Around the Tubes: March 11, 2023

      

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 Yellowjackets, Tiny Beautiful Things, The Black Crowes, Smokey Robinson, Chelsea Cutler, MisterWives, Claire Rosinkranz, Donna Summer, The Circus, Hulu, and Catching Lightning.

- SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for season two of the Emmy-nominated drama YELLOWJACKETS. The season two trailer also marks the release of Florence + The Machine’s exclusive new single “Just A Girl,” a cover of No Doubt’s iconic song from 1995, which is now available to download and stream. The single is produced by Florence Welch and Mark Bowen of IDLES. Season two of YELLOWJACKETS will debut on demand and on streaming Friday, March 24 for all SHOWTIME subscribers, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, March 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season one, which has a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and received seven Emmy nominations, averaged over 5 million weekly viewers across platforms and was the second-most streamed series in SHOWTIME history. YELLOWJACKETS is produced for SHOWTIME by studio Entertainment One (eOne).  “I’m such a huge fan of Yellowjackets and this era of music, and this song especially had a huge impact on me growing up, so I was thrilled to be asked to interpret it in a ‘deeply unsettling’ way for the show,” said Florence Welch about “Just A Girl” and YELLOWJACKETS.  “We tried to really add some horror elements to this iconic song to fit the tone of the show. And as someone who’s first musical love was pop punk and Gwen Stefani it was a dream job.” 

- Check out the trailer and key art for Hulu Original limited series "Tiny Beautiful Things," based on Cheryl Strayed's best-selling book starring Kathryn Hahn, Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair, and Tanzyn Crawford. "Tiny Beautiful Things" will premiere on Hulu with all 8 episodes April 7. Based on the best-selling collection by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things follows Clare (Kathryn Hahn) a floundering writer who becomes a revered advice columnist while her own life is falling apart.

- In celebration of the culmination of their 2021-22 reunion tour, The Black Crowes are pleased to announce The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live, an ode to the band reuniting and following an epic two-year anniversary tour with over 100 dates worldwide. The forthcoming album includes the best performances from the “Shake Your Money Maker Tour” of each track off the original album, and all their hits LIVE. Available everywhere digitally, on CD and vinyl, via Silver Arrow, the record will include two bonus tracks of The Black Crowes covering “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)” by The Rolling Stones and “Rock & Roll” by the Velvet Underground. The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live is set for release on March 17 with a special live video of the fan-favorite hit and the first song in their anniversary tour set “Twice As Hard,” available today. Watch HERE.    Chris Robinson said, “The Black Crowes are proud to present an audio document of our Shake Your Money Maker Tour from the last 2 years. From where it all began to where we’re going and all that was in between. Hail hail rock ‘n roll!”  Pre-Order The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live HERE  

- Today, legendary GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson has released his new single “How You Make Me Feel” across all streaming platforms. A traditional and timeless R&B love song, “How You Make Me Feel,” stays true to the Smokey that we have come to know and love today - LISTEN HERE.  “How You Make Me Feel” marks the second single from Smokey’s highly anticipated and buzzworthy studio album GASMS, which is set for release April 28, 2023 via TLR Music Group/ ADA Worldwide. The new nine-track album is Smokey’s first solo album in almost a decade set for release and is set to feature all new original songs written and produced by Robinson himself. See track listing below.  Pre-Order/ Pre-Save GASMS HERE

- Platinum-Certified singer, songwriter, and producer Chelsea Cutler reveals her new song “Stay Anything” today—listen HERE. The song is the latest addition in Chelsea’s catalogue of tracks in which she wrote, recorded, and produced herself.  Translating an ebb and flow of emotion into sound, “Stay Anything” contrasts acoustic guitar with icy production. Chelsea’s voice flutters with nostalgia on the verses, grasping onto the threads of a fleeting relationship. During the chantable chorus, she pleads, “Just stay with me, stay anything you want.” The track echoes with heartfelt honesty, as she once again cuts deep lyrically and vocally.

