGUST 19 WITH
IN THIS MOMENT, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE AND FIT FOR A KING

A person standing in front of a burning building Description automatically generated A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
BLACKOUT Cover Artwork / DOWNLOAD HERE; l-r: Mat Madiro, Matt Brandyberry, Danny Case, Lance Dowdle Credit: Jeremy Saffer

FROM ASHES TO NEW continue to break their way into the top of the 21st century rock vanguard with their compelling new album BLACKOUT, out today (July 28), via BETTER NOISE MUSIC. Conceptually, BLACKOUT encapsulates the distress of the pre-apocalyptic world the Lancaster, PA band built with their groundbreaking 2016 debut DAY ONE, while mirroring the angst and unrest the world felt during the 2020 pandemic at which time it was written. Sonically, FROM ASHES TO NEW deliver a fresh spin on the sound that broke them onto the scene with their distinctive blend of hard rock, hip-hop, electronic and alternative music. BLACKOUT was produced by vocalist Matt Brandyberry, alongside longtime collaborators and producers Grant McFarland and Carson Slovak at Atrium Audio in PA. It features 12 tracks including their fifth-ever Top 10-charting rock radio single “Hate Me Too,” which peaked at #8 on Mediabase charts, and their latest anthemic single “Nightmare” which is now climbing the charts at Active Rock radio. Stream and/or download BLACKOUT or grab a physical copy on CD, vinyl or cassette at https://fatn.ffm.to/blackoutalbum.

“‘Blackout’ is our prequel to ‘Day One,’” says co-vocalist Matt Brandyberry. “‘Day One’ was a strong representation of the style that made FATN who we are today, and ‘Blackout’ is a step above. The world seems to be headed further and further towards chaos and destruction, so it only felt right to create a piece to paint the picture we are all becoming all too familiar with. Expect much more of this from us in the future!”

“‘Blackout is the album we’ve always wanted to make,” relays co-vocalist Danny Case. “It’s intense, emotional, heavy, and most importantly, it’s us. This album truly represents who we are as a band and its massive sound will prove to be our best record yet. We are so incredibly proud of this album, and we are confident it will quickly become our fans’ favorite From Ashes To New record ever.”

To further celebrate BLACKOUT‘s release, FROM ASHES TO NEW have today shared a lyric video for their rap/metal hybrid track “Monster In Me” which can be seen streaming below or via YouTube HERE.

FROM ASHES TO NEW are currently on tour across the U.S. until August 19 with rock mainstays In This Moment and Motionless In White along with For A King. Earlier this year, FROM ASHES TO NEW was featured at several of the top rock festivals including Sonic Temple, Inkcarceration Festival and Welcome To Rockville, in addition to appearing on tours with Shinedown, Three Days Grace and Bullet For My Valentine. See full dates listed below. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.fromashestonew.com/tour.

FROM ASHES TO NEW Tour Dates:
7/29 Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park &
7/30 Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park &
8/1 Wichita, KS – Hartman Arena &
8/2 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion &
8/4 Council Bluffs, IA – KIWR’s Rockfest – Westfair Amphitheater &
8/5 Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater &
8/6 Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena &
8/8 Memphis, TN – The Soundstage at Graceland &
8/9 Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena &
8/11 Huntsville, AL – Propst Arena &
8/12 Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center &
8/13 Corbin, KY – Corbin Arena &
8/15 Evansville, IN – Ford Center &
8/16 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Expo Center &
8/18 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion &
8/19 Albany, NY – MVP Arena &
& with In This Moment, Motionless In White & Fit For A King

Follow the “FROM ASHES TO NEW: ULTIMATE PLAYLIST” here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4z4INS38ARdetC7oq0pntr?si=1874c64f8cb34df3

SRO PR Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/from-ashes-to-new

###

ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC
BETTER NOISE MUSIC is the premiere independent music label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation, and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, Nothing More, The HU, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, and Fire From The Gods. Partnering with FUGA, AMPED, and Membran, the company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney. The label was named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2022. The label has made history by ranking as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint for five years in a row (2018-2022).

###

For press inquiries and/or tour requests, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider – mschneider@sropr.com

July 27, 2023

Bali-based Alternative Pop/Rock Trio MANJA Dive Into Fantasies on New Single “Last Night’s Kiss”

DATE: JULY 27, 2023

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH

“Last Night’s Kiss” single cover art

BALI-BASED ALTERNATIVE POP-ROCK TRIO
MANJA
DIVE DEEP INTO THEIR FANTASIES
ON BRAND-NEW SINGLE
“LAST NIGHT’S KISS”

GROUP’S BOPPING NEW TRACK OUT TODAY (JULY 27) QUESTIONS FOOTLOOSE FANTASY
VERSUS REALITY

LISTEN TO TO THE TRACK HERE

To hook up, canoodle, and live large and full throttle, hoping the rendezvous would become a story with a happy ending.

