Skeleten shares ‘Let It Grow’ single from new album Mentalized, out on February 7, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Eora/Sydney-based artist Skeleten (aka Russell Fitzgibbon) unveils his final single “Let It Grow” from his forthcoming second album, Mentalized, out February 7 via 2MR / Astral People Recordings. (another side, 2025)
Amidst a record absorbed in the ways we’re disconnected from ourselves every day – “mentalized for better or worse” – “Let It Grow” immerses in a dissociative surrender. Over a sensual synth line, Skeleten breathes life into the inexplicable weight of intimate connection. It’s a submission to that feeling of an “it” that cannot be denied. The song hangs heavy in the air, unmoving like the heat of an overpacked club, and the only way out is up.
“‘Let It Grow’ was so natural it just kinda started existing without me even realising it. Which I guess is the whole vibe of the song. Surrender and acceptance??”- Skeleten
“Let It Grow” completes a lineup of adored singles “Deep Scene”, “Love Enemy”, “Viagra,” and “Bodys Chorus” alongside respective remixes by Axel Boman and Spray, in laying the foundations for Mentalized. The releases have earned tastemaker nods from Pitchfork, Stereogum, Paste, Brooklyn Vegan, KEXP, KCRW, BBC 6Music, FBi Radio, Apple Music’s ‘Best of 2024’ playlists, and more.
This month Skeleten will complete a 3-month residency at Sydney’s Pleasure Club, spotlighting local talent across the city’s different scenes, alongside Skeleten and his full live band. Having already united acts like Hugh B and the Modern Pop Ensemble, Dylan Atlantis, Scruffs. and Killian, stay tuned via Skeleten’s socials for the final surprise announcement. Skeleten will also perform at Golden Plains Festival in March, alongside esteemed artists PJ Harvey, Fontaines D.C, Kneecap and more.
Mentalized tracklist: 1 – These People 2 – Love Enemy 3 – Bodys Chorus 4 – Crack In The Shell 5 – Deep Scene 6 – Raw 7 – Let It Grow 8 – Viagra 9 – Ravers Dream 10 – Mindreader
Skeleten Live Dates: Mar 8 – 10, 2025: Golden Plains Festival, Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, VIC
Dead Before They Wake will be available to rent or own in the UK from 27th January. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Topical thrillers take current events, real-world issues, or contemporary themes to create fast-paced, suspenseful narratives. Their appeal lies in their relevance, making them feel immediate and relatable. By incorporating elements such as political intrigue, technological threats, or social tensions, these stories tap into the anxieties and curiosities of today’s world. Viewers are often drawn to the sense of urgency and the high stakes, feeling a personal connection to the situations depicted. Topical thrillers offer not just entertainment, but also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and risks facing society, heightening emotional engagement and anticipation.
London – Shepka Productions have announced the UK release of the brutal, topical thriller, Dead Before They Wake. The feature will be available to rent or own on Digital Platforms in the UK from January 27th and is available to download in the US now. (Strike Media, 2025)
Based on true events, the film follows nightclub bouncer Alex who is hired by a retired lawyer to track down a missing teenage girl, suspected of being snared by a trafficking ring, and to bring her home no matter what it takes.
Dead Before They Wake stars Nathan Shepka (Lock & Load, The Baby in the Basket), Grace Cordell (Cara), Manjot Sumal (The Last Bus, hit BBC sitcom Scot Squad), Kareem Nasif (The Job). Also starring Dr Who legend Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit trilogy, The Munsters), and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy, Patriot Games).
“We wanted to base the film on real events and researched how UK sex trafficking gangs operate to give the film a grounded sense of reality. It is important to highlight what goes on every day and can often by ignored by the mainstream. We don’t feel any studio would have taken on the story in this way, it is likely to be a divisive and controversial portrayal. Ultimately there still has to be a pay-off for the audience; the film culminates in a brutal revenge-driven showdown.” – Producer Nathan Shepka
Dead Before They Wake is directed by Andy Crane and Nathan Shepka. The film features an original score by Academy Award winning composer Joseph Renzetti and is produced by Nathan Shepka.
Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol 2 features the most beloved female artists in the Hartford-inspired bluegrass scene. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Nashville, TN – In the twenty-three years since Bluegrass and Americana titan John Hartford’s passing, the witty, vibrant tunes of the Grammy-winning, river and steamboat-obsessed, flatfoot dancing legend have taken on a life of their own, creating an entire sub-genre of the American music canon. That’s thanks to not only Hartford’s pure, funny, and virtuosic catalog, but also to the family and friends attending to the late banjo and fiddle player’s legacy. In the past few years alone, Hartford’s daughter, Katie Harford Hogue, and modern-day fiddle great Matt Combs compiled a never-before-seen collection of unrecorded music in a book entitled “John Hartford’s Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes” which quickly turned into a star-studded album, The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol 1. (IV PR, 2024)
Today, Hartford’s legacy takes another step into the future with the announcement of Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2. Again co-produced by Hogue, along with Sharon Gilchrist and Megan Lynch Chowning, Volume 2 celebrates some of the most beloved female artists in the Hartford-inspired bluegrass scene: Rachel Baiman, Phoebe Hunt, Ginger Boatwright, Brittany Haas, Deanie Richardson, Allison de Groot, Della Mae, The Price Sisters, Uncle Earl, and many more.
“The feeling of working on an all-female project is unparalleled. It felt powerful and developed a real sense of togetherness and community.” – Della Mae’s IBMA Award-winning bassist and vocalist, Vickie Vaughn
Volume 2 contains thirteen new Hartford instrumental fiddle tunes and five “legacy” covers of beloved John Hartford songs, all of which take on new life under the hands—and voices—of some of the finest musicians around today. “What is so incredible is that you hear these tunes played in so many different ways, and Dad comes through on every one of them,” says Hogue. “It’s like his DNA is in the songs.” Today, with the announcement of Volume 2, one of Hartford’s most beloved songs, “Steam Powered Aereo Plane,” was released, much to the pleasure of the Goodle Family, the official-ish collective of Hartford fans worldwide.
Fronted by legendary country vocalist Kathy Mattea, the cast behind “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” delivers a mellow, true-to-the-original version of the song originally released on Hartford’s 1971 album of a slightly altered name, Aereo-Plain. Alison Brown, who produced the single, leads into the first verse on banjo accompanied by none other than Sierra Hull on guitar. Gradually Missy Raines brings in the bass and Larkin Poe’s Megan Lovell and the latest Punch Brothers band member Brittany Haas add their dobro and fiddle flourishments, respectively. The result is four straight minutes of pure John Hartford ethos, brought into the present day by a lineup of some of the most respected and accomplished musicians of their time—all of whom credit Hartford as an iconic influence in their musical lives.
Fans can stream or purchase “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” and pre-order or pre-saveJulia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol 2 ahead of its February 28 release.
For fans who can’t get enough Hartford, the Hartford family has rallied their efforts around the Goodle Family Patreon page: a subscription-driven home base for all things John Hartford. Whether it be archival releases, updates on the Fiddle Tune Project, orin-person/livestream fan meetups—like the upcoming installment of Mammoth Marathon Mondays.
Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol 2 tracklist: Irish Familiarity The Julia Belle Swain Grant Marsh & Joseph La Barge/Little Pig/Entertainment Tonight (medley) Spirit of the South Availability I’m Still Here Kenny and Mac Merry Christmas Learning To Smile All Over Again Royal Box Waltz Takes Her Clothes Off Gasoline Alley No. 1 No End of Love Living Up Stairs Not Soft Enough Don’t Throw Her Down Steam Powered Aereo Plane Champagne Blues
One of the most respected musicians in Nashville history, John Hartford is considered a cornerstone of the newgrass movement due to his 1971 masterpiece, Aereo-Plain. He won a career four Grammy Awards, including two for his 1967 recording of “Gentle on My Mind,” a third for his 1976 album Mark Twang, and a fourth for his contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack in 2000. He was posthumously inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2010, was awarded the Americana Music Association President’s Award in 2005, and the Folk Alliance “Spirit of Folk” award in 2011.