- For International Women's Day, MisterWives share their incendiary live cover of No Doubt's 1995's battlecry, "Just a Girl," along with a video made from fan-submitted footage taken from their Summer tour, where the cover became a staple, as well as footage from Global Extreme. The audio take on this particular night was extra charged; it was from their Boston show on June 24, 2022 -- the night Roe v. Wade was overturned. The crushing irony of the song was paramount: women had more rights in 1995 than they do now, and MiserWives is fighting back by encouraging donations to the ACLU and the National Network of Abortion Funds, as well as making donations of their own.  Frontwoman and human rights activist, Mandy Lee, says, "I never would have believed women would have less rights in 2023 than they did when Just A Girl was released in 1995. An anthem I was raised on that stood up to a male dominated world of oppression and inequality rings louder almost 30 years later with the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade. Covering this song last Summer, while our fundamental rights were being stripped away, was a catharsis I don’t think I’ve ever had that intense while performing. One of collective despair, fear and rage and a catalyst to use those emotions for relentless action. Whether that be through protest, voting, and donating to organizations that provide access to abortion care, we must continue the fight to protect and liberate all bodies and their autonomy." In a post on Instagram, the band added, "May we continue to put our love and rage into fighting for all bodies and their autonomy."  WATCH & SHARE: MISTERWIVES' LIVE COVER OF "JUST A GIRL"

-  19-year-old Southern California singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Claire Rosinkranz unveils her new single “Never Goes Away” via slowplay/Republic Records.  LISTEN TO “NEVER GOES AWAY” HERE & WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO HERE  Claire initially penned the intimate “Never Goes Away” in the car on the way to a writing session. Delicate guitar underlines her glassy delivery in between finger-snaps. On the track, she deals with the permanence of a post online and offers up a word to the wise.

-  Mercury/UMe releases a digital-only 40th-anniversary Deluxe Edition of Donna Summer’s all-time classic solo album, She Works Hard For The Money. Originally released June 13, 1983, when musical tastes were changing by the minute, She Works Hard For The Money sealed Summer as a creative multi-genre force to be reckoned with following her amazing string of chart-topping disco and dance hits that helped define the sound of the 1970s. The 13-track Deluxe Edition features the original 9-song She Works Hard For The Money album plus four bonus tracks consisting of two club mixes and two instrumental tracks (full track listing below). These bonus tracks have not previously been available for digital download or streaming. Listen to or purchase Donna Summer’s She Works Hard For The Money – Deluxe Edition HERE.

- The Emmy^® nominated docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH continues its eighth season this Sunday with a behind-the-scenes look at the busiest week to date in the new Republican-led House.  Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri embed with House freshmen Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) and Mike Lawler (R-New York) as they navigate a supercharged week dominated by GOP-led hearings into the Biden administration, the precarious standoff over the debt ceiling, and fallout from Speaker Kevin McCarthy's decision to give Tucker Carlson the Capitol security footage from the January 6 attack.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/62WCle2ZkLw.  

- On March 12, Hulu is turning 15 and to celebrate, we are painting the town green! Since 2008, every decision we’ve made at Hulu starts with the viewer, and this milestone is no exception. The month-long celebration will feature buzzworthy content premieres and finales, exclusive partnerships, and special promotions to give back to the 48 million Hulu subscribers and thank them for coming along for the ride – some since day one. Even our favorite Hulu characters and talent are joining in on the well wishes!  “Celebrating 15 years as an industry-leading streaming service is truly remarkable! Hulu has navigated the ever-changing landscape by delivering our subscribers enthralling and award-winning content, characters and storylines that have defined the cultural zeitgeist, while also driving innovation and advertising experiences,” said Hulu President Joe Earley. “We are incredibly grateful to the millions of subscribers, fans, creators, talent, content partners, advertisers, and Hulugans who have made it all possible, and never stopped having fun along the way!”

- SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films today announced CATCHING LIGHTNING, a riveting four-part documentary series chronicling infamous mixed martial arts fighter ‘Lightning’ Lee Murray and his role in one of the largest cash heists in history. Directed by two-time Emmy Award winner Pat Kondelis (OUTCRY, DISGRACED), CATCHING LIGHTNING tells the surreal tale of Great Britain’s Securitas Depot robbery in 2006, in which nearly £53 million in cash (more than $92 million USD at the time) was stolen, with new interviews, striking revelations and never-before-heard aspects of the heist. The series premieres on Friday, April 7 on all streaming and on-demand platforms for SHOWTME subscribers before making its on-air debut on Sunday, April 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.  To watch the trailer from CATCHING LIGHTNING, go to: https://youtu.be/qq6hBgDIZS4.

 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: March 5, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  Oh joy, another dead person of the week episode.  But I wonder if we will revisit this scene because you know that Ellie ended up killing that chick and it would be weird if they never show it.

 

Your Honor:   Wait, the mayor is evil?  Was this a plot twist that happened this episode or have I not been paying attention?  And he called the crooked cop to get rid of the car?  I thought he got the kid’s brother to get rid of the car.  And now the mayor wants the kid dead too?  I feel like I missed an episode or five.  None of this makes complete sense.

