German indie three-piece KOJ shares their new single “Jenny” along with a live session video. It’s the second single from the bands Long Branch Records label debut album “HOME” coming Spring 2020. The song “Jenny” talks about experiencing dark moments in your life and feeling like there is no possible way out of it. KOJ wanted to explore the way someone might perceive the world through this lens of anxiety and hopelessness and it made them wonder what it might take for that person to see a silver lining and to feel like they belong again.
KOJ comments on new single “Jenny”: “Jenny was written in our home studio and it was a very intuitive and collaborative process. The three of us started jamming randomly at the beginning of a songwriting session and it just sort of came together. Beray Habip, our producer and engineer, coordinated the whole thing and guided us through the process of making the song. In a way, Jenny came out of thin air, but then again this is one of those songs that seems to have been waiting somewhere in the collective subconscious just to be written. Basically it only took us one day to write the entire track and record a demo version. It was such a wonderful feeling to listen to Jenny at the end of that day, realizing that ‘wow, we really did this!’. We then took the demo to Toolhouse Studios to record the final version of the song. So, the song is called Jenny, which originally came from ‘Jennifer Lawrence’, which was the working title for the track. The song has a line about a silver lining, so we thought of ‘Silver Linings’ and about Jennifer Lawrence. We had started this weird habit on previous songs of temporarily naming the songs after celebrities, before committing to a proper song title. We created quite the line-up with names such as Pamela Anderson or Scarlett Johansson, before renaming them for the album. Jennifer Lawrence became Jenny and stayed this way because the name also has a very personal reference and connection to the theme of the song.”
KOJ HOME TOUR 2020
30.04. UK, London – O2 Islington Academy 2 /w Demons Of Ruby Mae 04.05. DE, Berlin – Kantine im Berghain 05.05. DE, Hamburg – Freundlich und Kompetent 14.05. DE, Cologne – Stereo Wonderland 16.05. DE, Muenster – Gleis 22 17.05. DE, Hannover – Lux
Three musicians. Two brothers. One married couple. This is KOJ. Together they give life to a sound that is full of contrasts, sometimes roaring, untamed and raw, as the ocean that inspires them, other times delicate, fragile and minimalistic.
Wishbone Ash continues a milestone year with a tour of Southern, Western United States
Wishbone Ash celebrates a half-century of live twin-lead guitar power in 2020. Fans can look forward to enjoying repertoire from the band’s vast catalog of exactly 100 unique releases – 27 studio albums, 24 live albums, 43 compilations and box sets, and five live DVDs, along with a DVD rockumentary (“This Is Wishbone Ash”). Continually pushing their creative process, the band will release their next studio album, “Coat of Arms,” through SPV/Steamhammer on February 28th, 2020 as CD DigiPak, 2LP version (incl. bonus track), download and stream: https://WishboneAsh.lnk.to/CoatOfArms
The first single, “We Stand As One,” was officially released on Jan. 10. Watch the video.
The first leg of the 50th-anniversary tour in the States begins in Melbourne, FL on Feb. 15, traversing the country’s Southern swath from Florida to California and up the Pacific Coastline. The band will return for a Fall Tour in the Northeast and Midwest.
Formed in October 1969 in London, England, Wishbone Ash is one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock. Inspired equally by British folk traditions, American jazz, and R&B, the group vaulted to public and critical acclaim, touring arenas, stadiums, and theaters throughout Europe and the United States. Power and melody have made the Ash a hard act to follow, while they are currently being discovered by new generations of loyal rock fans.
Through the years the band has delved into various musical genres, from folk, blues, and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Whatever the style, Wishbone Ash’s signature is the distinctive twin-melodic lead guitar interplay that has influenced such bands as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and, more recently, Opeth.
“The blueprint and musical roots that we laid down in the early 1970s must have been really strong to have lasted this long,” says founding member Andy Powell (guitar, vocals). “Every band needs a plan and most importantly, to find THEIR own sound.”
The 50th-anniversary tour officially kicked off in October 2019 with 31 shows in the UK, followed by January and early-February dates in Europe that included a package tour with Nazareth and Uriah Heep. Following the US tour, the band embarks on their second On the Blue Cruise adventure, with more exciting shows to be announced later in the year.
