Quarters of Change recently released their exposed-nerve second album Portraits. Photo: Anna Henderson, used with permission.
One of the fastest rising rock bands coming out of New York City, Quarters of Change, recently released their album Portraits via 300 Entertainment. After retreating to Woodstock, NY, for two weeks, the band left with their most collaborative, exposed-nerve writing to date; something with a piece of each of them etched into it. Where their last album Into The Rift was staring into the dark tunnel ahead, Portraits is close to the other side, with the band surfacing for some light. (Big Hassle, 2024)
“The album is made up of individualized fragments that provide different perspectives and create their own little vignettes. I think of each fragment as a portrait, reflecting a separate emotion or moment. Overall, it dives into themes of addiction, isolation and exploration.” – frontman Ben Roter.
Anchored by a mutual predisposition for unpredictability, Quarters of Change fuse together a signature hybrid of nineties-style alternative hooks, crunchy space rock soundscapes, and strutting seventies grooves. After piling up millions of streams, selling out shows, and inciting critical applause, the New York City quartet — Ben Acker (guitar, bass, synths), Attila Anrather (drums), Jasper Harris (guitars, bass, synths), and Ben Roter (vocals, guitar)— released Portraits.
Leaning on an unspoken musical language of their own, forged by years of cutting their teeth together, sneaking into shows they were once too young to play, and practicing in the basement of their old high school, Quarters of Change very clearly have a lifelong bond that has created their own breed of alternative rock with stadium scope.
Quarters of Change simultaneously emerged as a live force, supporting Bad Suns and selling out their first-ever US headline tour. Doubling down on amplifying the energy, and turning up the distortion, Quarters of Change have quietly emerged as a phenomenon, and maintain this momentum with the release of their new album, available everywherenow. In the coming months, the band will continue rolling out more content from Portraits. They’ll be joining the festival lineups of Governors Ball and Shaky Knees, with more to be announced soon.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Portraits track list: “What I Wanted” “Depression II” “Heaven Bound” “Turn It Away” “Tightrope” “Cherry Tree” “Do or Die” “Time Before Mourning” “Hollywood Baby” “Illogical Decisions” “Keep My Blood”
The television series adaptation of ‘One Day’ is now streaming on Netflix. Photo: Amazon
David Nicholls is a British novelist and screenwriter best known for “Starter for Ten,” “The Understudy,” “Us,” “Sweet Sorrow,” and “One Day.” “One Day” was published in 2009 to extraordinary critical acclaim and was translated into 40 languages. It became a global bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. His fourth novel, “Us,” was longlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction. He is the executive producer and a contributing screenwriter on a new Netflix series adaptation of “One Day.” The series consists of 14 episodes and the first one is available now.
“One Day” – Two people, one day. What starts as a fleeting connection between two strangers soon becomes a deep bond that spans decades. It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. They face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Dex and Em must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself. As the years go by, the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed. (Amazon, 2024)
Sheer Mag releases new single/video for ‘Moonstruck’ from their new album Playing Favorites. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Sheer Mag is a rock band from Philadelphia that combines 1970s rock and punk elements and has worked hard to carve out a clear singular position within the canon of contemporary rock. Effortlessly switching between the refined flourishes of a “connoisseur’s band” and the ecstatic colloquialism of populist songwriting—yet displaying no strict loyalty to either camp—their sound, while often referenced, is unmistakably and immediately recognizable as theirs alone. On Playing Favorites, Sheer Mag’s third full-length and first with Third Man Records, the band capitalize on a decade’s worth of devotion to their own collective spirit—a spirit refined in both the sweaty trenches of punk warehouses and the larger-than-life glamour of concert halls—emerging with a dense work of gripping emotions, massive hooks, and masterfully constructed power-pop anthems. This is the record the Philadelphian rock and roll four-piece has always been destined to make. (Another Side, 2024)
Playing Favorites elevates their signature approach to rock and roll to lushly cinematic new heights. Their latest single “Moonstruck” lives up to its titular reference of Hollywood-sized surprise romance and spools out a charming story of desire. Fans can pre-order/pre-save Playing Favoriteshere.
