Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 27
August 26, 2025
Mavis Staples Announces 14th Solo Album 'Sad And Beautiful World'
MAVIS STAPLES ANNOUNCES 14TH SOLO STUDIO ALBUM ‘SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD’
OUT NOVEMBER 7
LISTEN TO STIRRING RENDITION OF KEVIN MORBY’S “
BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS
”
2026 TOUR DATES INCLUDE CHICAGO THEATRE,
RYMAN AUDITORIUM AND BEACON THEATRE
Grim days call for fierce love, and Mavis Staples — one of the most enduring figures in American music — is laying it down. Coming out November 7, ‘Sad And Beautiful World' is the latest solo album from a national treasure and multigenerational talent. On her new record, Mavis stands side by side with us in the face of dangers she knows all too well, at a time when more and more people have reason to wonder who and what could be lost.
Produced by Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, Nathaniel Rateliff), ‘Sad And Beautiful World’ spans seven decades of the American songbook — a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career — and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music. It also includes cameos by artists who have become part of Mavis’ world, many of whom are legends in their own right: Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Derek Trucks, Katie Crutchfield, MJ Lenderman, Justin Vernon and others shine a light on her while Mavis does what only she can do. Embracing vulnerability, she sings close and deep here, drawing the listener into a circle filled with her unforgettable presence.
Out today is her rendition of Kevin Morby’s “Beautiful Strangers”, where she reminds those in danger: “If you ever hear the gunshot… think of mother / I am a rock.” Listen to it below.
Listen to “Beautiful Strangers”: https://youtu.be/AqfIe8qEc70
“It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs,” explained Kevin Morby on the impact of Staples recording his song.
“But hearing Mavis sing “Beautiful Strangers” is hands down the greatest moment and highest honor of my career. Far beyond any kind of accolade or acclaim — having one of my biggest heroes sing something I wrote is the most validating and flattering thing that could ever happen to me as a songwriter and person. Thank you, Mavis. Mavis also wields that extremely rare power to take a song somebody else wrote and make it entirely her own. As the person who penned “Beautiful Strangers” I feel I have every right to say; her version is better.”
Now 86, Mavis has been performing since the age of eight. After starting out with her father Roebuck “Pops” Staples, sisters Cleotha and Yvonne, and brother Pervis in the Staple Singers more than seventy years ago, she’s the lone surviving member of the group, still carrying her family’s gifts and knowledge with her as a living heritage.
Inducted into several halls of fame (blues, rock, and gospel), a Kennedy Center Honoree, a winner of multiple GRAMMYs (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), Mavis is our musical history. She’s collaborated with nearly every major figure of her era(s), from Bob Dylan to Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Willie Nelson — not to mention countless stars from subsequent generations.
To capture Mavis’ resonant phrasing and textured vocals, Cook tried to build every song around that voice. He began with spare skeleton recordings, just drum and piano, and focused on recording her vocals. Then he expanded the song from there, trying never to overshadow or undermine the framework she’d established. He imagined a record in the tradition of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken’, a group of artists coming together to celebrate community—in this case, one centered on Mavis.
‘Sad And Beautiful World’ shows that love is a choice and a force all its own. The album is a litany of prayer, of Mavis breathing life into these songs. “I just have to deliver the compassion I feel,” she says. “I want to share the song the way I feel it.”
Never slowing down, Staples will be on tour throughout the fall with her next show in Colorado on September 6 and is announcing new 2026 tour dates today at three legendary venues: Chicago’s Chicago Theatre, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and New York’s Beacon Theatre. All upcoming dates are listed below.
TOUR DATES
September 6 - Lone Tree, CO @ Lone Tree Arts Center
September 11 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
September 13 - Napa, CA @ Blue Note Summer Sessions
October 1 - Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera House
October 2 - Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera House SOLD OUT
October 4 - Memphis, TN @ Mempho Fest
October 9 - Tucson, AZ @ Fox Theatre
October 11 - Prescott, AZ @ Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center
October 12 - Chandler, AZ @ Chandler Center for the Arts
January 10 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre (w/ support from Nathaniel Rateliff solo)
January 24 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
February 28 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre (w/ support from Allison Russell)
Big Bill Announces New Album, Shares "The Money Store" Single + Video | 'Sick Myth' LP Out November 21st via TODO
Shares "The Money Store" Single + Video via MXDWN
Sick Myth LP Out November 21st via TODO
Photo credit: Bryan C. ParkerPRE-SAVE & SHARE: Big Bill - Sick Myth LPPresave
WATCH/LISTEN & SHARE: Big Bill - "The Money Store"
Stream | YouTube
Austin, TX's Big Bill (winner of this years 'Best Punk Band' at the Austin Music Awards), today have announced their new LP Sick Myth, due out November 21st via TODO. They've also shared angular, catchy lead single "The Money Store," which is out now alongside a 3D animated video by Juliette Goyard. "'The Money Store' is about being part of a community, and who gets to decide that," the band explains. "The lyric 'My blood is red if I say so' evokes the concept of a 'red-blooded American' – and if I say I am something, who are you to tell me I’m not? The narrator has emerged from a horrific work injury to embrace a sort of life that is the subject of countless pop songs – 'cool guy, windows down, headed to the new part of town.' Yet in the end, it all comes back to needing to get back to one place – the money store."
