In honor of Earth Day 2021, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley shares a very powerful new music video for “Life Is A Circle.” Watch it HERE via Rolling Stone. The video was notably shot at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami, FL and directed by B+.

The music video shows the power of black activists who stood up to forces beyond their control in order to build a haven for both their communities and the environment as well. It’s a call-to-action to honor their tireless fight against systemic oppression, dating back centuries. “Life Is A Circle” tells a relevant story that began in the 1940s but remains relevant to this day, if not more than ever...

During segregation, black Americans were forbidden from most beaches. With the support of a local NAACP chapter, seven civil rights activists staged a “wade-in” at a whites’ only beach in Dade County. As a result, Virginia Key Beach opened in 1945 as Miami’s first “Colored Only” beach. Over the years, this land endured storms, vandalism, the insurgence of foreign plants and animals, and a corrupt corporate city plot to sell its development rights. Once again, the people spoke. Grassroots organizers known as the Virginia Key Beach Trust fought against this commercial encroachment and vied for total restoration. Finally, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park opened in 2008 consisting of 82.5 acres and “the largest Mangrove Wetland in the State of Florida.”

In the video, Damian pays homage to the spirit of those activists. Walking around Historic Virginia Key Beach Park with eyes wide and his heart open, he sings at the edge of the water as sparse cinematic piano chords ring out. The clip intercuts footage of Damian with classic black-and-white photos of visitors to Virginia Key Beach.

Said Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, “The video needed to have some hope in it. The song has a darkish feel, but it says ‘God is always with us…’ Don’t forget that. And I wanted the video somehow to have that hope, because there’s always hope.”

Added Director B+, “We had stumbled on an important piece of history and one that actually has a good ending. One that seemed beautifully emblematic of another kind of America.”

“Life Is A Circle” original appeared on Ghetto Youth International’s 2020 compilation record, Set Up Shop, Vol. 4. Receiving plugs from Dance Hall Mag and more, OKAYPLAYER described it as “introspective.” Meanwhile, it has generated nearly half-a-million plays on the static audio.

Damian Marley’s most recent studio album was his 2017 opus, Stony Hill. In addition to becoming his second consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums Chart, it garnered the 2018 GRAMMY® Award in the category of “Best Reggae Album,” marking his fourth career GRAMMY®. The record also inspired widespread acclaim from Mojo, Rolling Stone, and more, while he delivered a standout set for NPR’s Tiny Desk.

Stay tuned for more from Damian Marley soon. 

27 sets. Three days of performances. All live-streamed on hardlystrictlybluegrass.com, facebook.com/hardlystrictlybluegrass, and youtube.com/user/hsbfest. Tune in October 1, 2, 3 starting each day at 1pm PT/4pm ET to see this year's fantastic line-up, brought to you live from the Bay Area, with additional sets filmed in New Orleans and SF earlier this year. Invite your friends and join us!

In 21 years, the festival has grown from one stage in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to multiple stages and over 500K attendees. Last year’s pre-taped quarantine-filmed performances saw the livestream garner 1 MILLION views. This year’s event has the potential to reach millions more!

The Glorious Sons, renowned for their chart-topping hits and captivating live performances, are set to make waves in the musical landscape with their new album, 'Glory'. Featuring a distinctive roots rock feel, this 10-track project is available today through Warner Music Canada and ADA Worldwide. Alongside the album release, there's also an official music video for the lead single and title track, “Glory”.

Best recognized for their Billboard Mainstream Rock chart-topping singles "S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)" and "Panic Attack", and a nomination for the 2020 iHeart Media Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist, The Glorious Sons continue to push boundaries and exceed expectations. Their latest album, 'Glory', delves deeper into the human psyche, addressing perseverance, personal growth, and the tumultuous path to self-acceptance.

Lead singer Brett Emmons offers insight into the album's inspiration and themes: "Listening to this album feels like one massive inner conflict laid bare for everyone. At times, it's almost too revealing for my comfort, but that's what emerged, so life goes on." Emmons attributes the album's themes to introspection during the pandemic, noting, "It feels like an acknowledgment of the inherent discomfort of being human."

The Glorious Sons' experiences in the music industry have unquestionably shaped their sound. ‘Glory’ demonstrates their maturation, blending the emotional intensity they're famed for with fresh sonic explorations. Emmons says, "‘Glory’ represents another chapter in our story. We might morph into a different band for the next album—it's just how our minds evolve." He underscores that the album moves away from a hit-driven approach, instead aiming to present a cohesive, immersive body of work that resonates with the band's unique taste.

