Category: Featured

Butch Vig Drums, with sounds produced by the rock legend, is the first in a run of collaborations with major artists for Native’s Play Series instruments

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — Native Instruments today released Butch Vig Drums – a collaboration with renowned drummer and producer Butch Vig, best known as co-founding member of the alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of the seminal albums including Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream,” and Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown.”

Michael Jackson Tells His Own Story in New Audio Book Filled with Intimate Recordings

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — Dieter Wiesner, Michael Jackson’s former manager and friend, had many voice recordings from the pop icon, and sought a way to share them with others. “Michael Jackson: The Real Story” (ISBN: 978-1732181397), co-authored by Wiesner and Jah and published by Kingdomedia, is the result of that desire.

‘In America, A New Musical’ Launches a Soaring Salvo Against Trump’s Culture War

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — In response to President Trump’s increase in rhetoric against education, immigration, Black Lives Matter, Tik Tok and his defense of the Confederate flag and its monuments, Professor Hal Harper of Oakland, California, retired professor of English as a Second Language (ESL), has launched his own salvo in the culture war as he releases “In America – A New Musical” to the public.

McGregor Pedals Launches ‘Crunch’ Transparent Overdrive Pedal for Bass and Guitar

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – Music News/ — McGregor Pedals Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of their flagship product, the Crunch Transparent Overdrive Pedal for bass and guitar. Designer Garth Heslop went back to the drawing board to develop this single-channel, low-gain overdrive pedal.

California Bluegrass Association Turn Your Radio OnLINE Webcast Series Concludes June 20

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – Music News/ — The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) Turn Your Radio OnLINE webcast series started May 23, 2020 and continues each Saturday through June 20. This new online music event is inspired by the CBA’s annual Father’s Day Festival, held in Grass Valley, California, since 1975.

New Music from Gabriele Ciampi ‘She Walks in Beauty’ – Musically Transforms Byron’s Poem into Message of Hope

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – Music News/ — With lyrics inspired by famed poet, Lord Byron, Gabriele Ciampi’s, “She Walks in Beauty” was composed and orchestrated by him to pay tribute to the heroes on the frontline of the current pandemic. This eloquent music video serves as a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with the promise of a return to normal. The video and song will be released, worldwide, on May 15 by Universal Music Group.

New Album ‘Mateo Blanco 724’ from Mateo Blanco: American dreamer turned successful American tenor

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – Music News/ — Mateo Blanco, an accomplished musician and celebrated visual artist, is re-releasing his debut album “Mateo Blanco 724,” in honor of its 10th anniversary.

Acclaimed Indie Music Star Luanne Hunt delivers uplifting message in her Top 40 hit single, ‘WE RISE’

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – Music News/ — Amid the Coronavirus lockdown, award-winning, critically acclaimed indie music star Luanne Hunt decided to use her free time to tap into her creativity and write the Top 40 Gospel/Inspirational hit “We Rise,” a song the Hollywood Digest calls an “anthem for our times.”

Arizona Performing Arts Center Hosts Celtic Music Matinee March 15, with ‘Kilted Spirit’

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — The Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts Foundation will host a concert of Irish and Scottish music by the Kilted Spirit band, with bagpiper Mike McKee, on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 3 p.m. at the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts, 210 Camp Lincoln Road, in Camp Verde

Arturia Launch 2020 Sound Explorers Video Competition with Chance to Win New Synth

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC TECH/ — French music hardware and software creators Arturia are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and hosting an exciting competition to promote their new direction as “Sound Explorers.” Arturia’s “Your Experience, Your Sound” tagline has now been updated to “The Sound Explorers,” marking the company’s new focus and new direction that has developed over the years.

Sunny Indie Popstar Zepet Releases New Single ‘Call Me When You Break Up’

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — Pop rock artist Zepet specializes in the sunny indie pop that dominated the airwaves in the early 2000’s. His latest single release, “Call Me When You Break Up,” is joyously melancholy and filled to the brim with memorable melodies.