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:   I did not go into this show expecting it to be high art, but I still was not expecting it to be a complete incomprehensible mess.  Does anyone know what is going on?

 

La Brea:  Why were they so concerned with the portal closing?  They just went back four hours.  If it closes, just wait out the four hours then go back to the time machine then.  But a pretty wild finale, no more time machines and the mom is lost in history.  Maybe she goes to the future where time machines exist and travels back.  Oh, and the dad has a sister.  Could it possibly be the shady German chick who pretended she did not know English we just met, or possibly her mom?

 

The Mandalorian:  I feel bad for the people who skipped Boba Fett.  Though I did watch and that opening scene had me fooled.  I thought that was young Din being inducted into the order until adult Din showed up.  But I do wonder if Bo Katan will ever challenge Din for the Dark Saber.  She clearly want to rule Mandalore but will she be willing to take the Dark Saber from Din in battle when he does not want to fight her for it?

 

Wu-Tang: An American Saga:  Why are we expected to care so much about Masta Killa.  It seems like dude just showed up last week on the bus and now he is the focus of a third of an episode.  But poor Inspectah Deck, had to share an episode with the two least important members of the Wu.  I do even remember that song from Tales from the Hood.

 

Survivor:  The show needs to do away with the two hour premiere because they are a complete drag.  Well, this one was until the end with the most chaotic premiere episode Tribal Council ever.  I always watch the show and wonder how these people are not so paranoid that they are not just constantly playing their Idols and advantages.  Finally a bunch of contestants playing like I would.  Four of the six members played something.  But I wonder if anything else gets played if that first chick did not get extremely paranoid.  When two people play their shot in the dark, especially when you thought they were voting with you, you really have to play your Idol.  Hopefully this chaos continues because this show has gotten stale with too many gamebots.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Okay, that Turbo video was great.  More Turbo in future seasons and less pussy chickens like Johnny, Devin, and Jordon.

 

Around the Tubes: March 4, 2023

     

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 Up Here, The Great, Waco: The Aftermath, The Circus, Wizards of Waverly Pod, Lauren Spencer Smith, The Weeknd, Kidnap, ALO, Scorpions, Billions, and Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi.

- Hulu has debuted the official trailer and key art for upcoming musical romantic comedy series, "Up Here," starring Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes. The series, which hails from Steven Levenson (“tick, tick...BOOM!"), Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”), Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen”), premieres on Friday, March 24 with all eight episodes.  A musical romantic comedy set in New York City in the waning days of 1999, following the extraordinary story of one ordinary couple, Lindsay and Miguel, as they fall in love and discover that the single greatest obstacle to finding happiness together might just be themselves – and the treacherous world of memories, obsessions, fears and fantasies that lives inside their heads.

- Elle Fanning announced that season three of the Emmy®-winning series “The Great” will return to Hulu on Friday, May 12th with all ten episodes.  Season 3 of “The Great” sees Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Peter (Nicholas Hoult) attempt to make their marriage work after some seemingly insurmountable problems. Peter witnessed his own attempted murder at Catherine’s hands and she also imprisoned all of his friends. On top of this, Peter is at a loose end playing First Husband to Catherine’s reign, so he busies himself with fathering, hunting and salty culinary ventures. But they’re not enough to keep him contented as visions of his late father (played by Jason Isaacs), get in his head about his failures as Peter the Great’s son. Catherine the Great starts making a name for herself beyond her borders and inspired by a visit from the US ambassador, sets up a conference where peasants, nobles and merchants can all give their input on developing a new Russia. She learns that even the best political leaders sometimes need to make compromises in order to progress. 

- Marking the 30^th anniversary of the beginning of the infamous 51-day standoff at Mt. Carmel in Waco, Texas, SHOWTIME announced today the official trailer for WACO: THE AFTERMATH. The five episodes will debut on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, April 14, before making their on-air debut on Sunday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

- The Emmy^® nominated docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH continues its eighth season this Sunday with the unofficial kickoff of the Republican presidential nominating contest.  Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri – along with guest host Tim Miller, a former Republican-turned #NeverTrump political strategist; writer-at-large for The Bulwark; and author of the New York Times best seller Why We Did It – delve into a breakneck week of GOP presidential politics. As Donald Trump headlines the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland, long seen as a springboard into the presidential primary, some of his strongest potential challengers – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence – test the campaign waters elsewhere.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/NY2f-d022gU

- In this week's newly released episode of PodCo's "Wizards of Waverly Pod" rewatch series hosted by Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the two hosts reconnect with their co-star Selena Gomez to catch up and discuss their iconic series, new bts secrets from filming, as well as heartfelt moments of tears expressing their unwavering love and support for each other. The trio even tease Selena's return to come back and record future episodes with her close cast she considers family. 