For Bali-based alternative pop-rock trio MANJA, the power of fantasy and imagination fascinates them and it serves as central theme on their brand-new single “Last Night’s Kiss” out today (July 27) on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

“We imagined this tale about meeting and hooking up with someone at a party, making questionable decisions because of this person, and just living large,” vocalist and guitarist James Sukadana explains about the song’s lyrics which are based on an imaginary story about a late-night encounter with someone that was inspired by their living-life-to-the-fullest disposition but on their own terms.

MANGA’s James and brothers Nick and Mark Vleugels–who play guitar and keyboards, respectively–are down for a party, yes, but in their own way. For the über-talented and hard-working band, a party means crafting and composing music together and having loads of fun doing so. MANJA firmly believe that everyone has a unique definition of a party, encouraging individuals to explore their imagination and create their own extraordinary experiences.

And so, from a fantasy, MANJA crafted a whole song to try and live out a different reality.

“It is so at odds with how we lead our lives,” says James. “But there is a plot twist to the song. Even though we knew that we were falling into a trap, we still wanted to give it a go. It reflects on how we are in real life, where we embrace the here and now without any regrets,” he adds.

A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
MANJA: Mark Vleugels (yellow jacket), Nick Vleugels (blue jacket), James Sukadana (red jacket)

It also mirrors MANJA‘s approach to music, where they do not aim for a specific style or sound. “Whenever we find something cool from the songs that we are listening to, we tend to try and implement it to our music instead of exclusively looking for something that is MANJA,” James reveals.

Initially inspired by the song “Darling” from American indie-rock band Real Estate, “Last Night’s Kiss” underwent various iterations before MANJA settled on the current version. As they developed the song, they struggled with writer’s block. At one point, the original sketch to “Last Night’s Kiss” was scrapped and reworked into a rock track, a la The Black Keys. “It was fun to play live, but it stuck out like a sore thumb against our other songs. It did not fit into our set at all,” Nick says.

“Everything felt great in the studio, and we enjoyed working with Brian and Enrico. We bounced ideas off one another. They complement us very well, and to have them streamlining the recording process was so helpful because we tend to have trouble agreeing on the right sound or direction,” says Mark.

James, however, found the vocal recording process very intriguing. Working with celebrated vocal director Irvan Natadiningrat, his initial jitters evaporated as soon as they started getting their hands dirty.

“I was nervous because I am not what some may call a conventional singer,” James says. “But he [Irvan] was terrific to work with. He wanted to feel what the song was about from how I sang. It is about hooking up with someone while drunk, so he insisted I get slightly inebriated. First time with a vocal director, first time recording tipsy. It worked out pretty well!” James adds with a chuckle.

More than five years in the making, MANJA finally finished the first song they had ever written as a band. Delighted with the result, Nick admits that it is a relief. “Especially since our songwriting has changed a lot. But this sound is exactly what we wanted to achieve.”

“This single is the fresh new sound of MANJA. It is a sign of what is to come from us in the future, and this is the level of standards that we want to maintain, all fun and vibes and no regrets,” concludes James.

For more information about MANJA please visit:

Official website MANJA Official
Instagram @wearemanja
Facebook MANJA Official
YouTube MANJA Official Channel

July 27, 2023

All Military Alt-Rock Group SILENCE & LIGHT Share Q&A On New Album ‘COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA…’

DT: JULY 26, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

SILENCE & LIGHT
–ALT ROCK GROUP CONSISTING OF ALL FORMER MILITARY MEMBERS–
SHARE Q&A ON NEW ALBUM
‘COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA…’

PORTION OF ALBUM PROCEEDS BEING DONATED TO
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING
VETERANS & FIRST RESPONDERS

A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
Photo Credit: Daniel Sell
(l-r: Fred Cowell, Brad Thomas, Tyson Stahl, Jason Everman, Justin Myers)

Raleigh, NC-based alt-rock outfit SILENCE & LIGHT are comprised of veterans representing all four branches of the military: rhythm guitarist Jason Everman (ex-Nirvana, Soundgarden) is a former Army Ranger and Special Forces solider, lead guitarist Brad Thomas is a former Delta Force Operator, bassist Tyson Stahl is a former Marine Raider, vocalist Fred Cowell is an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and drummer Justin Myers is a Navy veteran. The band released their second full-length album COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… on June 23 which they co-produced with Dick Hodgin (Hootie & The Blowfish, Corrosion of Conformity). Across COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA…‘s 11 tracks, SILENCE & LIGHT tap into the nostalgia of the 90’s alternative/grunge uprising with a powerful modern rock punch reflecting the strength and heaviness from their combined time spent serving in the military. A portion of proceeds from all album sales will be donated to select non-profit organizations of the band’s choosing which are dedicated to aiding veterans and first responders. Previously, SILENCE & LIGHT have donated over $5,000 in royalties as well as from performances at various benefit concerts across the country.