The band have also announced five Texas shows, including a show on August 28th at Austin's Empire Control Room, and a Dallas show on August 27th at Three Links. They've also announced their record release show, Big Ball 8–also their raucous, annual event that features performances from other local Austin bands and multiple art installations. Big Ball 8 will take place on November 22nd at Radio/East.
Following the acclaimed Strawberry Seed, Austin art-rock band Big Bill faced a challenge in fall 2024: lead singer Eric Braden's upcoming move to Philadelphia after fourteen years in Austin. Knowing it would soon become harder to get together, the band made plans to record their next album before the year's end. November became a time of intense songwriting, using a brand new method. Parts were crafted in intense brainstorm sessions, then later digitally mixed-and-matched. Once a structure started to arise, the band then "learned" each track live in their practice space, tweaking lyrics along the way. This approach brought a fresh and urgent energy to the process.
Sick Myth explores the spiritual ugliness of America, depicting the sad, desolate, and commodified landscape of the United States. The album addresses themes of death, corporate psychopathy, and the mythology of the country. Through these tracks, Big Bill makes Sick Myth a commentary on the state of America. In an era of countless TikToks evoking the dark ironies of late-stage capitalism, Sick Myth feels like a roller coaster through the wreckage.
"The Money Store" by Big Bill is out today via TODO.
Big Bill - "The Money Store"
Big Bill - Tour Dates
8/22 - Buda, TX - Meridian
8/23 - San Antonio, TX - The Lonesome Rose
8/27 - Dallas, TX - Three Links
8/28 - Austin, TX - Empire Control Room
11/22 - Austin, TX - Radio/East - “Bill Ball 8” (Album Release Show)
August 25, 2025
OASIS RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA AFTER OVER 16 YEARS WITH GLORIOUS TOUR KICKOFF IN TORONTO
OASIS RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA AFTER OVER 16 YEARS WITH GLORIOUS TOUR KICKOFF IN TORONTO TO RAIN
WIND AND A PROPER POZNAN
THE MONUMENTAL TOUR CONTINUES TO UNIFY FANS AROUND THE WORLD AND ACROSS GENERATIONS
“BRING IT ON DOWN (LIVE FROM EDINBURGH,
9 AUGUST ‘25)” OUT NOW - LISTEN HERE
Liam Gallagher & Noel Gallagher at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, ON, Canada on August 24, 2025.
Courtesy of Big Brother Recordings
Monday, August 25th, Toronto, ON, Canada – Last night, after over 16 years, Oasis returned to North America to kick off the next leg of their global Oasis Live ‘25 tour at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 55,000.
The monumental tour has continued to unite people around the world and across generations. Rolling Stone praised the “joyous celebration of reconciliation and generation-defining anthems,” while The Fader declared, “There will be no other rock band who will be able to be so unifying and momentous in their return.” Paste Magazine was captivated by the joyous phenomenon happening on this tour, "Hugging, dancing, crying with strangers—when’s the last time any of us did any of that? But as we all got hype together over the opening licks of ‘Hello,’ the folks around me suddenly felt like lifelong friends. We need more of this in the world, not less.”
Shortly after taking the stage last night at 8:45pm, Liam shared a story from earlier that morning.
“I bumped into a geezer today about half seven in the morning called Hugo. He comes up to me and says, ‘Mr. Gallagher,’ and I said, ‘No need for that. It’s Liam.’”
“He says, ‘Good luck tonight trying to get these Canadians doing the Poznan.’”
“He says, ‘Cause they’re all a little bit shy. They’re a little bit scared and stuff. They all smoke pot now. They’re all fucking out of their heads.’”
“He says, ‘Good luck with doing that shit tonight.’”
“So what, are we going to prove them wrong then or what? You don’t want to be the first one letting this side down.”
Liam continued before launching into “Cigarettes & Alcohol” instructing the crowd, “You lot turn around. Put your arms around each other. Give each other a cuddle, and just jump up and down. It’s very easy.” And by the end of the song, Toronto proved victorious and delivered a proper Poznan. Liam concluded, “We showed Hugo. We showed ‘em.”
Another few songs in, the skies unleashed the rain and the wind during “Stand By Me,” and before “Whatever,” a drenched Liam pondered to the still 55,000 strong crowd, “Don’t you just love it, a little bit of chaos when the weather comes? So fucking good, innit? Twist your melons just a little bit, innit? All that sunshine, it’s not good for ya. Wind and sleet. Good for the soul.”