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The global release of Z-Machine’s independent 3-part docuseries ‘Before the End: Searching for Jim Morrison’ is set for January 13, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Jim Morrison, the enigmatic lead singer and lyricist of The Doors, remains one of rock music’s most iconic figures. Born in 1943, Morrison’s blend of poetic, often mystical lyrics and raw, charismatic stage presence helped define the counterculture of the 1960s. His exploration of existential themes, love, and rebellion resonated with a generation grappling with societal upheaval. Though his life was tragically short—he died in 1971 at just 27—his influence endures through songs like “Light My Fire” and “Riders on the Storm.” Morrison’s legacy as a rock legend and cultural symbol continues to captivate new generations of listeners.
(LOS ANGELES, CA) Z-Machine has announced release details for its independent 3-part docuseries, Before the End: Searching for Jim Morrison. The first of its kind “documystery” series clocks in at a total of 3.5-hours and will make its global TVOD/Digital release on January 13, 2025, following Morrison’s 81st birthday, available on all the major platforms of Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, and YouTube TV, with more to follow. (Cinematic Red PR, 2024)
A dozen years in the making, Before the End’s cryptic tagline encapsulates its investigative approach: “One Man. Countless Myths. And in between lies the truth.” Z-Machine founder, Jeff Finn, drew from 38 years of personal research into the gray areas of Jim Morrison’s humanity to distinguish between persona and person. Finn’s extraordinary detail work breaks the decades long closed seal on the traumatic formative years that forged a brief hellacious life, through Morrison’s controversial career as lead singer of legendary 1960s rock band, The Doors, to his reported 1971 death by “heart failure” in Paris at age 27. Morrison’s ostensible demise, technically an unsolved cold case, formed its own rabbit hole of reasonable doubt, which inspired Finn to consult with private investigators and forensic analysts.
Before the End transcends “rock doc” in the same sense that Jim Morrison was more than a rock star. A 1965 graduate of UCLA’s film school, he achieved much beyond music during his abbreviated time in the spotlight, including self-publication of three books of poetry, producing, directing, and acting in an experimental film, and enduring a railroaded obscenity trial in defense of artistic freedom of expression. Morrison’s legacy has since been muddled by a half-century of PR spin, character assassination, urban legend, and crass commercialism, all of which have defanged his once-fierce anti-authoritarian stance.
Jim Morrison was many things: cult figure, teen idol, goth/punk forebear, and political fugitive. Living the role of haunted visionary, he said, “When you make your peace with authority, you become authority.” Given the US’s current zeitgeist of threatened dictatorship and crumbling democracy, Finn believes the timeless message of the young poet who infamously killed his navy admiral father in song is even more vital in toxic-masculine 2024 than in free-love 1967, and he hopes Gen Z will unlock an empathic connection to the complex Morrison, like it has with the Menendez Brothers. “There’s the ‘truth,’” Finn says, “and there’s the real truth. Before the End is for Morrison fans, like me, who are tired of the ‘official’ story.’” He quotes a meme aimed at self-appointed experts and closed-minded gaslighters: “Conspiracy Theorist: Nothing more than a derogatory title used to dismiss a Critical Thinker.”
Featuring unprecedented content, from shocking corroboration about Morrison’s early life, to harrowing revelations about his stardom, and fresh evidence that contradicts his professed death, Before the End: Searching for Jim Morrison is proudly unauthorized because it “seeks the unvarnished truth.” The documystery reverse-engineers long-controlled narratives while it explores the notion of Morrison the nonconformist as neurodivergent, and deconstructs – through on-camera interviews with family, friends, lovers, classmates, and associates – key distinctions between Jim Morrison, “rock god,” and James Douglas Morrison, introverted outsider.
Among those interviewed and/or featured are Morrison’s cousins, Ellen Edwards and David Backer, lovers, Anne Moore, Gayle Enochs, Judy Huddleston, and Suzanne Roady-Ross, friends, Mirandi Babitz and Salli Stevenson, Elektra Records founder, Jac Holzman, The Doors booking agent, Todd Schiffman, The Doors roadie, Gareth Blyth, screenwriter, Randall Jahnson, rock critics, Ellen Sander and Richard Meltzer, UCLA classmates, Philip Oleno and Richard Blackburn, UCLA roommate, Ron Cohen, UCLA professor, Dick Adams, Florida State University roommates, Bryan Gates and John McQueen, FSU professor, Ralph Turner, Alameda High School swim coach, Ash Jones, childhood friend, Jeff Morehouse, Paris-era acquaintances, Philippe Dalecky and Gilles Yepremian, and exclusives via Jim’s brother, Andy Morrison, Robyn Wurtele, Morrison’s enigmatic Paris-era assistant, and “Mr. X,” a mind-blowing anonymous source.
