Category: new releases

The Story of G.I. Joe: Rediscovering a WWII Film Classic in Stunning Restoration

The 1945 classic WWII war film The Story of G.I. Joe is now available on HD Blu-ray and DVD. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, if you like military/war movies, here’s a movie release just for you. The enhanced restoration of the 1945 classic World War II classic The Story of G.I. Joe was released last month on HD Blu-ray and DVD. 

Ignite Films, which released the 2023 critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning 4K restoration of the 1953 sci-fi classic Invaders From Mars, recently dropped the reconstructed 1945 trailer and the new poster for its next release, the 1945 World War II classic The Story of G.I. Joe. The long-lost trailer, which has never been online before, in any condition, has been meticulously reconstructed by Ignite Films using the severely damaged 1945 original nitrate trailer provided by the Library of Congress. (Roberson Public Relations, 2024)

The Ignite Films 2024 enhanced restoration of Director William A. Wellman’s 1945 classic WWII war film, The Story of G.I. Joe starring Robert Mitchum and Burgess Meredith, is now available for purchase on HD Blu-ray and DVD. The 2024 enhanced restoration, spearheaded by film restoration supervisor Greg Kimble, also includes a full restoration of the audio by John Polito of Audio Mechanics. 

Ignite Films considers the film to be of such importance that The Story of G.I. Joe necessitated a release right now on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the end of Second World War. The potent message of the film deals with everyday life and the sacrifices of the brave soldiers, and is as relevant in today’s world as it was in 1945, and is no different in intensity. That is the primary reason to release this film now. “The Story of G.I. Joe is a true classic which has been undervalued for years,” said Jan Willem Bosman Jansen, CEO and Founder of Ignite Films.

An unforgettable journey through the harrowing yet heartwarming landscapes of WWII, The Story of G.I. Joe is based on the true-life experiences of renowned war correspondent and columnist Ernie Pyle. This cinematic masterpiece immerses audiences in the camaraderie, courage, and sacrifices of the brave soldiers of the 45th Infantry Division, Company C, 150 of whom played extras in the film.

Through the lens of Pulitzer-winning Pyle, portrayed with unparalleled depth by Burgess Meredith, witness the everyday grit and bravery of the foot soldier as they navigate the perils of combat in the Italian campaign. Joining him is the incomparable Robert Mitchum in his breakthrough role as Lieutenant Walker, whose leadership and unwavering dedication to his men inspire hope amidst the chaos of war.

The Story of G.I. Joe portrays the camaraderie and bond between soldiers, a timeless tribute to unsung heroes who fought and bled for freedom. Experience the raw emotion and gritty realism of this war drama, beautifully restored in high definition. It is more than a movie; it is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

“What makes The Story of G.I. Joe different from other war movies is that it was directed by Bill Wellman with an eye towards keeping it focused on the day-to-day dilemma of the ordinary combat soldier. It specifically deglamorized war despite being made in an era, 1945, when Hollywood was cranking out a lot of these friendly propaganda heroic films with John Wayne leading the charge — which were great entertainment and good for the home front morale, but not particularly realistic about what the troops had to cope with. The Story of G.I. Joe dealt with this. They used over 150 actual brave soldiers as background actors. The movie holds up so well because it was authentic, and it was deliberately made that way.” – Alan K. Rode, writer/historian

Wellman’s melancholy study of soldiers would not immediately become a popular form of expression in war films, but his soulful treatment of life on the front lines, in which real combat soldiers mingled freely with actors, forming an easy camaraderie, would become an inextricable part of cinematic language. The Story of G.I. Joe would not become a model for war films for quite some time, but eventually its poetic form would become more popular than the more gung-ho patriotic variety.

 The Academy® Film Archive preserved the film in 2000. In  2009, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. For educational purposes, Ignite Films will provide both institutions with the new 2024 enhanced version for their film preservation archives.

