Robeone is releasing his eighth album, “Optimistica” with the title cut as its music video on September 27, 2024. (The music video will be out on September 24). “The theme of the record is being optimistic in these crazy times. The music is to carry you away from all the negativity and bickering.
“Optimistica” is a jazzy tune with upbeat and fun instrumentals. “My hope is for it to carry the listeners away from their troubles.”
The music video for “Optimistica,” which also goes live on September 27, was created by Blake Carpenter, who produced past two other videos –“Broken Days” and “Peace A Dream”—from the album. The video offers insight into Robeone’s personality, with two of his passions—playing keyboards and watching dozens of dogs play outdoors. “I love animals,” he says, “I have three dogs and am fostering three others.” Watch the “Optimistica” music video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfOnzDsed4c
The “Optimistica” album, which is instrumental using 11 different keyboards, is inspired by a range of his emotions and experiences. The tender piano-led “Billie’s Heart” is dedicated to his wife for 50 years of service at her job at the community hospital. The bluesy “Possibly Blue” remembers Robeone’s friend Rhett Tyler, an amazing guitar man, who recently passed.
Reflective instrumentals about our times are “Broken Days” where he wails his keyboards, and “Peace a Dream” offers an introspective tempo. Robeone lets loose in “No Clue.” The last composition on “Optimistica” is “Colors,” which he says, “is to leave you in peace and calmness.”
Like all of Robeone’s previous releases, 100% of the sales go to the Bob Moog Foundation. The CD and Vinyl versions have a QR code for donations, and Robeone is “making T Shirts with the QR code on the back!” In addition to having a space at the Moogseum in Asheville, NC, “Optimistica” is available through Bandwagon USA and Bandcamp.
He will be performing at ProgStock, in Rutherford, NJ, this October 18-20. Also he’s curating outdoor performances and premiering the album in person for the first time.
Robeone (aka Robert Schindler) has been recording since the early 1970s. He’s worked with notables Ronnie Spector and for Johnny Nash when “I Can See Clearly Now” was a hit. He played with progressive rockers Mayson on Bearsville Records, pop rock acts The States on Chrysalis and Boardwalk Records. He’s in the progressive rock group ZOOM with Paul Landry on New Age Music Planet Records. Recently he recorded with two different Melodic Revolution Records’ artists Tony Romero’s Vortex and Joe Mac’s American Garage. He’s played live at a number of Festivals—most recently ProgStock and RosFest. Robert also worked on the award-winning soundtrack to “The Fiery Narrows – Following the Path of John Charles Fremont.”
Keyboards Used on “Optimistica”:
Moog Subsequent 37
Mellotron M4000D
Roli Seaboard
Expressive_e Osmose
Yamaha S80
ASM Hydrasynth
Kurtzweil Artis
Korg M3
Roland AX-Edge
Technics KN7000
Kurtzweil K2000
“Optimistica” Track Listing
Billie’s Heart 7:58 Broken Days 5:11 No Clue 3:56 Optimistica 6:11 Peace A Dream 5:22 Possibly Blue 5:07 Colors 6:10
All Songs Copyright Robeone Music BMI 2024 Transglobal Records
Jainism’ is taken from the upcoming new album ‘PowerNerd’ by Devin Townsend – ‘
Devin Townsend’s career is one of many distinct eras. He’s been the leader of Strapping Young Lad, the lynchpin of the Devin Townsend Project and the co-architect of country duo Casualties of Cool, all while maintaining his prolific and lauded solo project. Now, the polymath’s newest era starts with PowerNerd: a succinct but still progressive record that pulls from its mastermind’s childhood love of vintage rock.
From the moment the title track ignites the record with a roar of “PowerNerd!”, Devin’s 28th studio project is a gallop of melody, noise and emotion. The opener and “Knuckledragger” are all-out, high-speed rampages, their impact intensified by their central figure’s signature ‘wall of sound’ production style. However, that aggression is far from the only thing to come from Powernerd’s 11 episodic tracks. “Dreams of Light”, by comparison, is an evocative and dynamic four-minute ballad. “Younger Lover” calms down from an explosive opening to lush verses of synths and singing, whereas “Falling Apart” and “Jainism” add texture after texture on top of dulcet, acoustic introductions. With each song also having an irresistible hook at its heart, Devin has undeniably crafted a soulful instant classic of a rock record.
Track listing:
PowerNerd
Falling Apart
Knuckledragger
Gratitude
Dreams of Light
Ubelia
Jainism
Younger Lover
Glacier
Goodbye
Ruby Quaker
‘PowerNerd’ is available as a Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook (incl. bonus tracks, Dolby Atmos & High-Resolution Stereo Mixes), Ltd 2CD Digipak in O-Card (incl. bonus tracks), Standard CD Jewelcase & Gatefold 180g LP + LP-booklet, as well as digitally in stereo & Dolby Atmos.
‘PowerNerd’ will be available in several different formats, including a Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook (featuring the album, bonus tracks and Devin’s first-ever Dolby Atmos mix), Limited 2CD Digipak in O-card, Standard CD, Gatefold 2LP & Digital Album.