Z-Machine is a truly independent production company helmed by writer and filmmaker, Jeff Finn, whose tie-in book, “127 Fascination: Jim Morrison Decoded,” is forthcoming.
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Alt-folk singer/songwriter E.W. Harris unveils new single and announces new EP Machine Living in Relief. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
(New York, NY) With the release of the new single, “The Nail Beside The Door,” alt-folk singer/songwriter E.W. Harris announces the forthcoming EP, Machine Living in Relief, due out this year. An ambitious collection of songs born out of a last call challenge to make a completely acoustic record about robots and AIs, Machine Living in Relief is the latest in a five-album series set inside Harris’s self-styled “romantic dystopia” Rocket City. (One in a Million Media, 2024)
If one weren’t already familiar with Harris’s more traditionalist background, the chummy strum of his guitalele reaches out and shakes your hand by way of friendly introduction. He also incorporates a number of unusual instruments (cedar flute, a broken autoharp), outside-the-box toys (Speak-n-Spell, Mr. Robot, Magic Wand Reader), and MacGyvered percussion hacks (can full of rice, “suitcase that I hit with a roll of duct tape”) throughout these folkways-meets-the-spaceways tracks. Call it asteroid field recording.
In a strange bit of real-time lore that feels like it could only happen to Harris, one of his cousins walked up to him mid-set a few years back and handed him a banjo, offering only the briefest explanation – “Here man, I’m not gonna learn this and I thought you might use it” – before promptly leaving the gig. The result, some months later as Harris tinkered with the unfamiliar instrument under lockdown, was this album’s lead single, “The Nail Beside the Door.” “Written from the perspective of a prisoner who becomes emotionally dependent on an AI companion,” it effectively sets out to explore the ideas behind the album opener from the other side, with all the profound, maddening aloneness of COVID isolation bleeding through the character loud and clear.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Though perhaps best known for his event horizon synths, spaghettified guitar effects, and above all, his overwhelming, spacetime singularity of a voice, Harris’s career began, some 25 years ago, in a much more earthbound vein, with the train trestle roots-rock of Luminous and the cable knit jazz-folk of The Eric Harris Group.
Through subsequent releases and relentless touring Harris steadily populated his teeming retropolis with comet-hopping hobos and android vagabonds of every stripe, worldbuilding his future from the ground up until it finally skyscraped against the present, with Machine Living in Relief, and the fateful fortune of that half-remembered night at the bar.
If Machine Living in Relief is truly the result of some apocryphal gauntlet throw issued at last call, Harris has met it in spades. Both a natural outgrowth of what came before, and a tantalizing peek at what might be soon to come, it pushes all the right buttons – even when those buttons are connected to the characters themselves – and leaves you contemplating your place within our brave new world of hyperconnected loneliness and transhuman striving.
“If the heart pumps a turbine that generates power to the computer half of the cyborg brain, what is the value of the parts? Is addiction just a modality of being a divided whole? If time is not linear, in remembering our past mistakes do we actually return to those moments? It’s a damn good thing songs don’t need to answer questions.” – E. W. Harris
The Damned, the new chilling Nordic thriller, will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on January 10, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Psychological thrillers explore complex human emotions, fears, and motivations, often blurring the lines between reality and illusion. These films go into the minds of characters, creating an atmosphere of tension, suspense, and unpredictability. The appeal lies in the psychological manipulation, where viewers become immersed in a web of deception, unreliable narrators, and mind games. The genre stimulates intellectual engagement, as it challenges perceptions and provokes deep thought about human nature. Audiences are drawn to the psychological complexity and emotional intensity, seeking both excitement and the thrill of solving mysteries within the narrative.
