I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Bob Marley, Passengers, Pete Townsend, Stefanie Michaela, Noah Kahan, Shoresy, Chris Distefano: It's Just Unfortunate, Dune: Prophecy, and Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna.
- The Marley family, UMe, and Island Records will honor Bob Marley's legacy with a year-long celebration commemorating his 80th birthday milestone and his importance in the uprising of global music and the fight for social justice and equality Bob Marley’s 80th Earthstrong Celebrations culminate with an ‘Uprising’ Tribute Concert livestream from the family’s Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and features a slew of popular and new Jamaican entertainers, including Mortimer, Bugle, Kumar Fyah, Naomi Cowan, Quan Dajai, Kelly Shane, and Alexx A-Game, several of whom were featured in the Bob Marley: One Love movie. Other highlights featured in the livestream will be a countdown of the best live performances from past birthdays, stand-alone performances paying tribute, a showcase of the ongoing impact of his charitable organization, the Bob Marley Foundation, and more. Tune into the livestream on Thursday, February 6, from 3pm ET – 7pm ET on Tuff Gong TV's official YouTube channel, HERE.
- Island Records and UMe today announce the release of Original Soundtracks 1 (30th Anniversary Edition) by Passengers, pressed on 2LP recycled black vinyl for Record Store Day, April 12, 2025. Original Soundtracks 1, the studio album by Brian Eno and U2 was released in November 1995 under the artist pseudonym Passengers. The experimental recording process resulted in a collection of 14 songs, written mostly for imaginary films – hence the album title - with the exception of “Ghost in the Shell,” “Beyond the Clouds,” and the hit single “Miss Sarajevo,” featuring Luciano Pavarotti. Other highlights include guest appearances from musician and producer Howie B and Japanese artist Holi, as well as the bonus track “Bottoms (Watashitachi No Ookina Yume),” which previously featured on the original Japanese version of the album. This special double-vinyl 30th anniversary edition, pressed on recycled black vinyl, is now fully remastered for the first time. Original Soundtracks 1 (30th Anniversary Edition) is available at participating independent record stores on Saturday, April 12, 2025. For a full list of stores, visit Record Store Day HERE.
- UMe is proud to announce PETE TOWNSHEND THE STUDIO ALBUMS, an 8-CD Box Set that collects all of Townshend's solo studio albums for the first time. Newly remastered by Jon Astley, the new set is the perfect accompaniment to last year's 'Live In Concert 1985-2001' box. It features expanded deluxe packaging in a CD-sized box with new art by longtime Townshend collaborator Richard Evans, sleeve notes by band archivist Matt Kent, a new exclusive Pete Townshend foreword, and rare photos and memorabilia in a 28-page book. The boxset features seven albums: Who Came First, Rough Mix (with Ronnie Lane), Empty Glass, All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, White City (A Novel), The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend, and Psychoderelict, as well as the music only version of Psychoderelict. RELEASED ON UMe MARCH 28th 2025. https://petetownshend.lnk.to/
- We all know what it’s like to be stagnant, stuck on a page, only to remember that we can always turn the page. After taking a pause from her music career to raise her five children, Stefanie Michaela makes a heartfelt return with her new single, “Found in You.” The track was co-written and produced by multi-Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Keith Thomas, (known for his work with Amy Grant, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, CeCe Winans), and co-written with International Songwriting Competition winner Stephanie Middleton. Due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, a portion of Stefanie’s streaming revenue will be donated to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, supporting their efforts to care for and rehome animals in need. Inspired by the love Stefanie shares with her husband, “Found in You” is fueled by the foundation they have built together. With the support of her family, Stefanie’s children—who once looked to her as a source of strength and inspiration—have now become her greatest muse. Their encouragement ignited a renewed passion to create music that speaks to the heart, soul, and the power of resilience. “Mommy, you’ve taken care of us, now it’s time to take care of you,” says Stefanie’s children. STREAM HERE
- 2x GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum singer & songwriter Noah Kahan unveils Live From Fenway Park vinyl, available for pre-order now HERE ahead of its March 7th release. Originally recorded at his back-to-back sold-out shows at Boston’s legendary Fenway Park last summer, the 2LP vinyl comes in various color variants, including the standard black variant and an exclusive cloudy white variant, and features performances of fan-favorite songs from his Double-Platinum breakthrough album Stick Season and throughout his discography. Kahan also surprises fans today with a live performance video of his Platinum single “Northern Attitude,” out now—watch HERE. This past weekend, Noah attended the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where he was nominated for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” alongside Kelsea Ballerini for their hit single “Cowboys Cry Too.” Not to mention, he paid tribute to the Grateful Dead by delivering a stunning cover of their song “Friend Of The Devil” alongside Béla Fleck at MusiCares 2025 Persons Of The Year Gala.
- Created by and starring Jared Keeso, "Shoresy" returns for season four on Wednesday, February 26 with all six new episodes exclusively available in the U.S. on Hulu.
- Hulu has debuted the trailer and for the Original comedy special "Chris Distefano: It's Just Unfortunate." The special will premiere on Friday, February 21 and is the fourth Original special in Hulu's new stand-up comedy brand, Hularious. Chris Distefano is trying to be the best father he can be but nowadays, words speak louder than actions – so Chris is acting with the right intentions, but not always the right moves.
- The wait is over for Dune fans! Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, in partnership with HBO and Legendary Entertainment, is bringing the highly anticipated HBO Original drama series DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2025. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television. Get ready to binge all 6 episodes from the epic sci-fi adventure, along with over an hour of bonus content including 5 extended featurettes and an all-new, never-before-seen featurette exclusive to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD. Pre-order your copy today. DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season is also available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and more.
- Hulu announced recently, “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” a new documentary film directed and produced by Rachel Mason, from Story Syndicate, Anonymous Content and Concordia Studio. The documentary feature is slated to premiere Tuesday, March 11 on Hulu.On October 21, 2021, on the set of the movie RUST, a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet, wounding the film's director and killing its cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. Within hours, the catastrophic accident was enveloped by a frenzy of media attention. For months, then years, as lawsuits flew and criminal trials unfolded, the tabloid spectacle around the case overshadowed a private, personal tragedy. In “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” Halyna’s friend, director Rachel Mason, goes beyond the public narrative to reveal the untold human story of that terrible day and all that followed — from the vantage point of the people at the center of the tragedy. The film weaves together the accounts of those who were on the set of RUST that day and of those, like Mason, who not only lost a cherished friend and colleague but who are still navigating the trauma of the aftermath.