Setting the stage for the introspective journey of the album is its lead single, "Mercy Mercy". This track melds familiar and innovative elements to spotlight the band’s signature sonic style and compelling lyrics. Highlighting their grand and ambitious nature, “Mercy Mercy” gained rapid traction, becoming the most added track at rock radio formats for two consecutive weeks and reaching #3 on Mediabase's Multiple Rock Formats in Canada. It also garners strong backing from Triple A and Alternative stations in the US.

"Glory" is not just the album's title; it encapsulates its essence and holds a central place in the project's narrative. Emmons describes "Glory" as a clarion call for the band, reflecting on their journey and emphasizing that success is fleeting. "I wanted fans to grasp the heights we've reached and to understand that such success is ephemeral. It isn't merely handed to us."

As 'Glory' embarks on its musical voyage, The Glorious Sons are also launching The Glory Tour, a thrilling trek through 57 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Special guests The Blue Stones and The Velveteers will join on select dates, ensuring that the tour offers unforgettable performances that encapsulate the essence of their music. Tickets for The Glory Tour are now up for grabs at theglorioussons.com.

‘GLORY’ TRACK LISTING:

    Glory
    Mercy Mercy
    Cellular
    Dream
    House Lights
    Speed of Light
    Lightning Bolt
    You Stay Young
    Time Will Reign Down on Me
    Cosmic Beam

THE GLORY TOUR US DATES:

9/6 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
9/7 - Newport, KY - MegaCorp Pavilion
9/8 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Hall
9/9 - Charleston, SC - The Riviera Theater
9/11 - Nashville, TN - Basement East
9/13 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
9/14 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
9/15 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
9/16 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
9/18 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
9/20 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
9/21 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
9/22 - Peoria, IL - Crusen’s
9/23 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
9/25 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
9/26 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
9/27 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
9/29 - Tulsa, OK - Vanguard
10/1 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
10/2 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour
10/3 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall
10/5 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
10/6 - Bend, OR - Domino Room
10/7 - Crystal Bay, NV - The Bay Club
10/9 - Bozeman, MT - The ELM
10/10 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
10/12 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater
10/13 - Kansas City, MO - Madrid Theatre
10/14 - St. Louis, MO - Red Flag

Pearl Jam and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, commemorate the 30th anniversary of the band’s seminal sophomore full-length offering, Vs., with a series of special releases.

Vs. will be available in new Vinyl and Cassette configurations via various partners on November 17. Pearl Jam’s own Ten Club features an exclusive 2LP Dreamsicle (translucent orange with white swirls) color variant vinyl and clear cassette. Target offers its own 1LP exclusive clear vinyl, an international clear vinyl will also be available outside of the United States, and a new black 2LP vinyl will be available in participating retailers. Album and cassette preorders are available HERE.

Additionally, Pearl Jam and Legacy Recordings will unveil a brand new Atmos Spatial Audio Mix of the album releasing tomorrow October 20th on Apple Music alongside new visualizer videos for each track on the album. Stream Vs. and watch the track visualizers HERE.

Pearl Jam arrived like a tidal wave with Ten in 1991, unassumingly emerging as one of the most popular bands in rock music and culture at large. With all eyes on them for a follow-up, the musicians opted to hold nothing back, cut deeper, and deliver a dark and dynamic 12-track opus in the form of Vs. Powered by classics such as the heartbreakingly introspective “Daughter,” acoustic nostalgia of “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town,” primal punked-up fury of “Blood,” and downright raw catharsis of “Leash,” the album found the group at its rawest. From the explosion of “Go” through the poignant exhale of “Indifference,” it traced a journey through insecurity and uncertainty in the face of unwanted fame, stared down heavy themes such as abuse and neurodivergent learning disorders, raised a middle finger to America’s gun obsession and police brutality, tackled the topic of suicide fearlessly, and even managed to let light peek through the cracks with some of the group’s most treasured anthems ever.

In a 1993 Rolling Stone interview with Cameron Crowe, Eddie Vedder shared, “Music is an incredibly powerful medium to deliver a story by. But the best thing is, you have to have volume. You’re supposed to play it loud. I would do anything to be around music. You don’t even have to pay me.”

Vs. is the sound of a band who won’t compromise its message or meaning. It’s the moment the tide really turned…

It also notably marked the first of many albums to be helmed by longtime collaborator Brendan O’Brien, kicking off a now three-decade partnership with the producer. Upon arrival, Vs. smashed records by moving over 950,000 copies during its first five days in stores, eclipsing the sales of the rest of the entire Billboard Top 10 combined. It clinched #1 on the respective chart for five weeks, logging the longest run at the top for any Pearl Jam release to date. It held the record for “most albums sold first-week” for the next five years and set the record for “most first-week vinyl sales,” which would stand for the next 20 years.