True road warriors, each year Wishbone Ash logs around 30,000 road miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth.
“The band basically lives together year-round on the road, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell. A key ingredient in the band’s recipe for success is a devoted fan base, many who have followed Wishbone Ash from the beginning, and which often includes their children and even grandchildren. “We value our fan community above all else,” Powell says.
In 2015, Powell released his musical memoir, “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior,” co-written with renowned Irish music journalist Colin Harper and available in Kindle and Apple iBook formats.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in the music business and the world in general, as you can imagine,” Powell says. On looking back over the 50 years of the band, he muses, “Like all success stories, a career like this has its downs as well as its ups, and the true ups can only be measured in this way.”
There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the twin guitar concept than Wishbone Ash. Visit www.wishboneash.com for more information, and follow the band on Facebook (@wishbone.ash.official) and Twitter (wishboneash_com).
2020 US Spring Tour 15 FEBRUARY King Center – Melbourne, FL 16 FEBRUARY Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL 18 FEBRUARY Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 19 FEBRUARY House of Blues – New Orleans, LA 20 FEBRUARY Dosey Doe The Big Barn – The Woodlands, TX 21 FEBRUARY The Guitar Sanctuary Music & Event Center –McKinney, TX 22 FEBRUARY Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX 23 FEBRUARY One World Theatre – Austin, TX 26 FEBRUARY Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ 27 FEBRUARY Boulder Station – Las Vegas, NV 28 FEBRUARY Ramona’s Mainstage – Ramona, CA 29 FEBRUARY Arcadia Blues Club – Arcadia, CA 1 MARCH The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA 4 MARCH Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA 5 MARCH The Fox – Redwood City, CA 7 MARCH Abstract Entertainment – Sacramento, CA 8 MARCH Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA 11 MARCH Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR 12 MARCH Jazzbones – Tacoma, WA 13 MARCH Triple Door – Seattle, WA 01-08 APRIL Miami, FL US/St. Maarten, AQ /St. Thomas, VI/Great Stirrup Cay, BS
2020 US Fall Tour 09 SEPT Bull Run – Shirley, MA 10 SEPT Daryl’s House Club – Pawling, NY 11 SEPT Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA 12 SEPT Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD 13 SEPT Tin Pan – Richmond, VA 16 SEPT Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH 17 SEPT The 210 – Highwood, IL 18 SEPT Arcada Theatre – St.Charles, IL 19 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL 20 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL 22 SEPT River Music Experience – Davenport, IA 23 SEPT The Black Room at Colectivo – Milwaukee, WI 24 SEPT The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 25 SEPT The Kent Stage – Kent, OH 26 SEPT Fur Peace – Pomeroy, OH (sold out) 28 SEPT Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA 29 SEPT Sportsmen’s Tavern – Buffalo, NY 01 OCT Tupelo Music Hall – Derry, NH 02 OCT Wall Street Theater – Norwalk, CT 03 OCT Record Collector – Bordentown, NJ 04 OCT Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
Band photo at top from left to right: Bob Skeat, Andy Powell, Joe Crabtree, Mark Abrahams.
For more information: www.wishboneash.com Facebook: @wishbone.ash.official Twitter: @wishboneash_com
The genesis of Black Swan was sparked by a conversation between Jeff Pilson and Frontiers’ President & Head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who wanted a project that would not only showcase McAuley’s vocal prowess, but have a mighty musical backbone to stand skyscraper tall behind him. Thus, the initial seeds were planted and Pilson ran with it from there. “Shake The World” was tracked at Pilson’s home studio in Los Angeles, “Shake The World” is a showcase of both the musical talents of the instrumental players in the band as well as McAuley’s powerful voice.
