Press Releases Archives - Page 64 of 153

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

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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

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

July 27, 2023

Roots Rock Artist JESSE AHERN Signs with Dropkick Murphys’ Dummy Luck Music Label; Shares Video for Pro-Strike Anthem “Back Against The Wall”

DT: JULY 27, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

JESSE AHERN
SIGNS TO DROPKICK MURPHYS’ DUMMY LUCK MUSIC RECORD LABEL / [PIAS]
FOR RELEASE OF SEPTEMBER 15 ALBUM
‘ROOTS ROCK REBEL’
PRODUCED BY GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER
TED HUTT (DKM, FLOGGING MOLLY, THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM)

SINGER-SONGWRITER
RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FOR PRO-LABOR ANTHEM
“BACK AGAINST THE WALL”
IN SUPPORT OF CURRENT STRIKES

WATCH “BACK AGAINST THE WALL” VIDEO HERE

A person holding a guitar Description automatically generated
(Credit: Mike Rivkees)

Hailing from humble beginnings in Quincy, MA, singer-songwriter and guitarist JESSE AHERN seamlessly blends Americana, folk, roots and rock armed with a Gretsch guitar across his body, an anchor tattoo under his right eye, and tunes that hold high the clenched fists of the working class. Having toured the world alongside acts including Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, Chuck Ragan, Frank Turner and Jaime Wyatt, JESSE appears onstage standing solo in front of a giant backdrop emblazoned with the words ‘ROOTS ROCK REBEL.’ True to his nature, JESSE has announced his upcoming album will be fittingly titled ROOTS ROCK REBEL—a slogan that embodies both his music and himself. The album will mark JESSE’s debut release via Dropkick Murphys’ Dummy Luck Music / [PIAS] record label and is due September 15. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Gaslight Anthem), ROOTS ROCK REBEL consists of 10 tracks including the previously released lead single, “Pray.’

JESSE has today (July 27) shared a poignant music video for his second single, “Back Against The Wall,” an anti-corporation worker’s rights anthem, which fits timely with the current global labor strikes and unionization movements across several industries (Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, hotel workers, Starbucks, Amazon, UPS, etc). No stranger to getting his hands dirty on the job and the struggles of everyday working-class people, rather than “speak for them,” JESSE speaks as “one of them” with “Back Against The Wall.” The video follows the single’s late June release and can be seen streaming below or via YouTube HERE.

“I’m a middle-class townie from Quincy, MA,” JESSE exclaims. “For most of my life, I’ve either played music or had to work with my hands. I’ve definitely seen the ups and downs of the economy and the middle class fade away. I don’t define myself as a working-class musician, I define myself as someone who has empathy for anybody who’s working hard. When I was in my early twenties, you could have a job, a car, cover your place, and still go out on the weekend. If you weren’t a drunk or a drug addict, you’d even have a little money in your pocket. That’s not the way it goes anymore. Now there are people with two or three jobs who can’t pay their rent. To me, that’s a problem. You can’t solve it overnight, but you can sing about it.”

“‘Back Against The Wall’ hits home with me,” JESSE continues. “I have three kids, and all I ever think is, ‘Where the hell are they going to go? How are they going to ever buy a house or afford rent?’ It’s f*cking wild out there. This isn’t about a party or where you are on the political spectrum. I, myself, am very sick of it. I’m very glad to see people are starting to wake up though… but sometimes I wonder if it’s too late.”

JESSE will support ROOTS ROCK REBEL on the road joining longtime tourmates Dropkick Murphys on their fall U.S. tour alongside The Interrupters from September 27 to October 29. Find dates and tickets at https://dropkickmurphys.com/tour/.

“Back Against The Wall” Lyrics:

With your back against the wall, will you fight or will you fall?
Whoa
With nothing left to lose, will you run or light the fuse?
Whoa

The ones who have the money will always have the money
And the workers make it all go ‘round
You can always be replaced, or at least be displaced
When they gentrify your town
Fat cat Bureaucrats are setting the workers back
Doing nothing but filling their pockets
Shaking hands and kissing babies, no promises just maybes
While people give up what others died for

With your back against the wall, will you fight or will you fall?
Whoa
With nothing left to lose, will you run or light the fuse?
Whoa

Hey, Boomer you have it made, you took everything they gave
Your benefits and Medicaid
We should take it all away, make you work for less than minimum wage
For fucking it up for all the rest of us
Hey – c’mon
I’m a democrat, I’m no republican, I’m no libertarian, I’m no fool
I can’t take the ideology of grifters who bend all the rules
There’s no pie in the sky, the fight in me won’t die
If I make it out of here I’ll be surprised
So organize and fight, stand your ground and know your rights
It’s time for us to rise

With your back against the wall, will you fight or will you fall?
Whoa
With nothing left to lose, will you run or light the fuse?
Whoa

