Author: Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire ranked by Feedspot as among the top 60 Music Industry Blogs on the Web

Christopher Laird Simmons

TEMECULA, Calif. /MUSEWIRE – Music Industry Newswire/ — MuseWire has been selected by the panelists at Feedspot as one of the Top 60 Music Industry Blogs on the web. MuseWire (aka Music Industry Newswire) covers music makers, music gear, the music business and related topics. Edited and published by Christopher Simmons, a working tech journalist since 1984, and member ASCAP.

Erica Synths announces series of educational DIY kits to teach people to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch

Christopher Laird Simmons

Latvia /MUSEWIRE – Music Industry Newswire/ — Erica Synths and Moritz Klein have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name “mki x es.EDU” with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch.

Bob Moog Foundation celebrates 15th anniversary with 2021 year in review video

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bob Moog Foundation (BMF) celebrates its 15th anniversary with a 2021 year in review video. 2021 marked Bob Moog Foundation’s 15th year, and after 15 years, this endeavor has reached people from over 50 countries, and the impact is worldwide. We are ready to take on the next 15 with the same type of creativity and determination that guided Bob through his life and legacy.

HMB Players Release First Album, ‘Daddy’s Margarita Rose’ – a mix of original work and popular cover songs

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. /Music Industry Newswire/ — High Mountain Breezes recently announced the release of their first album, “Daddy’s Margarita Rose.” “Daddy’s Margarita Rose” is a compilation of new original High Mountain Breezes songs and a blend of traditional popular cover songs. Available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

Music Theater Works Presents BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL in Chicago, through Jan. 2, 2022

Christopher Laird Simmons

SKOKIE, Ill. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Music Theater Works shall present “Billy Elliot: The Musical” at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie illinois from December 23, 2021 through January 2, 2022 as the final production of the 2021 Season. “Billy Elliot” is an inspirational story about the power of being true to yourself, the unity of family, and the coming together of a community backgrounded by the UK miners’ strike in 1984.

Musician and viral TikTok sensation Nick Serena and his band ASTRO INN, Perform Slithering, Sauntering Rock Music

Christopher Laird Simmons

HOUSTON, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Nick Serena and his sister, Kaelynn, made a TikTok of Nick imitating Joe Goldberg, America’s “favorite serial-killing romantic” and the protagonist of Netflix’s hit show, “YOU,” as played by Penn Badgley. That TikTok video has already attracted over a million views and counting! Now he’s using his viral fame to promote his band, Astro Inn, and their new music video.

Vandi Lynnae releases festive Christmas Album ‘Holiday Healing’ inspiring people to come together

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — 2021 has been an impressive year for singer-songwriter Vandi Lynnae, who has continued to release a steady flow of singles, from heartfelt ballads to EDM remixes over the past twelve months. Her latest release, ‘Holiday Healing,’ is a Christmas album that was released December 24, 2021.

UVI release ‘Quadra – Metal and Wood’ a creative 4-part instrument and sequence designer focused on resonant wood and metallic sounds

Christopher Laird Simmons

PARIS /Music Industry Newswire/ — UVI have announced their new virtual instrument: ‘Quadra – Metal and Wood,’ a creative 4-part instrument and sequence designer focused on resonant wood and metallic sounds. Designed to be immediately creative, Quadra series instruments deliver 4 completely customizable instrument layers with mappable keyzones, XY and dynamics morphing.

BOB MOOG FOUNDATION launches Exploring the Moog Liberation virtual event examining legendary keytar synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bob Moog foundation has announced its “Exploring the Moog Liberation” virtual event for Dec. 11, 2021, delving into the now-legendary keytar synthesizer originally released by Moog Music, Inc. in 1980. Former Moog Music Engineer, August Worley will examine the historical, technical, and musical aspects of this lesser-known instrument.

Enhancia has announced PLUME, a VST Host with inspiring sounds specifically designed for Neova MIDI ring controller

Christopher Laird Simmons

/Music Industry Newswire/ — Enhancia SAS has announced PLUME, a VST Host that comes with a selection of inspiring sounds specifically designed for its Neova MIDI ring controller. Every gesture has already been assigned for you so you will not waste your time creating configurations. By simply scrolling presets, you can explore the richness of numerous sounds while focusing on your creative workflow.