Moving 10 million units worldwide, Vs. has since gone 7x Platinum in the States. Meanwhile, “Daughter” just reached RIAA Platinum, while “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town” has gone Gold.

Retrospectively, Rolling Stone hailed, “Pearl Jam emerged victorious with Vs., an album that still stands as one of the strongest records of their long and storied career. Looser, heavier and angrier than their debut, Vs. found the band exploring new sounds and dynamics.” Billboard proclaimed, “To date, the sophomore set that proved the band could do things its own way — a tactic that directly helped make its longevity possible.”

Not to mention, Pearl Jam’s tenth full-length LP and fan favorite Lightning Bolt also celebrates its 10th anniversary this week. It originally dropped on October 15, 2013 and became the group’s fifth #1 debut on the Billboard 200. The Brendan O’Brien produced Lightning Bolt is now available in Spatial Audio.

Check out the full Vs. tracklisting below and stay tuned for more news and announcements soon.

Pearl Jam – Vs.

track listing

1. Go

2. Animal

3. Daughter

4. Glorified G

5. Dissident

6. W.M.A.

7. Blood

8. Rearviewmirror

9. Rats

10. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

11. Leash

12. Indifference

Bonus Tracks (*digital release only):

13. Indifference

14. Cready Stomp

15. Crazy Mary

Pearl Jam – Vs.

1LP Side Splits

Side A

1. Go

2. Animal

3. Daughter

4. Glorified G

5. Dissident

6. W.M.A.

Side B

1. Blood

2. Rearviewmirror

3. Rats

4. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

5. Leash

6. Indifference

2LP Side Splits

A Side

1. Go                                                                                                                                        

2. Animal                                                                                                                                

3. Daughter

B Side

1. Glorified G                                                                                                                         

2. Dissident                                                                                                                            

3. W.M.A.                                                                                                                               

C Side

1. Blood                                                                                                                                   

2. Rearviewmirror                                                                                                                

3. Rats

D Side

1. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town         

2. Leash                       

3. Indifference 

The Henry Mancini family continues to celebrate what would have been the late legendary composer’s 100th birthday with the announcement of The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company. The album is the latest installment in what will be a year-long endeavor honoring the 20-time GRAMMY® and 4-time Academy Award winner whose centennial is being celebrated today on April 16th. 

The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company will be available June 21st via Primary Wave, and the first single, “Peter Gunn,” featuring Quincy Jones, John Williams, Herbie Hancock, and Arturo Sandoval, is out now. 

Listen to “Peter Gunn” HERE

Watch the “Peter Gunn” Social Video HERE

Pre-save the album HERE

The album comprises seven tracks and features guest appearances from John Williams, Herbie Hancock, Arturo Sandoval, Quincy Jones, Lizzo, Sir James Galway, Michael Bublé with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Take 6, Monica Mancini, Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, Stevie Wonder, Snarky Puppy, and Audrey Hepburn. 

On being asked to contribute to the upcoming album, Michael Bublé notes: “When the Mancini family calls and asks you to be a part of honoring the legacy of a genius you say thank you so very much I would love to be there…you say yes!”​​ 

The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company Tracklisting

Peter Gunn ft. Quincy Jones, John Williams, Herbie Hancock, and Arturo Sandoval
Pink Panther ft. Lizzo and Sir James Galway
Moon River ft. Michael Bublé with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Lujon (Slow Hot Wind) ft. Pat Metheny
Days of Wine and Roses ft. Take 6 & Monica Mancini
Baby Elephant Walk ft. Snarky Puppy
Moon River / Audrey’s Letter ft. Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, Stevie Wonder, and Audrey Hepburn

On June 23rd, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and special guests Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, and Monica Mancini will raise the curtain on the Bowl's 2024 season with a 100th birthday celebration for Henry Mancini conducted by the great Thomas Wilkins. Tickets are available HERE.

Additionally, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame today unveiled an installation on behalf of Henry Mancini’s upcoming 100th birthday in their Cleveland Rocks gallery. The installation features Mancini’s GRAMMY® Award for the inaugural ‘Album of the Year’ 1958, "Music From Peter Gunn,” a bomber jacket with embroidered “Hank" owned by Henry Mancini from Pink Panther Tour, and much, much more.  Additionally, the display will showcase pieces of memorabilia symbolic of the legends Mancini influenced: Quincy Jones, Cher, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Lionel Richie as well as a handwritten score of Peter Gunn. 

