From Prairie DIY to Montréal Grit: The Uncompromising Rise of Truck Violence

Truck Violence’s new album The weathervane is my body is out now. Photo: Matthew Van Dystadt-Aguiar, used with permission.

Truck Violence Returns with Unforgiving DIY Triumph: The weathervane is my body

Canada’s Truck Violence howls through the harsh edges of hardcore and folk, delivering a final sound that is both deeply comforting and fiercely confrontational. Their second full-length record, The weathervane is my body, is an attempt to answer—an attempt at conciliation through refusal. (another side, 2026)

It is available now, featuring the standout single and album closer, “Kindly, wash yourself.”


From Prairie Towns to City Streets

After relocating from the Alberta prairies to Montréal at just seventeen years old, guitarist and banjoist Paul Lecours and singer-poet Karsyn Henderson navigated the massive shift from rural isolation to urban intensity.

  • Small-town roots: The pair grew up in a town of just 600 people, graduating in a class of nine.
  • Early DIY spirit: By age fifteen, they were running a local studio and radio station with no industry support, no infrastructure, and no template—only the work itself and the conviction that it was worth doing.
  • Expanding the sound: Drawing influence from punk, shoegaze, and sludge, their distinctive identity emerged from years of experimentation. Upon arriving in Montréal, Chris Clegg (bass) and Thomas Hart (percussion) joined to build Truck Violence from the ground up.

Uncompromising, In-House Execution

The weathervane is my body is the culmination of that entire journey. The group composition, recording, mixing, and visual media were all produced completely in-house without outside intervention. Here, DIY is not an aesthetic choice or a marketing angle—it is the only honest option available.

The album serves as an expansion of the angry statement of purpose launched in their debut album, Violence, which Pitchfork hailed as “never predictable or formulaic.” Rooted in noise rock and post-hardcore traditions, the new record stands immediate, self-determined, and uncompromising.


The Vision Behind the Cover Art

Shot on film by the band on Avenue du Parc in Montréal, the album cover captures the record’s entire thesis in a single frame:

A figure perches atop a small Québécois-style house, hand-built from reclaimed materials—spine curved, legs pulled in, bare-backed against a skyline that dwarfs everything beneath it. A rural thing dropped into the grit of the city: small, out of place, and refusing to disappear. Naked and defenseless, open to every stimulus the world delivers.

The weathervane is my body, track list:

  1. My dog would fuck the air
  2. Jaundiced and reaching for a mother
  3. Compelled by Christy
  4. House caught fire
  5. New Jesus
  6. Your name, It’s walking
  7. Stomach as a tower and the globules descending
  8. Gerard, be quiet
  9. Kindly, wash yourself

Catch Truck Violence Live

Truck Violence will be touring across North America this fall and winter.

Courtesy photo

The Judy Blume Adaptation Comes Home: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Digital Release Guide

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret will be available on 4K and digital release on August 25. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Heads to 4K & Digital This August

Great news for movie lovers and Judy Blume fans alike: Lionsgate has announced the 4K + Digital release of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. on August 25. (EG PR, 2026)

Whether you’re revisiting a favorite story or discovering it for the first time, this acclaimed coming-of-age comedy-drama is ready to join your digital home library.

🎬 The Movie

Synopsis

In this adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey, navigating the tumultuous throes of puberty alongside new friends in a new school.

She relies on her mom (Rachel McAdams), who is also adjusting to life outside the big city, and her loving, vibrant grandmother (Kathy Bates). A timeless coming-of-age story, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. sparkles with humor while tackling life’s biggest questions.

“Margaret sparkles with humor while exploring life’s biggest questions.”

Movie Details

AttributeDetails
GenreComedy, Drama
RatingPG-13
Release DateAugust 25 (Lionsgate 4K + Digital)
Running Time105 minutes
CastRachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, Kathy Bates
Directed byKelly Fremon Craig
Written byKelly Fremon Craig (based on the book by Judy Blume)
Produced byJames L. Brooks, Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume

Where to Stream & Watch

Available on major digital platforms, including:

  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Apple TV
  • Fandango
  • Google Play
  • YouTube

📀 4K + Digital Technical Specs & Special Features

  • Format: 16×9 (1.85:1) Presentation
  • Audio: English Dolby Atmos; Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital; French 5.1 Dolby Digital; English Descriptive Audio
  • Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Exclusive Special Features:

  • Finally That Time: Making Margaret
  • Are You There Margaret? It’s Me, Judy
  • The Secret Crew Club: Margaret and Friends
  • Bringing the Period to Life: Designing Margaret
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Key West Roundtable
  • From Book to Screen: Margaret Comes To Life
  • Bras, Bellbottoms, and Bikinis: Creating Costumes
  • Judy Reads Margaret
  • Theatrical Trailer
Photo: Lionsgate


📚 The Classic Novel

Book Synopsis

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She’s just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends—Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

But none of them can believe Margaret doesn’t have religion, and that she isn’t going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don’t know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything—family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush.

Margaret is funny, real, and relatable. As you read her story, you’ll know why this book has been a beloved favorite for generations of readers.

About the Author: Judy Blume

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the exact same thing, but writing them down on paper.

With over 75 million copies of her books sold across 26 languages, Blume is the celebrated author behind classics like Superfudge, Blubber, Forever, Wifey, and Summer Sisters. She holds a B.S. in Education from New York University and was honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement by the American Library Association.



International Pop Star SHAB Returns with Electric New ‘Perfume’ Remix

The rapidly charting anthem returns with a fresh, dance-floor ready reimagining. Photo: Miller PR, used with permission.

SHAB Returns with High-Energy “Perfume” Remix Following Billboard & Dance Radio Success

LOS ANGELES, CA — Following the industry embrace of her latest single and music video, “Perfume,” international pop artist SHAB returns with an exciting new remix, giving the glamorous pop anthem a fresh, high-energy twist. (Miller PR, 2026)

“Perfume (Remix)” is now available on all major streaming platforms, alongside the official music video for the original version on YouTube.

A Fresh Twist on a Fan Favorite

Originally written by SHAB alongside A-list songwriters Bonnie McKee and JHart, “Perfume” blends contemporary pop production with subtle Persian influences, celebrating confidence, femininity, and self-expression.

The new remix, which was the most-added song to U.S. dance radio during its first week of release, transforms the track into an energetic, dancefloor-ready experience while preserving the infectious melodies and playful spirit that made the original resonate with fans.

Accompanied by an innovative and fashion-forward music video, the remix offers listeners a fresh way to experience one of SHAB’s standout releases.

“Perfume has always been about confidence, fun, and embracing who you are,” says SHAB. “I loved hearing the song take on a completely new energy with this remix. It brings a different side of the record to life, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Building Global Momentum

This release continues SHAB’s momentum following three Billboard and Mediabase Top 40 chart appearances over the last nine months. Hits like “It’s On You,” “Lipstick,” and “Skin & Bones – VIP” have further established her as one of pop’s most exciting independent artists.

About SHAB

SHAB is an international pop artist who has captivated audiences with her powerful story of escaping Iranian fundamentalism as a refugee to become an acclaimed global entertainer.

With her unique blend of Middle Eastern, pop, and electronic influences, SHAB’s rise to fame has been marked by critical acclaim and a rapidly growing fanbase—boasting over 25 million YouTube views and 13 million Spotify streams.

Career Highlights & Achievements:

  • Tours: Four tours across Europe & the UK, plus a critically acclaimed 2025 U.S. national tour with The Wanted.
  • Press Features: Highlights in Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Marie Claire, FHM, Hot Press, and Wonderland.
  • Recent Releases: Her 2025 double album, One Suitcase, and her first U.S. pop radio hits, including “Lipstick” and “Voodoo” (a collaboration with hip-hop legend Fat Joe).

Advocacy & Giving Back

In addition to her musical success, SHAB is a passionate advocate for refugees and women’s rights. Serving as an ambassador for the UK-based charity Choose Love, SHAB is donating all of her profits from purchases of the One Suitcase album to support displaced people around the world. Her advocacy is deeply personal, rooted in her lived experience as a refugee, and aligns with her mission to empower others through both her music and humanitarian work.


Genghis Tron Announces New Album ‘Signal Fire’: Everything You Need to Know

Genghis Tron releases long-awaited new album Signal Fire. Photo: Aaron Jones, used with permission.

Genghis Tron Return to Face the Present on Signal Fire

For almost two decades, Genghis Tron bandleaders Michael Sochynsky and Hamilton Jordan have gazed into the future and imagined what the world would look like after the extinction of our species. It’s an outcome that has long troubled, but also inspired, them to steer the pioneering outfit in breaking new ground with each successive release, moving from the genre-smashing electro-grind of 2008’s Board Up the House to the lush, pummeling hypnosis of 2021’s Dream Weapon. (another side, 2026)

Now, with their fourth full-length album, Signal Fire—co-produced and mixed by Seth Manchester (Model/Actriz, Battles, Big Brave)—Genghis Tron awakens us from the post-apocalyptic daydreams of their previous work with a violent, and most welcome, shove.

This time, the distant-future reveries give way to an unsettling awareness of the present we’re actually living, as our circumstances grow too pressing to try and escape.

Signal Fire envisions a Kojima-esque dystopia of endless proxy warfare, where the deluge of available information has outmoded the human ability to parse it. A world where those amoral, shameless, and cunning enough can literally reshape the reality at their whim through sheer insistence.”

Tony Wolski, vocalist and lyricist

A Visceral Evolution

Roaring onto the scene in 2004 with a uniquely demented blend of extreme metal, synthesizer textures, and drum-machine madness, Genghis Tron are no strangers to making a forceful impression. But Signal Fire marks the first time the band—joined again by Wolski and Nick Yacyshyn (SUMAC) on drums, plus newcomer Kenny Szymanski (The Armed) on bass—has captured this level of urgency with such visceral precision.

Through their contributions to 2021’s Dream Weapon, Wolski and Yacyshyn (who joined the band in 2020, replacing former vocalist Mookie Singerman and the band’s drum machine) had already proven themselves to be indispensable to the full realization of Genghis Tron’s vision.

Refining the Craft

Twenty years into their career, having proven their ability to forge common ground between Ministry and Aphex Twin, between Brutal Truth and Boards Of Canada, and between Cluster and Converge, ugly-beautiful new genre hybrids from Genghis Tron no longer come as a surprise.

What’s remarkable, however, is how Sochynsky and Jordan have taken a project that started in 2004 as a dorm-room genre-pastiche experiment, “a chaotic, wild amalgamation of all our favorite stuff, literally slammed together,” says Jordan, and refined their songwriting craft to deliver a sound that is unmistakably their own.

Sochynsky and Jordan acknowledge that their approach to songwriting is, at its core, the same it has always been: trading ideas, whether on synths, programmed beats, or guitars. The crucial difference? Genghis Tron now sounds like an actual band.

On Signal Fire, Genghis Tron has never sounded more unhinged, more alive, and more free to continue upending everyone’s expectations in service of making compelling music.


Signal Fire track list:

  1. I Am All
  2. Signal Fire
  3. Future Worship
  4. Like Fotocrom
  5. Tomorrow Mirage
  6. Nothing Blooms in the Hollow
  7. Without Form
  8. Born Prey
  9. A Love So Pure
  10. New Gods

Emma Ruth Rundle Announces New Album ‘These Killing Times’

Emma Ruth Rundle debuts ‘Enough’ video/single. Photo: Mason Rose, used with permission.

Emma Ruth Rundle Announces New Album These Killing Times, Drops Scathing Single “Enough”

Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, poet, and multidisciplinary artist Emma Ruth Rundle has officially announced her sixth full-length studio album, These Killing Times, set for release on September 18 via her own imprint, Errant Child. (another side, 2026)

Alongside the announcement, Rundle debuted the cutting lead single, “Enough.”

Listen: “Enough”

“Enough” showcases Rundle’s signature ability to fuse gentleness with intensity. Opening with a hypnotic drum rhythm courtesy of Jess Gowrie (Chelsea Wolfe), the track is driven by a deep-toned acoustic guitar riff that offers a deceptive sense of calm.

As Rundle’s voice enters, a distinct note of optimism swells during the increasingly impassioned choruses, ultimately building to a crushing heaviness featuring a tormented saxophone performance by Patrick Shiroishi. It is a track that offers comfort, even as its underlying message proves scathing.

‘Enough’ is inspired by ‘The Man Who Sold The World’—and in a retelling of the story of Elijah, we imagine him as an Elon Musk-type figure. We ask: is not the whole world enough? We ask the many gods to unleash vengeance and carry this man away into the angry sky, piece by piece.

This song is a reflection of the times we live in and is a vision for the dispensation of the billionaire class. The world belongs to all beings.” — Emma Ruth Rundle


The Music Video

Conceived by Rundle in collaboration with artists Mason Rose, Blake Armstrong, and Mitch Wells, the accompanying music video for “Enough” showcases a stark gothic theatricality.

Evoking an atmosphere as if Nosferatu had landed in the world of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson—a major visual influence for the record—the video depicts Rundle haunted by a creature known as “The Companion.” The dark, romantic visuals are further heightened by a series of frames reminiscent of classic stop-motion animation.


About These Killing Times

Electrifying, emotional, and charged with anti-patriarchal feminist rage, These Killing Times arrives as a reactive anthology, bristling, full of life, and rooted in resistance. Pre-Order/Pre-Save here.

While the new record possesses a spirit of defiance, it retains the tenderness, rawness, and vulnerability that resonated with so many on her globally acclaimed 2021 album, Engine of Hell.

These Killing Times marks a return to a full-band setup, creating a sonically powerful accompaniment to Rundle’s more direct vocal style. The album’s instrumentation is brighter and more urgent than ever before, featuring an impressive lineup of collaborators:

  • Jess Gowrie (Chelsea Wolfe, Mrs. Piss) – Drums
  • Troy Zeigler – Percussion / Collaboration
  • Patrick Shiroishi – Saxophone
  • Nick Reinhart (Tera Melos)
  • Gina Gleason (Baroness)
  • Marissa Nadler
  • Lukas Frank (Storefront Church)
  • Amelia Baker (Cinder Well)

Longtime collaborator Sonny Diperri (My Bloody Valentine, Trent Reznor), who has worked with Rundle across multiple releases over the last decade, returned to record the album.


Community Over Isolation

Written as Rundle watched from afar the devastating effects of climate disasters unfold in early 2025, she reflected on the root causes of global catastrophes and made a conscious choice to lean toward hope. Where outside forces tempted her toward isolation, she reached outward to create a project that acknowledges pain while offering community and resilience in response.

I wanted to feel fortified by friendships and to be in community with other musicians—to make something that pushed back against the isolation,” Rundle shares.

These Killing Times confronts questions of intention, systemic capitalism, the rise of Christian nationalism, and political discourse. Yet running alongside the anguish is love—acting as a balm, a tonic, and a means of escape.

Outside of her music discography, Rundle continues her work as an established visual artist and author, following the 2025 release of her debut poetry collection, The Bella Vista (Unnamed Press).


Fall Tour Dates Announced

Emma Ruth Rundle will hit the road this autumn for a full-band headlining tour across North America in support of These Killing Times, kicking off in November. Cinder Well will support all headlining dates.

The headlining run follows Rundle’s solo support tour alongside All Them Witches throughout October.


These Killing Times track list:
1 – Powerless
2 – God’s Picture
3 – Anvil
4 – Catherine Wheel
5 – Don’t Delay Heaven
6 – Enough
7 – Human Kindness
8 – Oceans of Time


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DJ Qualls Battles the Undead in Lionsgate’s New Horror Thriller ‘Turning Point’

Turning Point will be available On Demand and Digital on August 25. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.

Movie Premiere: DJ Qualls Stars in the High-Stakes Horror Thriller Turning Point

If you’re looking for a horror movie that refuses to play by the rules, Turning Point deserves an immediate spot on your watchlist. Fusing the nail-biting suspense of a home invasion thriller with the relentless chaos of a zombie outbreak, it delivers edge-of-your-seat tension from start to finish.

Every knock at the door and every shadow could spell disaster, creating a gripping atmosphere that never lets up. Packed with intense action, unexpected twists, and high-stakes survival, Turning Point offers horror fans a fresh, adrenaline-fueled experience that stands out in a crowded genre.

A Simple Heist Becomes an Absolute Nightmare

Directed and written by Joshua Wagner, Turning Point is a claustrophobic, high-tension thriller coming directly to Digital and On Demand courtesy of Lionsgate. (EG PR, 2026)

The story follows two thieves trapped inside a house with a mutating victim. To stay alive, they must rely on a bizarre neighbor in a race against time before they become the monster’s next meal.

“There is danger in the night, but the true terror is inside the house.”

Official Synopsis

Margot and her partner-in-crime break into a home, only to find themselves locked inside with the owner, who is in the middle of transitioning into a zombie. They must find a way out before they become the ghoul’s first victims. Their only hope for survival is a bizarre neighbor with expert knowledge of the undead and the lingering flicker of humanity in their mutating stalker.

Cast & Crew

  • DJ Qualls as “Casper” (Road Trip, Hustle & Flow, The Man in the High Castle)
  • Jillian Lee Garner
  • Mike Apple
  • Shane Brady (Ballers, Synchronic, Doctor Sleep)
  • Lydia Hearst (The Haunting of Sharon Tate, Z Nation, Slayers)
  • Sanchita Malik (Happy Anniversary, Love, Escape the Night)

Film Specifications

DetailInformation
TitleTurning Point
Street DateAugust 25, 2026
Release FormatVideo on Demand / Electronic Sell-Through (Lionsgate)
GenreThriller / Zombie Horror
RatingR (Violent content, gore, language, and some drug use)
Running Time87 minutes
Director & WriterJoshua Wagner

Turning Point still. Photo: Lionsgate

Milwaukee Trio Snag Is One of Modern DIY Hardcore’s Most Unique Voices

Snag shares music video for new LP album opener ‘Unarrest Me.’ Photo: Samer Ghani, used with permission.

Heavy Emo with a Purpose: Milwaukee’s Snag Returns with All The Cages Holding Us Will One Day Turn To Dust

Since their formation in 2016, Milwaukee trio Snag has quietly carved out their own unique space in the DIY underground. They have quickly become a favorite of listeners hungry for emotional hardcore that delivers far more than just aimless chaos. (another side, 2026)

On All The Cages Holding Us Will One Day Turn To Dust—the band’s third LP and first for Deathwish Inc.—Snag continues to develop their signature brand of heavy emo, expanding melodically and texturally without losing an ounce of their edge.


Turning Inward: Personal Struggles and Physical Cages

While Snag’s lyrical approach has historically focused on broader, universal themes like climate anxiety and apocalyptic dread, All the Cages… shows the band looking inward. Many of the tracks draw heavily on the members’ personal experiences with chronic illness and mental health obstacles.

The central motif of cages weaves its way throughout the record. On the album opener, “Unarrest Me,” the cage is literal: a physical jail cell.

“The song is a POV of a wrongful arrest—the confusion, the panic, and the sheer inhuman reaction from the arrester. This song musically tells an eerie story within itself. It sets off on a journey and ends abruptly at its peak.”

Samm Szymborski (Guitarist/Vocalist)

Bassist and vocalist Peter Murphy emphasizes the visual and thematic story behind the track’s music video:

“The concept for the video is ‘collective liberation through mutual aid.’ The symbols of zip ties and blindfolds against flashlights and sprints put a finer point on the idea that every free person can help free another person.”


Music as an Action Plan

From the very beginning, acting on their message has been central to Snag’s ethos. Their lyrics aren’t just art, they are invitations to active involvement.