W.A. Production launches MultiBender plugin with tempo-synced creative delay and multi-band processing

Christopher Laird Simmons

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC /Music Industry Newswire/ — W.A. Production, producers of high-end professional samples, instrument and effect plug-ins, DAW templates, and more, recently announced its MultiBender plugin — producing “tempo-synced solution creative delay processing like no other, thanks to delicious-sounding multi-band processing and four simultaneous delay modules making for truly epic effects.”

Spitfire Audio launches QMF division with Trinz-curated TRINZ – COLOURS PST sample library

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, UK /Music Industry Newswire/ — Spitfire Audio has announced availability of TRINZ – COLOURS PST — as the first sample library thanks to its bespoke range of inbuilt sound-sculpting controls and effects despite its roots being firmly planted in the UK drill scene, successfully curated by distinctive-sounding drill producer Trinz for beat-makers and producers creating drill, grime, or hip-hop tracks.

Bob Moog Foundation and Moogseum, a nonprofit music educator, launches Membership Program for supporters

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bob Moog Foundation and Moogseum have announced a new Membership Program for its supporters to engage in the legacy of Bob Moog at a new level. Membership packages offer both in-person and virtual benefits specifically for BMF supporters from all over the world.

Bass Player Clint ‘Payback’ Sands Rallies Hip Hop Legends for 2021 Diabetes Awareness Month

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy, Coolio, Kid Frost and the Dogg Pound’s Kurupt are just a few of the hip hop pioneer veterans who responded when bass player / music producer Clint “Payback” Sands reached out to his friends, inviting them to sound the alarm and participate in the “Check Your Risk” awareness campaign, an initiative of Preventive Lifestyle Assistance Network (PLAN).

Singer-Songwriter Sue Larsen Releases Third Pop Single, ‘You Will Always Be There’ Which Pokes Fun at Not Accepting Relationship Ending

Christopher Laird Simmons

NORTH CASTLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Bijoux Music Group LLC announced Sue Larsen’s next pop single, “You Will Always Be There” is being released today, under the Bijoux Music Group LLC label and produced by Sue Larsen. It can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora and all other streaming platforms. It is also available on Amazon and the iTunes Store for download as a mp3.

Golden State Pops Orchestra presents 2021 Holiday POPS Spectacular at Warner Grand Theatre

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Golden State Pops Orchestra announces their Return to the Stage with the “Holiday POPS Spectacular” on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 8pm in the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, CA. Celebrate the holiday season with Maestro Steven Allen Fox, Resident Choir Maestra Marya Basaraba, and the Golden State Pops Orchestra and Chorale with a festive performance of timeless holiday film music, traditional favorites, special guests, and snow!

DJ Expression, a Texas ‘Master of Mixtapes’ Drops New Release: Traffic Light – AFROBEAT Vol.14

Christopher Laird Simmons

DALLAS, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — DJ Expression, also known as Peter O Okeke, has vowed to make a difference and to add value to the music industry by pushing the AfroBeat genre. Nigerian-born, this musical artist has developed a unique style where he’s created a signature blend of mixes and sounds. Now, he’s excited to announce a new mixtape to drop this week – “Traffic Light” (AFROBEAT Vol. 14).

PSP Audioware announces new audio plugin, PSP Saturator to bring more heat to your music productions

Christopher Laird Simmons

POLAND /Music Industry Newswire/ — PSP Audioware has announced their new audio plugin, PSP Saturator, designed to bring more heat to your music productions. According to the company, PSP Saturator brings its refined algorithms and pushes the quality of saturation to a new level and can virtually heat up your production.

Actor-Singer Tony Hightower Brings Real Jazz to The Young Generation on ‘Legacy’ Release

Christopher Laird Simmons

ATLANTA, Ga./ Music Industry Newswire/ — Singer/Songwriter Tony Hightower is taking up the mantle to be a bridge that ushers R&B audiences into Jazz – Real Jazz. With years of experience as a singer, drummer, and actor (easily recognizable from his work in Tyler Perry movies/TV/stage productions), Atlanta-native Hightower is still just getting started.