Blu-ray slipcover and Bonus Features available only on the Blu-ray:

  • Blu-ray slipcover
  • “Here he lies where he longed to be…” Wild Bill’s Dog Face Blues – A new video essay by author and filmmaker Scout Tafoya
  • New interview with Bill Wellman Jr.
  • “The Story of ‘The Story of G.I. Joe’,” a new featurette on the restoration by film restoration supervisor Greg Kimble
  • Audio commentary by Alan K. Rode
  • Original nitrate trailer
  • Reconstruction of the original 1945 trailer
  • Photo gallery with original press book pages and stills

The Story of G.I. Joe
Starring Robert Mitchum Burgess Meredith with Freddie Steele Wally Cassell Jimmy Lloyd John R. Reilly Bill Murphy and the Sicily and Italy Combat Veterans of the Campaigns in Africa
Screenplay by Leopold Atlas Guy Endore Philip Stevenson
Edited by Otho Lovering Cinematography by Russel Metty A.S.C.
Produced by Lester Cowan
Directed by William A. Wellman
Program Content: © Lester Cowan Productions, Inc. 1945. Copyright renewed by Lester Cowan Productions, Inc. 1972.

The film is based on by Ernie Pyle’s books “Here Is Your Way”(New York, 1943) and “Brave Men” (New York, 1944).

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

How Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden Redefines Valley’s Musical Landscape

Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden is Valley’s forthcoming new album. Photo: Becca Hamel, used with permission.

JUNO Award nominated band Valley returns this year with their most intimate and personal record yet. Water The Flowers, Pray For A Garden is an exploration of grief and resilience from one of today’s most exciting alternative-pop bands. (Big Hassle, 2024)

Since forming in 2016, Valley has accrued over 1 billion streams globally, having appeared on viral charts in the US, Philippines, Korea, Japan, and more. Along with their three JUNO Award nominations, the band has also garnered praise from Consequence, Wonderland, American Songwriter, and CBC. Helping prompt much of their global recognition was “Like 1999,” a gold certified hit that went viral on TikTok.

Valley has also become known for their high-energy live shows, which have been brought to renowned festivals like Life Is Beautiful, Governors Ball, Slow Life, and Wunderstruck as well as their debut US TV performance as part of Stephen Colbert’s #LiveAtHome session.

The three-piece alternative-pop band, comprised of Rob Laska (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Dimauro (bass), and Karah James (vocals, drums), recently released “Bass Player’s Brother.” This infectious, drum-driven track features dreamy synths and grooves, all the while telling the story of a toxic, ever-repeating relationship. The song drops on the heels of the singles “When You Know Someone” and the album’s title track “Water The Flowers, Pray For A Garden,” with the full album set to arrive on August 30 through Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada. 

“‘Bass Player’s Brother’ is a song about cyclical love and obsession. In life we often find ourselves in realities that don’t suit our truth, yet we continue to drag ourselves back to the feeling of staying for love’s sake. It’s cyclical in nature yet rooted in heartache and hurt. It’s the back-and-forth outcome of these habits that cause us to stay when we know we should leave. This is the only song on the album where we didn’t reference real names. Sometimes we like to play characters in songs even though we’re always thinking about someone in our lives. We wanted to paint a picture of a classic Americana heartbreak love story.”- Valley

Water the Flowers, Pray For A Garden is a brave exploration of the full spectrum of emotions with an invitation to also surrender control and trust the process. Recorded over the span of a month in the Smoky Mountains and produced by COIN’s Chase Lawrence, Valley captures a specific moment in time. Through embracing the transformative power of death and rebirth, the band finds themselves reinvented and the most inspired they have felt thus far in their careers.

In addition to the summer festival appearances and Canadian shows with friends The Beaches, Dizzy and Arkells, Valley have announced their Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden North American headlining tour spanning coast to coast in the US and Canada. The tour includes shows at iconic venues and some of the biggest rooms they’ve played to date, including Brooklyn Steel in New York, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, History in Toronto and more.

WATER THE FLOWERS, PRAY FOR A GARDEN US TOUR DATES
September 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer*
September 29 – Boston, MA – House of Blues*
October 1 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*
October 2 -Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel*
October 4 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel*
October 5 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre*
October 6 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Hall*
October 8 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre*
October 9 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
October 11 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theatre*
October 12 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre*
October 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Centre*
October 15 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren*
October 16 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park*
October 18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern*
October 19 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre*
October 21 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall*
October 22- Seattle, WA – The Showbox*

*support from Mickey Darling and Charli Adams

Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden Tracklist: (Courtesy photo)

1. Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden
2. A Little More
3. Growing (Apart)
4. When You Know Someone
5. Let It Rain
6. Crawlspace
7. Mosquito
8. Bop Ba
9. I Didn’t Even Ask For This
10. Bass Player’s Brother
11. Life Goes On Without Me
12. Cocoon

A Journey Through Blues and Beyond: Devon Allman’s Latest ‘Miami Moon’

Devon Allman’s new album Miami Moon will be released August 16, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Fresh off setting a world record (50 shows in 50 states in 49 days) and a pair of wildly successful national and international tours with The Allman Betts Family Revival and 2024’s Allman Betts Band tour, Devon Allman is thrilled to announce Miami Moon, his first solo LP in 8 years dropping August 16 via his own, Create Records. “White Horse” is the first single from the new album. (Big Hassle, 2024)

For the album, Allman put together one of the finest studio bands in recent history featuring George Porter Jr. (The Meters) on bass, Ivan Neville (Keith Richards, Dumpstaphunk,) on keyboards, Adam Deitch (Lettuce,) on drums, Karl Denson (The Rolling Stones) on saxophone and Jackson Stokes on guitar. Fans can pre-save Miami Moon here.

Miami Moon was recorded on 2” analog tape at the historic Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida (the studio where Layla and Eat a Peach were born) and was produced by Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Chris “Kingfish” Ingram).

With Miami Moon, Allman has created what Tom Hambridge calls a masterpiece. The album sounds like the past and the future colliding under neon pink Miami skies…funky, fresh, and soulful. Allman will be touring worldwide all year in support of the new album with his high energy 6 piece band, the Devon Allman Project.

Miami Moon track listing:

White Horse

Incredible

You

Miami Moon

Sahara

Climb Aboard

Body Electric

Take Time to Taste It

You Gotta Make it Through the World

Catch Devon Allman on tour:
July 25 @ Hawaii Theatre | Honolulu, HI
July 28 @ Fuji Rock Festival | Minamiuonuma, Japan
^w/ JD Simo

Devon Allman Project
August 3 @ Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza | Mammoth Lakes, CA
August 9 @ Bayfront Blues Festival | Duluth, MN
August 17 @ Chenango Blues Festival | Norwich, NY

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Bleeding Love: Ewan McGregor’s Must-Watch Movie of the Year

Ewan and Clara McGregor shine in this family road trip drama. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment is thrilled to announce that Bleeding Love, the compelling indie drama starring real-life father-daughter duo, Golden Globe Winner, Ewan McGregor, and Clara McGregor, will be available on all major digital platforms on July 22, 2024. (Strike Media, Ltd, 2024)

Following its World Premiere at SXSW, the debut feature from Emma Westenberg was selected as the Opening Gala at the 20th Glasgow Film Festival, playing to sell out audiences. Bleeding Love went on to have a successful theatrical run earlier this year where Collider praised the film for its “mesmerising authenticity”. The road-trip drama now heads home for the digital release.

Bleeding Love – In hopes of reconnecting with his estranged child, a father (Golden Globe®-Winner Ewan McGregor) embarks on an impromptu road trip with his now-adult daughter (Clara McGregor) after she has a near-fatal drug overdose. He is planning to take her to rehab – though she doesn’t know that. En route to their destination of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and encountering an eccentric array of characters along the way, the two are forced to confront the issues of their past. The trip proving to be less about the road that they’re on and more about the troubled one from their past.

Bleeding Love plays things close to home with fan favourite, Ewan McGregor starring alongside his real-life daughter Clara, who co-wrote the script with Vera Bulder and Ruby Caster. She has said that though it is fiction, aspects of it draw on her sometimes tricky relationship with her dad in the past.

Where to watch:
Digital Platforms: iTunes / Amazon / Sky / Virgin / Google Play/Youtube Movies / Xbox/Microsoft / Rakuten

Director: Emma Westenberg

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Clara McGregor, Kim Zimmer, Devyn McDowell, Sasha Alexander, Jake Weary & Vera Bulder

Producers: Christine Vachon, Mark Amin, Clara McGregor, Vera Bulder, Greg Lauritano, Mason Plotts & Cami Winikoff

Executive Producers: Ewan McGregor, Emma Westenberg, Tyler Boehm & Brent Morris

Run Time: 96 mins

“Ewan and Clara are electrifying, their close relationship off-screen seeping into their hugely convincing performances” Radio Times

Sweet Delusions: Eddy Lee Ryder’s Latest Musical Journey

Sweet Delusions is Eddy Lee Ryder’s forthcoming new album. Photo: Jeff Harris, used with permission.

