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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, also known as Robert Dylan, was born as Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in the United States. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential singer-songwriters in history, with a career spanning over six decades. Dylan’s impact on popular culture has been profound, particularly during the 1960s when his songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” became anthems for social movements.
Born and raised in St. Louis County, Minnesota, Dylan gained fame with his debut album featuring traditional folk songs in 1962. He continued to innovate and challenge conventions with albums like The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, The Times They Are a-Changin’, and Another Side of Bob Dylan. Dylan ventured into rock music in the mid-60s, releasing iconic albums such as Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde. His music evolved through different phases, including country and gospel influences, leading to critical acclaim and commercial success.
Throughout his career, Bob Dylan has demonstrated versatility and creativity, constantly pushing boundaries and reinventing his sound. His discography includes timeless classics like “Like a Rolling Stone” and more recent releases like “Rough and Rowdy Ways.” Beyond music, Dylan has delved into visual arts, publishing books of paintings and drawings. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize in Literature and inductions into various music halls of fame.

Aaron Frazer

‘Into The Blue’ was the brainchild of Frazer, emerging from a period of heartbreak. After relocating across the country, Frazer embarked on a transformative journey that is vividly portrayed in the album through themes of sorrow, solitude, and the process of healing. According to Frazer, ‘Into The Blue’ symbolizes venturing into the unknown, mirroring the uncertainties and challenges he has faced over the past year. While navigating through this phase, Frazer highlights that the album also encapsulates moments of love and the excitement of a new romance, emphasizing that breakup encompasses both reflections on what went right and what went wrong.
Frazer meticulously penned every track and showcased his musical versatility by playing various live instruments on the album. The title song, ‘Into The Blue,’ stands out as a haunting and powerful anthem, blending cinematic strings with bold breakbeats as Frazer ventures towards the west. ‘Payback’ emerges as an electrifying dancefloor hit, fueled by glistening tambourines and dynamic bass grooves. The fusion of northern soul drums and gritty fuzz guitar in this track builds up to a climactic and intense finale, capturing the essence of the album’s diversity and raw energy.
In the creation of ‘Into the Blue,’ Frazer collaborated with Grammy award-winning co-producer Alex Goose, renowned for his expertise in sampling and collaborations in the hip-hop scene with artists such as Freddie Gibbs, Madlib, and Brockhampton. The album marked Frazer’s foray into experimenting with samples, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources like the 90s R&B group Hi-Five. Despite its origins in heartbreak, Frazer aspires for ‘Into the Blue’ to inspire a sense of hope and positivity among listeners. He emphasizes the coexistence of laughter amidst grief, highlighting the cyclical nature of life where peaks are accompanied by valleys, signifying a message of resilience and optimism.

Amos Lee

Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Amos Lee released his gold-selling self-titled first album in 2005 and has been known for his association with a long list of collaborators and touring partners, from Paul Simon and Bob Dylan to Zac Brown Band and Willie Nelson. The force behind such acclaimed albums as Mission Bell and Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song, Lee’s recent years have been wildly productive. After 2022’s Dreamland album (which featured “Worry No More,” a Top 10 AAA hit and his biggest single in over a decade), he followed up with two full-length projects paying homage to musical heroes — My Ideal: A Tribute to “Chet Baker Sings” and Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams.
Lee’s soon-to-be-released 11th studio album, Transmissions, continues to expand his sonic range while sharpening his closely observed lyrics that squarely address death, aging, and love. For the new record — his first release of original music on his own label, Hoagiemouth Records —Lee returned to an old-school style of recording, working with his longtime band in a studio in upstate New York. Playing live on the floor for long hours, they were able to capture the album’s 12 songs in less than a week.

The Record Company

The Record Company, known as TRC, has made a triumphant return with their 4th Album released via Round Hill Records. The album features hit singles like “Talk To Me” and “Roll With It” which are currently making waves on AAA radio stations. Fans have enthusiastically embraced the new tracks during the band’s energetic live performances. TRC’s bassist and in-house producer, Alex Stiff, shares that a key theme of the album was maintaining a raw and back-to-basics sound. The band utilized the same cheap recording gear from their first album, including yard sale guitars and a no-name drum set, while delving deep into songwriting to capture the essence and spirit of the music.
This stripped-back approach has been a trademark of TRC since their debut in 2016 with ‘Give It Back To You’. The band self-produced their first album in the makeshift studio at Alex’s home using minimal equipment. Despite having no budget for the album, TRC delivered powerful performances and established a strong fan base along the way. Their debut album even earned them a Grammy nomination and featured the chart-topping single ‘Off The Ground’ on AAA radio. Subsequent albums like ‘All Of This Life’ in 2018 and ‘Play Loud’ in 2021 continued to build on their success, showcasing a slightly more refined take on their bluesy Rock and Roll sound.
Over the years, TRC has embarked on numerous headline tours across the United States and Europe, sharing stages with iconic musicians such as John Mayer, Bob Seger, and My Morning Jacket. Their dedication and unwavering commitment to their music have solidified TRC’s position as a prominent name in the music industry, captivating audiences with their electrifying performances and timeless rock melodies.