Coffeeshopped Announces update to PATCH BASE, Supporting Classic KORG Prophecy Physical Modeling Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Chadwick Wood of Coffeeshopped announced this week an update to PATCH BASE, supporting the classic “KORG Prophecy” Physical Modeling Synthesizer. Patch Base for Mac (v1.15) and iPad (v3.21) now include editors and librarians for the Korg Prophecy, a virtual analog lead/monophonic synth released in 1995.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra in Massachusetts awarded third place in The American Prize Competition for the Performing Arts

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOWELL, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra has been awarded third place in The American Prize Competition for the Performing Arts. The orchestra was recognized for their performances in its inaugural season, in a division that appraises professional orchestras around the United States.

Best Alternative Gospel Group: See Your Shadow Songwriting Win at 14th Prayze Factor Awards

Christopher Laird Simmons

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /Music Industry Newswire/ — On Saturday, September 19, 2021 the winners for the 14th Prayze Factor Awards were announced. MTS Management Group is proud that they, along with their client, See Your Shadow Songwriting, were selected among the winners. See Your Shadow, headed by Michael Coleman, was named Best Alternative Gospel Group for their single, “I Will Tell Jesus You Said Hello.”

HMB Players Releases Track, ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’ off Album, ‘Daddy’s Margarita Rose’

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. /Music Industry Newswire/ — High Mountain Breezes today announce the release of their second pre-sale song “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” a track from their soon to be released record “Daddy’s Margarita Rose.” The track is now available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, You-Tube and many other major streaming services.

Social Influencer RoarJMcKay Reveals The Keeping Tabs Awareness Campaign: Rotting Rationality

Christopher Laird Simmons

FLINT, Mich. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Jonathan McKay, better known by his social influencer tag RoarJMcKay is a psychedelic multimedia content creator hailing from Flint, MI. Harnessing the influence of psychedelia, McKay has begun to apply concepts of geometric structure and interconnectedness visually in abstract ways. After surviving the disastrous “Flint Water Crisis” and fighting a brave battle with Cancer in his saliva glands, Jonathon had a new vision for life.

16-year-old Songstress Jaiimoni Starr releases single ‘Stop and I Go’ to Launch Career

Christopher Laird Simmons

ST. LOUIS, Mo. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Jaiimoni Starr, who sung solo songs and performed praise dances at church, and began her career doing cover raps, launches her first professional rap single with “Stop and I Go.” She is 16. Allen Daugherty, Daugherty Entertainment, is managing the artist. Starr presented her first solo rap at East St. Louis Senior High School for a Black history program, and ever since her goal has been to express herself through music.

RodthaGreat’s ‘The Garden’ Recently Hit the iTunes Charts with VIP Recordings

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — RodthaGreat after recently signing a distribution deal with VIP Recordings, currently distributed by a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, recently peaked the iTunes Hip-hop/Rap Song Charts at #57 with his release of “The Garden.”

Expressive E and AAS have announced a new virtual music instrument, IMAGINE, to create imaginary acoustic landscapes

Christopher Laird Simmons

France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Expressive E and Applied Acoustic Systems (AAS) have announced a new virtual music instrument, IMAGINE, offering hundreds of instrument layers, meticulously modeled to bring their very own character. Each preset combines two of these instrument layers to offer unprecedented acoustic timbres.

Ashun Sound Machines announces flagship synthesizer keyboard, the HYDRASYNTH DELUXE with Polyphonic Aftertouch

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES and HONG KONG /Music Industry Newswire/ — Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has announced their latest flagship synthesizer keyboard, the HYDRASYNTH DELUXE, offering a dual sound engine setup and the largest ASM PolyTouch polyphonic aftertouch keybed to date. The user interface is designed with the utmost attention to detail and offers a rapid workflow.

Music Video: Pop Singer-Songwriter EM Scores Top 20 Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart Single with ‘Hear Your Love’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — In an era starved for young Pop artists with something significant to share, singer/songwriter Em (Emily Wachspress) delivers with her music and her message in her latest album, “DEAR LIFE,” a ginger breeze of mood, truth, and soulful Pop. “This album represents a big chapter in my life of growth and empowerment,” says Em.