Vertical has announced that Thordur Palsson’s ominous and chilling thriller The Damned will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 10th January 2025. (Strike Media, 2024)
Starring Odessa Young (The Staircase, Mothering Sunday) and Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders, Gangs of London), The Damned is a tense psychological horror film that follows 19th-century widow, Eva. She is tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost during the middle of an especially cruel winter.
With provisions running low, Eva and her close-knit community must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked crew and prioritizing their own survival. Facing the consequences of their decision and tormented by guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.
Following its premiere in November, the Cork International Film Festival 2024 awarded an Honourable Mention to The Damned commenting ‘The Damned is a juggernaut of a film, breathing fresh life into a well-trodden genre. Its powerful use of the landscape and compelling performances make it truly deserving of this Special Mention.’
Inspired by the Westfjords of Iceland in the 1800s, The Damned takes place in an unforgiving, almost unlivable setting, yet one that is steeped in immense beauty and turbulent folklore.
For director Thordur Palsson (The Valhalla Murders), himself a native Icelander, it was this folklore and mythology that led him to develop the idea that would later become The Damned. Growing up in Iceland, family members would often share gruesome tales of ghosts, demons and evil spirits.
‘Every Icelander has heard all kinds of different variations of the truth – all elements of our history that have been passed down. One of these stories was about a ship that sank off the shores of Iceland, with all survivors being killed by the natives. Having known of this, I started to write a story relating to it and kept fleshing it out, adding darker elements.’ – Thordur Palsson
Rooted in the depths of Norse Mythology, The Damned features haunting performances from Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), Turlough Convery (Belfast), Lewis Gribben (Somewhere Boy), Francis Magee (The Tourist), and Mícheál Óg Lane (Calvary).
Harrison Lipton masks post-breakup sadness with cheeky humor on ‘On My Own.’ Photo: Eciaus Booth, used with permission.
Breakup songs hold a unique appeal for listeners, offering emotional catharsis and a sense of solidarity. These songs often explore themes of heartache, loss, and personal growth, providing an outlet for listeners to process their own emotions. The relatable lyrics and powerful melodies resonate deeply, allowing individuals to feel understood and less alone in their struggles. Whether through soulful ballads or upbeat anthems, breakup songs help listeners navigate the pain of relationships ending while offering hope for healing and new beginnings. The universal nature of heartbreak makes these songs timeless and comforting during times of emotional turmoil.
The Brooklyn-based musical jack-of-all-trades Harrison Lipton recently released his cheeky new breakup anthem “On My Own” via Amuse. The facetious, 70s-inspired dad rock song uses the all too familiar coping mechanism of poking fun at inherent sadness to make it through the day. His voice full of smooth earnestness, Lipton ushers listeners towards the greener grass on the other side. (Big Hassle, 2024)
“The song started in a small bedroom studio in Carroll Gardens during a session with Aidan Ludlam of the booyah! kids, who uses lyrics like an impressionist painter uses paint. He helped me balance the dissonance between being dumped and finding how to be okay with it.” – Harrison Lipton
Shot on 16 mm film, the official music video was directed by Yishen Wang. An ode to the city and people of New York, Lipton finds himself lost in a sea of recognizable faces, even Times Square’s Naked Cowboy.
“…feels like a rarity, transposing of-the-moment sounds into a dusted-off paean to a romance lost in memory and feeling.” – NPR
“An artist whose stylistic tenacity is fabulously muddled, Lipton floats between genres, brushing against indie, alternative and bedroom pop with a driven psychedelic influence flowing through the hazy soundscapes.” – The Lines of Best Fit
Fresh on the heels of landing songwriting and production credits for indie-rock sensation Yot Club and Atlantic Records six-piece MICHELLE, among others, Lipton has made a name for himself as a rapidly ascending, go-to creative collaborator. His recent work as a songwriter and producer has earned him shoutouts in HYPEBEAST, The Line of Best Fit, and Sirius XM’s Life with John Mayer.
Now with the focus shifted to his own releases, Lipton unveiled “Synchronized Swimming,” with its captivating accompanying music video, back in September. Exploring romance coyly nestled within the metaphor of synchronized swimming, listeners witness Lipton’s proven songwriting and production talent in raw form. Complete with dusty piano, laid-back Khruangbin-like drums, and an underwater guitar solo, the final touch is the perfect pairing of background vocals from MICHELLE’s Layla Ku.