PowerNerd’ will be available in several different formats, including a Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook (featuring the album, bonus tracks and Devin’s first-ever Dolby Atmos mix), Limited 2CD Digipak in O-card, Standard CD, Gatefold 2LP & Digital Album.
Progressive, psychedelic rock pioneers Gong have announced a new special edition of their highly praised 2023 release Unending Ascending today. The new release, a CD package with an 8-page booklet, includes 6 previously unreleased bonus tracks recorded live from the band’s superb 2024 show at Edinburgh’s Summerhall as part of the ‘Gong + Ozric Tentacles UK Tour’.
The release coincides with Gong’s extensive late-2024 North American & European tour which will see them play shows across the USA, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Poland, amongst others. “It’s been a long time coming but, following the release of Unending Ascending, Gong are delighted to be playing in the US. No minds left unblown or else” says Kavus Torabi.
“Cosmic rock of the highest order” – PROG
“If Unending Ascending is your first time encountering Gong, this is a spectacular introduction” – LOUDER THAN WAR
GONG UPCOMING SHOWS 15/08 Woodstock Forever ’24, Eisfeld – DE 16/08 The Forum, Tunbridge Wells – UK 17/08 A New Day Festival, Hernhill – UK 24/09 Chapel at Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA – USA 25/09 The Southern Music Hall, Charlottesville VA – USA 26/09 King’s Raleigh, Raleigh NC – USA 27/09 The Grey Eagle, Asheville NC – USA 28/09 Mockingbird Theater, Franklin TN – USA 30/09 The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids MI – USA 01/10 Reggie’s, Chicago IL – USA 02/10 Shank Hall, Milwaukee WI – USA 03/10 Token Lounge, Detroit, Westland MI – USA 04/10 Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati OH – USA 05/10 Irving Theater, Indianapolis IN – USA 06/10 Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland OH – USA 09/10 75 Stutson Street Auditorium Stage, Rochester NY – USA 10/10 Homer Arts Center, Homer NY – USA 14/10 Space Ballroom, Hamden CT – USA 15/10 The Iron Horse, Northampton MA – USA 17/10 The Strand Theater, Hudson Falls NY – USA 19/10 Orion Studios, Baltimore MD – USA 20/10 Progstock Festival @ Williams Center, Rutherford NJ – USA 07/11 O13, Tilburg – NL 08/11 Boerderij, Zoetermeer – NL 10/11 MS Stubnitz, Hamburg – DE 11/11 Hotel Cecil, Copenhagen – DK 12/11 Babel, Malmö – SE 13/11 Musikens Hus, Goteborg – SE 15/11 Debaser, Stockholm – SE 16/11 Rockland, Sala – SE 18/11 Validi Karkia Club, Pori – FI 19/11 Louhisali, Espoo – FI 21/11 Hybrydy, Warsaw – PL 22/11 Kuźnia, Bydgoszcz – PL 23/11 CK Zamek, Poznan – PL 24/11 Rialto, Katowice – PL 26/11 Kofferfabrik, Fürth – DE 27/11 KuBa, Jena – DE 28/11 Akropolis, Prague – CZ 29/11 Kino Ebensee, Ebensee – AT 30/11 Porgy & Bess, Vienna – AT 03/12 Backstage, Munich – DE 04/12 Das Rind, Rüsselsheim – DE 05/12 Jubez, Karlsruhe – DE 06/12 Cafe de la Danse, Paris – FR 07/12 Le Grillen, Colmar – FR 09/12 Harmonie, Bonn – DE
The universe of Gong began in 1969 when visionary Daevid Allen was inspired by a profound psychedelic vision. A founder member of Soft Machine, Allen incorporated his spiritual and metaphysical leanings into an evolving collective. More a mythology than a band in the conventional sense, Gong established itself as one of the most unique, innovative, and experimental rock groups of the seventies, through an exploratory mix of rock, jazz and psychedelia with elements of mysticism and surrealism, unafraid to deliver its messages directly, obliquely or whimsically.
The current incarnation, who were put together by Daevid for his swansong album with Gong, I See You, honour his intention that Gong do not die with him, urging the band to “carry it on into new unknown heights and depths far beyond anything I could ever imagine myself”.
Photo credit – Layla Burrows
The current lineup of Kavus Torabi, Dave Sturt, Fabio Golfetti, Ian East and Cheb Nettles is the most stable in Gong’s illustrious history, having written, recorded and toured together for eight years since Allen’s passing. A dynamic, powerful and explosive live band, their music draws from the credo of the original Gong while remaining committed to pushing the composition, performances and message into new realms, paying no mind to nostalgia.
The Unending AscendingSpecial Edition will be released on Kscope on 27th September on digipak CD with an 8-page booklet. Pre-order:https://gong.lnk.to/UA_special_edition
Acclaimed musician Leon Alvarado is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the official video for the title track of his critically praised album, “The Changing Tide.” Set to premiere on Friday, September 20th, the video showcases mesmerizing visual sequences created by video artist Nuutti Kataja, marking an exciting collaboration between the two artists.
