Lonesome Ace Stringband’s latest single “Praying For Rain” came to its writer in a matter of minutes. Max Malone—bassist and one-third of the Toronto-based, acoustic power trio—and his wife had packed up everything they owned into a trailer and hauled it from Toronto to a tiny town called Horsefly in British Columbia to begin building their dream homestead.

Ken Marino and David Wain met at NYU in 1988 where they co-founded the cult favorite sketch comedy group THE STATE. They stayed friends and collaborators over the years, working together on movies like Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer and Wanderlust and TV shows like Childrens Hospital, Medical Police and of course The State. Ken also has acted in a dumb amount of television series, and currently stars on The Other Two (HBO) and Party Down (Starz).

Today, Montana-based Americana up-and-comer Madeline Hawthorne is thrilled to share her new single “Neon Wasteland.” “The songs on my new record are about made-up characters,” says Madeline “I developed each story from my own experiences as well as from the different people I’ve met on the road. Take from this song whatever you want. It doesn’t necessarily have a message, but I expect that we can all relate to the character in Neon Wasteland. She gives up what many of us call a “normal life” so that she can pursue her dream.

Jean-Michel Jarre has collaborated with legendary techno artist Nina Kraviz to create “Sex in the Machine Take 2.” The track is a rework of “Sex in the Machine,” taken from Jarre’s acclaimed 2022 album OXYMORE.

GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter and musician Gregory Alan Isakov’s anticipated new album, Appaloosa Bones, is out today via Dualtone Records and Isakov’s own label, Suitcase Town Music. Stream/purchase HERE.  In conjunction with the release, a new visualizer for album track, “Watchman,” is debuting today—watch/share
HERE.

Dark Horse Records has reissued Joe Strummer’s iconic London benefit show for striking firefighters with the physical release of Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros: Live at Acton Town Hall on CD and special edition 2LP Clear vinyl. The show saw Strummer reunite on stage with Mick Jones of The Clash for the first time in almost two decades.

The second annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival is right around the corner on Labor Day weekend, and I had the opportunity to chat this week with festival producer Claire Armbruster to get a preview of what they have planned for all of us this year.

Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival rolled through Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, last weekend on August 13. An array of country and classic rock legends handpicked to join Willie on this stretch of the tour delivered an incredible show that took the audience on a journey through decades of music.

The Denver-based, ADA-inclusive Shine Music Festival is returning for its third edition on Saturday, August 26 at Reelworks Denver.

The non-profit festival - which will follow its successful 2022 event in Civic Center Park - will unite people of all abilities and backgrounds for a transformative live music experience.

Brew Ha Ha Productions has announced that 100% of profits from their upcoming Left Coast Luau event will be given to Maui Strong Fund / Hawaii Community Foundation to help those affected by the tragic wildfires in Maui this month.

Brew Ha Ha Productions’ President Cameron Collins released the following statement: