The television adaptation of ‘Y: The Last Man’ is available on FX on Hulu. Photo: amazon
Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner and Harvey Award-Winning co-creator of many critically acclaimed comic books, including “Y: The Last Man,” Ex Machina, Runaways, and The Pride of Baghdad. A professional comics writer since his days as an undergraduate film student at New York University, Brian has written every major DC and Marvel character from Batman to X-Men. He has also written several screenplays, stage plays, and short stories. Pia Guerra has worked on various independent titles including the Bruiser, Sinnamon, Slip, Weird Business, Asylum, and a series of gaming manuals for White Wolf’s Masquerade, Changeling and Werewolf lines. In early 2001 Pia began working on Y: The Last Man written by Brian K. Vaughan. Since its release in July of 2002 response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive. Pia won the Shuster Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Artist of 2006 for her work on Y: The Last Man. “Y: The Last Man” was adapted into a post-apocalyptic drama television series and premiered September 13 on FX on Hulu. It stars Diane Lane, Ashely Romans, Ben Schnetzer, Olivia Thirlby, and Amber Tamblyn. (amazon, 2021)
“Y: The Last Man,” is the winner of three Eisner Awards and one of the most critically acclaimed, best-selling comic books series of the last decade. It is at once humorous, socially relevant and endlessly surprising. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and with art by Pia Guerra, this is the saga of Yorick Brown—the only human survivor of a planet-wide plague that instantly kills every mammal possessing a Y chromosome. Accompanied by a mysterious government agent, a brilliant young geneticist, and his pet monkey, Ampersand, Yorick travels the world in search of his lost love and the answer to why he is the last man on earth.
Starting this Sunday, Hopscotch guests can enjoy Salsa Sundays. Photo: Hopscotch, used with permission.
San Antonio’s popular immersive art gallery and lounge, Hopscotch, is bringing back Salsa Sundays just in time for fall. Every Sunday starting September 26, guests can visit Hopscotch to hear various live music acts. Latin Jazz artist Jose Amador will play at Hopscotch every other Sunday with his band NATIAO starting this weekend from 2p.m. to 5p.m. On alternating Sundays, guests will be able to hear live music from other groups and DJs. To stay up-to-date on the performance schedule, visitors can visit Hopscotch’s Instagram or new events page on their website. No cover or tickets needed. (Hopscotch, 2021)
El Remedio food truck will set up shop at Hopscotch – Starting in October, the popular local food truck El Remedio will be parked at Hopscotch’s patio from Thursdays through Sundays during Hopscotch’s regular hours. Guests can stop by the lounge and patio to grab a cocktail from the bar and try out some of El Remedio’s Instagram-worthy grub, like their Birria Tacos, Birria Ramen, Ceviche, and more. The truck, which has more than 55,000 Instagram followers, has quickly become a staple in the San Antonio food truck scene.
Southtown Vinyl Saturdays – DJ Freeverse / Southtown Vinyl will have a residency at Hopscotch and will spin every Saturday night in the lounge from 7p.m. to 10p.m. DJ Freeverse will also host a pop up shop each week with a small selection of unique vinyl for sale during his sets. There is no cover to attend.
Travis Park Plaza 711 Navarro, Suite 100 San Antonio, TX 78205
Salsa Sundays start this Sunday, September 26 and continue every week indefinitely from 2p.m. to 5p.m. El Remedio to start service at Hopscotch sometime in October and be open until sell out during
Hopscotch’s operating hours, which are as follows: Thursday, Friday & Sunday: Noon – 10p.m. Saturday: 11a.m. – 11p.m.
Southtown Vinyl Saturdays start this Saturday, September 25 and continue indefinitely from 7p.m. to 10p.m.
PARKING: Three-hour validated parking is discounted to $4 for all Hopscotch guests who park in the Travis Park Plaza Garage, which is adjacent to Hopscotch.
Hopscotch is an immersive and experiential brand that brings together artists in collaborative environments to create distinctive shared experiences. Co-founded by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, Hopscotch provides distinct experiences through the curation of local-centric, immersive, and experiential art. Hopscotch creates platforms for local, national and international artists to experiment with a wide spectrum of mediums and technology. Hopscotch’s aim is to elicit a sense of joy and wonder in the curated spaces, where guests may explore beyond their day to day reality. Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and cooperation with artists and their local communities. #LetsHopscotch
Half A Hundred Years is the new studio release from Asleep at the Wheel. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Founded in 1970, Asleep at the Wheel has been part of the American roots music landscape for more than fifty years. Although the band got its start on a farm in Paw Paw, West Virginia, Asleep at the Wheel became a cornerstone of the Austin, Texas, scene upon its arrival in 1973. Inspired by Western swing and honky-tonk country, the band has accrued ten Grammy Awards. In the fall, a career retrospective recorded with the current lineup and a few special guests will carry the band back onto the road, where they have remained a staple for five decades. (Asleep at the Wheel, 2021)
With a sneaky half-time groove and a slinky fiddle and guitar trade-off, America’s favorite Western Swing masters Asleep At The Wheel—and their special guest, the beloved Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Lyle Lovett—ease right into their new single, “There You Go Again.” Written just before the recording sessions for The Wheel’s new album Half A Hundred Years, “There You Go Again” is a feel-good, light-hearted jab at pretentiousness and all the silly ways it shows up in the writers’ lives, brought together with flourishes of fiddle and steel before crescendoing into a full-on New Orleans second line, walking back out the door as quickly as it came in. “I suppose it’s a song about pretentious people!” says The Wheel’s fearless ringleader Ray Benson of their new song. “My pal Lyle Lovett, one of the most unpretentious people I know, joined in and made it a very special track.” Fans can listen to “There You Go Again feat. Lyle Lovett” right now at this link and pre-order or pre-save Half A Hundred Years ahead of its October 1 release right here.
On October 15, Asleep At The Wheel will take the stage at Austin, Texas’ brand new Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park for a special guest-laden concert covering the band’s fruitful 50-year-long career. Asleep at the Wheel alumni returning for the event are singer Chris O’Connell, steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar, bassist Tony Garnier, multi-instrumentalist Danny Levin, pianists Floyd Domino and John Michael Whitby, fiddler Jason Roberts, and drummer David Sanger. Additionally, The Wheel is expecting a special guest or two who are not to be missed. Check out a preview of the concert at Austin 360 and purchase tickets for the October 15 show here.
Half A Hundred Years is a nineteen-track celebration of Asleep At The Wheel’s half-century-long career, filled out by several world-class friends of the band; a guest-list testament to Asleep at the Wheel’s reputation as a cornerstone of American music for the last 50 years. Greats like Willie Nelson, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Lee Ann Womack, and Lovett appear throughout Half A Hundred Years on a host of classic and destined-to-be-classic Western Swing and Country tunes. Additionally, three original members of Asleep at the Wheel—Chris O’Connell, Leroy Preston, and Lucky Oceans—returned after forty years to lend their voices and musicianship to several tracks on Half A Hundred Years. Ahead of the album release, CMT shared The Wheel’s take on the Bob Wills classic, “Take Me Back To Tulsa,” which features two more Texas icons, George Strait and Willie Nelson, and Rolling Stone premiered the album’s title track, saying, “Elevated by buoyant horns and singer Ray Benson’s drawling baritone, [“Half A Hundred Years”] is the ultimate road song.”
Half A Hundred Years Track list: Half A Hundred Years It’s The Same Old South feat. Chris O’Connell I Do What I Must feat. Leroy Preston There You Go Again feat. Lyle Lovett My Little Baby feat. Chris O’Connell Paycheck To Paycheck feat. Leroy Preston Word To The Wise feat. Bill Kirchen That’s How I Remember It feat. Chris O’Connell The Photo feat. Leroy Preston I Love You Most Of All (When You’re Not Here) feat. Lucky Oceans The Wheel Boogie Take Me Back To Tulsa feat. George Strait and Willie Nelson The Letter That Johnny Walker Read feat. Lee Ann Womack Bump Bounce Boogie Feat. Chris O’Connell, Elizabeth McQueen, & Katie Shore Miles And Miles Of Texas Get Your Kicks On Route 66 Feat. Leroy Preston, Johnny Nicholas, & Ray Benson Marie Feat. Willie Nelson Spanish Two Step Feat. Johnny Gimble And Jesse Ashlock The Road Will Hold Me Tonight Feat. Emmylou Harris And Willie Nelson
Jody Carroll performed at this year’s MerleFest. Photo: Jim Gavenus, used with permission.
MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially ended, but not without several unforgettable collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances at North Carolina’s beloved festival. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sturgill Simpson, and Mavis Staples all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage over the course of the weekend. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs. MerleFest will return to its usual spring weekend in 2022, April 28 to May 1. (MerleFest, 2021)
“Once again I want to thank all of our MerleFest family—artists, volunteers, staff, and fans—for their patience and support as we worked together to put on a safe and enjoyable festival that spotlighted the very best in roots-plus music. We’ve had a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces again in seven short months when MerleFest returns to its usual April weekend in 2022.” – Festival Director Ted Hagaman
The following are just a few of the weekend’s highlights. Thursday: The raucous Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ set on the Watson Stage kicked off the twice-postponed MerleFest. Los Texmaniacs joined Peter Rowan’s Free Mexican Airforce for a crossover set for the ages. Closing out the night on the Watson Stage were arguably the reigning queen and king of outlaw country, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson. Simpson performed with his new bluegrass band which consisted of his longtime drummer Miles Miller, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Mark Howard, and Elmer Burchett. Over the course of ninety minutes, Simpson revisited his wildly popular catalog of songs in this new string band format much to the delight of day one festival-goers.
Friday: With programming on all twelve of MerleFest’s diverse stages, Friday found the festival firing on all cylinders. Highlights included a genre-melding set from Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Sierra Ferrell’s much talked about Watson Stage MerleFest debut, a Scythian-fueled late night party at the Dance Stage, and a grand return of Derek Trucks’ and Susan Tedeschi’s Tedeschi Trucks Band—playing only their second show back in the saddle with the full twelve-piece band. The TTB classic “Midnight In Harlem” followed a hair-raising version of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “I Pity The Fool” to close out Friday’s main-stage programming to much delight from fans, new and old.
MerleFest’s 2020 & 2021 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest winners (full list below) were announced on Friday. After nearly 30 years, CASC is ending, and long-time contest coordinator and host, Jim Lauderdale, was honored Saturday for his over twenty years of shared expertise, enthusiasm, and engagement.
2020 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
First Place Winners
Gospel/Inspirational – Mark Atkinson (Charleston, W.Va.) – “Home”
Country – Sarah Jane Nelson (Nashville, Tenn.), Kenny Foster (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Sins of the Father”
General – Jomo Edwards (Austin, Texas) – “You Need It”
2021 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
First Place Winners
Gospel/Inspirational – Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Dear Lord”
Country – Ian Meadows (Higganum, Conn.), Dustin Meadows (Old Saybrook, Conn.) – “Trouble”
Bluegrass – Andrew Small (Floyd, Va.) – “Yesterday’s Blues”
General – Shay Martin Lovette (Boone, N.C.) – “For Rose Marie”
Saturday: The Waybacks delighted music fans by honoring the late great John Prine, playing his self-titled album from front to back. MerleFest favorite Sam Bush joined the band, as did Jim Lauderdale and members of Shinyribs and Barefoot Movement. Watson Stage headliners Shovels & Rope had fans on their feet, dancing into the night with their own blend of low country Americana. Afterward, Shinyribs hosted the annual Late Night Jam. Themed “Gulf Breeze: Songs of the Third Coast,” the after-hours concert featured a rotating cast of all-star artists, entertaining music fans into the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Sunday: The morning kicked off with a special performance from the Band Contest Winner, Into The Fog. Tupelo, Mississippi-based Paul Thorn took music fans to church with MerleFest’s annual Gospel Hour at the Creekside Stage. Midday, Oh Boy Records recording artist Kelsey Waldon sang her truth on the Cabin Stage and Mavis Staples rocked the Watson Stage with her classic mix of gospel and rock ‘n roll. Speaking of rock ‘n roll, rock royalty Melissa Etheridge closed the festival and brought music fans to their feet for the final set of the weekend.
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its thirteen stages during the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.
Key West Film Festival announces the Diana King Memorial Fund in partnership with the King Family Foundation. Photo: google
The Key West Film Festival and The Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation are pleased to announce the creation of the Diana King Memorial Fund, in memory of the Foundation’s founder and longtime President and Chair, an outstanding philanthropist recognized for her commitment to educational opportunities in film, television and other media, who passed away in 2019. The five-year grant from the Foundation, beginning with the 10th Anniversary of the Key West Film Festival November 17-21, 2021, will support Key West Film Festival’s annual celebration of film and filmmakers, as well as student film awards and educational initiatives. (Key West Film Festival, 2021)
“We are beyond grateful for this generous grant from the King Family Foundation. Creativity is alive and thriving through the challenges of the past year – we have seen it in this year’s surplus of film submissions. The Diana King Memorial Fund will help us ensure we can celebrate film, education and student filmmakers for years to come.” – Key West Film Festival Chairman, Brooke Christian
Diana King grew up in the world of television, a daughter of the late Charles King (who founded King World Productions in 1964) and his wife Lucille King. King World became the leading distributor of television syndicated programming in the United States, including such iconic series as The Little Rascals, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! The Oprah Winfrey Show, Inside Edition, and Dr. Phil. Diana began working in the accounting department of the family business in 1972, and at the time of King World’s acquisition by the CBS Corporation in 2000 served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director.