The band will return tonight for another sold-out show at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium before heading to Chicago for a sold-out show at Soldier Field on August 28th. From there, the band will play back-to-back sold-out shows in East Rutherford, Los Angeles, and Mexico City to wrap the North American leg.
Ahead of the Toronto show, Oasis released “Bring It On Down (Live from Edinburgh, 9 August ‘25).” The track was recorded live on Saturday, August 9th, at the second of three sold-out nights at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium where they performed to over 204,000 fans. “Bring It On Down (Live from Edinburgh, 9 August ‘25)” follows “Slide Away (Live from Cardiff, 4 July ‘25),” “Cigarettes & Alcohol (Live from Manchester, 11 July ‘25),” and “Little By Little (Live from London, 2 August ‘25).”
Also released in the lead up to North America was the limited-edition Oasis “Complete Studio Album Collection” box set – including all seven studio albums plus iconic B-sides album The Masterplan on vinyl and CD formats. Available HERE.
(What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition will be released on October 3rd with limited-edition formats featuring new unplugged versions of classic tracks. Pre-order HERE.
BAND MEMBERS
Liam Gallagher (vocals), Noel Gallagher (guitar, vocals), Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (guitar), Gem Archer (guitar), Andy Bell (bass) and Joey Waronker (drums).
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Christian Madden (keyboards), Alastair White (trombone), Steve Hamilton (saxophone), Joe Auckland (trumpet).
OASIS - TORONTO, ON, CANADA - AUGUST 24, 2025 - SETLIST
“Hello”
“Acquiesce”
“Morning Glory”
“Some Might Say”
“Bring It On Down”
“Cigarettes & Alcohol”
“Fade Away”
“Supersonic”
“Roll With It”
“Talk Tonight” (Noel lead vocals)
“Half The World Away” (Noel lead vocals)
“Little By Little” (Noel lead vocals)
“D’You Know What I Mean?”
“Stand By Me”
“Cast No Shadow”
“Slide Away”
“Whatever”
“Live Forever”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”
“The Masterplan” (Noel lead vocals)
“Don’t Look Back In Anger” (Noel lead vocals)
“Wonderwall”
“Champagne Supernova”
Billboard “The band’s Live ’25 tour has seen them on red-hot form: Liam’s vocals are on top notch, Noel and the rest of the band’s playing is as unified as its been for decades.”
The Fader “There will be no other rock band who will be able to be so unifying and momentous in their return.”
The Sunday Times "The biggest rock comeback in history.”
The Hollywood Reporter “The year’s buzziest tour.”
Variety “A once-in-a-generation act.”
Rolling Stone “A joyous celebration of reconciliation and generation-defining anthems.”
Paste Magazine “The biggest band in the world is back and better than ever. Buckle up, America.”
GQ “The power of the moment instantly hit me. I had simply never been in a room with that many happy people.”
NME ★★★★★ “This is all you ever would have wanted from Oasis in 2025.”
People “Oasis returns with anthemic show.”
Vulture “They’ve never sounded better.”
The Guardian ★★★★★ “A triumph.”
Associated Press “Oasis sends fans Supersonic.”
Pitchfork “The biggest reunion in our lifetime.”
The Observer "The emotional reality of their long awaited reunion dawns. It's like a dam breaking."
Vogue “The sheer magnitude of their reunion tour, aside from its cultural import, is mind-boggling to quantify.”
The Independent ★★★★★ “The rock reunion to end them all.”
OASIS LIVE ‘25 TOUR DATES
Monday, August 25 – Rogers Stadium, Toronto, ON (SOLD OUT)
Thursday, August 28 – Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, August 31 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (SOLD OUT)
Monday, September 1 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 6 – Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, September 7 – Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT)
Friday, September 12 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, MX (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 13 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, MX (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 27 – Wembley Stadium, London, UK (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, September 28 – Wembley Stadium, London, UK (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, October 21 – Goyang Stadium, Seoul, South Korea (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, October 25 – Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, October 26 – Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 31 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 1 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, November 4 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 7 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 8 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 15 – Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 16 – Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina (SOLD OUT)
Wednesday, November 19 – Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 22 – Estadio MorumBIS, São Paulo, Brazil (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 23 – Estadio MorumBIS, São Paulo, Brazil (SOLD OUT)
Follow Oasis:
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | Website
OASIS RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA AFTER OVER 16 YEARS WITH GLORIOUS TOUR KICKOFF IN TORONTO
OASIS RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA AFTER OVER 16 YEARS WITH GLORIOUS TOUR KICKOFF IN TORONTO TO RAIN
WIND AND A PROPER POZNAN
THE MONUMENTAL TOUR CONTINUES TO UNIFY FANS AROUND THE WORLD AND ACROSS GENERATIONS
“BRING IT ON DOWN (LIVE FROM EDINBURGH,
9 AUGUST ‘25)” OUT NOW - LISTEN HERE
Liam Gallagher & Noel Gallagher at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, ON, Canada on August 24, 2025.