Rap artist Bre Maa, aka T.H.C., Releases New EP Promising ‘Rap in its Purest Form’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONG BEACH, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Rap artist, Bre Maa, also known as “The Hood Celestial” or “T.H.C.” just announced the release of her debut EP – “Brightly Unveiling Majesty” (B.U.M.). With four tracks, this album is poised to quickly brighten the rap scene.

Pop Band, ‘A Bleeding Sky’ Wins Push Global Entertainment’s 2021 Listening Party Las Vegas

Christopher Laird Simmons

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Push Global Entertainment is proud to have hosted “2021 Listening Party Las Vegas” a music performance competition in Las Vegas, Nevada that saw some of the brightest Rock, Hip-Hop and R&B rising stars compete for major label distribution and a marketing budget.

G-Sonique has released its new Mid-Side: Creative Stereo-Phase filter+ VST effect unit plugin

Christopher Laird Simmons

/Music Industry Newswire/ — G-Sonique’s new Mid-Side: Creative Stereo-Phase filter+ is a VST effect unit that offers new creative ways of stereophonic sound modulation. It creates special 3D modulation effects with phasing / filtering and the illusion of effected sound that will fly around your head while the center (mid) of the sound stays untouched. From weird psychedelic modulation to side phase and filter effects. The possibilities are immense.

SOMA laboratory recently released an innovative electronic music synthesizer instrument, ENNER, using the human body as ‘patch cables’

Christopher Laird Simmons

/Music Industry Newswire/ — In July 2021, SOMA laboratory released the unique instrument — ENNER. Controlled by ‘human patch cables,’ ENNER = combination of words Inner + Energy. The main concept was to create an instrument that’s closely connected to the performer’s emotional state, our inner energy. This idea belongs to the founder of SOMA Vlad Kreimer and Dalin Waldo, the designer of the instrument.

Native Instruments in collaboration with Drumasonic announce SESSION GUITARIST – PICKED NYLON

Christopher Laird Simmons

/Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments today released “SESSION GUITARIST — PICKED NYLON,” the latest addition to their range of KONTAKT sample-based instruments, created in collaboration with Drumasonic. Ideal for composers and musicians wanting classical and Latin style sounds.

Music Education Nonprofit, The Bob Moog Foundation, announces 15th Anniversary Charity Raffle for Signed Minimoog Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Music Education Nonprofit, The Bob Moog Foundation, has announced its 15th Anniversary Charity Raffle for 2021 featuring a vintage Minimoog Model D synthesizer, serial number 6572, signed by the late Bob Moog himself.

McGregor Pedals Launches ‘Cozmic Fuzzball’ – a Spacey Fuzz Pedal for Guitar and Bass Players

Christopher Laird Simmons

VANCOUVER, Canada /Music Industry Newswire/ — Boutique pedal company McGregor Pedals has launched its third pedal: The Cozmic Fuzzball. It follows on the heels of the McGregor’s previous pedals, the Crunch Transparent Overdrive, a single-channel, low-gain overdrive pedal for guitar and bass, released in December 2019 and the Crunch Plus Overdrive, a medium-gain version for guitar and bass released in December 2020.

Composer RJD2 and online music school Soundfly team for new course on sampling and arranging

Christopher Laird Simmons

BROOKLYN, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Instrumental hip-hop producer RJD2 has launched his first online course, made in partnership with music education platform Soundfly. This in-depth course guides students through RJD2’s unique approach to chopping and flipping records, and how he arranges samples into fully realized songs.

Lowell Chamber Orchestra Presents 7 living composers, 6 soloists, and an opera about a transgender woman for 2021 Season

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOWELL, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — After successfully ending an entirely virtual second season, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra returns to live concerts with “A Season of Inclusion,” its third and most ambitious season to date. The season opens with another world premiere: Micah Roberts’ “Hypernovae,” a fantastic overture inspired by the cosmos.

