I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Billions, John Mellencamp, Noah Kahan, The Offspring, Stephen Marley, Miso Extra, Lloyiso, 50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion, Babylon 5, and Metalocalypse.
- SHOWTIME has announced that the acclaimed drama series BILLIONS will return for its seventh and final season streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on Friday, August 11 before making its on-air debut Sunday, August 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff, the 12-episode final season also marks the return of Emmy® winner Damian Lewis as fan-favorite Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. "Billions has deftly explored power, money and greed in a way that not only made it a massive hit, but also defined its own genre thanks to the creative brain trust of Brian and David,” said Chris McCarthy, President & CEO, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “This final season is packed full of the incredible, complex dialogue and character dynamics fans have come to love, and we are thrilled to partner with them on turning this hit series into a global franchise.”
- The much anticipated twenty fifth studio album from John Mellencamp—Orpheus Descending—is out today on Republic Records. Listen/share HERE. Orpheus Descending was produced by Mellencamp and recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio. One of his most personal records to date, standout tracks “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland” focus on social issues Mellencamp continues to passionately advocate for.
- In just a matter of a few days, critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan’s new album Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) impressively becomes his most successful and highest streaming release to date. His new single “Dial Drunk” has amassed over 7.5 million Spotify streams and counting and debuted at #1 on Spotify’s Top Songs Debut US Chart, while all seven new tracks from the album also debuted in the Top 10, sweeping the chart. Immediately upon release, “Dial Drunk” also launched to the Top 5 on Genius’ All Songs Chart. Meanwhile, the album garnered over 12 million Spotify streams within its first 24 hours of release and debuted at #1 on Genius’ Albums Chart, #1 on Apple Music’s Alternative Albums Chart, #1 on iTunes’ Alternative Albums Chart, and Top 5 on Apple Music’s Overall Albums Chart. Not to mention, Kahan shot up to Top 10 on Spotify’s Overall Artists Chart (just behind The Weeknd), and he trended in the Top 5 nationally on Twitter on release day. This past weekend, Noah continued his sold-out “Stick Season Tour” with his biggest show on the tour to date, as he performed to 15,000 fans at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. Watch a recap of the massive show HERE. The “Stick Season Tour” marks Noah’s most successful tour of his career with 300,000 tickets sold so far–see the full list of upcoming tour dates below.
- The Offspring are thrilled to release the special limited-edition 15th-anniversary reissue package of their acclaimed record, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, out now via Round Hill Records/UMe. Get the 15th-anniversary package of Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace now, HERE. Available for the first time on vinyl in many years, this special edition of the album features a bonus 45 with two new live tracks recorded at Hellfest in 2022, re-imagined artwork on the cover, and art lithos for each song. A digital version of the record, which features new animated artwork, is available now on streaming services.
- Stephen Marley premieres the video for his highly anticipated new single “Old Soul.” The well-crafted retrospective video reveals never-before-seen old family photos, vintage vinyl album covers, and a collage of Jamaican music history, and it is available now HERE on Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel. The award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer chronicles his growth and innocence as a youth Marley kid, the second son of Bob Marley, and his personal rites of passage through the family legacy. The warm acoustic track takes the listener on a coming-of-age journey through allusions to personal legends and eras of musical influences that “made it all possible.” “Old Soul” is available now on all streaming platforms and Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel via Tuff Gong Collective/UMe/Ghetto Youths International. Listen to “Old Soul” HERE or watch the new video HERE and SUBSCRIBE to Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel to never miss an update.
- The revolutionary London-based, mixed heritage singer, rapper and producer Miso Extra has today announced the release of her second EP MSG, which will come via her new label home, Transgressive Records on August 18. Alongside the news, she’s shared the first taster from the release; the 90’s R&B infused pop sounding "Space Junk", which sees Miso’s trademark playful, deliciously wonky beats and instrumentation out in full force and marks a glorious return for the artist who turned many heads upon the release of her debut Great Taste EP last year.
- South African singer and songwriter Lloyiso shares the luminous Choir Version of his new single and music video “Give A Little Kindness” featuring Edenglen High School via Universal Music Group South Africa/Republic Records. It notably arrives in honor of National Youth Day in South Africa as a perfect soundtrack for the celebration. Watch the music video HERE. The track’s bright piano resounds through a melodic guitar riff. Lloyiso’s expansive range shines only to be matched by the sheer power of the Edenglen High School choir, uplifting the harmonies and the hook to the heavens. Recently, the rising star served as the judge for a local high school choir contest in Johannesburg. Blown away by Edenglen, he invited the students to duet with him on a new Choir Version of a personal favorite original track. The music video highlights their chemistry as they perform together on-screen. Listen to Seasons: HERE
- Karl Kani is the undisputed Godfather of streetwear who launched the first streetwear brand in fashion history! His style and influence are still felt today. Karl will be featured in the new NBC News digital documentary, “50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion.” Born and raised in the streets of Brooklyn, Karl's creativity and originality were forged in the crucible of Hip-Hop and urban culture, where he quickly became a standout for his unique style. More than 30 years after he launched his eponymous clothing line, his designs have been consistent go-to’s from stars like Tupac and Wu-Tang Clan to Joey Bada$$ and Ariana Grande. The New Documentary Examines Hip-Hop’s Influence on the Fashion Industry as It Marks 50 Years, and is currently streaming on Peacock and NBC News NOW. Click HERE to Watch the Trailer.
- The highly anticipated continuation of the beloved series is finally here with an all-new original animated movie! Arriving on August 15, 2023, Babylon 5: The Road Home will be available to purchase Digitally and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Series creator J. Michael Straczynski returns with a story about the iconic Babylon 5 space station and its inhabitants as they take a journey through the past to determine the future. Babylon 5 celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and returning to voice their characters from the original series are Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Bill Mumy as Lennier, Tracy Scoggins as Elizabeth Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander.
- Get ready to shred with the heaviest metal band ever assembled - Dethklok! Join lead vocalist Nathan Explosion, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, William Murderface, and Pickles, as they tour the globe annihilating places and melting faces. For the first time ever, all episodes from Adult Swim's award-winning original adult animated series are brought together in one set with Metalocalypse: The Complete Series. Binge all 62 episodes of the four-season run, previously released special features, and the final death rock opera Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem - A Klok Opera. Metalocalypse: The Complete Series will be available to purchase Digitally and on DVD on August 15, 2023. The quarter-hour animated series chronicles the world's most popular entertainment act in the known universe—extreme metal band, DETHKLOK—as they balance their rabid popularity with the brutality of everyday life. Metalocalypse originally premiered in 2006 on Adult Swim and was created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha.