  • The Self-Titled LP: Came packaged with a lyric sheet, a book of matches, and an envelope of seeds encouraging listeners to grow habitats for pollinators.
  • All the Cages…: Features a partnership with the Florida-based organization Wire of Hope. The record includes individually labeled envelopes addressed to inmates, inviting listeners to become prison pen pals.

“The logic that says a corporation can destroy the planet to extract profit from it systematically is the same basic logic that says humans can be systematically caged for profit,” Murphy explains.

“It’s probably safe to say every person who hears this album is a lot closer to being incarcerated than to being one of the billionaires that seek ever more control. We thought we could make that connection much more explicit with a homework assignment in the record insert—and hopefully foster friendship and connection as well.”


Expanding the Sonic Palette

The intentionality behind the band’s message extends directly into the music. Snag has always been far more than a mere throwback band, consciously pushing boundaries in a subgenre that often struggles to move past the influence of its forebearers.

All the Cages… recalls the dynamic, progressive energy of acts like Majority Rule, Welcome the Plague Year, and Kidcrash, while forging its own distinct path.

“We made a decision a long time ago to simply make the music that we like and to not try to fit into genre conventions. That decision gave us permission to try different instrumentation and stylistic approaches to songs, which resulted in a few unusual moments on this album.”

Peter Murphy


A Decade of DIY Resilience

A decade into their existence, Snag remains one of the most unique and vital voices in modern DIY hardcore. The band members’ commitment is deeply personal, they need the music just as much as the music needs them. At its core, they simply haven’t grown bored with the artform that captured their imaginations as kids.

“When we started the band we were in some of the most depressive periods of our lives, and it offered an outlet, camaraderie, and hope. It hasn’t stopped since.”

Wysocki


All The Cages Holding Us Will One Day Turn To Dust track list:

  1. Unarrest Me
  2. Debilitated
  3. Pray for Peace
  4. Suburn
  5. Juneberry
  6. Whisper
  7. Shelf Life
  8. Paris, WI
  9. Foam Cup, Pt 3
  10. Cages
  11. Cages (Reprise)

Carly Simon Returns with New Album ‘Comes In Waves’ and Lead Single ‘Howl’

‘Comes In Waves’ is Carly Simon’s first album of original songs since 2008. Photo: Sally Taylor, used with permission.

Carly Simon Announces First Album of Original Songs Since 2008: ‘Comes In Waves’

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon is officially returning with Comes In Waves, her first album of original material since 2008. Set to arrive on August 14, the 12-track album was written and recorded primarily at her Martha’s Vineyard home, bringing together a body of work that feels both deeply personal and quietly expansive. (Miller PR, 2026)

Six decades after her solo debut, Simon’s voice remains unmistakable: emotionally precise, literate, and unguarded. Rather than looking back with simple nostalgia, Comes In Waves is anchored in clarity, exploring the complex emotional terrain of love, memory, family, and self-reckoning.

Pre-save Comes In Waves

A Striking Reintroduction: “Howl”

Serving as the album’s opening track and lead single, “Howl” captures the emotional depth Simon continues to explore. Co-written and produced with platinum- and gold-certified producer David Spencer, the track pairs Simon’s signature vocals with a lyric that moves from the sting of betrayal toward the peace of forgiveness.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the single, Simon shares:

“‘Howl’ lives in that space between betrayal and forgiveness, where anger has to be voiced before it can be released. It’s about letting the frustration out so it doesn’t sit and simmer. The song begins in anger, but it moves toward forgiveness, and speaks to any situation where trust has been broken.”

Themes of Healing and “Slowly”

The album’s title is drawn from “Slowly,” a song centered on patience, return, and emotional renewal. In the track, feelings rise and recede like the tide—a concept that serves as the emotional anchor for the entire record. Across these 12 tracks, love, grief, anger, memory, and healing all arrive in waves, moving with their own natural force and timing.

Rather than trying to recreate her past hits, Comes In Waves continues the honest, vulnerable conversation Simon has shared with her audience for decades.

