Before Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday--the organizers of Record Store Day began the RSD Black Friday event as a way to highlight and include independent record stores in the biggest shopping day of the year. Since then, record stores have started the holiday shopping season with an RSD Black Friday twist: a curated list of releases created especially for them, adding to the mix of items already found in record stores, all of which make exceptionally good gifts.

Renowned Danish quartet Kalaha, celebrated for their eclectic blend of global musical influences, is set to release their highly anticipated sixth album, ‘Nord Havn’, on January 26th. This latest offering from the multi-award-winning group will be available through April Records.

Hollow Coves have returned with a fresh serving of resonant and “stunning” (Billboard) indie folk today on their new song and video “Milk & Honey. Hailing from the scenic sands of Australia’s Gold Coast, the duo’s latest original elevates a signature style that’s seen them become one of the most-used artists on social media platforms like Instagram Reels, while topping one billion total streams and earning Gold records across continents.

Open Studio is thrilled to announce the release of 'Peter Martin & Generation S,' a compelling new album that brings a fresh perspective to the jazz scene. Out today in CD, LP, and digital formats, this album is a vibrant exploration of contemporary jazz, answering the intriguing question of what jazz in 2023 sounds like.
 

For seven years in Nashville, songwriter and recording artist Zach Russell studied how fellow writers and performers approached their craft, even spending a stint on the road as Tyler Childers’ merchandise manager. Getting a firsthand look at precisely what it takes to chase down greatness, Russell believed he could achieve it as well.

Today, December 1, MICKEY THOMAS of STARSHIP has released “A Classic Christmas,” a two-sided single (available digitally only, via Symphonic Distribution) on which he distinctively lights up such holiday gems as “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” with his deeply soulful and soaring voice.

Listen to “A Classic Christmas” HERE.

Ripple Effect, a music band from Worcester, Massachusetts, has made a significant impact on the local music scene with their new EP "Storm Rolls In." The band consists of Bob Moon, Jesse Garcia, Austin Magnant, Josh Briggs, and Jon Cotoni, and is known for its genre-blending style, combining rock, jam band psychedelia, funk, and country elements.

Looks like Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen (DDEG) may just make it on to Santa’s “nice list,” after all. The critically-acclaimed blues-infused rock band has taken time out of their busy schedule, supporting their latest release Black Leather Blues (April 2023, MoJo Records), to present fans with their rendition of one of their favorite holiday songs.

With a 10-1 winning season, the hits keep coming for NFL Eagles’ Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata aka The Philly Specials as their second full-length holiday album, A Philly Special Christmas Special (Vera Y Records), will be available everywhere this Friday, December 1st.  Released in advance of the LP, singles “This Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Fairytale of Philadelphia," and "Pretty Paper,” have garnered over 5 million streams across platforms, “Fairytale of Philadelphia” reached

Chart-topping Blues sensation Lauren Glick is captivating audiences once again with the release of her latest single, "Set Me Free." Known for her exceptional songwriting, soulful vocals, and magnetic stage presence, Glick's newest offering is a powerful testament to her musical prowess.