- Lauren Spencer Smith, the generational talent and breakthrough act of 2022, is set to have a landmark 2023. The 19-year-old singer songwriter from Vancouver Island, Canada shares the official video for her latest single, “Best Friend Breakup.” It’s an anthem for a falling out among best friends, an experience simultaneously so personal to Lauren and universally understood. In the video, Lauren is in her bedroom reflecting upon the best friend breakup she experienced. The visuals, directed by Boni Mata, complement the tone of the single with Lauren looking and sounding beautiful juxtaposed against the heartbreak she’s going through.  Lauren made her TV debut of “Best Friend Breakup” on The Late Late Show with James Corden — watch here.

- The Weeknd presents his first-ever live album, Live At Sofi Stadium, via XO/Republic Records.  Listen to The Weeknd Live At Sofi Stadium —HERE.  Reaching another unprecedented milestone, The Weeknd has made history as “the first artist to  reach  100 million monthly listeners on Spotify.” As of today, he scored the biggest monthly listener count ever on the platform with 100.4 million. This enshrines him as the #1 artist in the world on Spotify. Meanwhile, his mega-smash “Blinding Lights” remains the DSP’s “most streamed song of all time” with 3.4 billion streams and counting.

- Kidnap, aka British producer Matt Relton, today releases a new single, “Things Change”, featuring pinkpirate. Watch the video HERE.  Speaking about “Things Change”, Kidnap says: "pinkpirate's vocals contain so much character that I felt my job was to move out the way wherever possible." Kidnap says. "Woven together with lazy piano and atmospheric production, we offer a warm reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change."

-California rock band ALO share their highly anticipated, spirited ninth studio album Silver Saturdays out everywhere now, including a limited run of clear 180g vinyl, via Brushfire Records. Get an exclusive look at the making of the forthcoming album as the band brings listeners behind the scenes here.  Alongside the full project, the band shares the latest single and video, "Growing Your Hands Back" out everywhere now. Next week, ALO will hit the road on the Tour d'Amour XVI around the Western U.S. with support from Rainbow Girls on several dates, and other dates featuring Hot Buttered Rum, ORGŌNE, Ron Artis II and The Moore Brothers. Tickets are on sale now.

- Saying that Scorpions can look back on an eventful history as a band would be an understatement. Their spectacular story is now becoming a new and very colorful experience: With Scorpions – Colours of Rock, BMG is announcing the reissue of 12 album highlights by the legendary German hard rock band who have shaped the music world – now appearing on colored vinyl. Alongside versions of Fly To The Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer and Humanity (Hour 1), remastered for the first time ever, are further handpicked treasures including Savage Amusement, World Wide Live, Love at First Sting, Blackout, Animal Magnetism, Lovedrive, Tokyo Tapes and Taken By Force. The reissued albums can be pre-ordered exclusively HERE starting on March 2, 2023. They will be released on May 5, 2023, only days before Scorpions embark on the European leg of their Rock Believer World Tour, which had previously taken them across South America – from El Salvador via Colombia, Brazil and Argentina to Chile – during the first months of the year.

- SHOWTIME has announced that Emmy winner Damian Lewis will return as fan-favorite Bobby “Axe” Axelrod to season seven for six of the twelve episodes of the acclaimed drama series BILLIONS, starring Oscar^® nominee and Emmy winner Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff. Currently in production in New York City, BILLIONS will return later this year. Toney Goins, who plays Philip has been upped to series regular in season seven.  In season seven, alliances are turned on their heads. Old wounds are weaponized. Loyalties are tested. Betrayal takes on epic proportions. Enemies become wary friends. And Bobby Axelrod returns, as the stakes grow from Wall Street to the world. BILLIONS also stars David Costabile, Asia Kate Dillon, Condola Rashad, Jeffrey DeMunn, Sakina Jaffrey and Daniel Breaker.

- he Hulu Original series "Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi" returns for its second season with all 10 episodes on Friday, May 5th.  In season two of “Taste the Nation,” award-winning cookbook author, host and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, takes viewers on a culinary adventure across American soil, exploring the rich and diverse communities who have so heavily shaped what American food is today. Over borscht, cornbread, pasteles and more, Padma uncovers the roots and relationship between our food, our humanity and our history — ultimately uncovering stories that challenge notions of identity, belonging, and what it means to be American.