Indie-Rock Singer Ryan Chernin Releases New Topical Single for Tech Savvy, ‘FaceTime’

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — Indie-rock singer-songwriter Ryan Chernin, whose debut single on Inhuman Records, “Look Right,” rocketed up to 25 on Mediabase’s AC Chart, just under Ariana Grande’s “Breathin,” has just released an edgy new single for 2020, “FaceTime.”

27th Annual Blind Willie McTell Music Festival 2020 Lineup Announced

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – MUSIC NEWS/ — The Activities Council of Thomson proudly announces the lineup of musicians for the 27th Annual Blind Willie McTell Music Festival. This year’s date for the iconic day of great roots music is Saturday May 2, 2020, in Thomson, Georgia.

Thirty Days Later: 96-Year-Old Marine Releases Commemorative Song Honoring 75th Anniversary of Iwo Jima

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – NEWS/ — Ninety-six-year-old marine, Gene Christie, recently released his CD containing a song to honor his fellow Marines in the 5th Division who won the Battle of Iwo Jima at great sacrifice. The bloodiest battle in Marine Corp history, the Battle of Iwo Jima began over 75 years ago on February 19, 1945.

South Korean Pianist Dr. Bong-A Jung to Perform Debut Recital at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – NEWS/ — JH ARTS CORP. announces that Dr. Bong-A Jung, 1st prize winner at the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Competition and recipient of the Olga Gagliardi Getto Award, is making her Carnegie Hall debut as a solo recitalist on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 8 p.m. The grand pianist has appeared previously at Carnegie Hall but as a chamber musician.

Youthful Faces: NYC Dancers Step Together in Short Musical Film to Encourage Our Youth to Speak Out

Christopher Laird Simmons

/MUSEWIRE – NEWS/ — 3 cords & a hook studios announces “Youthful Faces,” bringing together some of NYC’s best dancers, including: Matt Wiercinski (Broadway: “Anastasia” – Ensemble/Prince Siegfried) and Kathryn Zimmer (Broadway: “Matilda The Musical”), to encourage and become a catalyst for our younger generation to speak up and speak out to illuminate the future they want to see.

New Record Label, INDIE CHAMELEON, Built by Artists for Artists to Protect Independent Music, Releases Music Video ‘Freedom’

Christopher Laird Simmons

MUSEWIRE – NEWS: INDIE CHAMELEON, a new innovative record label that puts the artist at the core of everything they do, has released their first fully produced single and music video combination with the song available October 25 and the music video released today.

New Dubreq Stylophone GEN R-8 with touch keyboard is an evolved portable pro analog synth

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: The new for 2019 Stylophone GEN R-8 is a dual VCO British made boutique synthesizer with a fully analog signal path and a touch keyboard that you can play with your finger. The GEN R-8 also works as a MIDI controller keyboard (with Local ON/OFF) where the CV/Gate outputs on the sequencer doubles as keyboard CV/Gate when the sequencer is not running.

New Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine effects pedal recreates musicality of tape delay systems

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: New Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine effects pedal features magnetic drum, tape, and (reel-to-reel) studio echo as a stereo multi-head delay that also offers a looper and vintage reverb. Situated at the center of Volante’s control surface are four delay playback heads with individual playback and feedback controls — each head’s playback level can be set for full volume, half volume, or off, and each head can be switched in or out of the feedback circuit.

New G-Sonique TECHNOL HN1 is a plug-in multi-instrument created for techno, minimal and industrial music producers

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: The new for 2019 G-Sonique TECHNOL HN1 plug-in multi-instrument was created for TECHNO / MINIMAL / INDUSTRIAL music producers, but can be used in other music styles (Electro, Progressive, Industrial, Illegal Tekno, Minimal. Psytrance, Darkpsy, Darkprog, Hitech, Neurofunk Drum & Bass, and also for dark ambient, experimental genres, film / video game music).

Argosy Console Acquires Nashville-based Sound Construction and Supply

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: ARGOSY announced this week (Jan. 10) its acquisition of all assets of Sound Construction and Supply, Inc., a Nashville based manufacturer of furniture for recording studios. This acquisition will help to enhance and expand Argosy’s portfolio and further allow it to deliver on its mission to help studio owners transform their space.