Courtesy of Big Brother Recordings
Monday, August 25th, Toronto, ON, Canada – Last night, after over 16 years, Oasis returned to North America to kick off the next leg of their global Oasis Live ‘25 tour at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 55,000.
The monumental tour has continued to unite people around the world and across generations. Rolling Stone praised the “joyous celebration of reconciliation and generation-defining anthems,” while The Fader declared, “There will be no other rock band who will be able to be so unifying and momentous in their return.” Paste Magazine was captivated by the joyous phenomenon happening on this tour, "Hugging, dancing, crying with strangers—when’s the last time any of us did any of that? But as we all got hype together over the opening licks of ‘Hello,’ the folks around me suddenly felt like lifelong friends. We need more of this in the world, not less.”
Shortly after taking the stage last night at 8:45pm, Liam shared a story from earlier that morning.
“I bumped into a geezer today about half seven in the morning called Hugo. He comes up to me and says, ‘Mr. Gallagher,’ and I said, ‘No need for that. It’s Liam.’”
“He says, ‘Good luck tonight trying to get these Canadians doing the Poznan.’”
“He says, ‘Cause they’re all a little bit shy. They’re a little bit scared and stuff. They all smoke pot now. They’re all fucking out of their heads.’”
“He says, ‘Good luck with doing that shit tonight.’”
“So what, are we going to prove them wrong then or what? You don’t want to be the first one letting this side down.”
Liam continued before launching into “Cigarettes & Alcohol” instructing the crowd, “You lot turn around. Put your arms around each other. Give each other a cuddle, and just jump up and down. It’s very easy.” And by the end of the song, Toronto proved victorious and delivered a proper Poznan. Liam concluded, “We showed Hugo. We showed ‘em.”
Another few songs in, the skies unleashed the rain and the wind during “Stand By Me,” and before “Whatever,” a drenched Liam pondered to the still 55,000 strong crowd, “Don’t you just love it, a little bit of chaos when the weather comes? So fucking good, innit? Twist your melons just a little bit, innit? All that sunshine, it’s not good for ya. Wind and sleet. Good for the soul.”
The band will return tonight for another sold-out show at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium before heading to Chicago for a sold-out show at Soldier Field on August 28th. From there, the band will play back-to-back sold-out shows in East Rutherford, Los Angeles, and Mexico City to wrap the North American leg.
Ahead of the Toronto show, Oasis released “Bring It On Down (Live from Edinburgh, 9 August ‘25).” The track was recorded live on Saturday, August 9th, at the second of three sold-out nights at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium where they performed to over 204,000 fans. “Bring It On Down (Live from Edinburgh, 9 August ‘25)” follows “Slide Away (Live from Cardiff, 4 July ‘25),” “Cigarettes & Alcohol (Live from Manchester, 11 July ‘25),” and “Little By Little (Live from London, 2 August ‘25).”
Also released in the lead up to North America was the limited-edition Oasis “Complete Studio Album Collection” box set – including all seven studio albums plus iconic B-sides album The Masterplan on vinyl and CD formats. Available HERE.
(What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition will be released on October 3rd with limited-edition formats featuring new unplugged versions of classic tracks. Pre-order HERE.
BAND MEMBERS
Liam Gallagher (vocals), Noel Gallagher (guitar, vocals), Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (guitar), Gem Archer (guitar), Andy Bell (bass) and Joey Waronker (drums).
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Christian Madden (keyboards), Alastair White (trombone), Steve Hamilton (saxophone), Joe Auckland (trumpet).
OASIS - TORONTO, ON, CANADA - AUGUST 24, 2025 - SETLIST
“Hello”
“Acquiesce”
“Morning Glory”
“Some Might Say”
“Bring It On Down”
“Cigarettes & Alcohol”
“Fade Away”
“Supersonic”
“Roll With It”
“Talk Tonight” (Noel lead vocals)
“Half The World Away” (Noel lead vocals)
“Little By Little” (Noel lead vocals)
“D’You Know What I Mean?”
“Stand By Me”
“Cast No Shadow”
“Slide Away”
“Whatever”
“Live Forever”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”
“The Masterplan” (Noel lead vocals)
“Don’t Look Back In Anger” (Noel lead vocals)
“Wonderwall”
“Champagne Supernova”
Billboard “The band’s Live ’25 tour has seen them on red-hot form: Liam’s vocals are on top notch, Noel and the rest of the band’s playing is as unified as its been for decades.”
The Fader “There will be no other rock band who will be able to be so unifying and momentous in their return.”
The Sunday Times "The biggest rock comeback in history.”