With the release of her first full-length album on the horizon, Eddy Lee Ryder unveils her newest single, “Bad Decisions,” which is coincidentally the birthday of the heartbreaker who inspired the tune. Synthesizing timeless songcraft, dramatic introspection, and infinite pop smarts to create a breathtaking song cycle of apocalyptic romance and anxious regret, badly broken hearts, and wishful hope for the future, Sweet Delusions will be available everywhere soon. (One In A Million Media, 2024)

Quirky and charming while still precise and powerfully personal, Sweet Delusions reveals the self-described “demented pop” chanteuse as a one-of-a-kind new artist, her unabashed heartache and beguiling humor completely her own yet as identifiable and real as any of our own. Penned and performed with uncommon brio and invention, the album sees Ryder musing on lust, longing, and lost love across shimmering choruses and a vertiginous undercurrent of contemplative melancholy, turning her raw pain into expertly wrought anthems that simultaneously hearken back to both truck stop jukeboxes and glittering art deco cafés.

Having earned applause for her sadly beautiful portraits of love and life on the margins, with songs like “Smoke and Mirrors” featured in the cult hit horror film Terrifier 2, Ryder set to work on her long-brewing debut album in 2022, collaborating with producer Dave Cerminara between his studio in LA and the Outlier Inn in New York’s southern Catskill Mountains.

Once Ryder hit the studio, armed with a cache of songs inspired by “an extremely bad ending with someone who was my best friend,” her apocalyptic romanticism naturally led to the album’s “accidental country” sound, a rhinestone-flecked bed of twangy guitars, languid bass, and irresistible melodies created with accompaniment from longtime Father John Misty drummer/musical director Dan Bailey, multi-instrumentalist Daniel Chae, pedal steel player Rich Hinman, and keyboardists Todd Caldwell, and Dave Shephard, along with harmonies and other help from NYC friends like pianist Abby Payne and Rebecca Haviland.

Despite her love of guise and character, the clear through line that unifies Ryder’s still evolving body of work is her storyteller’s gift for cutting to the quick of her own complex, unconventional nature. Impossible to pigeonhole, with Sweet Delusions, Eddy Lee Ryder proudly avoids being fitted into any particular category or genre, her creative adventurousness and tongue-in-cheek humor distinctly and undeniably her own.

“I don’t how to not write from a personal perspective. How do you sit down and write something that’s only surface?” – Eddy Lee Ryder

Sweet Delusions tracklist:

1. Sweet Delusions
2. Highwaymen
3. Bad Decisions
4. Joke Is On Me
5. Antarctica
6. Pennyroyal Tea
7. Simple Touch
8. Shoop Shoop Shut Up
9. Smoke and Mirrors
10. Only Real Cowboy
11. County Fair

Last Night on Earth: A Cinematic Journey Through Apocalyptic Realism

Last Night on Earth is now available for streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

End of the world thrillers grip the imagination with cataclysmic scenarios, weaving existential dread into narratives where humanity confronts its darkest fears. Whether through alien invasions, viral outbreaks, or environmental collapse, these stories explore the fragility of civilization and the resilience of the human spirit. They feature ethical dilemmas, survival instincts, and the desperate quest for hope amidst chaos. By pushing characters to their limits, they offer a chilling yet captivating glimpse into what might await at the edge of existence.

If you’re looking for a good one to stream this weekend, consider Last Night on Earth. It is available now On Digital and On Demand via Uncork’d Entertainment. It stars Leven Rambin, Jake McLaughlin, Sohvi Rodriguez, Shane West, and genre legend Dee Wallace. (Gold Star PR, 2024)

Where to watch:
Google Play Movies & TV
Fandango at Home
Apple TV
YouTube

Last Night on Earth – Written and directed by Marcos Efron, it promises to captivate audiences with its intense portrayal of love and survival amidst a world on the brink of apocalypse.

