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On the Record: John R. Miller’s Depreciated
On the Record is a new SPIN feature where we pick an album we think is fantastic, and ask the artist to share the stories behind it. Artist: John R. Miller Album: Depreciated Number of tracks: 11 Label: Rounder Records Release Date: July 16, 2021 Singer-songwriter and guitarist John R. Miller’s debut Depreciated tells the story of a life well-lived. Don’t let the album title fool you. No matter how dark the journey that brought him to Depreciated, the songs are filled with hope and wonder, set against a folks-blues, Nashville countrypolitan and swamp-rock backdrop. Like this interview, his music reflects a refreshingly raw honesty, reflectiveness, and the undeniable beauty in discovery and growth. Musically, Miller is at the top of his game. While Depreciated is perfectly unadorned, it’s d...
Pride Month Held Some Valuable Lessons for Country Music’s LGBTQ+ Community
In June 2020, country music had zero openly LGBTQ+ artists signed to Nashville’s major record labels. By June 2021, country music had three openly LGBTQ+ dotting the big record label rosters. Brooke Eden went public on social media with her longtime partner Hilary Hoover in late 2020, and Lily Rose signed with Big Loud Records in a joint deal with Back Blocks Music and Republic in January 2021 partly on the strength of her uptempo love song “Green Light,” sung directly to another woman. Then, CMA Award-winner T.J. Osborne of the country duo Brothers Osborne came out as gay in a February 2021 feature in Time. As a result of that modest yet groundbreaking queer uptick, this year’s Pride month was hands down the queerest in country music history. As the host of Proud Radio, an LGBTQ+-fo...
Jakob Dylan, Locked and Loaded
“It’s daunting because you’re starting over every time,” says The Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan. “You check in and ask yourself, ‘Am I ready to do this?’ It’s not a matter of success or not. It’s another record that I have to write and turn myself inside out for — and then, hopefully, make the record, and then talk about it and tour it.” Seated in the lobby of a Santa Monica hotel, the singer-songwriter is drinking an iced black coffee on a sweltering hot June day. He’s here to discuss Exit Wounds, his band’s soon-to-be-released seventh record — and The Wallflowers’ first in nine years. Dylan’s distinctive bright blue eyes are accentuated by his denim button-down shirt. His sleeves are rolled up, as are the bottoms of his loose-fitting jeans, with the only color deviation being his yellow ...
The Founders of Famed Ibiza-Based Party CircoLoco Spent the Pandemic Launching Their Label Passion Project
Launching in early June with “Lumartes,” an eight-and-a-half minute track by CircoLoco resident Seth Troxler, Circoloco Records kicked off in earnest a few days back with the release of its debut compilation album, Monday Dreamin’, which features a who’s who of house, techno and tech house, indie dance and more — with contributions from artists including Dixon, DJ Tennis, Sama’ Abdualhdi, Jamie Jones, Beduoin, Kerri Chandler Moodymann, Red Axes, Tale Of Us and Damian Lazarus. The project is a collaboration with Rockstar Games, the makers of games including the venerable Grand Theft Auto, and a company that has long given love to underground dance music by installing artists like The Blessed Madonna, Moodymann, Keinemusik, Solomun and other...
Halsey Announces ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’ Film to Pair With Album: See the Creepy Trailer
The 26-year-old artist also unveiled the two-minute trailer of the film, which fits the mold of a horror flick and unpacks “the lifelong social labyrinth of sexuality and birth,” the text on the screen reads. “The greatest horror stories never told were buried with the bodies of those who died in that labyrinth.” On July 7, Halsey unveiled the powerful album artwork at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and later on social media. The cover image depicts the regal-looking “Castle” singer sitting on a Game of Thrones-like golden throne. Halsey, who is currently expecting her first child with screenwriter Alev Aydin, is holding a baby on her lap in the cover shot while exposing her breast, which serves as a nod to the Madonna-whore psychologic...
Nelly’s ‘Dilemma’ Video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club: ‘Super Dope’
Nelly is in the club. The St. Louis rapper’s 2002 smash “Dilemma” became the latest video to rack up more than one billion views on YouTube. The third single from the MC’s sophomore album, Nellyville, memorably features Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland on the hook — as well as an iconic sample of Patti LaBelle’s 1983 song “Love, Need and Want You” — but it’s the lovestruck Benny Boom-directed visual that you likely remember the most. Filmed on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, the video for the rap ballad opens with the St. Lunatics helping new neighbor Rowland move into a new house with– oh no! — her boyfriend as Nelly looks on with love in his eyes. Undeterred by her da...