 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 26, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  They really just yadda yaddaed half the country.  Did they really walk all the way from Kansas City to Wyoming?  But I do not understand why the brother was willing to go to Colorado but then just did not go when Joel decided he would go.  Why not both of them go if the brother knows the way?  He would have come in handy with the raiders at the university.

 

Your Honor:   So I was right, the judge was not able to cover up his wife’s murder.  But I had a good laugh when the detective, who has been trying to nail the judge all season, seemed so quick to believe his, another detective was the one that killed his wife theory.  The detective should have believed that as much as a one-armed man theory.  Then you had the little kid with the gangster’s kid, who he tried to kill last season, dead to rights, and just walked away.  Then was murdered trying to leave town.  Geez.  These people are so stupid.  So is this going to start a war between the gangster and the queenpin?

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:   I have no idea what is going on with the dude who was watching over Rowan and the spirit dude.  Is he attached to the watcher guy and that is why he did not show up when the other witch got captured?  Where exactly are the watcher and the spirit dude?

 

La Brea:  I had to laugh when the one sister said the other one never left her.  Well, aside from the time she went 10,000 years in the future and did not come back for thirty years.  But I guess for the other sister, it was only a couple days.

 

Wu-Tang: An American Saga:  I did not get around to it until this week, but that blacksplotation film with the ODB was quality entertainment.

Around the Tubes: February 25, 2023

    

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 Waco: The Aftermath, Living with Chucky, Am I Being Unreasonable?, The Circus, Em Beihold, Jack Johnson, The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, Sting, Paris Jackson, Outer Banks, and A Gentleman in Moscow.

- SHOWTIME^® announced that WACO: THE AFTERMATH, starring Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (GEORGE & TAMMY), will debut on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, April 14, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the tragic events at Mt. Carmel that began on February 28, 1993, WACO: THE AFTERMATH focuses on the fallout of the Waco disaster: the trials of the surviving members of the Branch Davidian sect and the rise of homegrown terrorist, Timothy McVeigh. The five-episode limited series also provides a broader context for the escalation of the American militia movement, which foreshadows the infamous attacks of the Oklahoma City bombing and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6.  Viewers will also get the opportunity to watch the 2018 limited series WACO starting on non-linear platforms on Friday, March 3 and on-air beginning Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. ET on SHOWTIME. The six-episode limited series is based on the harrowing true story of the 51-day stand-off between the ATF and the Branch Davidians, the small religious community in Texas, that resulted in a deadly shootout and fire. WACO originally aired on Paramount Network in 2018. 

- Living with Chucky takes an in depth look at the groundbreaking Child’s Play franchise from the perspective of a filmmaker who grew up within it. Featuring interviews with cast and crew such as Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, creator Don Mancini, and much more, this personal film recounts the dedication, creativity and sacrifice that went into making the franchise and its long-lasting impact on the horror community.  Storming into pop culture in the late 1980s, the three-foot menace known as Chucky, proved that Child’s Play was anything but. The horror film went on to spawn six sequels, a television series, a reboot, comic books, a video game and merchandise.  Written and directed by Kyra Elise Gardner, daughter of legendary special effects artist Tony Gardner, Living With Chucky looks back at the groundbreaking horror franchise by those there from the beginning. The documentary details the history of the Child’s Play films by the cast and crew, in addition to Gardner’s own relationship with the series and the impact it had on her family. Gardner, who grew up alongside Chucky the killer doll, seeks out other families involved with the Child's Play films as they recount their experiences working on the franchise and what it means to be a part of the "Chucky" family. 

- In a deal with BBC Studios, Hulu has acquired the U.S. rights to all episodes of the new genre-bending comedy thriller, Am I Being Unreasonable?, written by and starring multi-BAFTA award winning Daisy May Cooper (This Country) and Selin Hizli (Mum). The series is executive produced by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Help, National Treasure) and is slated to debut in the U.S. on April 11, 2023 as a Hulu Original.  Co-produced by Boffola Pictures and Lookout Point, critically-acclaimed Am I Being Unreasonable? sees Nic (Daisy May Cooper) grieving a loss that she can’t share with anyone whilst stuck in a depressing marriage. Only her son, Ollie (Lenny Rush, Apple Tree House) who she adores, keeps her going. But when Jen (Selin Hizli) arrives in town, her life is lit up with laughter and, through this kindred soul, her dark secret starts to bubble up.  View Trailer: Here