Synopsis: After learning of the impending destruction of Earth by a planet-killing asteroid, Holly and Ryan plan to spend their final days living in harmony with nature in the tranquil mountains of Tennessee. But as society breaks down around them, religious zealots try to recruit them, and newcomers Gene and Gabby aim to flame out in a final crime spree that spoils Ryan and Holly’s peaceful plans.

‘Hereditary:’ Unveiling Cassadee Pope’s Latest Musical Evolution

‘Hereditary’ will be released on July 12, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Cassadee Pope’s fourth LP, Hereditary, has been a long time coming for the Nashville-based singer/songwriter. Her first full-length since 2021’s Thrive marks her boldest, most resonant reimagining yet, a return to the upbeat, high-octane pop-punk sound she built her career on some 15 years ago. Pope is  back where she belongs – aided by the benefit of years of personal introspection and a desire to fully understand her true identity.

The album’s 12 tracks are, in many ways, the reclamation of the grief Pope has experienced throughout her life. The album is the result of a decade and a half as a professional songwriter, but also a relatively newfound willingness to unlock the why behind her feelings. After years spent inside the machine, everything’s come full circle for Cassadee Pope, though she’s now finally confident enough to sit back and enjoy what’s to come. (Big Picture Media, 2024)

The Grammy-nominated, Platinum-certified singer-songwriter recently shared the new music video for the single “I Died (ft Daisha Mcbride)” off of her upcoming album, Hereditary, due out July 12.  Pre-save Hereditary here. 

The album marks The Voice winner’s first full length following her shift from country back to her pop punk roots. With “I Died,” the former voice of rock band Hey Monday masterfully captures the raw emotions of love, loss, and longing following a one sided breakup. 

The pop punk / rap track explores the feelings of abandonment while channeling the strength it takes to move forward from heartache. The track serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find solace in shared experiences. The collaboration between Cassadee and Daisha has created a genre blending fusion of pop punk and rap, proving that even when we feel our most vulnerable, music will always be there to offer a sense of community.  

Cassadee’s powerful voice and storytelling brings heartache and healing to life on Hereditary, an emotional rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of life, love and self-discovery. Each track is a testament to the journey we embark on, shaped by our upbringing and the legacies passed down through generations. Whether that’s love, betrayal or the intricate web of family dynamics, the title Hereditary captures the essence of our roots, the echoes of our past and the quest to carve our own path. 

“Hereditary offers a soundtrack to navigate the complexities of life with authenticity and courage. I couldn’t think of a better backdrop for these lyrics than pop/punk and I hope this album gives people permission to feel everything!” -Cassadee Pope

Cassadee released another Hereditary single and music video, “Three Of Us” earlier this year, which invites listeners to confront the darkness of addiction and embrace the power of empathy, compassion and community. 

She will be hitting the road this summer on her headlining Hereditary Tour. The tour will be making stops throughout the country, kicking off July 11 in Anaheim, California and visiting Los Angeles, Knoxville, Albany, Charleston and more before wrapping on July 31 in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

This fall Cassadee will be joining multi-platinum-selling Canadian pop-rock band, Marianas Trench on The Force of Nature tour – produced by Live Nation, making stops across the US, including shows in Dallas, Orlando, Nashville, New York City, Chicago, Denver, and wrapping up in Salt Lake City. 

Upcoming Cassadee Pope U.S. Tour Dates
July 11 – Anaheim, California – Chain Reaction~
July 12 – Los Angeles, California – The Peppermint Club~
July 13 – Mesa, Arizona – Nile Underground~
July 14 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pop Punk Summer Camp Festival
July 19 – Knoxville, Tennessee- Open Chord*
July 21 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Turntable*
July 22 – Louisville Kentucky – Headliners Music Hall*
July 23 – Albany, New York – Empire Live*
July 24 – Syracuse, New York – Funk ‘N Waffles*
July 26 – Virginia Beach, Virginia – Elevation 27*
July 27 – Durham, North Carolina – Motorco Music Hall*
July 29 – Charleston, South Carolina – Music Farm*
July 30 – Jacksonville, Florida – Underbelly*
July 31 – West Palm Beach, Florida – Respectable Street*
October 19-20 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival^
February 4-8 – Emo’s Not Dead Cruise^

~Foxies opening
*Natalia Taylar opening / Foxies direct support
^Billed as Hey Monday