Black Lion Audio Launches PG-P Portable Power Conditioner

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHICAGO, Ill. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Boutique audio company Black Lion Audio has announced its new PG-P Portable Power Conditioner — a studio-class power conditioner complete with proprietary PG-P PORTABLE FILTERING TECHNOLOGY to provide the same noise filtering found in the majority of rack-mount power conditioners, despite looking like a run-of-the-mill surge protector.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra in Massachusetts makes final round in The American Prize Competition

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOWELL, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is one of the finalists for The American Prize in the orchestral performance competition, professional divisions. While the competition is still ongoing, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra is being recognized for superb past performances during its three years of existence.

Arturia Updates V Collection to 8.1 with Enhanced OB-Xa Sound Engine, Accessibility and NKS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Grenoble, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Today, digital music instrument company ARTURIA, announced a free update to its V Collection 8 (8.1), with updated sound engines, enhanced accessibility features, broader compatibility, and a myriad of brand new music instrument sound presets.

Mamma Mia! Music Theater Works Presents Popular ABBA Musical in Illinois

Christopher Laird Simmons

SKOKIE, Ill. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Music Theater Works will present “Mamma Mia!” at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie Illinois from August 19 – 29, 2021 being the second production of the 2021 Season.

SoulFest, the Premier Christian Music Festival, Returns to New Hampshire Aug 2021, Celebrating Faith Through Music

Christopher Laird Simmons

GILFORD, N.H. /Music Industry Newswire/ — New Sound Concerts, Inc., a New England based promoter and festival producer, is hosting their 23rd annual Christian music festival, at the Best of NH award-winning Gunstock Mountain Resort. After canceling the 2020 festival due to the pandemic, thousands are ready to gather and celebrate through “Music, Love & Action.”

UVI Launches PX SUNBOX, a new virtual music instrument inspired by Jomox SunSyn

Christopher Laird Simmons

PARIS /Music Industry Newswire/ — Highly respected virtual instrument company, UVI, today announced “PX SunBox,” a new instrument inspired by the JOMOX SunSyn, an 8-voice analog-digital hybrid synthesizer with analog-domain modular routing and morphable 4-pole filters.

Grammy Award Winner Bunny Hull Inducted Into Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Bunny Hull, Grammy Award winner and Founder and Executive Director of Dream a World Education, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that delivers virtual and in-classroom arts-based social-emotional learning to young children, will be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in a ceremony on June 25 at the Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Pompano Beach Arts Music Series Summer 2021 in Florida Welcomes Jazz Vocalist Allan Harris and Leesa Richards

Christopher Laird Simmons

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department is excited to welcome back live audiences to the Pompano Beach Cultural Center for the remaining concerts in the Pompano Beach Arts Music Series. July’s concert features jazz great Allan Harris and August showcases soulful songstress Leesa Richards.

Disney PRIDE in Concert 2022: Boston Gay Men’s Chorus Sets LGBTQ Experience to the Music of Disney

Christopher Laird Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Disney’s beloved catalog of songs will be reimagined by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) in ‘Disney PRIDE in Concert,’ a musical celebration of LGBTQ life, love, family, and perseverance, June 25-26, 2022 at Boston Symphony Hall.

Bjooks has announced an updated version of their widely-applauded music machines book, PUSH TURN MOVE

Christopher Laird Simmons

Denmark /Music Industry Newswire/ — Bjooks has announced an updated version of their widely-applauded music machines book, “PUSH TURN MOVE.” The updated edition for 2021 – a visual feast for both music creators and enthusiasts – features dozens of instruments, artist interviews, essays, and descriptive diagrams, and a Foreword by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre.

UVI Launches ‘Asteroid’ Sound Design and Film Scoring Instrument

Christopher Laird Simmons

PARIS, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — From the makers of Meteor, UVI, comes a new tool, Asteroid, “for creating epic cinematic percussions, massive drums, evolving effects, and more.” Asteroid delivers 7 deeply-customizable tracks with advanced mixing, multi-fx, and an incredible library of samples and sequences.

Muramasa Audio Electrum is an all-in-one single-screen guitar amp and pedalboard plug-in

Christopher Laird Simmons

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC /Music Industry Newswire/ — United Plugins has announced “Electrum” — available as an all-in-one single-screen guitar amp and pedalboard plug-in from development partner Muramasa Audio, itself inspired by bygone masterworks of a famous Japanese swordsmith.