A Close Circle of Collaborators

This record was brought to life alongside a tight-knit circle of family, friends, and longtime creative partners:

  • John Forté: Features on the album posthumously, following his passing earlier this year.
  • Ben Taylor (Son): Contributed throughout the project as a singer, musician, producer, and songwriter.
  • Sally Taylor (Daughter): Contributed vocals and created the single’s cover artwork.

Comes In Waves track list

  1. Howl
  2. Maybe I Never Loved You
  3. Peaches
  4. Love Has No Ending
  5. Mother Of Pearl
  6. Slowly
  7. Four In The Morning
  8. The More I Look For You
  9. Love The Way I Do
  10. The Father Daughter Dance
  11. Share the End
  12. Do It Anyway

About Carly Simon

For those who need a quick refresher on the incredible legacy of this trailblazing artist:

  • A Trailblazing Career: Emerging in the early 1970s, Carly Simon helped redefine pop music as an intimate, emotionally intelligent form of storytelling.
  • The EGOT-Adjacent Legend: Her catalog includes generation-defining hits like “You’re So Vain,” “Anticipation,” and “Let the River Run.” The latter earned her an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, making her the first female artist to win all three as both a performer and composer.
  • Accolades: Simon is a five-time Grammy winner (with 19 additional nominations) and an inductee into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol Shares New Single ‘The Disappearing Man’ Ahead of New Album

Austin’s Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol. Photo: Chris Wilson, used with permission.

New Music: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol Drop Melodic Sludge-Bomb “The Disappearing Man”

Austin’s favorite “doom wop” and heavy metal trio, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, is back with a brand new single: “The Disappearing Man.(US/THEM Group, 2026)

The track comes as a fresh taste of their highly anticipated forthcoming album, CA$H GRAB. Formed in 2017 by Boston-area transplants Leo Lydon (lead vocals/guitar) and Sean St. Germain (drums), alongside Georgia native Aaron Metzdorf (bass/backing vocals), the band has spent years perfecting a wildly unique sonic lane.

With “The Disappearing Man,” they showcase an absolute mastery of heavy, hook-filled riffs and rhythms couched in an earworm melody that would make Green Album-era Weezer jealous.

Loud, Lean, and Relentlessly Catchy

The new single doubles down on the band’s signature blend of crushing riffs and off-kilter melody. It’s loud, lean, and balancing sludgy heaviness with an infectious groove that refuses to let go.

Beneath the wall of fuzz lies an undeniable melodic instinct, proving the band can deliver massive hooks without sacrificing an ounce of raw power. It’s a confident preview of an album that promises to push their self-proclaimed “big dumb riffs” philosophy even further. If this single is any indication, CA$H GRAB is shaping up to be their strongest release yet.

The Album Update: While CA$H GRAB is still in production—with official release details dropping at a later date—you can already stream the phenomenal run of singles leading up to it: “The Disappearing Man,” “Bough Down,” and “Peaches.”

Catch Them on the Road

RBBP just wrapped up a massive, highly successful 6-week headlining tour across North America, packing out rooms with multiple sold-out shows alongside fellow Austin punk-metal trio American Sharks.

If you missed that run, you’re in luck. The band recently announced they will be hitting the road again for Fall 2026 supporting the legendary Death From Above 1979.

Check out the full list of live dates below and secure your spots early!

👉 GET TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS HERE

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol: 2026 US Tour Dates

09/05 Cookeville, TN – Muddy Roots Music Festival
10/01 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades *
10/02 Berkeley, CA – UC Theater *
10/03 Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre *
10/04 San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater *
10/06 Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall *
10/08 Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco *
10/09 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory OC *
10/10 San Diego, CA – The Observatory San Diego *
10/11 Tempe, AZ – The Marquee *
10/13 Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre *

  • w/ Death From Above 1979

Single artwork.

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Related Post: ‘Whispers of Mayhem’ Is a Must-Read Dark Romantasy for Fans of Fierce Female Leads

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.


Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

  • Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
  • Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

  • Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
  • Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!


Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

  • Strong language and frequent profanity
  • Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
  • Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
  • Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
  • On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.