“‘Moonstruck’ is about how invigorating it is to have a new crush. After too long lost in the wilderness, it’s gratifying to find a beacon of tenderness to help reorient yourself in the maze of love. Written in 2021 and originally intended for a disco EP, ‘Moonstruck’ has been reworked as a more expansive and lush arrangement and features some of our favorite guitar work on the new record.” – Matt Palmer, guitarist and lyricist
The album burns with a sweetened gratitude for the lot one has been given in life: the luck of coming up punk; the luck of living an unalienated life; the luck of feeling love, and losing love. It is undoubtedly a record by the same Sheer Mag that audiences have spent the last decade falling in love with. In fact, for all of its sonic departures and evolutions, this record is perhaps the most “Sheer Mag” release yet. Not so much a return to form, but rather a realization of those greatest promises that the band has up until now only hinted at. With Playing Favorites, Sheer Mag cater to their tastes and their tastes alone: so long as they continue to do so, the future of rock and roll, that great human tradition, is in the best of hands.
Sheer Mag will embark on an extensive headlining tour this spring that will kick off in D.C. late March and will take them coast to coast through early May. They have confirmed performances at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom, a hometown show at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church and more. Tickets and updates are available online.
Playing Favorites track listing: 01 – Playing Favorites 02 – Eat It and Beat It 03 – All Lined Up 04 – Don’t Come Lookin’ 05 – I Gotta Go 06 – Moonstruck 07 – Mechanical Garden (Featuring Mdou Moctar) 08 – Golden Hour 09 – Tea On The Kettle 10 – Paper Time 11 – When You Get Back
Sheer Mag tour dates: Mar 29: Washington, DC – Songbyrd Mar 30: Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle – Back Room Mar 31: Asheville, NC – Eulogy Apr 01: Nashville, TN – The Blue Room at Third Man Records Apr 02: Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade, Purgatory Apr 04: New Orleans, LA – Siberia Apr 05: Houston, TX – The End Apr 06: Austin, TX – Far Out Lounge Apr 07: Dallas, TX – Double Wide Apr 09: Mesa, AZ – The Underground Apr 10: Tucson, AZ – Club Congress Apr 11: San Diego, CA – The Casbah Apr 12: Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room Apr 13: Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room Apr 15: San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop Apr 17: Portland, OR – Star Theater Apr 18: Seattle, WA – The Vera Project Apr 19: Boise, ID – The Shredder Apr 20: Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court Apr 22: Denver, CO – Hi Dive Apr 24: Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge Apr 25: Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry Apr 26: Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon Apr 27: Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village Apr 29: Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe May 05: Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom May 06: East Haven, CT – Beeracks May 08: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom May 10: Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church May 01: Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground May 03: Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place May 04: Troy, NY – No Fun May 31 – Jun 02: Northampton, MA – Field Day Music Festival
The claustrophobic German thriller Trunk: Locked In is now available to view on Amazon Prime. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
If you enjoy action and thriller movies, today’s new movie release might interest you. Trunk: Locked In is a movie about a woman who wakes up disoriented in a locked trunk with no idea about what is going on or what to expect. This high octane rollercoaster ride of a movie follows a young woman in a race against time for survival. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? It’s in German with English subtitles, but I like discovering thrilling foreign movies and subtitles are no problem for me. I know what I’m watching this weekend.
Outside the Club is excited to announce the global release of their latest feature, Marc Schießer’s pulsing thriller Trunk: Locked In, as an Original feature on Prime Video. Trunk: Locked In is available on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories around the world. (Justin Cook PR, 2024)
Trunk: Locked In was written and directed by Marc Schießer, making his feature directorial debut after his work on the German series “Wishlist.” Schießer and his partner Tobias Lohf produced under their Outside the Club banner. Award-winning Berlin actress Sina Martens (The Perfumier, Tatort) headlines the single location thriller, with Artjom Gilz, Luise Helm and Poal Cairo in other roles. Trunk: Locked In made its world premiere at Filmfestival Cologne and went on to win the Best Thriller Feature at Nightmares Film Festival.
Trunk: Locked In – 28-year-old medical student Malina wakes up disoriented in a locked trunk and must realize with horror that she is missing more than just the memory. With her phone as the only connection to the outside world, the intelligent young woman wages a desperate fight for survival while the vehicle races relentlessly toward a terrible secret. Even if she makes it – she will never be the same.
Get on board ‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!,’ a rollicking musical based on Mo Willems’ contemporary classic. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.