Christina Aguilera Talks ‘Getting Into My Family Roots’ for Upcoming Latin Album
“I’m an artist first, rather than trying to be critical as an A&R,” Aguilera tells Billboard of her mindset for selecting a winner. “So, I’m just going to go with my mood and what feels good. I’m looking for people who are really experimental as I’ve always been in my music – try different things, collaborate with other people and musical styles. I really like to have fun with music at the end of the day and get as creative as possible. Sometimes a little sweet, sometimes a little tart, depending on my mood! It’s just people who are able to have fun with that concept and be themselves and get into that individuality of it.” As a former coach on The Voice and a star who loves helping up-and-coming singers, the contest fit naturally for Aguilera. &#...
The O’Tooles Are Investigating Billy’s Death On Families Of The Mafia
On July 14, 2019, Families of the Mafia patriarch Billy O’Toole was found deceased in his Staten Island home. And when Season 2 returns, his family is mourning their loss as they visit his grave. “He’s gone — he’s really gone,” his daughter Taylor states in the sneak peek, above, as Billy’s loved ones gather around his final resting place. And the entire family is banding together to launch an investigation as they grow suspicious that Billy’s cause of death wasn’t suicide. How does a private investigator react when he is told about the cause of death being determined so quickly? And what is Jess’ response when she is faced with her ex-husband’s autopsy report? Watch the extended sneak peek clip featuring all of the Families of th...
Billie Eilish, BTS, Lorde, The Weeknd To Perform At Global Citizen Live 2021
International philanthropic organization Global Citizen will be hosting a 24-hour concert this fall, and much like the nonprofit’s yearly festival, the new show — Global Citizen Live — boasts a major line-up of artists set to take the stage. Including your faves. The international concert will feature performances from Billie Eilish, BTS, Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Lorde, and so many more. Additionally, Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, Angélique Kidjo, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, Duran Duran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Metallica, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, the Lumineers, Tiwa Savage, and Usher will all...
IRON MAIDEN Drops Another ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ Video Teaser
British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have released another video teaser inviting their fans to the “Belshazzar’s Feast”. “Belshazzar’s Feast” is the story of the writing on the wall in the Bible, and IRON MAIDEN fans have been speculating that the band has been teasing the announcement of its 17th album, possibly to be titled “Writing On The Wall”. In the 14-second video message posted to MAIDEN‘s social media earlier today, the “Belshazzar’s Feast” poster is removed from a wall to reveal the slogan “WOTW”, which fans have theorized refers to “Writing On The Wall”. The latest clip comes less than a week after MAIDEN posted a video message from singer Bruce Dickinson teasing the July 15 Belsha...
JETHRO TULL Signs With INSIDEOUT MUSIC; ‘The Zealot Gene’ Album Due In Early 2022
InsideOut Music/Sony Music has announced the signing of progressive rock legends JETHRO TULL. The band has already completed a new album titled “The Zealot Gene”, which can be expected in early 2022. Ian Anderson had this to say about the new signing: “After 54 years in the world of music recording, it is with great pleasure that I now sign JETHRO TULL to a record company which reminds me, in many ways, of the old Chrysalis label — both as an independent and in its later years in partnership with EMI. Here are real music guys with a passion for the best and most creative in rock music. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship and more releases to come.” InsideOut Music label manager Thomas Waber states: “Adding JETHRO TULL to the roster is an incred...
Former WHITESNAKE Guitarist BERNIE MARSDEN To Release First Solo Album In Seven Years, ‘Kings’
Guitar legend Bernie Marsden will release his brand-new album, “Kings”, on July 23 via Conquest Music. All pre orders to Bernie‘s site will get a signed CD of “Kings” and a free limited-edition Bernie Marsden “Kings” plectrum. Only orders via Bernie‘s web site qualify for this, and offer ends on release day. “Kings” is Bernie‘s first solo album in seven years and is sure to delight his fans and lovers of blues, rock and more. Many will know Marsden as a founder member of WHITESNAKE — one of the biggest rock bands of all time. Since leaving WHITESNAKE, almost 40 years ago, Bernie has forged an impressive solo career. He is undeniably one of the premier British blues guitarists. Most recently, Bernie partnered with Joe Bonamas...