Diana established the Foundation in 1988 to support individuals and organizations committed to educational excellence and professional development, in film, television, and other media. During her 30-year tenure as Board Chair and President, the Foundation awarded hundreds of scholarships to students with a focus in film, television and related media/communications studies at colleges and universities around the country, in many instances to individuals who would have been financially unable to continue their studies without this assistance. In addition, the Foundation has functioned as a longtime sponsor of programs at several leading cultural and educational institutions around the country.
Honoring creativity, diversity, sustainability and beauty, the Key West Film Festival is an annual celebration of film and filmmakers set to take place November 17-21, 2021. A diverse, entertaining, and artistically rigorous selection of films will be represented through a broad array of categories that offer opportunities for filmmakers, both aspiring and established, to commune and exchange ideas while showing their work to audiences in an historic and artistically vibrant tropical paradise.
Early James releases Dan Auerbach-produced 7-inch featuring ‘Tumbleweed’ and ‘Mama Can Be My Valentine.’ Photo: google
Early James, an Alabama native, released his debut album, Singing For My Supper, via Easy Eye Sound and Nonesuch Records on March 13, 2020. The album spans hard-charging blues, wistful folk, and ages-old pop crooning, anchored by the singer’s voice that alternates from gravel-gruff shout to a honey-smooth whisper. James’ inspirations run from Fiona Apple and Tom Waits to the Southern gothic poets, as heard in the album’s darker themes and in the wry humor with which he writes about them. He recently released the Dan Auerbach-produced 7-inch featuring “Tumbleweed” and “Mama Can Be My Valentine.” (Early James, 2021)
“Don’t got no tattoos cause Grandma knew it’d keep you out of heaven,” sings the prolific, eclectic, and flat-out entertaining singer and songwriter Early James in the opening line of his newly released tune, “Tumbleweed.” Further cementing the Americana blend of styles and sounds he has becoming known for, “Tumbleweed” finds James delivering quick, gravelly verses over a jovial fingerstyle guitar part, exploring an idea he describes as “patting yourself on the back while getting pickpocketed.” Finding a song under a previously unturned stone or in the quickness of a passing thought is, his unique vocal delivery notwithstanding, James’s calling card, and “Tumbleweed” is very much on brand.
“‘Tumbleweed’ is about how you’re always kind of in this limbo of thinking you’re smarter than your older self while falling for someone’s new bullshit at the same time,” says James in his profoundly straightforward way. “Tumbleweed” and its b-side, “Mama Can Be My Valentine” are holdover tunes from James’s 2020 debut, Singing For My Supper, produced by Dan Auerbach and released via his Easy Eye Sound label. After a full year of touring was canceled, the tracks were shelved, but are now available digitally at this link and in 7-inch vinyl format through independent record stores, the Easy Eye Sound online store, and at all Early James tour stops. A complete tour schedule is available online.