UVI releases PX V8, its newest Prototype Series instrument, inspired by analog Voyetra 8 Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced the latest in their Prototype Series, PX V8. Examining a rare 8-voice analog polyphonic synth, the Voyetra 8, PX V8 presents a rich and charactered analog instrument thanks to its unique voice cards, real analog unison and deep modulation system.

Haken Audio ContinuuMini MPE Electronic Music Instrument Fully Funded First Day on Kickstarter

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: The all-new Haken Audio ContinuuMini electronic music instrument, first previewed at the 2018 ContinuuCon event, launched this week on Kickstarter, and was fully funded its first day. The ContinuuMini has been designed to be a portable and more affordable version of Haken Audio’s larger Continuum Fingerboards.

Patch Base 3 and Yamaha TG33 Synth Editor Launched by Coffeeshopped

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: The Coffeeshopped Patch Base synth editor for iPad/iOS was recently updated to an all-new version, with new interface and subscription model pricing. Additionally, Patch Base 3 now offers an editor/librarian for the Yamaha TG33 desktop synthesizer.

UVI Announces ‘Walker’ FX Footstep Foley Design Audio Toolkit Plugin

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: UVI has released “Walker,” a comprehensive and flexible footstep foley designer for film, games and post production, offering a customizable engine including 6 shoe types, 14 ground surfaces with adjustable texture layers, 8 clothing materials, and intelligent automation tools to help accelerate common production tasks.

Music Veterans John Doe and Exene Cervenka, John Densmore Salute Beyond Baroque’s 50th in L.A.

Christopher Laird Simmons

MUSIC MAKERS: A historic lineup of L.A.’s leading artists, performers, poets and authors will salute Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center (‘Beyond Baroque’), the city’s legendary literary center, at its 50th anniversary “Bohemian Bacchanal” on Nov 10, 2018 in Venice, CA. Performers slated to take the stage include John Doe and Exene Cervenka (who first met at Beyond Baroque and formed the iconic LA band X); and John Densmore, founding member of The Doors.

UVI releases PLATE – a custom-shop electro-mechanical reverb plug-in with fully-configurable design

Christopher Laird Simmons

MUSIC PLUG-IN NEWS: UVI’s all-new ‘Plate’ plug-in a custom-shop electro-mechanical reverb with fully-configurable design. A realtime physically-modeled simulation, Plate allows you to control each aspect of the design including metal type, plate size and aspect, input and output position – and more.

The Ormewoods release new music video reaching across the political aisle, ‘Hope, Pray, Sing’

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW MUSIC: The Ormewoods – Claire Pearson and Don McCollister – are an Americana and folk duo, and their new music video, “Hope, Pray, Sing,” was released to draw people closer together rather than tear them apart.

Long Awaited Polyphonic MOOG ONE Analog Synthesizer is Finally a Reality

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: While you might have heard rumors about a new polyphonic Moog Synthesizer at recent synth shows, it turns out that the rumors were true. It’s here, it’s real. It’s the brand spankin’ new MOOG ONE from the wizards at Moog Music. Briefly, it’s a 61-key, 16-voice Programmable, Tri-timbral Analog Synthesizer with 3 Voltage-Controlled Oscillators, 2 Independent Analog Filters, 4 LFOs, 3 Envelope Generators, Arpeggiator, Sequencer, Eventide Reverb Suite, and CV I/O. (UPDATED)

Spitfire Audio launches 10th anniversary ‘Audio Annual issue 1’ a printed volume celebrating each year that it has been in business

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: Spitfire Audio, a British music technology company, well known for its industry leading scoring libraries, has launched its first ever Audio Annual, a 246-page visual magazine, designed to celebrate each year that it has been in business.

UVI Rethink the Modern Drum Machine, launch Drum Designer, with Unique Instrument Design Options

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: UVI’s newly announced Drum Designer combines the “best of synthesis and sample-based drum techniques, breaking down drum hits to the component level and allowing users to rapidly create, edit and combine sounds with the flexibility of a synthesizer and the polish and impact of high-quality sample libraries.”