The Heavy

The Heavy’s rise to fame was remarkable, marked by the success of their debut album in 2007, ‘Great Vengeance And Furious Fire.’ The band quickly gained recognition in the United States, with prominent publications such as Rolling Stone and SPIN acknowledging their talent. It was their electrifying performance of ‘How You Like Me Now?’ on The Late Show With David Letterman from their 2009 album ‘The House That Dirt Built’ that propelled them into the hearts of American audiences. This iconic track was not only featured in a 2010 Super Bowl commercial but also found its way into the acclaimed sports drama ‘The Fighter,’ starring Mark Wahlberg. The song’s popularity soared to unprecedented heights, resonating with the American culture to the extent that it was played at Barack Obama’s headquarters to celebrate his victory in the 2012 Presidential election.
The Heavy’s influence transcended borders, embedding their music deep into the global subconscious. ‘Short Change Hero,’ another hit from the same album, became a staple in TV show soundtracks, gained further prominence as the theme song for ‘Batman: Arkham City’ and various Borderlands video games, and resonated in unexpected corners like being embraced by the US Special Forces in real-life battle scenarios. Their third album in 2012, ‘The Glorious Dead,’ propelled popular tracks like ‘Same ‘Ol’ and ‘What Makes A Good Man?’ into the mainstream, featuring in commercials, TV series, and even the trailer of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight.’ The band’s musical journey evolved with each release, showcasing their artistry and innovation in 2016’s ‘Hurt & The Merciless’ and 2019’s ‘Sons.’ Anticipated in 2023, their upcoming sixth album ‘AMEN’ promises a dynamic fusion of ’60s R&B vibes, intricate horn arrangements, and soulful gospel harmonies, hinting at their most vibrant and rejuvenated record yet.

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello, born Declan McManus, emerged as a rebellious force in the vibrant era of 1970s British punk rock. Fronting the band Attractions, his sharp wit and unmatched musical talent shone through with the release of the critically acclaimed Armed Forces in 1979. This pivotal album introduced timeless hits like ‘Oliver’s Army,’ ‘Accidents Will Happen,’ and his rendition of Nick Lowe’s classic ‘(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding.’ Costello’s fearless exploration of various music genres became a hallmark of his career, captivating audiences with each new project.
Growing up in a musical family, Costello’s journey to stardom began in the early ’70s under the alias D.P. Costello, performing in folk clubs while working as a computer programmer. His big break came when independent record label Stiff signed him as a solo artist in 1977. Renaming himself Elvis Costello, he released his debut album ‘My Aim Is True’ later that year, which received widespread acclaim. Costello’s collaboration with the Attractions led to the creation of iconic albums like ‘This Year’s Model’ and the ambitious ‘Armed Forces,’ solidifying his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.
Costello’s artistic evolution continued to flourish over the years, marked by daring explorations into classical compositions, collaborations with music legends like Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach, and ventures into Americana and jazz influences. His unwavering passion for music and bold experimentation culminated in recent projects such as ‘Hey Clockface’ and ‘The Spanish Model,’ demonstrating his enduring creativity and musical prowess. Despite the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, Costello remains a driving force in the world of music, constantly reinventing himself and captivating audiences with his raw energy and unmatched musical ingenuity.