- The Emmy^® nominated docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns for its eighth season this Sunday with President Biden on the world stage in Kyiv rallying support for Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion.  With host John Heilemann on the ground in Warsaw, Poland, and Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri stateside, the program explores Biden's historic struggle to keep the NATO alliance unified in its support of Ukraine and the political fallout at home. Biden's trip to Poland comes on the heels of his surprise visit to the embattled capital of Ukraine.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/QdnFqZXnwlc  

- Platinum-certified critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Em Beihold shares a new single entitled “Roller Coasters Make Me Sad” via Moon Projects/Republic Records.  Listen to “Roller Coasters Make Me Sad” HERE and watch the official lyric video (created by Julia Fernandez) HERE.  The track infuses her incredible songwriting with introspection. It’s the anthem for anyone who is confused as to why they aren’t happier when everyone around them seems to be enjoying themselves. “First they take you up the track, build you up and take it back, everybody else will laugh, Roller Coasters make me sad.” She doubles down on the bridge with “I should be having fun, I should be having fun, I should be having fun” which comes across as a puzzling internal chant for those who wish they had stayed home.

- Multi-platinum musician Jack Johnson announces new album, In Between Dub, featuring a remix collection of some of Johnson’s most beloved recordings from his over two decade long career, but with a dub twist. In Between Dub will be available on all streaming platforms and select retailers on June 2, 2023 through Brushfire and Republic Records. Lead track, “Traffic In The Sky”, one of two new Lee “Scratch” Perry dub remixes, is out today on all streaming platforms. Listen here.  In Between Dub, a three-year creation, began after Jack reached out to famed reggae pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry in early 2020 to produce a dub remix album. After a year-long pandemic pause, Lee “Scratch” Perry began working on several tracks, crafting original music and mixes from his studio in Jamaica. Lee “Scratch” Perry sent the sketches over to Jack in Hawaii and together they connected to collaborate on a direction.

- The Weeknd and Ariana Grande have teamed up for a remix of his single “Die For You” from his highly acclaimed album Starboy. The collaboration comes on the heels of the single’s staggering resurgence where it has completed “the longest climb to #1 in U.S. radio history,” it has also clinched #1 on the Billboard Radio Songs Chart for two weeks and has been on the Billboard Hot 100 for all of 2023, recently vaulting into the Top 10, serving as his 16^Th Top 10 entry on the respective chart. The record also broke into the Top 20 of the Billboard Global 200, scoring his 15^Th Top 20 in the process.  The Weeknd’s anticipated Live at SoFi Stadium special with HBO premieres this Saturday February 25th and will also be starring in his new television show, The Idol, (date tba) on HBO alongside Lily-Rose Depp which he wrote and executive produced with Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.  Live at SoFi Stadium trailer: HERE.  Listen to The Weeknd’s new remix of “Die For You” featuring Ariana Grande HERE

- A&M/UMe celebrates the 30^th-anniversary of Sting’s fourth solo album, Ten Summoner’s Tales, with a digital-only Expanded Edition released today. Originally released on March 1, 1993, the album title is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek mashup of the artist’s given surname, Sumner, and a character in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 15^th-century literary classic The Canterbury Tales, the summoner.  The 27-track Expanded Edition features the original 12-song Ten Summoner’s Tales album plus 15 bonus tracks consisting of B-sides, remixes, alternate versions, and live performances (complete track listing included below). Eleven of these 15 bonus tracks were previously unavailable for digital download or streaming. Mixed by 4-time Grammy Award winning Robert “Hitmixer” Orton, the album is also available in Dolby Atmos. Listen to or purchase Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales – Expanded Edition HERE.

-Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, and activist paris jackson unveils her new single “bandaid” out via Republic Records—listen HERE.  Drawing influences from 90’s grunge and alternative, the spirited anthem was sonically inspired by Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana and lyrically inspired by Andy Hull and Conor Oberst. It follows her critically acclaimed 2022 singles “just you” and “lighthouse.” Last fall, paris debuted “bandaid” live for the first time with a stripped-back, acoustic performance for SPIN—watch it HERE.

- Mercury Records and Netflix present the Outer Banks: Season 3 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)—available now. Meanwhile, Season 3 of Outer Banks just premiered on Netflix.  Listen to Outer Banks: Season 3 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)—HERE.  This notably serves as the first official Soundtrack from the series, speaking to the spirit of the show with breezy rock, sun-soaked reggae, and folk gems. The 12-track collection features a brand new recording by rapidly rising Nashville-based singer and songwriter Joy Oladokun. For the album, she reimagines and reignites “Out On The Weekend” originally by Neil Young. Her vocals resound over cinematic production on the track, bringing it to life with fresh fire.  Additionally, the album boasts recent standouts from the likes of Jack Johnson and Marcus King in addition to a Bob Marley classic and more. 