THOMAS and STAHL have shared how SILENCE & LIGHT came together and sharing stories about the “making of” the new album, COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… in the below Q&A. See some behind-the-scenes footage in the music video for their lead single “Slinky” here.

SILENCE & LIGHT Q&A

SILENCE & LIGHT is an all-veteran band and includes former members of all four branches of the military (Army, Air Force, Marines & Navy). How did you all meet and when did you come to realize you were all passionate about music?

STAHL: “I met Brad very early on, in the summer of 2017. I have played guitar or bass in punk and hard rock bands since I was 11 years old, and I kept a room in my house with all of my gear to jam with friends while I was in the service. When I left active duty I worked for a non-profit called the Marine Raider Foundation (who were one of our beneficiaries for ‘Volume One’).I kept seeing Brad’s Instagram account pop up advertising that he was a former special operations veteran who was starting a band with Jason Everman to raise money for organizations like ours. I shot Brad a note telling him that I was a long-time guitar/bass player and that I’d like to learn how I could get the Marine Raider Foundation to be one of his beneficiaries. He responded by asking if I still played bass and if that was something I’d like to do and we’ve been thick as thieves ever since. We didn’t even have a drummer yet, but the energy and musical connection were both very palpable, so I knew that we would find the rest of the parts organically, and we did.”

THOMAS: “I’ve been passionate about music since I was three, writing songs about my childhood world and the things around me. My parents took me to see Barry Manilow in concert and from that point on, I knew I wanted to play music and perform. By the time I was 21, my attempt at a career in the entertainment industry was largely unsuccessful and I joined the army seeking excitement and challenge. That path enabled me to have the depth required to write music that connects with people who’ve experienced the same challenges I’ve faced. I know myself, and had I been successful back in the late 1980s, I wouldn’t have handled the success well.

Where did the name Silence & Light come from and what does it mean?

STAHL: “In the early 2000s, I was turned onto a British poet named Christopher Logue, who had rewritten parts of the Iliad into modern language. The phrase ‘silence and light’ is captured in one of his books titled ‘All Day Permanent Red,’ detailing a battle as observed from a distant location. It really stuck with me, because it very accurately captures how startlingly quiet the incredibly loud noise of battle can be and how vivid it can be. When Brad and I were trying to come up with a name, I sent him a picture from Afghanistan overlooking a compound in the middle of a valley during a beautiful sunrise. What you don’t hear is the warnings of an impending ambush, and that ‘racecar at red’ feeling that was happening in this surreal and beautiful moment half a world away from home.

A portion of the funds from your new album COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… be donated to charitable organizations that support veterans and first responders and since your formation you’ve focused on giving back every step of the way. Can you share some of the charities you’ve supported and how their charitable efforts align with the band’s mission?

THOMAS: “This was the impetus for me in forming the band. After seeing dozens of foundations and 5013C charities stand up for those lost to suicide and combat, I wanted to contribute in a more personal way to the community in which I served without asking people for money. I personally contribute to the recording, mixing, and mastering and to date have donated upwards of $60,000 towards releasing these two albums. That’s my personal contribution and all that I’m hoping for is for people to buy and/or stream the music so that we can contribute our royalties to these amazing organizations. Warriors Heart is special to me. Not only was it founded by a former teammate of mine, but they use art as a form of therapy whether that’s music, poetry, painting, sculpting, etc. That really speaks to me.”

The band co-produced COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… with veteran music biz producer, manager and engineer Dick Hodgin who’s worked with artists including Hootie and the Blowfish, Lynryd Skynryd, Corrosion Of Conformity, Lindsey Stirling and Ben Folds. What led you to working with him? Throughout the recording, what was some of the best instruction or advice that you received from him?

STAHL: “We found Dick’s studio because I kept driving past it on my way to work! I decided to give him a call and Dick provided me with a great overview of what a production would be like with him. Specifically, Dick had analog equipment and the ability to record to tape if we wanted. Now that we call Raleigh ‘home,’ we decided to go with it and we are very glad that we did. We learned a lot from our first album’s production, which was under the tutelage and leadership of Grammy-winner and former U.S. Marine, Josh Gudwin (Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny), and was recorded at Stagg Street Studio in Van Nuys, CA. Ultimately, we decided that recording closer to home would give us a better chance to stretch our budget out and spend some more time in the studio trying new things. Dick’s knowledge and experience really helped us to formulate a clear vision for how we wanted each song to sound and really helped us capture what we believe is ‘our sound’ and the way it translates live.”