Reflecting on the new project, Alvarado shares, “In my previous video, we explored some really immersive imagery, where viewers felt as though they were stepping into a surrealistic painting. For this new video, I wanted to push the boundaries even further by blending a more realistic feel within a fantastical setting. Nuutti and I worked closely on gathering reference material and discussing different approaches to bring the scenes to life. When we ran some initial tests, I knew we were onto something special. The final sequences are stunning and flow seamlessly with the music. Nuutti did an outstanding job translating our vision into a visual masterpiece.”
Alvarado also commented on the use of modern technology in the creative process: “There’s a lot of debate around artificial intelligence, but I believe that when used properly, it can enable incredible visuals that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive to achieve. In the right hands, it can be a powerful tool for creativity.”
Musically, the video highlights Alvarado takes on drums, keyboards, and bass, while Edoardo Scordo, guitarist from Brit Floyd, lends his skill on guitar and slide guitar. The track was mixed and produced by Alvarado, with final mastering by renowned engineer Maor Appelbaum.
Fans of Alvarado and new listeners alike can look forward to the innovative blend of music and visuals in this highly anticipated video release.
THE CHANGING TIDE Video Release date: September 20, 2024
Credits: Leon Alvarado: Drums, Keyboards Bass & Effects Edoardo Scordo: Guitars and slide Guitar Produced and mixed by Leon AlvaradoMastered by Maor AppelbaumA.I. Video sequences by Nuutti Kataja. Editing by Nuutti Kataja and Leon AlvaradoTitles by Synergy Design Record on: Melodic Revolution Records
About Leon Alvarado: Leon Alvarado is a progressive rock artist known for his innovative fusion of electronic and rock music. Over the course of more than two decades, Alvarado has consistently demonstrated his ingenuity as a musician, constantly expanding the horizons of his artistic vision with each successive project. His repertoire boasts collaborations with esteemed figures in the Prog rock scene, earning him widespread acclaim and nurturing a devoted fan base worldwide. Beyond his own musical creations, Leon frequently collaborates with bands and promoters, channeling his artistic skills into crafting fascinating album covers and promotional tour materials.
UK progressive rockers Frost* recently announced the release of their brand new double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’, due out October 18th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. “Every prog band worth their salt really should do a double album, shouldn’t they?” asks Frost* frontman Jem Godfrey. “We’ve always kind of had this idea of wanting to do one. So I sat down last summer and thought, well, I’m just gonna have to get my head down and go for it.”
Today sees the launch of the track ‘Moral & Consequence’, a song that appears later in the story, and you can watch it now here:
Jem Godfrey comments: “Moral and Consequence is a song of two halves, you’ll never guess what each section is called… In 2008, on our 2nd album “Experiments In Mass Appeal”, I sang – “The ideal and the innocence, the moral and the consequence. Core desire, it’s a real Livewire, setting my life on fire, oh it’s unreal.” It’s not a sequel to the song from 2008, but at the same time it is. It’s a bit complicated, all will be revealed on the new album.”
*** “It’s actually a continuation from Day and Age” explains Godfrey, “the first track on the new album starts with the end of the last track from that album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?”. I remember putting that in when we did Day and Age as a possible little hook for the future; a character somewhere out there in Day and Age land trying to be heard. What does he want to say? Can anybody hear him? Day and Age kind of sets up the world that this character lives in and Life In The Wires tells his story”.
The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom. Tune in at www.lifeinthewires.com and see if you can hear Livewire on the radio.
Helping create this parallel world are the “classic” Frost* lineup of guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell.
Fans of the band’s masterful debut album Milliontown (2006) will enjoy the band revisiting the style that made that debut album one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years, a fact that was not lost on Godfrey as he was writing this new record.
“With Day and Age, we made it a very specific point: we’re not doing any solos, we’ll do clever arrangements. And we enjoyed that discipline, but this time I thought it might be good to row back on that position a bit. Plus, I wanted to have a little bit of a nod to Milliontown with this album, because it’s been nearly 20 years since Milliontown came out and I’m still proud of it. The 15-minute title track has a few of those Milliontown moments in it which were great fun to do again.”
‘Life In The Wires’ will be available as a Limited 2CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP & as Digital Album, with subtle difference across the 3 formats for added interest. The album features artwork design by Carl Glover, who also designed the cover of ‘Day And Age’. The full track listing is as follows:
CD1:
1. Skywaving 1:57 2. Life in the Wires, Part 1 5:30 3. This House Of Winter 6:10 4. The Solid State Orchestra 6:35 5. Evaporator 8:09 6. Strange World 5:09 7. Idiot Box 4:59 8. Absent Friends 3:58
CD2:
1. School (Introducing The All Seeing Eye) 3:12 2. Propergander 5:34 3. Sign Of Life 5:44 4. Moral And Consequence 8:13 5. Life in the Wires, Part 2 15:51 Starting Fires 4:40
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