Articles

After over a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all five of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2023), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band.

Ween has unveiled plans for an upcoming US tour – the band’s first extensive national headline run since they reunited in 2016. The newly announced dates begin July 28 at Los Angeles, CA’s famed Greek Theatre and then continue through early September. Highlights of the 14-show run includes visits to Oakland, CA’s Fox Theater (July 29), Morrison, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (August 3), Chicago, IL’s Salt Shed Outdoors (September 9), and New York City’s Pier 17 (September 14).

Thee Sacred Souls have shared their first new song of 2023, “Running Away”, out today (Penrose / Daptone Records).  “Running Away” is an original song, written by Thee Sacred Souls, and was recorded at Daptone’s Riverside studio in California by producer Gabe Roth.  The 45, backed with “Love Comes Easy,” will be released April 7.

Listen to “Running Away” here:

Today, Venezuelan singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ane Díaz announced her debut album Despechada, out June 9 via Rain Phoenix’s label, LaunchLeft. Inspired by her beloved homeland of Caracas, Venezuela, the album is a reflection of Díaz’s homesickness for her country. “Despechada means heartbroken or without your soul,” says Díaz.

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joe Samba, who has quietly emerged as a phenomenon racking up over 8 million total streams, has released his new single “Create Something” (Minor Version) featuring Elliot Martin of John Brown’s Body, an updated version of Samba’s reggae-tinged fan favorite hit from his 2022 album, Far From Forever (LAW Records). PRESS HERE to listen.

GRAMMY® Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their hit song “American Made.” Written by Bob DiPiero and Pat McManus, “American Made” was first released as a single in February 1983. It became a national ad jingle for Budweiser and later for Cambria USA. It also became their 7th #1 hit! The Oaks re-recorded this classic hit in 2007 for a special Support Our Troops CD to benefit the USO.

Mercury Records will release A Night At The Family Dog (1970), Go Ride The Music and West Pole (1969), three psychedelic trips down memory lane, on May 12 as a 2 DVD package, complete with new artwork and ‘60s-styled poster. All three films were originally produced and created as groundbreaking television documentaries by Ralph J. Gleason [1917-1975] who did more than any other journalist to hip the world to what was shakin’ in San Francisco in the late ‘60s.

Bellingham, Wash. folk duo Raveis Kole have charted on Billboard, participated in Folk Alliance and AmericanaFest, shared bills with Justin Townes Earle, The Wailers, Cory Henry, and more, and now are gearing up to release their new LP In the Moment (out Apr. 28), an album about being present, not taking life for granted, and making loving connections with yourself, others and our planet.

Yesterday, Sunday, March 19 in Austin, TX, Gibson, Luck, and  Antone’s offered the unforgettable, artist-packed gospel brunch and tribute concert "Strange Things Happening: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1915-1973". The event, which took place at Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch and capped an exceptional week of performances at Luck Reunion, honored the music icon Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the original "Soul Sister" who made an indelible impact on gospel and soul music.

The Box of Rain band took the stage Saturday night at the Sherman Theater for an evening celebrating the Grateful Dead catalogue and musical stylings circa ‘68-’74.  Led by Bob Stirner (Living Earth, Boris Garcia) on lead guitar and vocals, the six-piece, and sometimes seven-piece when “Pig Pen” (aka John Bernstein) would join the stage, wound their way through an evening of period specific dead tunes to an elated and receptive crowd.  The band is comprised of member