I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on A Thousand Blows, Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers, Al Green, Katie Tupper, Sydney Rose, Dropkick Murphys, Stephen Sanchez, Cherry Bomb, and Peter Frampton.
- Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty and Stephen Graham reunite for the dawn of a new era as “A Thousand Blows” returns its highly anticipated second season. Complete season 2 premiering Jan. 9, 2026.
- Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers, a feature documentary that traces the origins and evolution of Jimmy Buffett’s original Coral Reefer Band during the 1970s and early 1980s, will premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9th, with a second screening on February 13th. Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, the documentary features commentary from Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, songwriter Keith Sykes as well as many original Coral Reefer band members and touring crew. The First Coral Reefers were a group of wildly talented, often unruly characters whose creative energy and personal chemistry helped define Buffett’s most iconic early work. Occupational Hazard is directed by John H. Cunningham, who has a deep and close connection to several members of the first Coral Reefers as well as to a lifelong affinity to Jimmy Buffett, as their paths crossed many times, beginning in the Florida Keys in the 1970s. Fans and Parrot Heads can view the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
- The eleven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning soul icon and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductee Al Green releases his new 4-song EP ‘To Love Somebody’ via Fat Possum Records. Greenstamps his signature stylings on the Bee Gees’ 1967 hit “To Love Somebody,” an unreleased, alternate version of his 2023 acclaimed single “Perfect Day,” featuring British singer/songwriter RAYE, The Velvet Underground’s “I Found A Reason” and his previously released rendition of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” This digital EP is available everywhere NOW! “When Fat Possum came to my studio and played me ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘I Found A Reason,’ I felt this instant connection and harmonies immediately filled me,” says Al Green. “The music spoke to me, so we immediately went to work.”
- Katie Tupper has released her new single “Safe Ground” ahead of her debut album on January 21. The final preview before Greyhound is unveiled in its totality, “Safe Ground” is an unshakeable promise to a best friend. As life grows new branches and gnarls, Tupper’s root system is firmly held within the earth. Her devotion holds true whether those roots run beneath endless plains or city skylines — Stream. She shares, “This is my platonic love song. I wrote it to my best friend about how lucky I feel to know her. It is my promise to her to always be a safe spot for her to land.”
- Following a break out year with her viral hit “We Hug Now,” Gold-certified singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sydney Rose kicks off 2026 with a brand new single entitled “Over” featuring award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Odell out now via Mercury Records. Listen HERE. Watch lyric video HERE.. Once again, the track places her vulnerable honesty front-and-center. The verses play out like confessions, and Sydney’s delivery barely breaks a whisper. Instead, her murmured words rest uneasily on top of creaky acoustic guitar chords. The tempo increases at the pace of a quickened heartbeat, and her breezy high register carries the hook, “Set myself up for disaster, wishing now that I was plastered, there’s a show in front of me, but you’re all that I can see.” Tom’s harmonies give way to another crescendo uplifted by cinematic strings. The final words, “It’s over,” echo in the distance and instantly evoke raw emotion.
- Dropkick Murphys have announced they’ll release a 12” vinyl split LP with recent tourmates Haywire titled New England Forever. The Boston-based bands--who got to know each other while touring Europe together last fall--each recorded three original songs as well as a cover version of one of each other’s songs for the 8-song LP. Haywire recorded Dropkick Murphys’ “The Boys Are Back” and Dropkick Murphys recorded Haywire’s “Always By My Side.” New England Forever will be available exclusively at shows during Dropkick Murphys’ February 9 – March 17 For The People…In The Pit St. Patrick’s Day Tour with The Aggrolites and Haywire supporting on most dates. The U.S. trek culminates March 13, 14, 15 and 17 in Boston with Dropkick Murphys’ annual run of hometown dates during St. Patrick’s Day week, which brings together DKM fans from around the globe.
- Today, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Stephen Sanchez kicks off 2026 with new single “Sweet Love,” accompanied by a heartfelt video directed by Jason Lester (Hozier, Laufey, Conan Gray) co-starring his grandparents. The video was shot at his grandparents’ home, paying tribute to the place where Stephen first discovered his love for music through his grandfather’s record collection. Listen to “Sweet Love” HERE. Watch the video HERE. With upbeat production and Stephen’s captivating vocals, “Sweet Love” ushers in a new chapter all about (you guessed it) love – the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Of the new music and video, Stephen shares, “‘Sweet Love’ really encapsulates the beautiful parts of love, and the active choice we have to make, to love one another every day. I was inspired by my grandparents’ relationship while writing the song and it was so special to have them star in the video.”
- Introducing Cherry Bomb–the Los Angeles-based solo project of MisterWives' Mandy Lee who is kicking off the new year with a disco-pop independence anthem and fierce music video, "Never Be Me (M★therf★cker)" out today via AWAL. Glitter-soaked and maximalist, Cherry Bomb is thrilled to formally introduce a new world filled with unapologetic fun and rebellious femininity. PAPER Magazine, who debuted the video, says "The track is pop perfection, chronicling her departure from her old life and excitement for the road ahead. Her fluttering vocals that earworm synths define this genre she’s calling “popera.” Adding, the video "highlights bright, DIY-ed costumes and the feminine energy-filled community that’s helped her reach these new heights."
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic album Frampton Comes Alive! Upon its original release in 1976, Frampton Comes Alive! became a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the top-selling live albums of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold worldwide. As part of the celebration, Frampton will release a Vinylphyle edition of Frampton Comes Alive! on January 22 via A&M/UMe. One of the greatest rock albums of the 1970s can now be heard on vinyl again, presented as it was originally intended to sound. The limited Vinylphyle double LP pressing is sourced from the original 1975 Doug Sax 1/4" production master, with lacquers cut by Joe Nino-Hernes, and pressed on 180g black vinyl at RTI. The package features a four-panel insert including a new interview with Frampton and Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop; preorder HERE. In addition to the Vinylphyle release, the album is also available to experience in Dolby Atmos, following its 2024 immersive audio debut.
