I’m in a funk. Most of the reasons have to do with COVID. This last week, we hit the astronomical milestone of 500,000 deaths. That number is tragic but what’s even more deplorable and weighs on me heavily is those losses could’ve been significantly reduced if during the previous year we had responsible, empathetic leadership. It feels like everyone around me is getting vaccinated, while I’m left behind. (This sparks junior high memories of pining impatiently for my first kiss or being picked last for dodgeball.

Gothic blues guitarist Ledfoot will release Black Valley on March 12 via TBC Records and has shared the video for "Take Away The Hurt." Pre-save Black Valley HERE.

A longtime champion of guitar-driven rock & roll, Kurt Deemer responds to the modern moment with World Upside Down. Recorded during the Covid-19 era, it's an album about resolve, resilience, and relationships, laced with power-pop hooks and the anthemic songwriting of a frontman who's been sharpening his craft for more than two decades.

Outlaw country mainstay Dallas Moore has released the second single from his upcoming LP The Rain (out April 9), after premiering the single at Taste of Country on February 23.

Calling themselves The Wild West, six of the most treasured female singer-songwriters in Los Angeles have forged a strong bond of friendship that led them to a write and record their new song “Better Way.” The empowering message of the ensemble’s first single is shared equally by its members, all of whom have enjoyed significant success as solo artists: Tawny Ellis, Pi Jacobs, Heather Anne Lomax, Amilia K. Spicer, Deb Morrison, and Manda Mosher.

Despite the economic impact of COVID-19, Ubbi Dubbi Festival producers Disco Donnie Presents (DDP) announced this week the company has donated $15,000 to three Texas Food Banks in the wake of the Texas ice storm, which have left many Texas families in need of food, shelter and other necessities. Three food banks will receive $5,000 each, which include Houston Food Bank (Houston), North Texas Food Bank (Dallas), and Central Texas Food Bank (Austin).

Three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist Joey Alexander follows his major-label debut album, WARNA (Verve Records), with three new singles "SALT" (March 19), "Under the Sun" (April 23), and "Summer Rising" (May 28) set for global release on Verve in spring 2021. In just seven years subsequent the release of five critically-acclaimed studio albums (My Favorite Things, Countdown, Joey.Monk.Live!, Eclipse, WARNA), Alexander leads a career rarely witnessed in the jazz genre.

Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, is teaming up with Record Store Day to release two albums, Songs for You, Vols. 1 & 2, to spotlight and support Black-owned record stores. The limited-edition vinyl releases will be available to purchase at independent record stores on Record Store Day 2021.

Glasgow funk powerhouse Tom Mcguire & The Brassholes return with their highly anticipated latest track “Super Solid Soul Vehicle” set for release on March 12th. With multiple sold out shows across Glasgow, support slots with funk and soul legend Craig Charles, and a viral track dedicated to wrestler Ric Flair under their belt, the group are set to enter into an exciting second phase.

Austin, TX bluegrass/indie-folk duo The Armadillo Paradox are preparing to release their new LP, Out of Gas in Oil Country, out March 26th. Since announcing the album, the duo has released two new singles: "Your Eyes Are Like Stars," which Glide Magazine says, "Combines the effortless lyrical charm of John Prine alongside the indie rock unpredictability of The Mountain Goats," and the latest, "Can't Hold A Job," out everywhere today.