Cult Swedish progressive rockers Beardfish began playing their first live shows together this year since breaking up in 2016, and now they are very pleased to announce the release of a brand new studio album titled ‘Songs For Beating Hearts’ on November 1st, 2024. Coinciding with this announcement is the launch of a brand new single titled ‘In The Autumn’, a piece of music that some may recognise from their recent live dates. This song is a duet between Rikard Sjöblom & guest vocalist Amanda Örtenhag.
Watch the video now here:
“I think the reunion became an idea in 2021, a few years ago,” explains Rikard Sjöblom. “We started talking about doing something. People had made amends, and I guess everyone started missing being in a band together, and missing each other! We all kept in touch, and things ended up on the right foot in many aspects, and then we started talking about maybe meeting up and trying to play something. I had a couple of new songs written, and they really sounded like Beardfish, and I had some instrumental doodles that I was working on. So we met up and tried to play. The first thing we played was Without Saying Anything from Mammoth, and we started jamming and it felt like home, even after many years. I felt like, ‘These are my brothers!’
With strong echoes of past glories but a whole new vibe of wistful wonderment, Songs For Beating Hearts is a glowing testament to the magic that happens when these four musicians join forces. From the dreamy melancholy of the opening Ecotone and the intricate opulence of five-part sprawl Out In The Open, to the prog-friendly pastoralism of bittersweet 11-minute epic Beating Hearts, and the sobering prog-noir of the closing Torrential Downpour, Beardfish have not just made their strongest work to date, but also their most emotionally resonant. Loosely held together by thoughts of love, loss, friendship and finality, Songs For Beating Hearts is the sound of four kindred spirits laying their hearts bare.
‘Songs For Beating Hearts’ will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (including one bonus track), Gatefold LP & as Digital Album, all featuring artwork from longtime collaborator Spencer Keala Bowden, and can be pre-ordered now here: https://beardfish.lnk.to/SongsForBeatingHearts
The full track-listing is as follows: 1.Ecotone 04:30 2.Out in the Open 20:33 3.Beating Hearts 11:01 4.In The Autumn 05:58 5.Ecotone (Reprise) 00:43 6.Torrential Downpour 08:29 7.Ecotone – Norrsken 1982 edition (Bonus Track) 06:13
Beardfish originally formed back in 2001, and today are made up of Rikard Sjöblom, David Zackrisson, Magnus Östgren and Robert Hansen. They released eight studios albums up until their disbandment in 2016 The band are confirmed for 2025’s edition of Cruise To The Edge.
Renaissance, the legendary symphonic rock band featuring Annie Haslam, will be back in the US playing select dates from October 17th through October 31st. This will mark 54 years since the formation of the band and its 16th consecutive year of touring since its reactivation in 2009.
Renaissance leader and vocalist Annie Haslam remarked that “We are very proud but sad to announce our ‘In Gratitude’ Farewell Tour. Where did the time go? Looking back over the years, I believe we have made history in the worlds of Progressive and Symphonic Rock.”
The upcoming shows will include stunning arrangements of “Ocean Gypsy,” “Northern Lights,” “Forever Changing,” “Mother Russia,” “Carpet of the Sun,” “Ashes are Burning” and other favorite classics. Ms. Haslam will be joined on stage by long-time musical associate Rave Tesar on piano, along with Mark Lambert on guitars/vocals, Geoffrey Langley on keyboards/vocals, Frank Pagano on drums, percussion/vocals, and John Galgano on bass.
Annie Haslam noted that “Performing with Renaissance since 1971 has been my whole life. I still love singing these unique, surreal, dramatic and romantic songs and pairing up with some of the finest orchestras in the world. All of this was born from the music of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Terry Sullivan and Jon Camp combined with the emotional and poetic words of Betty Thatcher. Our music has filled the hearts and minds of many thousands of fans around the world. It started for me, with a dream from my childhood that ended in this miracle called Renaissance! Rave Tesar, is an extraordinary man and musician I have worked with in my solo band since 1989 and with Renaissance since 2009. He has also been a very big help in keeping the band ‘alive’! Some very talented musicians have stepped into our band, and their devotion and hard work have added to the band’s touring longevity and personality.”
Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band’s career has spanned fifty plus years spearheaded by the 5-octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.
The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.
Legendary Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess recently announced that his brand new solo album, ‘Permission To Fly’, will be released on the September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavor, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
Today, in conjunction with Lightricks, Jordan is pleased to launch the music video for ‘Shadow of the Moon’. Lightricks hosted a competition, inviting creators to submit unique music video concepts for Jordan’s song. The winning filmmaker, Manny Walker, was whisked away to a state-of-the-art set in Serbia, where he was given the opportunity to co-direct the video alongside the Lightricks team, bringing his vision to life.
Watch the video now here:
Legendary Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess recently announced that his brand new solo album, ‘Permission To Fly’, will be released on the September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavor, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
Today, in conjunction with Lightricks, Jordan is pleased to launch the music video for ‘Shadow of the Moon’. Lightricks hosted a competition, inviting creators to submit unique music video concepts for Jordan’s song. The winning filmmaker, Manny Walker, was whisked away to a state-of-the-art set in Serbia, where he was given the opportunity to co-direct the video alongside the Lightricks team, bringing his vision to life.
Watch the video now here:
Jordan comments: “Creating the ‘Shadow of the Moon’ video with Lightricks was an incredible experience. Working with such a talented team and the contest winner, and using Lightricks’ new cutting-edge LTX studio software, brought my vision to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This collaboration truly showcases how powerful it is to combine music with innovative visual storytelling.”
*** While some previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision. The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (Devin Townsend) on drums & Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.
With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter.
“All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana. While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job.”
‘Permission To Fly’ will be available as Limited CD Digipak & Gatefold 180g 2LP (both incl. bonus material), as well as digitally. Pre-order now here: https://jordanrudess.lnk.to/PermissionToFly
Jordan recently made his live debut with Darby Todd & That Joe Payne, with two rapturously received sets on the 2024 edition of Cruise To The Edge, also marking the live premiere of the new single ‘Embers’.
More information on Jordan Rudess:
Renowned as the “Best Keyboardist of All Time” by Music Radar Magazine, Jordan Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band, Dream Theater. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.
Beyond his role in Dream Theater and the power group, Liquid Tension Experiment, Jordan’s musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From Deep Purple and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman), Steven Wilson’s Blackfield, guest appearances with Deep Purple and the Dixie Dregs and collaborations with artists like Enrique Iglesias, the Paul Winter Consort, Annie Haslam, and many others, underscore the breadth of his musical reach.
Venturing into the realm of cutting-edge technology, Jordan has emerged as a pioneer with a focus on state-of-the-art keyboard controllers and music apps. As the owner of the highly successful iOS app development company, Wizdom Music, he has spearheaded the creation of award-winning apps, including GeoShred, MorphWiz, SampleWiz, Vythm, Polywave, Jam with Jordan and SampleWiz 2. GeoShred, Wizdom Music’s latest triumph, was a collaborative effort with moForte, founding members of Stanford University’s Sondius team. Rudess is currently working on an AI interactive project as Visiting Artist at MIT’s Media Lab in the Responsive Environments group.
In preparation for the release of his highly anticipated new collection 8314 Boxed, celebrated solo artist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has shared an exclusive unboxing video. Now available for viewing, the video offers fans a glimpse into the beautifully presented and meticulously curated 10LP box set that will officially be released on August 23rd through reissue specialist label Madfish.
A comprehensive anthology that spans Anderson’s illustrious solo career, 8314 Boxed features multiple first-time vinyl releases of classic Ian Anderson solo albums and showcases the depth and diversity of Anderson’s musical journey beyond his tenure with Jethro Tull.