Hey boomer you have it made, you took everything they gave
Your benefits and Medicaid
We should take it all away, make you work for less than minimum wage
For fucking it up for all the rest of us
For fucking it up for all the rest of us

ROOTS ROCK REBEL Track Listing:
1. Pray
2. Daughter And Son
3. The Older I Get (feat Ken Casey And Jaime Wyatt)
4. I Drive A Truck
5. Bankrobber
6. Highway Of Life
7. Miss Information
8. Back Against The Wall
9. Straw Man
10. I Believe

Pre-order ROOTS ROCK REBEL via digital download, cd and vinyl now at www.jesseahern.com

Find JESSE AHERN online at:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

###

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

July 24, 2023

EXTREME Team With earMUSIC To Share New Video & Initiative Keeping Rock Alive: “Rise: Generations On A Mission”

DT: JULY 24, 2023

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

A picture containing screenshot, font, black, graphics Description automatically generated

MULTI-PLATINUM HARD ROCK ICONS
EXTREME
TEAM WITH EARMUSIC TO
SHARE NEW VIDEO AND INITIATIVE KEEPING ROCK ALIVE
“RISE: GENERATIONS ON A MISSION”

Multi-platinum hard rock icons EXTREME—Gary Cherone (vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Pat Badger (bass), and Kevin Figueiredo (drums)—have decided to give back to the generations of rock fans who have continuously supported them and kept rock alive. Following the overwhelming response to “Rise,” the first single and video from their current album SIX via earMUSIC, EXTREME have released an alternate version of the single’s music video, “RISE: GENERATIONS ON A MISSION.”

Directed by Bettencourt, “RISE: GENERATIONS ON A MISSION” tells the story of two young musicians living the same dream which generations of rock fans and Extreme fans have lived and breathed for decades… creating music, playing music and sharing that passion on stage or in the audience. As a part of this, EXTREME and earMUSIC have created a space where fans, bands, and musician friends of EXTREME spanning the years can come together and share their covers of “Rise.” EXTREME and earMUSIC’s mission is to share fans’ “Rise” covers using their platforms to spread the word, reach the world and unite all generations on the journey to keep rock’n’roll alive. “It is not a contest and it is not a competition, but the winner is rock ‘n’ roll,” says Bettencourt.

See a mission statement from Bettencourt HERE.

Watch the video for “RISE: GENERATIONS ON A MISSION” streaming below or HERE.

In the U.S., SIX sold an impressive 15k units in its first week and charted on five different Billboard charts: Top Hard Rock Albums, #2; Top Album Sales and Top Current Album Sales, #10; Independent Albums, #14; Artist Top 100, #42 and Top 200, #67.

Recorded at Bettencourt’s home studio in Los Angeles, SIX swings between unapologetic fits of fret-burning hard rock and intimately introspective balladry. “The album is jam-packed with everything Extreme is known for–riffs, vocals, harmonies, thumping rockers, gorgeous ballads and even a couple of oddball left turns…an instant earworm,” praised Ultimate Classic Rock.

Stream/download SIX now at: https://officialextreme.lnk.to/SIXWE

EXTREME are currently gearing up August 2 to perform for audiences across the globe on their headlining “Thicker Than Blood” world tour which includes appearance in the U.S., Australia, Japan, UK and Europe including specials guests Living Colour (U.S., Australia & UK only) and The Last Internationale (EU only). Find full dates and tickets at https://extreme-band.com/.

SIX Cover Artwork

About EXTREME:
Formed in 1985, the Boston group’s quiet grind resulted in the release of the self-titled Extreme in 1989. Among many highlights, “Play With Me” not only graced the soundtrack of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, but also the season 4 opener of “Stranger Things.” Meanwhile, Extreme II: Pornograffitti bowed in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and eventually picked up a double-platinum certification. Of course, it notably spawned “Hole Hearted” (#4 on the Billboard “Hot 100”) and the generational smash “More Than Words.” The latter soared to #1 on the “Hot 100” and remains one of the most popular rock songs of all-time with over half-a-billion streams and 633 million YouTube views and counting. It appeared in the blockbuster comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, while Jimmy Fallon and Jack Black covered it (and reimagined the iconic video) on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Other covers ranged from The Piano Guys To Frankie J. In its wake, the gold-certified III Sides To Every Story saw them return to the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Following Waiting for the Punchline (1995) and Saudades de Rock (2008), the musicians enraptured the masses on tour. Along the way, everyone from Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Brian May of Queen to John Mayer publicly sung their praises. Plus, they played to a sold-out crowd at Fenway Park opening for Aerosmith. On top of that, Gary was lead singer for Van Halen (Van Halen III) and has recorded and performed with Joe Perry, while Nuno has recorded and performed with Steven Tyler and Rihanna.

A group of men posing for a picture Description automatically generated
Lineup (l-r): Kevin Figueiredo, Gary Cherone, Pat Badger, Nuno Bettencourt

Find EXTREME online at:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

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