Psychedelic-pop band The PondHawks gives hometown a song with ‘River Grove’

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW MUSIC: The PondHawks, a ‘groovy psychedelic-pop progressive’ band in Chicago recently announced the release of their new single, “River Grove” on the Riverpool Records label. Mario Novelli, born and raised in River Grove, co-wrote the song with songwriting partner, Jorie Gracen. The two formed the very popular indie band in 2007, which has over 600,000 fans worldwide.

Texas Battle of the Bands 2018 Kicks off in October hosted by Hub Streat Plano and Texas Select Radio

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: Texas Select Radio has announced the 2018 Battle of the Bands at Hub Streat, a full service Culinary Entertainment Center, featuring hand crafted cocktails, craft beer, a menu for every taste from a scratch kitchen, live entertainment and a dog friendly patio. The Battle of the Bands competition starts on October 3 and will run every Wednesday (7:30 to 10:30) until Nov. 14. Semi-Final Round will be held on November 7 and the Final Round on November 14.

Country Music Songstress Lindsay Ell Headlines Final 2018 Monster Energy Outbreak Tour

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: Lindsay Ell is headlining the final Monster Energy Outbreak Tour of 2018. Lauded as “one of the most exciting and talented young artists in country music” (Forbes), Lindsay Ell is a triple threat: accomplished musician, unique vocalist and songwriter. Her first full-length album, “The Project,” debuted at No. 1 on the Country Album Sales Chart in August 2017 and was lauded as Billboard’s “Best Country Album of 2017.”

Universal Audio Announces Updated and Upgraded Pro Line-up of UAD Apollo X Audio Interfaces

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: Universal Audio has announced their new Apollo X models, now with hexacore processors as standard. The Apollo X is UA’s new flagship Thunderbolt 3 audio interfaces, “featuring elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, new HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing, Unison mic preamps, +24dBu operation, Surround Sound,* and more. All in a sleek, expandable Thunderbolt 3 package for Mac and PC.”

Bob Moog Foundation launches charity benefit raffle for three iconic Moog Synthesizers to support music education

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: The Bob Moog Foundation has announced a new 2018 charity benefit raffle for three iconic Moog Synthesizers to benefit music education including Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, and the Moogseum. The raffle includes three winners for a vintage Memorymoog, Moog Source, and Moog Rogue keyboard.

KORG announces new ELECTRIBE Wave virtual instrument for iOS

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: KORG announces new ELECTRIBE Wave virtual instrument for iOS, with a sound wavetable featuring sounds widely used in the latest music creation. Unlike a PCM synth, the wavetable allows you to repeatedly play fragments of short waveforms, and change the waveform position during playback.

UVI announces Devinity, a new expansion for its FALCON Instrument from sound designer and electronic musician Richard Devine

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced “Devinity,” delivering 120 patches showing off the unique style and approach to sound design of Richard Devine: Modular sequences, FX, pads, animated, percussive sequences and more await. Expand Falcon with 120 masterfully-designed presets; tweak and perform patches on-the-fly with macro controls; deep editing capabilities of Falcon allow limitless customization.

Bob Moog Foundation moving to downtown Asheville NC, future home of the MOOGSEUM

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: The Bob Moog Foundation announced this week that it will be moving to downtown Asheville N.C., where it will also be launching the long-awaited Moogseum in 2019. Since its inception 12 years ago, the Bob Moog Foundation has been a force for science education, historical preservation, and creativity.

Stop Gun Violence? Unique Messengers has a song for that: Give Up That Gun

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW MUSIC: Unique Messengers is comprised of two men who are passionate about their desire to inspire and motivate others through the messages in their music. Their new song “Give Up That Gun” contains a pertinent message they hope would inspire listeners to make positive changes in their lives and support gun reform.

Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park follows ‘Post Traumatic’ Album Release to Headline Monster Energy Outbreak Tour

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: Mike Shinoda, co-lead vocalist for multi-platinum Grammy-Award winning rock band, Linkin Park, is set to headline the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour 2018. Shinoda’s North American tour follows headline shows across Asia and Europe and launch of his album ‘Post Traumatic’ in June.