“Mama Can Be My Valentine,” which fills up side two of this new release on Easy Eye Sound, leans a hair more Bakersfield country, grooving and swirling forward as James lists off his ideal “type” of a yet-unattainable lover. The refrain— “Until then, Mama can be my valentine”—came about out of hilarious necessity. “I didn’t have any songs about Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day so I killed two birds with one stone,” James recalls. Overall, the one-two punch of “Tumbleweed” and “Mama Can Be My Valentine” are a natural extension of the songs from Singing For My Supper, both different examples of just how well James can weave together a story and deliver it with his commanding, earnest voice. “Some people are good singers,” says The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who decided he needed to produce the singer’s debut album at his Easy Eye Sound studio after watching just two seconds of a video of him performing. “And some people are better than good singers, they just have this great form of expression.” That expression which James possesses is on full display with his new 7-inch release and will officially be getting the live treatment on a healthy run of tour dates with The Lone Bellow this fall.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Catch Early James On Tour: October 10 – Wildwood Revival – Arnoldsville, GA October 14 – Proud Larry’s – Oxford, MS # October 16 – Standard Deluxe Fall Boogie – Waverly, AL November 4 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN * November 5 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI * November 6 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI * November 7 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL * November 8 – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI * November 10 – Taft Theatre – Cincinnati, OH * November 11 – Asbury Hall Babeville – Buffalo, NY * November 12 – Center for the Arts of Homer – Homer, NY * November 13 – Gateway City Arts – Holyoke, MA * November 14 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA * November 16 – Webster Hall – New York, NY * November 17 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA * November 18 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – Troy, NY * November 19 – Vogel Theatre – Red Bank, NJ * November 20 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC * November 21 – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC *
India’s premier stoner doom rockers Bevar Sea signs with Metal Assault Records. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Metal Assault Records is thrilled to announce its first international signing. India stoner/doom metal band Bevar Sea joins the Metal Assault Records roster. Stalwarts of the Indian stoner doom scene for well over a decade in addition to carrying a solid fanbase internationally within the heavy underground, Bevar Sea has inked a multi-album deal with Metal Assault Records and will release the band’s third full-length studio album, The Timeless Zone, in early 2022. Album pre-orders will be launched in Fall 2021. (Metal Assault Records, 2021)
On signing Bevar Sea, Metal Assault Records owner Andrew Bansal states: “This one is special, and close to home (literally). When I briefly moved from Los Angeles to India in 2012-13, little did I know that I’d get to discover this amazing band. I happened to attend a gig in Mumbai wherein I got to see Bevar Sea live for the first time. It was their debut album release show and they left an indelible impression on me with their musicianship and performance that night. I made sure to attend as many of their shows as I could, particularly the ones in their hometown of Bangalore. Even after moving back to the US in 2013, I kept track of Bevar Sea’s progress and stayed in touch with the band members. Fast forward to 2021, they are now signed to my label and I could not be more excited!”
Bevar Sea issued the following statement in celebration of their signing with Metal Assault Records. “Having managed the first two releases ourselves and having seen where most of our fans and orders come from, we looked out for a North America or Europe based label to release The Timeless Zone, essentially to fix some of the issues we’ve had with worldwide distribution and logistics, and also to allow us to focus more on the music itself. We’ve known Andrew as a friend and a fan for many years, and quick trivia, he was also our manager for a short while back in 2012, so his label and its diverse roster is an ideal match for us for this album and beyond.”
Established in 2008, Bevar Sea roared into the live scene in 2011. The following year, their eponymous album was released and earned them rave reviews worldwide along with the title of “Best Emerging Act” at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards India. Bevar Sea also snapped up a performance slot at the coveted Maryland Deathfest in 2013. Their debut album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Billy Anderson. The enthralling 45-min hook-ladened stoner/doom experience quickly garnered the band a firm reputation among fans in their country and internationally. Album track “Abishtu” which tells the story of a serial killer out for hipster blood and on the run from the law quickly became a live show favorite among fans while the 14-min track “Mono Gnome” about a short-statured man and his love for a witch turned out to be the pick in the doom circles.
Bevar Sea followed up their debut album with Invoke the Bizarre in 2015. Drifting into new sonic territories, the band recorded at a breakneck pace over 10 days at Adarsh Recording Studio to complete the album. Mixing and mastering duties were managed by Matt Lynch (LA’s Mysterious Mammal Recording, also from the incredible band Snail). Invoke the Bizarre was well received by music media and fans alike for its intricate song arrangements, unique story-telling and mature, well-rounded execution. Now, five years after releasing Invoke the Bizarre Bangalore’s Bevar Sea utilized the Covid-19 imposed lockdown as an opportunity to regroup and begin working on their third studio album, The Timeless Zone. Against backdrop of enigmatic lyrics portraying a tryst with the consciousness of man during a period of deep introspection; The Timeless Zone pays homage to the glory years of the 70s and 80s hard rock era while keeping things heavy handed in a gloomy haze of gnarly guitar riffs, raspy vocals, and apocalyptic fuzz. Expect even more crushing from Bevar Sea amidst the arrival of The Timeless Zone slated for release early 2022 on Metal Assault Records.
Bevar Sea The Timeless Zone lineup (2021): Ganesh Krishnaswamy – Vocals Srikanth Panaman – Guitars Michael Talreja – Guitars Avinash Ramchander – Bass
The Timeless Zone track listing: 1. The Timeless Zone 2. Alpha None 3. Sterilise The Divide 4. The Circle 5. Kiss The Sigh 6. Cadaver Awake
The Timeless Zone. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
After nearly eighteen months of pandemic imposed shutdowns, the return of local concerts has come roaring back to life. On Friday September 17, 2021 Dayton, Ohio’s sludge metal doom-bringers Close the Hatch will descend upon Columbus, Ohio for an unforgettable performance at Ruby Tuesday Live.