• Includes exclusive first-time vinyl releases of Divinities: Twelve Dances with God, The Secret Language of Birds (2LP), and Rupi’s Dance (2LP) • Walk Into Light, Divinities: Twelve Dances with God and Homo Erraticus remastered at half speed by Air Studio • Roaming in the Gloaming LP offers previously unreleased live recordings from 1995-2007 • Beautiful side D etchings on 3 of the 10 records • 96-page book with foreword by Ian Anderson, extensive liner notes by Paul Sexton and exclusive pictures
“Hey, but someone has to try oddball things, don’t they? Might as well be me…” – Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson’s solo albums explore different sonic landscapes and instrumental line-ups, each record in this boxset standing as a testament to his versatility. From the electronic experimentation in Walk Into Light and the profound narratives of Homo Erraticus, to the acoustic serenity of The Secret Language of Birds, these albums are a reflection of Anderson’s unending creativity and his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical styles into cohesive, captivating works.
A word from Ian Anderson on 8314 Boxed: “Since 1983, I have made a few solo albums, not as dissatisfaction with fellow musicians or the group identity but usually just to try something a bit different, whether sonically, stylistically or in terms of instrumental line-up. These records all stand out for me as being quite different from each other and in some ways demonstrate a broader depth of my songwriting. The flute instrumental Divinities record is one of my favourites to this day.”
“Hey, but someone has to try oddball things, don’t they? Might as well be me…” – Ian Anderson
Houston, TX – Leon Alvarado’s critically acclaimed album, The Changing Tide, will receive a highly anticipated vinyl release on August 12th. This celebrated album, inspired by the legendary sounds of Pink Floyd, features collaborations with notable artists including John Helliwell (Supertramp), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Edoardo Scordo, and Damian Darlington (both of Brit Floyd fame).
Originally released on CD and digital platforms, the vinyl edition of The Changing Tide introduces a new dimension to the album, offering fans a unique listening experience. The vinyl can be purchased individually or as part of an exclusive “Immersion Set.” The set includes the album on CD, the Brain Damage/Dance Of The Pink Elephants CD single, unlimited streaming through Bandcamp, and a high-quality digital download in mp3 or FLAC formats.
Critical acclaim for The Changing Tide has been widespread:
Dmitry Epstein of Let It Rock describes it as “a fantastic opus in all aspects.”
Prog Critique praises the album for its “familiar and well-marked universe with compositions that are worth the detour.”
Tszirmay of Prog Archives highlights Alvarado’s successful blend of deep-rooted musical influences and personal originality, making it a “most worthy acquisition.”
Martin Burns of DPRP.net commends the album’s “superb production,” noting that the opening and title tracks are exceptional with meticulous arrangement and attention to detail.
Horst Straske of Babyblaue-Seiten admires the album’s cinematic and ambient sound, particularly appreciating how “Alvarado enriches his soundscapes with progressive rock elements like the ten-minute opener, The Equilibrium of Time.”
Antonie Deelen of iO Pages magazine specifically praises the “particularly good” guitar work in A View From A Different Room and the “beautiful saxophone playing” by John Helliwell.
1. THE EQUILIBRIUM OF TIME 2. BRAIN DAMAGE 3. THE CHANGING TIDE
SIDE B:
4. A DAY OF A DIFFERENT SORT 5. A VIEW FROM A DIFFERENT ROOM 6. DANCE OF THE PINK ELEPHANT
Credits:
Leon Alvarado: Drums, Keyboards & Effects on all, Bass on 5, Vocals on 6 Edoardo Scordo: Guitars on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Tony Franklin: Bass on 1, 2, 3, 4 John Helliwell: Saxophone on 3 Pablo Hopenhayn: Violin, Viola and Cello on 1 Gary Gnaedinger: Bass, Guitar & Keyboards on 6 James Griggers: Guitar & Slide Guitar on 6 Jeff Sanson: Backing Vocals on 6 Linda Alvarado: Backing Vocals on 6 Liz Hall: Backing Vocals on 6
Brain Damage lyrics by Roger Waters Produced and Mixed by: Leon Alvarado Mastered by: Maor Appelbaum Cover art by: Synergy Design
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