Hereditary tracklist 

  1. People That I Love Leave 
  2. Eye Contact 
  3. Secret Master 
  4. More To Me
  5. Three Of Us 
  6. Rom Coms
  7. Almost There 
  8. Capacity 
  9. I Died (feat Daisha McBride) 
  10. Hereditary 
  11. Ever Since That World Ended (feat. Aaron Gillespie) 
  12. Wrong One 

Unsinkable: Redefining Storytelling with Audio Cinema

The series Unsinkable launches on July 10, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, there’s a new audio movie series coming to Wondery+. Audio movies, also known as audio dramas or audio plays, transport listeners into vivid worlds using only sound. These productions rely on voice acting, sound effects, and music to tell compelling stories without visual elements. They stimulate the imagination, painting scenes and emotions through dialogue and soundscapes while creating a theater of the mind where every listener interprets and visualizes the story in their own way. If you’re looking for a new series to binge and like military movies about heroic battles during World War 2, this is one worth checking out.

The star-studded character-driven binge worthy series “UNSINKABLE” launches on July 10 with the first two episodes on Wondery+. This compelling, wholly immersive original audio movie series is from creators Misha Crosby and John Mawon. (Cinematic Red PR, 2024)

“UNSINKABLE” is an immersive new 11-part audio movie series presented in Dolby Atmos  from creators, directors, and showrunners, who also voice key characters, Misha Crosby, and John Mawson, and stars a multi-award-winning cast led by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Brian Cox, Nathalie Emmanuel,  John Malkovich, and Harry Hamlin, as well as  Blair Redwood, Paul Telfer, Juliet Aubrey, Rupert Vansittart, John Altman, and Hugh Fraser.

The series launches on July 10 with the first two episodes with an additional episode dropping weekly. 

“UNSINKABLE”  tells the true story of the British tanker, the San Demetrio – one of the most extraordinary tales of heroism, fortitude, and seamanship of World War 2. When the ship is attacked thousands of miles from home in enemy infested seas, a raw young officer and a handful of desperate seamen fight to survive both against the elements and themselves.

 * This epic story experience is told over 3 hours 30 mins broken into an 11-episode series, each roughly 20 mins in length.

* The story transitions from deadly action at sea to heartbreaking events in Blitz-torn London and the extraordinary High Court case that resulted.

* This is not an audiobook, podcast or radio-play, there is no narrator. This is a movie for the ears.

* Led by extraordinary A-List Talent, a cast of over 37 actors created more than 100 distinct roles. The series is flooded with moments of blockbuster action, high drama, romance, comedy, deep jeopardy, and gripping tension all presented through the lens of our characters in an immersive Dolby Atmos mix.

What is an Audio Movie: This is a movie for the ears; presented through the lens of the characters in an immersive Dolby Atmos  mix. The 11-part series is flooded with action, drama, romance, comedy, and gripping tension that brings this epic event to life. It is NOT a radio play, audiobook, docudrama, or an ordinary podcast. There is no narration. This wholly immersive original audio movie series embraces the production style and values of cinematic feature films by creating an immersive narrative blockbuster experience through sound design and original orchestral score. The sound design has been led by Jimmy Boyle and his team and delivered in Dolby Atmos, mixed by Academy Award® Winner Ben Wilkins.

Embracing Vulnerability: Maya de Vitry’s Journey in The Only Moment

Maya de Vitry’s The Only Moment will be out July 12. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Maya de Vitry’s vibrant voice seems to rise out of some necessity of bringing songs to life, embracing listeners with what Folk Alley calls a “soulful intimacy.” She grew up in a musical family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, understanding music to be a place of gathering, a way to spend a summer night around a campfire. Maya first traveled and performed as a fiddling street musician, and then in bars, theaters, and on festival stages as a founding member of The Stray Birds (2010-2018). Since the band parted ways in 2018, Maya has been devotedly creating a powerful new body of work—one that consistently blurs genre while showcasing her delight in storytelling and her extraordinarily dynamic singing. In addition to performing and recording, Maya is a sought-after co-writer and co-creator and has been steadily and closely collaborating within her chosen musical community of Nashville, Tennessee, for nearly a decade. (IV-PR, 2024)

Her latest single, “Odds of Getting Even,” owes its inspiration to an unlikely figure in the greater Americana world: the late, great soul and funk singer, Sharon Jones. “I really wanted to do this one justice, for this song to feel as alive and exuberant as I think it wants to be – and I just honestly couldn’t find that in myself for a while. But this finally felt like the perfect band and moment in my own life for me to sing this one,” she says, having compiled her Nashville “bar band” of A-list, next-generation players for this new batch of songs. “I feel especially lucky to have my friend Phoebe Hunt singing harmony. She’s on the whole record, but on this song I just think she’s absolute magic.” 