Presented by Epitome of Stupidity Podcast and Ebony Jeanette PR, the evening will feature Close the Hatch alongside special guests Insidiant (rock/metal) NovaGrave (doom), and Waste of White (alt-metal). Tickets are $8. Doors open at 6p.m.
“This show has been in the works for well over a year and through a pandemic. Happy to finally get it on the books and play some loudness with everyone! There’ll be something for basically everyone, doom, sludge, rock metal the whole nine yards! The virus still blows but come enjoy some good tunes with us!” – Clint Stockham of Epitome of Stupidity Podcast.
Cassidy Mann released ‘Election Night,’ her first single with the label. Photo: google
Award-winning songwriter and recording artist Donovan Woods and his long-time manager Michelle Szeto have just announced the launch of their brand new label, End X Music (End Times Music), distributed via The Orchard, and the border-straddling Toronto and Nashville-based imprint is wasting no time loading their roster with inspiring new talent. End X Music’s first signed artist is Cassidy Mann, who just released “Election Night”—her first single with the label. Written by tweaking melodies with co-producer Roman Clarke (Taylor Janzen, Olivia Lunny), “Election Night” captures the intense awakening and transformation that many people experienced over the four years of the prior U.S. presidency. Please visit this link to watch Mann’s “Election Night” visualizer or click here to stream or purchase “Election Night” today. (End X Music, 2021)
Szeto recalls the moment End X Music’s first signing fell into place: “Since Donovan and I started working together over 5 years ago, the idea of sharing what we’ve learned and the relationships we’ve built with another artist has always thrilled us,” she says. “We never questioned the hard work that would come with it, but rather, we didn’t think we would ever agree on an artist. When we independently came across Cassidy and sent her music to one another, it was a coincidence we couldn’t ignore. Cassidy’s songwriting and production skills are beyond her years, and we’ve been endlessly impressed with her creative instincts.”
Entwining her acoustic roots with gentle electronic textures, Cassidy Mann often reshapes a small moment into a powerful and poetic song that feels both personal and relatable. “My favorite thing is to write about tiny things that make the bigger picture more important somehow.” Mann says. The lyrics of “Election Night” focus on a couple that moved beyond just friends that night but ultimately ended as strangers. “Trump’s Presidency was hell for a lot of people and you hear about that a lot, especially from a political standpoint,” says Mann. “I think it’s a really important conversation, but throughout all of it, I was also craving the more intimate stories. I wanted to explore the idea of how the whole overarching narrative of that time affected people’s personal relationships.
Growing up in the Prairies of Winnipeg, Mann has been singing since she could talk. Her parents bought her a guitar as a birthday present when she was 9. By 14, she started taking songwriting more seriously and her emerging talent led to a nomination for Aboriginal Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.
More about End X Music: The core of End Times’ mission is transparency and adaptability. In the world of streaming, the data is available. Artists should understand their expenses and their earnings as well as anyone they work with. It allows us to interpret and react to how, why, and where songs are being discovered. There are many pathways to success, and success looks different to everyone. Every artist and every project is unique and artists should be confident that the team built around them is being created thoughtfully and purposefully in service of their individuality. We will focus on songwriters, regardless of genre, and work together to make their music valuable by getting it to people who will use it and love it.
Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller Lite TM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season. Photo: google
On Thursday, September 9, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller LiteTM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hills & Dales Ice House. Glazer’s Beer & Beverage is a proud distribution partner for Miller Lite, the only beer of the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to enjoying the game and a round of beers, Cowboys fans can partake in hourly drawings from 4p.m. to 7p.m. for a chance to win prizes including tickets to a future Cowboys game, a Miller Lite Cowboys OtterBox Cooler, a Drew Pearson Hall of Fame Standee and more. In addition, fans can enjoy photo opportunities with former Dallas Cowboys star Charles Hailey’s five Super Bowl trophies that will be on display. (Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, 2021)
Hills & Dales Ice House 15403 White Fawn Dr. San Antonio, TX 78255
Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC (GBB) is one of the nation’s most distinguished beverage distributors, serving over 10,000 retail accounts across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Since 1933, Glazer’s has been involved in the beer distribution business, eventually forming Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC, which remains a family-owned and operated business. GBB is committed to building brands, outstanding customer service, delivering strong performance and an inspiring culture. GBB represents over 60 brewing partners and numerous nonalcoholic brands and energy drinks, selling over 30 million cases annually.
SA Examiner 