- SHOWTIME announced today that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ahsoka, Kate, Birds of Prey) will join A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, starring alongside Emmy^® winner Ewan McGregor.  An adaptation of Amor Towles’ internationally best-selling novel, the limited series has begun filming this week.  A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is produced by eOne in association with Paramount, and will debut exclusively on SHOWTIME in the U.S. and on Paramount+ in additional markets around the world.  Winstead will star as Anna Urbanova, a glamorous, independent and self-made film actress, at the height of her fame.  She uses her wit and beauty to dazzle Count Alexander Rostov, played by McGregor (Star Wars franchise, Halston, Trainspotting).  She's an enigmatic character who keeps her cards very close to her chest. Reluctant to reveal her true self, Anna plays a role off-screen as well as on. The Count and Anna’s sizzling chemistry is clear from the moment they meet in the Metropol Hotel where he has been banished by a Soviet trial, but will this be true love, or just the latest in a long line of roles Anna is playing?

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 19, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  So is this show going to be the people who Joel and Ellie meet and then die of the week kind of show? 

 

Your Honor:   Wait, are they implicating the judge in the murder of his wife?  That is coming out of nowhere.  So is the cop grasping at straws or did he really did that too?  Probably the former because as we saw last season, he is very bad at covering up crimes; there is no why it is taking the cops years to catch him.

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:  I have been paying less and less attention to this show and then all of the sudden I look up and a circle of women are kissing what looks to be a skeleton baby.  What the fork?

 

How I Met Your Father:  This reminded me of the time in college where I swore off taking the elevator for health reasons.  But I had to drop off paper work in the twentieth floor of a building.  Around the tenth floor, I realize that maybe I should change the elevator ban to just if I need to go five flights or less at around the tenth floor.  Except when I decided to finally go the rest of the way in the elevator, I leaned that the middle floors were blocked off to the general public and it was not until the eighteenth floor when the doors were unlocked.  Well, at least I got my steps in that day.

 

La Brea:  Wait, that dude had a wife?  And just when did the Exiles find a way to blackmail him? 

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  How nice that they brought back the two teams that were medically eliminated to come back and watch the ending of the final.  Though, maybe they should realize if half your teams cannot even complete your final, that maybe your final is not say.  They have a similar issue on The Challenge: USA.  This franchise really needs new producer before someone dies.

Around the Tubes: February 18, 2023

   

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 Grace Leer, Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal, U2, Joy Oladokun, Eliott, and The Weeknd.

- Former University of California, Berkeley D1 soccer player, where she played alongside U.S. Soccer standout and FIFA Best Player finalist Alex Morgan, and rising singer/songwriter Grace Leer’s worlds collide this weekend when she performs the National Anthem at the inaugural U.S. Women’s National Team soccer game at Geodis Park.  Leer will join the all female all-star production team, that includes one of the top female PA Announcers in the country, official voice of the USWNT and Nashville native Megan Alexander, the top female DJ in the country and official Music Director for SheBelieves Cup DJ Amy Robbins, official USWNT In-Stadium Hosts Alex Stec and Jordan Angeli, and all being led by one of the top producers in the world and Nashville SC Producer Rachel King, when she performs the National Anthem at the SheBelieves Cup double-header at 2:30 pm on Sunday, February 19th. Being a former female athlete and playing soccer is the reason for who I am today and so much of the sport has prepared me for my music career,” explains Leer. “The work ethic, dedication, passion, leadership and playing as team are key values in my life because of my time playing competitive soccer. It is a huge honor to be a part of the SheBelieves Cup empowering women and encouraging them to chase their dreams like I continue to do,” continues Leer. “I can’t wait to be back on the field, but this time with a microphone in my hand instead of a ball at my feet!” The SheBelieves Cup is an extension of the SheBelieves Initiative that aims to empower young girls and women to accomplish their dreams.  For more information, visit https://www.ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup

- Eat, or be eaten! Kill, or be killed! Get in survival mode as Adult Swim’s #1 prehistoric animated series, Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal: The Complete Second Season, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on April 25, 2023. The critically acclaimed series from Cartoon Network Studios has won a total of 5 Emmy^® Awards including “Outstanding Animated Program.” Binge all 10 episodes from the second season and go behind the scenes with an all-new featurette exclusive to this release.  Named “Best Animated TV Show of 2022” by Vulture, Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal follows the tale of a caveman at the dawn of evolution as he forms an unlikely friendship with an almost extinct dinosaur. In Season Two, Spear and Fang journey to a new world to rescue Mira from her captors only to find it is a place filled with savage brutality. Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal: The Complete Second Season will be available on April 25, 2023 to purchase on Blu-ray Disc and DVD both online and in-store at major retailers. The series is also now available to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. 