The Hollywood Reporter “The year’s buzziest tour.”
Variety “A once-in-a-generation act.”
Rolling Stone “A joyous celebration of reconciliation and generation-defining anthems.”
Paste Magazine “The biggest band in the world is back and better than ever. Buckle up, America.”
GQ “The power of the moment instantly hit me. I had simply never been in a room with that many happy people.”
NME ★★★★★ “This is all you ever would have wanted from Oasis in 2025.”
People “Oasis returns with anthemic show.”
Vulture “They’ve never sounded better.”
The Guardian ★★★★★ “A triumph.”
Associated Press “Oasis sends fans Supersonic.”
Pitchfork “The biggest reunion in our lifetime.”
The Observer "The emotional reality of their long awaited reunion dawns. It's like a dam breaking."
Vogue “The sheer magnitude of their reunion tour, aside from its cultural import, is mind-boggling to quantify.”
The Independent ★★★★★ “The rock reunion to end them all.”
OASIS LIVE ‘25 TOUR DATES
Monday, August 25 – Rogers Stadium, Toronto, ON (SOLD OUT)
Thursday, August 28 – Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, August 31 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (SOLD OUT)
Monday, September 1 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 6 – Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, September 7 – Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT)
Friday, September 12 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, MX (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 13 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, MX (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 27 – Wembley Stadium, London, UK (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, September 28 – Wembley Stadium, London, UK (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, October 21 – Goyang Stadium, Seoul, South Korea (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, October 25 – Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, October 26 – Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 31 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 1 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, November 4 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 7 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 8 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 15 – Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 16 – Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires, Argentina (SOLD OUT)
Wednesday, November 19 – Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 22 – Estadio MorumBIS, São Paulo, Brazil (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, November 23 – Estadio MorumBIS, São Paulo, Brazil (SOLD OUT)
Follow Oasis:
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | Website
JEFF The Brotherhood & Blanc Du Blanc Announce "Magick Songs in Dub" EP Out Oct. 31
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD AND BLANC DU BLANC
PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF SPACE AND TIME
WITH MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
IMMERSIVE FOUR-SONG EP REIMAGINES MATERIAL
FROM NASHVILLE-BASED BAND’S ACCLAIMED MAGICK SONGS
THROUGH THE HYPNOTIC LENS OF DUB
“CELEBRATION DUB” OUT NOW WITH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO - LISTEN / WATCH
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC: MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
ARRIVES VIA SOUL SELECTS RECORDS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW
Credit: Pooneh Ghana
Soul Selects Records is proud to announce JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub, an immersive four-song EP that sees material from the Nashville-based band’s 2018 double-LP Magick Songs reimagined through the hypnotic lens of dub to create an expansive new incarnation of sound system ritual. JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub arrives digitally and on limited-edition vinyl on Friday, October 31. The first song, "Celebration Dub," is available today on all streaming services. An official music video is on YouTube now.
LISTEN TO “CELEBRATION DUB”
WATCH “CELEBRATION DUB” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
PRE-SAVE JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC:
MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
Hailed by Pitchfork for “completely blowing up any pre-existing notions you may have had of JEFF The Brotherhood or their music…an album that thoroughly deconstructs the idea of what a proper rock band should sound like,” Magick Songs saw JEFF The Brotherhood pushing the boundaries of their fearless brand of genre-smashing rock, fusing heavy riffs with elements of Krautrock, jazz, black metal, experimental improvisation, and more.
JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub now finds the band diving headfirst into hitherto unexplored sonic territory, journeying into the deep, resonant chambers of dub with the guiding hand of spectral sound alchemist Blanc du Blanc. While traces of dub have flickered through their earlier work, this time JEFF The Brotherhood fully surrender to the echo, reframing familiar sonics with astral frequency-shaping and deep-space vibrations. Captured directly to stereo at Soul Selects Studio in Hopewell, NJ, the live, unadulterated dub mixes channel the ancient art of analog delay, seismic bass, and swirling reverberations to reimagine Magick Songs as a cosmic dialogue between JEFF The Brotherhood and Blanc du Blanc — an otherworldly musical interchange where echoes bend, basslines breathe, and the lines between structure and improvisation fold into themselves like ripples in space and time.
# # #
ABOUT JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD:
JEFF The Brotherhood is an art project whose inception dates back to an unassuming basement in Nashville in 2002, where brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall began experimenting with one goal in mind: to do or create whatever they want with no rules or boundaries. Since then, JEFF The Brotherhood’s expansive art has taken them to Hawaii, New Zealand, and Russia, spanning over a thousand live performances and the creation of countless art objects in conjunction with music, including zines, puppets, videos, and twelve full-length albums, earning them countless accolades from the international music press. Written and recorded by the band over six months at Jake Orrall’s house in Nashville, 2018’s sprawling Magick Songs marked a determined departure from their already adventurous previous work, melding clever improvisation with elements of Japanese experimental music, Indonesian Gamelan forms, abundant hand percussion, and ethereal synthesizers. Many of the compositions were written in collaboration with Kunal Prakash (Silver Synthetic, Viva L’American Death Ray Music) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather), and feature a host of collaborators, including vocals by Jenna Moynihan (Daddy Issues, Fever Blush) and saxophone and clarinet by Reece Lazarus (Bully).