Coming up at the Magik Theatre, hop on an unforgettable ride in ‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,’ a hilarious play based on the beloved book by Mo Willems. When the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers late, a determined Pigeon sees his chance to take the wheel. It’s up to the audience to convince him that even though it’s not the best idea, there is something he can do. With catchy songs, colorful characters, and a heartwarming message about responsibility, this production promises to be a joyous experience for young audiences and adults alike. Even VIA, San Antonio’s transit authority, is joining in the fun with a bus-themed opening night party at Hemisfair Park to get the show rolling. (Magik Theatre, 2024)
Featuring a hilarious script co-written by Willems and Tom Warburton, catchy songs by Deborah Wicks La Puma, and an innovative mix of actors and puppets, ‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!’ plays off Willems’ madcap rhythm and playful vibe.
“In order to give the musical a dramatic arc, Willems has explored WHY the Pigeon cannot drive the bus. He also creates conflict around the Pigeon finding his ‘thing.’ Everyone seems to have one except for the Pigeon. Can the bus driver help the Pigeon figure it out?” – Anthony Runfola, Magik Theatre Artistic Director
Local musical theatre veteran Heather Hooten and Charlie Smith play the wily Pigeon and put-upon Bus Driver, respectively. Costume designer Marshall Chase and accomplished set and lighting designer Katherine Stepanek recreate Willems’ signature visual style for the stage. The result is a gleeful, engaging performance sure to delight fans of musical theater and Mo Willems alike. As always, local students are well taken care of, with matinee performances and a digital resource guide customized for educators. Suitable for children ages 4 and up, ‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical!’ is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), who also supplies all authorized performance materials.
Special Events and Performances Opening Night Party in the Park | Saturday, February 10, 4:30p.m., show at 6p.m. Get your little ones in their finest duds and frocks to join the flock (and Pigeon himself) as Magik rolls out the red carpet for this big shot event. Guests will enjoy live music by Billy Ray Shepherd, interactive crafts, live pigeons, raffle prizes, and a special treat courtesy of party partner Hemisfair. Thanks to show sponsor VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, pint-sized bus enthusiasts can explore VIA’s fully restored, vintage 1966 GMC Dreamliner bus parked outside the theatre, meet the organization’s mascot Primo, and grab a snack from VIA’s bus shaped Grillig food truck.
In celebration of Black History Month, Magik goers can take in VIA’s temporary exhibit highlighting the role of transit in the Civil Rights Movement and the many African American trailblazers whose contributions made a long-lasting impact on the industry. At 5:30p.m., special guest Jeffrey C. Arndt, VIA President and CEO will start the journey with a special story time reading of Willem’s cherished tale, ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!’
Educator Appreciation Performance | Sunday, February 11, 3p.m. Educators and school faculty are eligible for one free ticket to this performance with proof of I.D. Additional tickets are available to purchase for these performances at a discount of 50% off the regular ticket prices with promo code THANKYOU50.
Sensory-FriendlyPerformance | Saturday, February 24, 10a.m. Audience members on the autism spectrum and those with sensory issues can take in a special performance designed just for them. Kids and adults are free to be themselves in this relaxed, judgment-free theatre experience.
Pay What You Wish Performance | Sunday, February 25, 3p.m. As part of Magik Theatre’s mission to make theatre accessible to everyone, the organization holds one donation-based performance. Tickets are only available at the door on February 25.
American Sign LanguageInterpreted Performance | Saturday, March 9, 2p.m. Patrons who communicate with ASL can attend this performance featuring Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary American Sign Language interpreter.
Transit Driver Appreciation Discounts | Sunday, March 17, 3p.m. (Closing Day) and Beyond Magik celebrates San Antonio’s hard-working transit drivers with special discounts on its closing day performance, Sunday, March 17. With proof of I.D., all transit drivers (including taxi, trolley, bus and rideshare drivers as well as pilots) are eligible for a 15% discount off the regular ticket price by using promo code TDAD15. It’s Magik’s way of kicking off Transit Appreciation Day, celebrated every March 18, to thank and appreciate transit drivers around the nation.
As a special thank you to the show sponsor, VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, all VIA employees are eligible for 20% off the regular ticket price through the run of the show by using discount code VIA20 with proof of I.D.
Purchase bundles, flex passes, and single tickets online, via phone (210) 227-2751, and in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S Alamo, 78205). Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9a.m. – 5p.m. If a child under 2 uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available for parties of ten or more people. For further inquiries, contact Magik Theatre.