- Island Records and UMe today announce the release of “Two Hearts Beat As One” / “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a limited-edition, 4-track EP, celebrating the 40th anniversary of U2’s third studio album War (1983), exclusively for Record Store Day, April 22^nd, 2023.  The EP features two original studio tracks, both released as singles in 1983, and two reimagined versions from the forthcoming 2023 U2 album Songs Of Surrender, on limited-edition, 180g heavyweight white vinyl, plus an exclusive poster with an illustration by Bono.  Songs Of Surrender – a collection of 40 seminal U2 songs from across the band’s catalog, re-recorded and re-imagined for 2023 in sessions spanning the last two years, will be released in full on Friday, March 17^th. Curated and produced by The Edge, Songs Of Surrender sees the band revisit some of the most celebrated songs of their 40+ year career, including “With Or Without You,” “One,” “Beautiful Day,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” and “Invisible,” for a musical reimagining resulting in a completely new recording of each track, to include the arrangements and, in some cases, new lyrics. Pre-order HERE. 

- One of music’s most unique and vulnerable voices, Joy Oladokun will release her highly anticipated new album, Proof of Life, April 28 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records (pre-order here). In advance of the release, new song “Changes,” a reflection on Oladokun’s own growth as well as the changing world around her, is debuting today. Watch the official music video, directed by Whitney Wolanin, HERE.

With production by Oladokun, Mike Elizondo, Ian Fitchuk, Dan Wilson and Alysa Vanderhym, Proof of Life captures the human experience with a profound simplicity. Across these thirteen tracks, Oladokun celebrates the little details and simple pleasures of being alive, while also giving voice to some of life’s most complex experiences in a way only she can.  

 

-  Rising Australian alt-popstar Eliott has returned with a stunning new single “Tell Me,” out today. The single is the first glimpse of the Melbourne-based artist’s highly anticipated debut album, which is set to arrive later this year. A powerful and tender offering, “Tell Me” comes accompanied by an official video directed by Joshua Tate (Sycco, Safety Club).  LISTEN HERE & WATCH HERE  Co-written by the renowned Andy Hopkins (Hauskey, Yorke), “Tell Me” is an assured step forward for Eliott, who first broke out with the single “Figure It Out” in 2017. Written in 2019 during a period of low mental health and personal turmoil, “Tell Me” sees Eliott asking for assurance and guidance for the uncertain road ahead. Over thundering drums and a swelling choir, Eliott pleads to her mother: “So tell me mother, when will I know what to do? / If I can’t keep up, and I don’t wanna get up this time / Oh my mother, when will I know how to lose? / How do I keep up when I don’t wanna get up this time”. The track’s gorgeous instrumentation, with humming pianos and an urgent cascade of guitars, feels both crushingly intimate and stadium sized.

- The Weeknd’s smash “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” has just notched a Diamond Certification from the RIAA. This notably marks his fifth Diamond single following generational hits such as “The Hills,” “Starboy” [feat. Daft Punk], “Blinding Lights,” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” He also enters rarified air, becoming only the fourth artist to earn five or more Diamond certifications.  Notably, “Earned It” garnered an Academy® Award nomination in the category of “Best Original Song” and picked up a GRAMMY® Award for “Best R&B Performance.” It graced both The Weeknd’s 6x-platinum chart-dominating second full-length album, Beauty Behind The Madness, and the platinum-certified Fifty Shades Of Grey Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 12, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  So what exactly did the black dude do to Shauna from Yellowjacket’s brother?  Was he just simply a rat?  But shooting a doctor in the middle of a pandemic seems really extreme even if he was a rat too. 

 

Your Honor:   Okay, so there is a bigger gangster than Jimmy, his father in law.  If Jimmy and the judge team up to take down his father in law and they end up living as one big happy family by the end of the season I am going to be mildly disappointed.

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:  I have dream sequences.  They are a complete waste of time and I can never figure out what exactly what we are supposed to make of them.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Wait, so this is a three episode finale?  Ugg, why do they drag these things out?  This was a complete waste of an episode unless you really enjoy watching people throw up.  And if you enjoy watching people throw up, you have real problems.