“Odds of Getting Even” is the latest single to be released from Maya de Vitry’s upcoming self-produced album The Only Moment—out July 12. Fans can stream or purchase “Odds of Getting Even,” check out de Vitry’s previously released single, “Compass,” and pre-order The Only Moment ahead of its July 12 release. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Only Moment tracklist:

Nothing Else Matters

Compass

Odds of Getting Even

I’m Not Going Anywhere

If They Feel Like Wings

Some Rent

Burning Building

Addicted

Watching the Whole Sky Change

Ribbon

Produced by Maya de Vitry and mixed by Grammy-award-winning engineer Justin Francis (Madison Cunningham), The Only Moment is an unabashed blend of indie folk, indie rock, and indie pop, with elements of Americana and alt-country. Recorded at Phantom Studios in Gallatin, TN, the album captures the unfettered energy and occasional chaos of de Vitry’s Nashville “bar band,” featuring Anthony da Costa on electric guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz on electric bass, and Dominic Billet on drums. These three musicians played a pivotal role in nurturing de Vitry’s vision, crafting atmospheres around her songs that feel unrestricted by notions of genre.

Catch Maya de Vitry on tour:
June 21 – Tryon, NC – Summer Tracks Music Series
July 12 – Nashville, TN – Finally Friday w/ WMOT at 3rd & Lindsley
July 20 – Bethlehem, NH – Colonial Theatre (co-bill w/ Griffin William Sherry)
July 26-27 – South Hiram, ME – Ossipee Music Festival
August 31 – Erwin, TN – Sol Slam Mountain Jam
September 24 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
September 25 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
September 26 – Portland, ME – Oxbow
September 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Owl Music Parlor
September 28 – Lancaster, PA – West Art
September 29 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
October 1 – Evanston, IL – Space
October 3 – Milwaukee, WI – Anodyne
October 4 – Madison, WI – Shitty Barn
October 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center (supporting Robin & Linda Williams)
November 1 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
November 2 – Lincoln, VT – Burnham Presents

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Experience Clear Cut: Thrills, Chills, and Unexpected Twists

Lochlyn Munro in Clear Cut. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.

Thrillers are some of my favorite types of movies. They captivate audiences with suspenseful plots, heart-pounding tension, and unexpected twists and skillfully blend mystery, danger, and psychological intrigue. Complex characters face dangerous situations, often involving crime, espionage, or the supernatural. With atmospheric cinematography and gripping soundtracks, thrillers create an immersive world of uncertainty, where every moment counts towards an electrifying climax. In today’s movie news, if you’re looking forward to the next thriller, there’s a new one coming out next month from Lionsgate: Clear Cut.

Clear Cut – Every moment is filled with danger for a man cutting timber in the Pacific Northwest, but Jack becomes the target of a brutal assault from more than the elements in this action-packed thriller. As Jack ventures deeper into the woods, he crosses paths with a criminal band of madmen from his past intent on killing him before he can fight his way back to civilization. Academy Award Nominee Alec Baldwin, Stephen Dorff, and Tom Welling star in an electrifying drama about one man’s treacherous journey on the road to redemption. (EG-PR, 2024)

Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Running Time: 88 mins
Release Date in theater, digital, and on demand: 7/19/2024 (US and Canada)

Cast: Clive Standen, Lucy Martin, Jesse Metcalfe, Tom Welling, Lochlyn Munro, Chelsey Reist, Tom Stevens, Mike Dopud, Stephen Dorff, Alec Baldwin

Director: Brian Skiba
Writer: Joe Perruccio

Executive Producers: Eric Bromberg, Ram Getz, Greg Meyer, Nick Mao, Michael Mortensen, Jordan Wayne Nott, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Tyler Gould, Kirk Shaw, Stephanie Rennie

Clear Cut will be released July 19. 2024. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.