Unite for One Night: UME announces the ultimate music experience on South Padre Island featuring Deadmau5, Wax Motif, Tom & Collins, and more. Photo: UME, used with permission.
The highly anticipated electronic dance music event, The Ultimate Music Experience (UME), is set to make its triumphant return to the Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, March 30, 2024. UME is thrilled to announce an electrifying lineup, featuring some of the biggest names in the EDM world, along with regional artists to be revealed soon. (Magnum PR, 2023)
Headlining this unforgettable night of music and celebration are none other than the iconic Deadmau5, Wax Motif, and Tom & Collins. The event promises to deliver a sonic journey like no other, captivating the hearts and souls of attendees, and leaving them with memories to last a lifetime.
UME will take place at the picturesque Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, Texas, located at 33261 State Park Rd 100. This stunning beachfront location will provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night under the stars, surrounded by the beauty of the Gulf Coast.
In addition to the main event, UME organizers are planning an exciting pre-party to kick off the festivities. Details for the pre-party will be announced at a later date, anticipating even more excitement for EDM enthusiasts.
Paul Magee, founder of UME and CEO of Global Groove Events, expressed his excitement about bringing the event back to the Rio Grande Valley, saying, “We are absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Rio Grande Valley for UME 2024. UME has always been about uniting people through the power of music, and this year’s lineup is guaranteed to do just that. Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, community, and pure energy.”
Secure your tickets, starting at $50, for the Ultimate Music Experience online and prepare to embark on a journey through the sounds of EDM like never before.
Don’t miss out on the most anticipated electronic music event of the year. Get ready to unite and celebrate music under the stars at UME 2024!
UME is a premier electronic dance music event that brings together EDM fans from all over the world to celebrate the power of music and unity. Founded by Paul Magee and organized by Global Groove Events, UME is known for its spectacular lineups, breathtaking venues, and unforgettable experiences. UME 2024 promises to be the ultimate EDM event, featuring top-tier artists and regional talent, all set against the backdrop of South Padre Island, Texas.
‘The Bad Weather Friend’ will be released February 1, 2024. Photo: Amazon
International bestselling author Dean Koontz was only a senior in college when he won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition. Koontz is the author of several bestsellers, fourteen of which were #1, including “One Door Away from Heaven,” “From the Corner of His Eye,” and “What the Night Knows.” Rolling Stone has hailed him as “America’s most popular suspense novelist,” and his books have been published in thirty-eight languages and have sold over five hundred million copies worldwide. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, he now lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirits of their goldens Trixie and Anna. In his newest novel, “The Bad Weather Friend,” Benny is so nice they feel compelled to destroy him, but he has a friend who should scare the hell out of them. The breathtaking new thriller will be released February 1, 2024 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. (Amazon, 2024)
“The Bad Weather Friend” – Benny Catspaw’s perpetually sunny disposition is tested when he loses his job, his reputation, his fiancée, and his favorite chair. He’s not paranoid. Someone is out to get him. He just doesn’t know who or why. Then Benny receives an inheritance from an unknown uncle: a giant crate and a video message. All will be well in time.
How strange—though it’s a blessing, his uncle promises. Stranger yet is what’s inside the crate. He’s a seven-foot-tall self-described “bad weather friend” named Spike whose mission is to help people who are just too good for this world. Spike will take care of it. He’ll find Benny’s enemies. He’ll deal with them. This might be satisfying if Spike wasn’t such a menacing presence with terrifying techniques of intimidation.
In the company of Spike and a fascinated young waitress-cum-PI-in-training named Harper, Benny plunges into a perilous high-speed adventure, the likes of which never would have crossed the mind of a decent guy like him.
Alice and The Vampire Queen will be available on digital starting February 13, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Breaking Glass Pictures, a leading independent film distribution company based in Philadelphia, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with acclaimed writer-director Dan Lantz on the upcoming horror film Alice and The Vampire Queen. CEO Rich Wolff expresses excitement about working on multiple projects with Lantz, stating, “Dan’s unique vision and storytelling prowess continue to captivate audiences, and it has been a pleasure collaborating on multiple films with him.” Alice and the Vampire Queen will rise this February 13 on digital. (October Coast, 2024)
Directed by Dan Lantz, and starring Shelby Hightower, Graham Wolfe, Brenna Carnuccio, Rachel Aspen, Danielle Muehlen, Xavier Michael, Chris James Boylan, and Aaron Dalla Villa, the film centers around an ex-con, Alice Oldman, who struggles to overcome her past scars. A mysterious stranger offers her a deal: create one special dish for his boss, the Vampire Queen.