Rycote Lyre Inventor Chris Woolf Joins RØDE Microphones as a Senior Innovation Engineer

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: RØDE Microphones recently announced the appointment of legendary audio innovator Chris Woolf as a Senior Innovation Engineer, exclusive to RØDE. Formerly a Senior Engineer for the windshield and microphone accessories company Rycote®, Chris Woolf is the inventor of, amongst many other patented noise-reduction solutions, the ‘Rycote Lyre®’ shock-mount and the ‘Rycote Cyclone®’ Windshield system.

Sonivox Stratum Virtual Synth Combines Supersaw with 4 OP FM Technology

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: In case you missed the recent launch, Stratum, a virtual instrument by Sonivox, is a rock-solid layering of a classic Supersaw synthesizer and a 4 operator FM synthesizer. Originally made famous by the Roland JP-8000, the Supersaw waveform has made a strong comeback in the trance and hardcore genres due to its edgy sound, particularly in synth leads and synth basses.

Los Angeles Alt-Rock Band, Johnny Chief Project, Announce Debut EP ‘Talking to Myself’

musepuppie

NEW MUSIC: Johnny Chief Project, an alternative rock band, are at L.A.’s Clear Lake Recording Studios recording and putting together the band’s debut EP “Talking to Myself.” The EP is being co-produced by the two core members of the band, Johnny Chief and Alex Medrano, and by Jose Miguel Smithers, the band’s current studio and touring drummer.

ScottWorks 2018: Inaugural Raymond Scott Festival in L.A. Celebrates Achievements of 1960s Electronic Music Pioneer

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: The 2018 ScottWorks festival on Sept. 8 will include a symposium on Raymond Scott’s 1930s jazz compositions, and 1960s electronic music inventions. There will be presentations, panels, gallery displays, and interactive exhibits during the day, followed by a concert at night featuring live performances to celebrate Scott’s multi-dimensional music.

New IK Multimedia UNO Analog Monophonic Synth Module Now Shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: IK Multimedia’s new analog synth module, the UNO, is now shipping, the company announced today. UNO Synth, IK’s first hardware synthesizer is a true analog synthesizer which brings all the warmth, depth and fatness you’d expect from a real analog synth. Ideal for notebook and “bed top” synth musicians.

The Crystal Method and DJ Otto headline 12th annual 2018 Running of the Bulls in New Orleans

Christopher Laird Simmons

MUSIC NEWS: The 12th edition of San Fermin in Nueva Orleans runs July 13-15, 2018, features live music including The Crystal Method. Nola Bulls, LLC steps up to the big leagues for the 12th edition of the ever-growing San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (SFNO) presented by The Advocate, a.k.a. The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans.

World-Firsts In Microphone Technology – RØDE Team Members Granted Two US Patents

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEWS: RØDE Microphones has announced that two of its team members recently received U.S. patents through their ingenious work at RØDE. Technical Engineering Manager Luke Hamilton was awarded the patent for the gamechanging Hamilton Condenser Microphone Backplate and Lead Industrial Designer Samuel Trewartha for the innovative housing on the award-winning Stereo VideoMic X.

ElectroSpit Mobile Talkbox ESX-1 Fully Funded Second Day on Kickstarter

Christopher Laird Simmons

The innovative ElectroSpit Mobile Talkbox ESX-1 has been fully funded on Kickstarter. It’s a “tubeless talkbox reimagined for the future” for musicians which allows you to do classic formant talkbox effects without a portable amp and plastic tube, as made famous on songs like Frampton’s “‘Do You Feel Like We Do” (among many others!).

Waldorf Teases New Kyra FPGA Virtual Analog Synth as Production Version of Exodus Digital Valkyrie

Christopher Laird Simmons

Waldorf Music has announced a full production launch and general availability of Kyra – the world’s first fully FPGA powered synthesizer featuring 128 voices (regardless of settings and effects), each with 10 oscillators per voice, and 8-part multitimbrality, based on the Exodus Digital Valkyrie previewed at Musicmesse.