Real Estate

Real Estate helped usher in a warm, hazy style of indie rock that came into prominence in the late 2000s and continue to ply a similar sound, though with a more mature outlook. The band’s breezy melodies, jangly guitars, relaxed vocals, and generally laid-back approach to songcraft hid musical complexities on standout albums like 2014’s Atlas. As the years went on, their original lineup splintered and new songs explored getting older, parenthood, and a new wealth of topics, still delivered in the band’s reserved, mellow style on albums released in the 2020s like The Main Thing and Daniel.
Real Estate was formed in Ridgewood by lead singer/guitarist Martin Courtney (Predator Vision and formerly Titus Andronicus), guitarist Matthew Mondanile (Ducktails), bassist Alex Bleeker (Alex Bleeker & the Freaks), and drummer Etienne Duguay (Predator Vision). The foursome had played together — including in a Weezer cover band — during high school, but didn’t become Real Estate until Courtney returned to the Garden State after attending college in Olympia, Washington. After forming in the summer of 2008, the band began playing live that fall and released the “Suburban Beverage” 7″, which introduced Real Estate’s brand of surfy, lo-fi pop, early in 2009. A song on the Underwater Peoples Records Showcase and the Fake Blues EP appeared that summer. The quartet joined the Domino Records roster in 2011 for its sophomore effort, Days, which hit the shelves and the Billboard charts in the rock, alternative, independent, and vinyl albums categories. It reached number 52 on the Billboard 200. Shortly following its release, the band went through a lineup change with Duguay dropping out; he was replaced by drummer Jackson Pollis.
The group was also joined at that point by auxiliary member Jonah Maurer on keyboards and additional guitars. This new assemblage of Real Estate toured feverishly for the well-received Days, though by their return in 2014 with third album Atlas, Maurer had been replaced by Matt Kallman. That LP went on to rank higher on all the same charts, landing in the Billboard 200’s Top 40. Following a short break for other projects, including Courtney’s solo debut, in May of 2016 Real Estate announced that Mondanile was leaving the band to focus on Ducktails. He was replaced by Julian Lynch, and the quintet of Courtney, Bleeker, Pollis, Kallman, and Lynch released In Mind in March 2017. Three years later they returned with their fifth studio album The Main Thing, which explored themes of growing up mixed with a healthy fear of an oncoming apocalypse. The Main Thing was preceded by first single “Paper Cup,” which featured guest vocals from Amelia Meath of Sylvan Esso. Pollis left the band in 2020 and the next year the Half a Human EP gathered together material that the band had begun recording during the sessions for The Main Thing and finished later. Drummer Sammi Niss stepped in to replace Pollis, and this lineup of Real Estate recorded sixth studio album Daniel. The album was released in February of 2024. ~ Heather Phares & Marcy Donelson, Rovi

Guster

Guster, a versatile and literate East Coast alt-rock institution, emerged in the mid-’90s with a quirky amalgam of acoustic folk and pop before transitioning to a more robust sound blending stadium-ready Brit-pop grandeur with American trad-rock. Their breakthrough came in 1999 with the release of ‘Lost and Gone Forever,’ featuring the hit single ‘Fa Fa,’ leading to success with subsequent albums like ‘Ganging Up on the Sun’ (2006), ‘Easy Wonderful’ (2010), and ‘Look Alive’ (2019), producing chart-topping singles featured in popular TV shows and films.
Starting as an offbeat acoustic trio, Guster was formed in 1991 by Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner, and Brian Rosenworcel at Tufts University. Their early years were spent touring the college circuit and releasing independent albums showcasing hand percussion. Evolving into a full-fledged pop band, the addition of multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia in 2003 broadened their sound to explore folk, pop, and rock genres. Guster’s discography expanded, including standout albums like ‘Keep It Together’ with unique elements such as the ‘Meowstro Sings’ version, showcasing creativity and innovation in their music.
With a rich musical palette, Guster continued to captivate audiences through their lush soundscapes and experimental projects. Joe Pisapia’s contribution further elevated their music, with albums like ‘Ganging Up on the Sun’ and ‘Easy Wonderful’ achieving commercial success and critical acclaim. The band’s journey included lineup changes and collaborations, culminating in the release of ‘Look Alive’ in 2019, a compelling blend of electronic influences and dynamic production. Guster’s legacy is marked by a fusion of artistry, innovation, and a constant evolution in their music, creating a diverse and engaging discography for fans to explore.

Charley Crockett

Visions of Dallas, the latest album by the renowned artist, is now available for listeners worldwide. This highly anticipated release showcases the artist’s unique style and creative vision, captivating audiences with its mesmerizing melodies and heartfelt lyrics. From soulful ballads to upbeat anthems, Visions of Dallas delivers a musical journey that transcends genres and resonates with fans of all ages.

Dehd

Beep Beep is a talented and innovative artist who has captivated audiences worldwide with their unique approach to music. With a passion for blending various genres and pushing the boundaries of sound, Beep Beep’s music resonates with listeners on a profound level. Their artistry is characterized by a perfect fusion of soulful melodies, intricate rhythms, and thought-provoking lyrics that speak to the human experience.
Throughout their career, Beep Beep has consistently delivered electrifying performances that leave spectators in awe. Their live shows are immersive experiences that showcase not only their immense talent but also their deep connection to the music they create. Beep Beep’s dedication to their craft shines through in every note, creating a lasting impact on anyone fortunate enough to witness their artistry.
Beyond the stage, Beep Beep is known for their philanthropic efforts and commitment to using their platform for positive change. They are actively involved in various charitable initiatives, using their influence to raise awareness and support causes close to their heart. With a soulful voice and a creative vision that knows no bounds, Beep Beep continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the globe, solidifying their place as an icon in the music industry.