The film, the latest from director Lantz (Alpha Rift, Bloodrunners) had a successful limited theatrical run in 2023. Produced by Dan Lantz, Richard Wolff, and Susan Helfrich, it explores themes of resilience, transformation, and the power of choice as Alice confronts not only the external threats posed by the supernatural forces at play but also the internal demons she must conquer to forge her path to redemption.
The Carousel is Backstrom’s debut album. It is available now on Spotify. Photo: Backstrom, used with permission.
When it comes to music, I love all types of music. Well, almost all of them, but my favorite genre is rock. With the new year comes the release of new music by artists everywhere. Today I am pleased to announce a new release this month from Backstrom.
Backstrom is a Swedish songwriter in the genres of Folk, Country, and Rock. His debut album The Carousel (feat. Bart Topher) was released today. If you enjoy this type of music or just enjoy discovering new artists, consider this new release. Backstrom’s music is available on Spotify and you can follow the artist on Instagram. (Backstrom, 2024)
Get to know a little bit about Backstrom in this Q & A:
Question: Who are the band members and what do they play? Backstrom: Backstrom was initially the only “band member” or the songwriter. But I worked with a lot of great session musicians who played a huge role in this project and more or less became band members in the end. For this album, Bart Topher does vocals on eight songs and has also written three lyrics. Tommy Jones wrote three lyrics as well. Fransisco Paz plays all drums and percussion and helped out with a lot of instrumental production. Luca Giannotti plays a lot of guitars on the folk songs and also some bass. Kimberly Faith does harmonies on 6 songs. Hernan Ian plays guitars on the country songs. Maciek Szczyciński play most bass. And there’s a lot more who deserves credit in this project.
Q: Can you tell us anything about the recording process? B: I wrote the ground material in the winter season and started out by doing a simple demo myself of the songs during the spring – then I spent the rest of the year hiring different session musicians to improve the sound and instrumental quality of the songs. So the whole album is more or less done online and I’ve been sending files back and forth around the world. Gabe Wolf made a great contribution mixing and mastering the songs in the end.
Q: How and where did you get together? B: I hired all musicians through Fiverr.
Q: Have you played any notable gigs, festivals or other events? B: No, this is mostly about songwriting and not live performance.
Q: What are the band’s main influences? B: In general Leonard Cohen, Mark Lanegan but it stretches all the way from Townes Van Zandt to the Rolling Stones and beyond in some songs.
Q: Can you briefly describe what the song/each song is about? A: It’s not always a deep thought behind every line, it needs to sound good as well, and I prefer to leave the underlying interpretation to the listener!
Q: What are you most happy about with the record? A: I think we managed to get a quite unique sound, it doesn’t sound so much like anything else out there.
‘Karen the Origin Story’ is the second book in the Amish Sovereignty series by Andre Johnson. Photo: Andre Johnson, used with permission.
Literature and fiction does not always have to be so serious. Humor is essential to lighten life’s heavier moments, especially when dealing with history and everyday life. By now we have all heard of the term ‘Karen’ in modern slang. It usually refers to a middle class white woman who is seen as extraordinarily entitled or demanding. Today’s book highlight is “Karen the Origin Story” by Andre Johnson and it touches on that subject; it is available on Amazon. If you enjoy the lighter side of fiction, consider this humorous title by Andre Johnson.
Andre Johnson is the author of “Karen the Origin Story,” book 2 of 3 in the Amish Sovereignty series which also includes “Amish” and “Karen the Horror Story.”
“Karen the Origin Story” Noah and Anita are fraternal Amish twins. These twins and two of their friends go on their Rumspringa. While on Rumspringa, the group realizes that things are a little different and that they really like chili cheese fries. Midway though Rumspringa, they realize that they need to make a difference before going home. (Andre Johnson, 2024)
For anyone unfamiliar with Rumspringa, it is a rite of passage and period of growth for Amish young people during which they face fewer restrictions on their behavior and are not subject to the usual community norms. It usually begins at age 16 and ends when a youth chooses to either be baptized in the Amish church or leave the community. (Google)
SA Examiner 