“On My Own” keeps building the world “Synchronized Swimming” started, putting forth a distinctly clean and modernized late 70s aesthetic.
Harrison Lipton is a 30-year-old singer, songwriter and producer. The Brooklyn artist’s musical flair resides in the intersection of indie, R&B and 70s soft rock. Lipton prides himself on fully realizing a track from start to finish, leading the charge with songwriting, producing, and mixing, as well as creative direction. Lipton’s music is a product of his singular imagination, presenting a style that is sincere, authentic and all his own. His music has been featured in NPR and Early Rising as well as on numerous editorial playlists such as Apple Music’s Late Night Menu and Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Chill Vibes. Now focusing on new singles leading toward a larger project, Lipton emerges as a promising and unique voice, blending soulful vocals with singular and catchy production.
The action thriller Sunray: Fallen Soldier is coming to digital platforms and select cinemas next month. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Military themed action thrillers captivate audiences with their thrilling storylines, high-stakes conflicts, and intense combat sequences. These films often explore themes of heroism, sacrifice, and camaraderie, resonating with viewers who admire resilience and bravery in the face of adversity. They include gripping narratives where soldiers confront dangerous missions, engage in epic battles, and navigate moral dilemmas. Audiences are drawn to the raw emotional intensity of these stories, as well as the adrenaline-pumping action that showcases tactical precision, creating a powerful connection to the characters and their struggles.
Sunray: Fallen Soldier is an action thriller that will be available on digital platforms and select cinemas across the UK and North America on January 24, 2025. It is now available for pre-order on digital download in the UK and US. (Strike Media, 2024)
Sunray: Fallen Soldier – A war veteran calls on friends from his past to hunt down those responsible for the death of his daughter. Along the way, he learns more about himself than he anticipated as a violent crime syndicate unravels in his wake.
After dedicating his entire life to service in the armed forces, Andrew Coleman now struggles to slot back into a world he no longer recognizes. Forced to confront the death of his daughter following a fatal encounter with drugs, he becomes hell-bent on finding those responsible.
With nothing to lose, a violent criminal underworld unravels in his wake. Set against a backdrop of realistic, fast-paced action, guided by high-quality military drills; and created by UK Armed Forces veterans, Sunray challenges the perceptions of mental health and the struggles that soldiers face when re-integrating back into civilian life.
A film by James Clarke and Daniel Shepherd and starring Tip Cullen, Tom Leigh, Steven Blades, and Daniel Davids, Sunray is created by and stars a collective of former British Royal Marines Commandos – the UK’s elite amphibious special operations capable commando force.
Written, directed, produced, edited, and acted by UK Armed Forces veterans, the Sunray team has lived and experienced the direct effects of conflict including the loss of friends.
Veterans were employed across the production both on and off screen. The film is supported by a multi-national veteran and active armed forces community who want more awareness for the sacrifices made by soldiers and the effects of PTSD.
Banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham announces debut, Peter Rowan-produced album Daggomit! Photo: Sasha Pedro, used with permission.
Whether on archaeological digs or translating medieval poetry, the past has always been a north star for banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham. His commitment to early innovators of the banjo shines on Daggomit!, his debut album of soulful original songs, highlighted by the hard-driving chemistry of Nashville’s preeminent bluegrass stars. Wareham tours nationally with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, bringing his creativity to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Ryman Auditorium, Merlefest, Green Mountain Bluegrass Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and many more, as well as with his own band, Max Wareham and the National Bluegrass Team. (IV PR, 2024)
“It brings me back to my childhood,” says Max Wareham of his new single “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home,” “camping in the woods of New York state and longing for a simpler time.” Forever a student of bluegrass tradition, Wareham has tapped into a very real feeling that can be found all the way back before the genre had its name; part nostalgia, part yearning.
“I wrote this one a while back,” says Wareham. “Then I took it to Peter Rowan, who proceeded to disassemble it completely and put it back together in a way that made more sense.” The tutelage of his bandleader boss Rowan helped to hone Wareham’s arrangement into a beautifully simple melody with ample room for instrumental embellishment and crystalline harmonies by former members of the Grammy-nominated band, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Laura Orshaw and Josh Rinkel.