Ray LaMontagne

With a voice that recalls a huskier, sandpapery version of Van Morrison and Tim Buckley, Grammy winner Ray LaMontagne joins such artists as Iron & Wine in creating folk songs that are alternately lush and intimately earthy. Following his full-length debut, 2004’s Trouble, he gradually broadened his musical palette, incorporating horns and strings on 2006’s Til the Sun Turns Black and evoking the psychedelic pop and country-rock of the late 1960s and early ’70s with his fifth album, the Dan Auerbach-produced Supernova. Issued in 2014, the latter became his third straight album to peak at number three on the Billboard 200. LaMontagne’s eighth long-player, 2020’s Monovision, was his first entirely self-recorded effort, including all instrument performances. Working collaboratively again, he channeled classic pop-soul on “Step Into Your Power” ahead of 2024’s Long Way Home LP. Raymond Charles Jack LaMontagne was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1973. His parents split up shortly after his birth, and his mother began a pattern of moving her six children to any locale that could offer her employment and housing. As a result, LaMontagne grew up as the perennial new kid in school (when he went to school at all). He did graduate high school, however, and found himself working in a shoe factory in Maine when he heard Stephen Stills’ “Tree Top Flyer” on the radio. The song amounted to an epiphany for LaMontagne, who made up his mind on the spot to become a singer and musician. By mid-1999, he had put together a ten-song demo tape that soon found its way into the hands of Jamie Ceretta at Chrysalis. The publishing house signed the young songwriter and teamed him with producer Ethan Johns, resulting in LaMontagne’s debut album, Trouble. The record was picked up by RCA and released in September of 2004, impressing critics with such songs as “Trouble” and the cinematic style of pieces like “Narrow Escape.” A follow-up album for the RCA label, the more fully arranged Til the Sun Turns Black, appeared in 2006. He also placed songs in multiple American television shows, including ER, Bones, and One Tree Hill. Gossip in the Grain followed in 2008, also with Johns in the producer’s chair. LaMontagne’s biggest commercial success to that point, it debuted at number three on the U.S. album chart and featured several songs later heard on TV shows. In 2012, LaMontagne returned with his fourth studio album, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise. His first one without producer Ethan Johns, the session was produced instead by LaMontagne at his home studio and billed his backing band, the Pariah Dogs (bassist Jennifer Condos, guitarist Eric Heywood, and drummer Jay Bellerose). It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and earned LaMontagne his first Grammy win, for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Produced and recorded by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Supernova was released in April 2014. It fared well critically and reached number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and, again, number three on the Billboard 200. The following May, one of LaMontagne’s early songs, “Please,” was given a major boost when it was covered by Sawyer Fredericks, the season eight winner of NBC’s The Voice. Fredericks’ version became a hit, charting well on major streaming platforms. Teasing a change of direction in a note to a group of fans, LaMontagne worked with My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James on his next outing, 2016’s Ouroboros. Designed for full-album play, it was immersed in blues guitar and a rich psychedelic tapestry built with vintage instruments. Ouroboros peaked at number 13 on the U.S. album chart while reaching a career-high number two on the alternative chart. Merging those psychedelic tendencies with his Americana roots, the self-produced Part of the Light followed in 2018 and cracked the Top 40. He opted to go it alone on his eighth album, Monovision. Released in mid-2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was written, produced, engineered, and performed entirely by LaMontagne. It topped out at 163 on the Billboard 200. In August 2023, he returned with the non-album single “Broken Sky” b/w “It Takes Me Back”; the latter song featured My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel on pedal steel guitar. The uplifting, classic Motown-influenced “Step Into Your Power” followed in June 2024, two months before the arrival of his ninth studio LP, Long Way Home. ~ Steve Leggett & Marcy Donelson, Rovi

Lake Street Dive

Lake Street Dive have pushed the possibilities of pop music as a unifying force, not only through their eclectic sound—a boldly original cross-pollination of soul, folk, jazz, classic pop, and more—the five-piece’s all-embracing ethos has also made them a beloved live band known for building a potent connection among every crowd. In the making of their new album Good Together, vocalist Rachael Price, bassist/background vocalist Bridget Kearney, drummer/background vocalist Mike Calabrese, keyboardist/vocalist Akie Bermiss, and guitarist/background vocalist James Cornelison reinforced the deep sense of purpose behind their output, often turning their attention to the many factors driving us apart today (e.g., unchecked technological growth, culturally imposed isolation, the cult of relentless self-optimization). Born from a mindset they refer to as “joyful rebellion,” Good Together arrives as a body of work both gloriously defiant and primed to inspire unbridled dancing and ecstatic singing-along. All throughout Good Together, Lake Street Dive tap into the palpable camaraderie that’s fueled the band since their formation, ultimately delivering their most collaborative, expansive, and powerfully exuberant work to date. Lake Street Dive once again prove their undeniable gift for crafting feel-good songs with an illuminating message, simultaneously inducing a carefree euphoria and gently fostering empathy.