ABOUT BLANC DU BLANC:
Blanc du Blanc is a spectral dub entity transmitting from the outer reaches of sound. Born of the star Melodious, he traverses cosmic frequencies and echo trails, merging deep basslines, psychedelic textures, and ancient vibrations into transmissions that feel out of time and space.
Rooted in dub’s experimental lineage, Blanc du Blanc has collaborated with icons like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Scientist, connecting the genre’s foundations to its farthest frontiers. His recordings weave live instrumentation from a constellation of players, including Dana Colley (Morphine) and Joe Russo (JRAD), with spectral studio alchemy.
In 2025, Blanc du Blanc joined Scientist for Before the Beginning and reimagined JEFF the Brotherhood’s Magick Songs in Dub through his otherworldly prism. Created by multi-disciplinary artist Chris Harford, Blanc du Blanc exists less as a musician and more as a sonic apparition, an art project blurring the lines between myth, music, and the dub cosmos.
# # #
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC: MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
(Soul Select Records)
Release Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Tracklist:
Wasted Lands Dub
Celebration Dub
Many Moons Dub
Singing Garden Dub
CONNECT WITH SOUL SELECTS RECORDS
JEFF The Brotherhood & Blanc Du Blanc Announce "Magick Songs in Dub" EP Out Oct. 31
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD AND BLANC DU BLANC
PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF SPACE AND TIME
WITH MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
IMMERSIVE FOUR-SONG EP REIMAGINES MATERIAL
FROM NASHVILLE-BASED BAND’S ACCLAIMED MAGICK SONGS
THROUGH THE HYPNOTIC LENS OF DUB
“CELEBRATION DUB” OUT NOW WITH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO - LISTEN / WATCH
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC: MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
ARRIVES VIA SOUL SELECTS RECORDS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW
Credit: Pooneh Ghana
Soul Selects Records is proud to announce JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub, an immersive four-song EP that sees material from the Nashville-based band’s 2018 double-LP Magick Songs reimagined through the hypnotic lens of dub to create an expansive new incarnation of sound system ritual. JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub arrives digitally and on limited-edition vinyl on Friday, October 31. The first song, "Celebration Dub," is available today on all streaming services. An official music video is on YouTube now.
LISTEN TO “CELEBRATION DUB”
WATCH “CELEBRATION DUB” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
PRE-SAVE JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC:
MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
Hailed by Pitchfork for “completely blowing up any pre-existing notions you may have had of JEFF The Brotherhood or their music…an album that thoroughly deconstructs the idea of what a proper rock band should sound like,” Magick Songs saw JEFF The Brotherhood pushing the boundaries of their fearless brand of genre-smashing rock, fusing heavy riffs with elements of Krautrock, jazz, black metal, experimental improvisation, and more.
JEFF The Brotherhood Meets Blanc du Blanc: Magick Songs In Dub now finds the band diving headfirst into hitherto unexplored sonic territory, journeying into the deep, resonant chambers of dub with the guiding hand of spectral sound alchemist Blanc du Blanc. While traces of dub have flickered through their earlier work, this time JEFF The Brotherhood fully surrender to the echo, reframing familiar sonics with astral frequency-shaping and deep-space vibrations. Captured directly to stereo at Soul Selects Studio in Hopewell, NJ, the live, unadulterated dub mixes channel the ancient art of analog delay, seismic bass, and swirling reverberations to reimagine Magick Songs as a cosmic dialogue between JEFF The Brotherhood and Blanc du Blanc — an otherworldly musical interchange where echoes bend, basslines breathe, and the lines between structure and improvisation fold into themselves like ripples in space and time.
# # #
ABOUT JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD:
JEFF The Brotherhood is an art project whose inception dates back to an unassuming basement in Nashville in 2002, where brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall began experimenting with one goal in mind: to do or create whatever they want with no rules or boundaries. Since then, JEFF The Brotherhood’s expansive art has taken them to Hawaii, New Zealand, and Russia, spanning over a thousand live performances and the creation of countless art objects in conjunction with music, including zines, puppets, videos, and twelve full-length albums, earning them countless accolades from the international music press. Written and recorded by the band over six months at Jake Orrall’s house in Nashville, 2018’s sprawling Magick Songs marked a determined departure from their already adventurous previous work, melding clever improvisation with elements of Japanese experimental music, Indonesian Gamelan forms, abundant hand percussion, and ethereal synthesizers. Many of the compositions were written in collaboration with Kunal Prakash (Silver Synthetic, Viva L’American Death Ray Music) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather), and feature a host of collaborators, including vocals by Jenna Moynihan (Daddy Issues, Fever Blush) and saxophone and clarinet by Reece Lazarus (Bully).