MAGNET Magazine shared an early premiere of “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home.” Fans can stream or purchase “Lonesome Blues” at this link.
“Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home” is the latest single from Wareham’s upcoming debut album, Daggomit!, which was produced by Rowan and is due out on February 21. Fans are encouraged to check out Wareham’s previously released single “Hard Times Are Far Behind” at this link and pre-order or pre-save Daggomit! ahead of its February release right here.
Wareham is currently touring with Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team, featuring international mandolin prodigy Jean Baptiste Cardineau, singer and guitarist Walker Russell, and Boston bass stalwart Emma Turoff. Tour dates for Warham & the National Bluegrass Team as well as Wareham’s appearances with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band can be found online.
Produced by legendary grasser Peter Rowan and recorded by multi-Grammy-winning engineer Sean Sullivan, Daggomit! features Chris Eldridge and David Grier on guitar, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, and Larry Atamanuik on snare drum; a group of stars making the initial listen of the album worth the price of admission, alone. But fans will undoubtedly stick around for the stories Wareham tells throughout the 13-song collection. Stories from a lifetime of experiences and feelings that together tell the story of exactly what makes Max Max.
Daggomit! tracklist: Walking In Jerusalem Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home The Black & Gold That’s Just Part Of It Heartaches Rexford Falls Gone, Baby, Gone I Remember Hard Times Are Far Behind Cattails Bar Blues Drifting Too Far From The Shore Miles
Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdomis the debut feature of renowned pop culture artist Matt Busch. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Science fiction and adventure fantasy movies transport audiences to imaginative worlds filled with futuristic technology, epic battles, and extraordinary creatures. These genres allow viewers to escape the confines of reality and explore limitless possibilities, where anything from time travel to magical realms can exist. The sense of wonder and excitement in discovering new, uncharted worlds appeals to our natural curiosity. Themes of heroism, personal growth, and the triumph of good over evil resonate deeply, providing both thrilling entertainment and profound emotional connections. Through visually stunning effects and immersive storytelling, these films ignite our imagination and inspire awe.
There’s a new movie coming out on video on demand in January that combines adventure with futuristic elements: Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom.
Los Angeles, CA – Following a long career as a pop culture artist, Matt Busch is stepping behind the camera for the debut of his first film in his own franchise: Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. Busch brings over three decades as an artist for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, and more to the table as he takes the Arabian Nights tale into the far future and across the world. On January 3, 2025, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home from Buffalo 8. (Justin Cook PR, 2024)
Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. The epic sci-fi adventure stars Erik Steele, Christi Perovski, Aaron Golematis, Lin Zy, Jon Rick, Tony Miello, Brian Dalling, Jerry Hayes, Irfan Sheikh, Robert Shannon, and Sydney Solomon.
“Having grown up a product of the Lucas/Spielberg golden era, I’ve always been obsessed with telling fantastical stories. The theater experience of epic adventure, sprinkled with magic on the big screen was a direct link to my creative childhood brain. I knew if my sci-fi trilogy of films were ever going to happen, I would have to step back and create them independently, my magnum opus as a true artist. Through the grueling amount of work, 12-year-old me was beaming the entire time, creating the kind of films I used to camp out in line for.” – Matt Busch
Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom – In a futuristic Hong Kong, Aladdin, a street-smart orphan with dreams of ascending to the elite class, fixates on Princess Kamala of India. His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s lured into a treacherous quest to Cambodia in search of a fabled lamp. Along for the unpredictable ride is Oomi, a homeless girl whose presence inadvertently thwarts Aladdin’s every scheme.
Their journey introduces them to a captivating sage who claims to be the Jinn of Wisdom. Together, they venture into the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, where Aladdin confronts his haunting past. As they navigate narrow escapes and magical encounters, Aladdin is faced with a pivotal choice: pursue his selfish desires or embrace the unwavering loyalty of Oomi, whose devotion transcends all bounds.
Aladdin 3477- I: The Jinn of Wisdom: 118 minutes Sci-Fi / Fantasy/ Adventure English, Hindi, Cantonese & Thai w/ English subtitles Producer: Kaleidoscope Koi Entertainment
SA Examiner 