THOMAS: We loved our experience working with A-list producer Josh Gudwin (Du Lipa/Justin Beiber/Bad Bunny/etc) on our first album but we recognized that the best way for us to get the sounds and textures that we wanted was to produce the album ourselves with the help of someone experienced such as Dick Hodgin. In conjunction, Johannes Raassina did the mixing and a bit of production, and he’s been with us since our first album. One of the unique things Dick offered was running our ProTools sessions to tape for that added warmth and analog vibe. Johannes was a real pro working digital and analog mixes and mastering for us through that process. Most of our music wasn’t on the grid so I feel it’s far more lively than the first album and I’m super proud of the team effort.”

Walk us through the writing process of COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA…, what are some of the main themes that come up throughout the album? What impact has your combined time in the military led to those themes and your overall sound?

STAHL: “This album has been a long time coming. When we completed ‘Volume One,’ we immediately started working on new material and had about nine songs complete when we unanimously decided to scrap them…they just didn’t feel right. Right around that time, COVID hit and we were in this limbo of not being able to get out and support our recent release (‘Volume One’ came out in the fall of 2019). One day, Brad said he had some new material and I’m pretty sure the first new song we worked on was ‘Slinky,’ followed by ‘Purple’ and what is now called ‘Looks Like Rain.’ We immediately fell in love with these songs because they gave each member of the band room to play his own way, so I enjoyed getting to be a bit more loose on the bass.”

“The challenge of space in a song usually results in either a really great arrangement or clutter. One of our strengths, due to our background, is that we are very direct. Practice is a workday, and we can hammer through several new songs in just a few hours. We are very forward and open, with no subversion or passive aggression. We’ve been complimented on our work ethic and demeanor in the studio and on the road, and I like to think that it’s because we are all very committed and focused to the task at hand, which is exactly how we had to be in our jobs in the military.”

The band’s sound taps into the nostalgia of the 90’s alternative / grunge scene. How does rhythm guitarist Jason Everman’s history being a member of Nirvana and Soundgarden play into that? What techniques do you use on the new album to combine that with a more modernized rock sound?

STAHL: “Jason’s contributions are always the things that allow the song to find its final identity. A great example is the song ‘Driven.’ We worked on that song for a few weeks while Jason was unavailable, and when he came in, he wrote all of the underlying guitar parts that give the song a bit of a darker edge. I have always felt that before Jason’s input on ‘Driven’ it felt like it was inspired by Rush. When Jason was done with it, it felt like some of the heavier Thin Lizzy tracks, like ‘Massacre.’ I think Jason’s experience has given us a member who provides that unique perspective that helps turn something from good to great.”

THOMAS: “Jason is a long-time friend and I love that he’s contributing. His additions are subtle but impactful to our sound. What impresses me most about what Jason has contributed is that generally, he doesn’t know the songs until he’s in the studio with us and what he adds is flavored by what he’s feeling in that moment. Everything that he’s added so far has been something that I (as a guitar player) would have never thought of. That’s when our band is at its best when we write spontaneously based on ideas, riffs, and concepts that I introduce.”

If you could perform a show with any other artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? What would you tell them if you were to hang out with each other backstage?

STAHL: “For me, I’d say Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath (‘Into the Void’ era). I don’t know what I would ask them, but I would love to be a fly on the wall and just pay attention to everything that they did to make their music so powerful.”

THOMAS: “This moment has come somewhat full circle for me. Through my good friend Jack Osbourne, I’ve been able to hang out with Ozzy (and Sharon). They’re incredibly gracious people. I was able to tell Ozzy firsthand how his music impacted me, specifically during deployments. Black Sabbath’s music was very much in my heart during everything that I did overseas. Jason and I had the opportunity to give Ozzy some patches that had been worn overseas during combat operations. He was blown away and gave one to each of the members of Black Sabbath. A few songs into the show Jason leaned over and pointed out that Geezer Butler was wearing one of the patches on his shirt, dead center of his chest. That was an epic life moment.”

COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… Track Listing:
1. Slinky
2. Hammer
3. Purple
4. Looks Like Rain
5. Space Needles
6. Coming Home
7. Cupcake
8. Pissed
9. Driven
10. Straight Lines
11. Letters About Nothing

Stream/download COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA… via Spotify HERE.

Find out more about SILENCE & LIGHT online at:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

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