The four members got Black Swan off the ground by exchanging ideas back and forth and then bringing all the songs together. The final result is something fresh, very heavy, but still intensely melodic and it’s certainly not Dokken, nor Winger, nor MSG, or some combination thereof, but it’s own unique animal. As an example, one of the songs was written by Jeff Pilson right after seeing the Queen movie ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. “I came home and I sat down at the grand piano and pretty much wrote exactly the chorus that we have, just coming straight [from] the movie. It is a bit Queen-like.” Continues Pilson, “It’s amazing, incredible music. Wait until you hear everybody’s playing and singing. It’s beyond — way beyond.” Adds Robin McAuley, “This is really exciting for me to read: Black Swan announces the release of “Shake the World,” the first offering from the band on the Frontiers’ label.” I’ve known Jeff for some thirty years and we have a history of performing together on MSG Unplugged, in addition to being great friends, musically and socially. When he asked me to do this and collaborate with Reb, I didn’t have to think too long with my response.
Initially, he wasn’t going to play bass on this, but Reb and myself soon changed his mind, lol!!! Bringing Matt into the mix was a great decision. His powerful energy and style is unmistakable on this album. Overall, it is a very powerful blend of styles and writing. Reb is truly an amazing guitarist and songwriter. Jeff captured my vocals the way I like to sound. Probably the best vocal sound I’ve had… ever!!!! Such a great and creative studio experience for me. This is kick ass, powerful music on an album full of great songs. If you love strong melodies and BIG choruses,
BLACK SWAN won’t disappoint!! It’s time…”SHAKE THE WORLD!!!” Guitarist Reb Beach says, “When Jeff approached me to do this, I was so excited because I loved writing “Erase the Slate” with him for Dokken. I also played in the band with Jeff for four years, and we worked so well together, writing and live too. He is as good as it gets when it comes to a rock musician, a great songwriter and an absolute joy to work with. I came in with riffs, Jeff arranged them into a song by adding his own parts, and then Robin wrote the lyrics, and knocked it out of the park with the vocals. I am pretty particular about singers, and Robin’s voice is so slammin’ that I wouldn’t want anyone else. Matt came in with his huge drum sound, and we had a great sounding band.
Very exciting stuff!!” “Shooting the video was a blast,” says drummer Matt Starr. “Shot in Los Angeles over the course of two days, it was similar to recording the record, everything was very organic and comfortable. That’s the advantage of working with guys who have so much experience. There’s not too much discussion going on. Everybody knows what to do, we just get to work and do it. That leaves more time for hanging out, chatting and smoking cigars!” The album is a killer slice of melodic hard rock & heavy metal from seasoned players who have gelled musically. Whether you are a fan from “back in the day” or brand new to the scene and just diving in, the album is essential listening!
Tracklisting:
1. Shake The World 2. Big Disaster 3. Johnny Came Marching 4. Immortal Souls 5. Make It There 6. She’s On To Us 7. The Rock That Rolled Away 8. Long Road To Nowhere 9. Sacred Place 10. Unless We Change 11. Divided/United
Mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering, USA
Black Swan:
Robin McAuley – Lead Vocals & Background Vocals
Reb Beach – Guitars and Background Vocals
Jeff Pilson – Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keys & Background Vocals
Matt Starr – Drums and Percussion
Revolution Saints features Deen Castronovo (drums & lead vocals), Doug Aldrich (guitar), & Jack Blades (bass & vocals). Hear more music from Revolution Saints:
American prog-rock quartet Thematic are set to release their new album, Skyrunner on Jan 31st, 2020.
Today, the band is pleased the share the video for the track “Silence in Thought” from the upcoming album.
“Silence in Thought” is an integral piece to our album, Skyrunner. It conveys a premonition from a supporting character in the story who envisions nothing but death awaiting our protagonist. However, she hesitates to speak of this knowing she carries his child and does not want to burden his journey he must set forth. While writing this song, we wanted to embody many emotions like vulnerability, isolation, fear, disarray; but also hope and joy, with sentiments of longing. The introduction is whimsical like a dance between the characters’ conscious states which quickly unravels, as fear of loss sets in. This song is ever evolving from start to finish with little repetition of themes and atypical structure. This comes to a powerful and explosive conclusion that acknowledges what awaits our protagonist’s fate. ~ Thematic
Skyrunner is a concept album that tells of a hero’s quest to honor a promise. It is a tale of an epic journey through the fall from grace, the battle for redemption and the ultimate glory and tragedy of salvation. It is a story of honor and valor, of a tormented soul and his quest to restore the light of hope and love to a world and soul consumed by darkness. It is a story of a promise kept.