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) will be honoring Mancini’s upcoming birthday with a lineup of programming dedicated to the late composer and his iconic work. The full 24-hour schedule, airing today, Tuesday, April 16th, will feature classics such as The Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Two for the Road; each of those 3 films will be accompanied by original monologues by the TCM host that include a brief bit of history and commentary on how each masterpiece was uniquely special.     

This past Valentine’s Day, Tiffany’s in New York displayed a handwritten letter from Audrey Hepburn to Henry Mancini. The letter, which celebrates the pair’s legendary collaboration on Breakfast At Tiffany’s, is an ode to what makes the film's score a perfect example of Mancini's talent for creating memorable and evocative music. The main theme, "Moon River," is a jazz standard that has been covered by countless artists. It perfectly captures the film's mix of sophistication and melancholy. Last week, Tiffany’s in Tokyo, Japan unveiled their display of Henry’s two Oscars as well as Audrey Hepburn’s dress from Breakfast At Tiffany’s. The exhibition is open to the public until June 23. 

CBS Sunday Morning has aired two tribute episodes on the Henry Mancini Centennial and his legacy in music with a third episode to be aired prior to the release of the album. The broadcast segments highlight how the composer has been an enduring influence to generational talents such as Quincy Jones, who in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, cited Mancini as his mentor.

On August 4th, music director, conductor, and arranger Kevin Stites will explore the music of legendary performer and film composer Henry Mancini for the annual Gala Benefit Evening at the Ravinia Festival. Curated and hosted by actor Rob Lindley, “Mancini at 100: The Music of Henry Mancini, from the big screen, to the small screen, to the stage and beyond” features Broadway vocalists Jessie Mueller (Waitress, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Norm Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables), and Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard), with all three making their Ravinia and CSO debuts.

This fall, The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini: Official Graphic Novel will hit shelves. From the humble beginnings of his father’s flute lessons to composing his Oscar-winner scores, this new graphic novel, written by David Calcano and illustrated by the award-winning studio Fantoons, illustrates every step in the journey of Henry Mancini’s pivotal and industry-shaping career.

Henry Mancini wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He seamlessly blended elements of jazz, classical, and popular music, creating unique soundscapes that set him apart from other film composers. This innovative approach helped redefine film scoring and paved the way for future generations. During his lifetime, Mancini was nominated for 72 GRAMMY® Awards, 18 Academy Awards®, honored with a Golden Globe® Award, and nominated for two Emmy ®Awards.  He created countless iconic pieces of work, from music from The Pink Panther film series ("The Pink Panther Theme") to "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's and was the recipient of the inaugural ‘Album Of The Year’ GRAMMY® for his 1958 soundtrack to the Peter Gunn television series, making him the first recipient of the prestigious award. 

Henry Mancini’s legacy transcends beyond music into film and pop culture at large. His 100th birthday is more than just a celebration of a single composer; it’s a chance to appreciate the power of music and the artistry of film scoring. His songs have been covered by esteemed artists including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, R.E.M., Clay Aiken, and countless others. Mancini's legendary status comes from his ability to create unforgettable music that transcended film scores and ultimately became cultural touchstones that influenced generations of musicians.

Stagecoach - country music’s biggest festival - is thrilled to announce two exciting additions to this year’s HonkyTonk: acclaimed electronic artists The Chainsmokers and Marshmello. Curated by long-time Stagecoach collaborator Diplo, Diplo’s HonkyTonk is set to be the most high-octane in the festival’s history, and is another mark of how Stagecoach’s influence transcends music genres. Set times for this stage are available now as well HERE.

Diplo has worked closely with Stagecoach’s parent company, powerhouse promoters Goldenvoice, for the last five years to help put together a who’s who of DJ’s and dance music for the festival. In addition to bringing artists like Dillon Francis, Cheat Codes, Brandi Cyrus, and more to the tent, he will also lend his talents to back to back sets with Marshmello and Cloonee.

As previously announced, Amazon Music will again be the exclusive streaming destination for this year’s sold-out Stagecoach Festival. Fans from around the world will be able to enjoy sets from country music’s biggest artists from the T-Mobile Mane Stage in the comfort of their own homes including riveting sets from artists like Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Elle King, Post Malone, Willie Nelson & Family, HARDY, and Bailey Zimmerman.

Sponsored by American Express, e.l.f. SKIN, T-Mobile, and Universal Pictures' The Fall Guy, from 87North, the livestream will be available on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and Prime Video, slated for a 4 p.m. PDT start each day.