Tracklistlisting: 1. Incarnate 2. Skyrunner 3. The Open Arms of Grace 4. Dirt and Chains 5. The Last Boundary 6. Silence in Thought 7. Abyss 8. Malice 9. Carry The Fire 10. Solitude 11. Universe Bloom 12. With Empty Hands 13. Falling Star 14. This Golden Day
Skyrunner was self-engineered by Thematic and mixed and mastered by award-winning producer, Forrester Savell (Karnivool, Animals as Leaders, Twelve Foot Ninja, I am Giant)
(LOS ANGELES, CA – January 13, 2020) – “I Want To Know What Love Is.” “Cold As Ice.” “Hot Blooded.” “Juke Box Hero.” “Urgent.” “Dust In The Wind.” “Carry on Wayward Son.” “Point of Know Return.” “The Final Countdown.” “Carrie.”
These are some of the iconic songs of summer by rock’s ultimate Juke Box Heroes. Legendary band FOREIGNER, special guest KANSAS, and featuring EUROPE will bring these hits to your city this summer with the Juke Box Heroes 2020 tour.
Set to launch in Albuquerque, NM on July 9th, presented by Live Nation, FOREIGNER will be joined by fellow acclaimed artists, special guest KANSAS, and featuring EUROPE for an unforgettable night of night of rock ’n’ roll. Tickets go on sale on January 17, 2020, at 10 am local time at www.livenation.com. The full routing can be found below.
With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,”
FOREIGNER still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success. FOREIGNER’s November 2019 release of Double Vision, Then & Now Is a DVD/CD package that celebrates the 40th anniversary of FOREIGNER’s iconic album. It features a stunning reunion concert that brings together the current and original band members playing all the hits at the top of their game. 2020 will kick off with a three-day run at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in mid-January. Another highlight forthcoming is a residency at The Venetian, Las Vegas which kicks off on January 24, 2020.
“We can’t wait to hit the road with our good friends KANSAS and EUROPE and bring all our biggest hits to cities across the country,” says FOREIGNER founding member, songwriter and lead guitarist Mick Jones. “We always have such a good time together and combined we share some of the greatest songs in rock and roll. We are so excited to see our fans from coast to coast, and plan to make this summer our most epic tour yet!”
With a legendary career spanning more than four decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This “garage band” from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. Composing a catalog that includes fifteen studio albums and five live albums, KANSAS has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show), and two one million-selling gold singles, ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ and ‘Dust in the Wind.’ KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ continues to be one of the top five most played songs on classic rock radio, and ‘Dust In the Wind’ has been played on the radio more than three million times. Last month “Carry On Wayward Son” was certified as a 4x Platinum-selling single, and “Dust in the Wind” was certified as a 3x Platinum-selling single by RIAA.
Says KANSAS, “We look forward to touring with FOREIGNER. It has been nearly ten years since both bands have done a full tour together. That run was a blast, and we are excited to get started this summer. The bands and the crews get along great, and we’ll all be working tougher to perform an exceptional show for the fans.”
With over three decades and dozens of millions albums sold, including a number one hit in 25 countries, EUROPE’s Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitars), Mic Michaeli (keyboards), John Leven (bass) and Ian Haugland (drums) are as hardworking as ever, annually performing concerts worldwide and producing new albums that are critically acclaimed by fans and the music industry alike. Their eleventh studio album, WALK THE EARTH, was released on October 20, 2017, on Hell & Back Recordings (Silver Lining Music). It was recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios in London with Grammy® Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton) and won a Swedish Grammy for Best Album.
“The band is super thrilled that this summer, we’ll be back in the USA… the birthplace of rock and roll” says EUROPE’s Joey Tempest. “It’s been four long years and we are honored to be on the road with FOREIGNER and KANSAS for this extensive tour across North America. Strap yourself in! Europe in America once again!”
Check out the tour at any of the following steps. Fans can visit livenation.com for updates on tour dates and news.
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