ABOUT BLANC DU BLANC:
Blanc du Blanc is a spectral dub entity transmitting from the outer reaches of sound. Born of the star Melodious, he traverses cosmic frequencies and echo trails, merging deep basslines, psychedelic textures, and ancient vibrations into transmissions that feel out of time and space.
Rooted in dub’s experimental lineage, Blanc du Blanc has collaborated with icons like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Scientist, connecting the genre’s foundations to its farthest frontiers. His recordings weave live instrumentation from a constellation of players, including Dana Colley (Morphine) and Joe Russo (JRAD), with spectral studio alchemy.
In 2025, Blanc du Blanc joined Scientist for Before the Beginning and reimagined JEFF the Brotherhood’s Magick Songs in Dub through his otherworldly prism. Created by multi-disciplinary artist Chris Harford, Blanc du Blanc exists less as a musician and more as a sonic apparition, an art project blurring the lines between myth, music, and the dub cosmos.
# # #
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD MEETS BLANC DU BLANC: MAGICK SONGS IN DUB
(Soul Select Records)
Release Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Tracklist:
Wasted Lands Dub
Celebration Dub
Many Moons Dub
Singing Garden Dub
CONNECT WITH SOUL SELECTS RECORDS
Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk turns one, set to unveil full-album film imminently
album artAugust 25, 2025—Magdalena Bay’s seminal sophomore LP Imaginal Disk, widely touted as one of the best of last year, was released one year ago on August 23. In celebration of the anniversary, the band teases the release of the long-awaited album movie.Directed by Amanda Kramer and written and edited by the band’s Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, the film elaborates on the world of the album. Magdalena Bay revealed elements of the story in the videos for “Death & Romance,” “Image” and “That’s My Floor,” as well as in their performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and on the road on the Imaginal Mystery Tour. Further details of the film and its release are imminent.“On this day, the anniversary of the record, we’d like to formally announce and acknowledge the existence of a full album movie,” says the group. “Surely our most ambitious undertaking thus far, this thing will be done at some point… soon… and we will share more information imminently.”Written and produced in full by Tenenbaum and Lewin, Imaginal Disk was released to widespread critical acclaim last year via Mom+Pop Music. Featured on Best of 2024 lists from
The New York Times
, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Vogue, Paste Magazine—which named single “Death & Romance” the #1 song of the year
—
and more, Imaginal Disk found Magdalena Bay selling out every date of their North American and European/U.K. headline tours.The group continues on the road with further headline dates and festival performances across North America in September. Stops include Los Angeles’ Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Austin City Limits, III Points Festival, Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy, Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway and more. See full routing below and get tickets HERE.Magdalena Bay is the Los Angeles by way of Miami duo consisting of Mica Tenenbaum (vocals, producer, songwriter) and Matthew Lewin (producer, songwriter). The two first met at an after-school music program in Miami where they grew up, bonding over shared musical influences and eventually starting a prog rock band Tabula Rasa. That band broke up, but when Tenenbaum and Lewin crossed paths again in college, they reconnected with the goal of making something closer to pop music that blends retro and futuristic elements under the moniker Magdalena Bay. They released a series of EPs leading up to their critically acclaimed debut album, Mercurial World, in 2021 and went on to sell out their multiple headline tours, play numerous festivals around the world—including Coachella and Lollapalooza, tour with Billie Eilish, Charli xcx, Caroline Polachek, Flume and collaborate with Grimes, Lil Yachty, JIHYO, Blu DeTiger and more.IMAGINAL DISK TRACK LIST1. She Looked Like Me!2. Killing Time3. True Blue Interlude4. Image5. Death & Romance6. Fear, Sex7. Vampire in the Corner8. Watching T.V.9. Tunnel Vision10. Love Is Everywhere11. Feeling DiskInserted?12. That’s My Floor13. Cry for Me14. Angel on a Satellite15. The Ballad of Matt & MicaIMAGINAL MYSTERY TOUR DATESSeptember 18—San Francisco, CA—The WarfieldSeptember 20 + 21—San Francisco, CA—Portola Music FestivalSeptember 22—San Diego, CA—The Observatory North ParkSeptember 23—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial TheatreSeptember 24—Anaheim, CA—House of BluesSeptember 26—Los Angeles, CA—Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 27—Los Angeles, CA — Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 29—Seattle, WA—Showbox SoDoSeptember 30—Vancouver, BC—The Orpheum TheatreOctober 1—Portland, OR—McMenamins Crystal BallroomOctober 3-5—Austin, TX—Austin City LimitsOctober 5—Dallas, TX—House of Blues DallasOctober 7—Indianapolis, IN—Egyptian Room at Old National CentreOctober 8—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music WorksOctober 10—Austin, TX—Emo’sOctober 10-12—Austin, TX—Austin City LimitsOctober 12—Oklahoma City, OK—The CriterionOctober 14—Houston, TX—House of Blues HoustonOctober 15—New Orleans, LA—The Fillmore New OrleansOctober 17—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus LiveOctober 17-18—Miami, FL—III Points FestivalOctober 20—Atlanta, GA—Coca-Cola RoxyOctober 21—Raleigh, NC—The RitzOctober 22—Norfolk, VA—The NorVaOctober 24—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at FenwayOctober 25—Washington, DC—The AnthemOctober 26—Philadelphia—The Filmore www.imaginaldisk.world
Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk turns one, set to unveil full-album film imminently
album artAugust 25, 2025—Magdalena Bay’s seminal sophomore LP Imaginal Disk, widely touted as one of the best of last year, was released one year ago on August 23. In celebration of the anniversary, the band teases the release of the long-awaited album movie.Directed by Amanda Kramer and written and edited by the band’s Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, the film elaborates on the world of the album. Magdalena Bay revealed elements of the story in the videos for “Death & Romance,” “Image” and “That’s My Floor,” as well as in their performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and on the road on the Imaginal Mystery Tour. Further details of the film and its release are imminent.“On this day, the anniversary of the record, we’d like to formally announce and acknowledge the existence of a full album movie,” says the group. “Surely our most ambitious undertaking thus far, this thing will be done at some point… soon… and we will share more information imminently.”Written and produced in full by Tenenbaum and Lewin, Imaginal Disk was released to widespread critical acclaim last year via Mom+Pop Music. Featured on Best of 2024 lists from
The New York Times
, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Vogue, Paste Magazine—which named single “Death & Romance” the #1 song of the year
—
and more, Imaginal Disk found Magdalena Bay selling out every date of their North American and European/U.K. headline tours.The group continues on the road with further headline dates and festival performances across North America in September. Stops include Los Angeles’ Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Austin City Limits, III Points Festival, Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy, Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway and more. See full routing below and get tickets HERE.Magdalena Bay is the Los Angeles by way of Miami duo consisting of Mica Tenenbaum (vocals, producer, songwriter) and Matthew Lewin (producer, songwriter). The two first met at an after-school music program in Miami where they grew up, bonding over shared musical influences and eventually starting a prog rock band Tabula Rasa. That band broke up, but when Tenenbaum and Lewin crossed paths again in college, they reconnected with the goal of making something closer to pop music that blends retro and futuristic elements under the moniker Magdalena Bay. They released a series of EPs leading up to their critically acclaimed debut album, Mercurial World, in 2021 and went on to sell out their multiple headline tours, play numerous festivals around the world—including Coachella and Lollapalooza, tour with Billie Eilish, Charli xcx, Caroline Polachek, Flume and collaborate with Grimes, Lil Yachty, JIHYO, Blu DeTiger and more.IMAGINAL DISK TRACK LIST1. She Looked Like Me!2. Killing Time3. True Blue Interlude4. Image5. Death & Romance6. Fear, Sex7. Vampire in the Corner8. Watching T.V.9. Tunnel Vision10. Love Is Everywhere11. Feeling DiskInserted?12. That’s My Floor13. Cry for Me14. Angel on a Satellite15. The Ballad of Matt & MicaIMAGINAL MYSTERY TOUR DATESSeptember 18—San Francisco, CA—The WarfieldSeptember 20 + 21—San Francisco, CA—Portola Music FestivalSeptember 22—San Diego, CA—The Observatory North ParkSeptember 23—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial TheatreSeptember 24—Anaheim, CA—House of BluesSeptember 26—Los Angeles, CA—Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 27—Los Angeles, CA — Fairbanks Lawn at Hollywood Forever CemeterySeptember 29—Seattle, WA—Showbox SoDoSeptember 30—Vancouver, BC—The Orpheum TheatreOctober 1—Portland, OR—McMenamins Crystal BallroomOctober 3-5—Austin, TX—Austin City LimitsOctober 5—Dallas, TX—House of Blues DallasOctober 7—Indianapolis, IN—Egyptian Room at Old National CentreOctober 8—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music WorksOctober 10—Austin, TX—Emo’sOctober 10-12—Austin, TX—Austin City LimitsOctober 12—Oklahoma City, OK—The CriterionOctober 14—Houston, TX—House of Blues HoustonOctober 15—New Orleans, LA—The Fillmore New OrleansOctober 17—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus LiveOctober 17-18—Miami, FL—III Points FestivalOctober 20—Atlanta, GA—Coca-Cola RoxyOctober 21—Raleigh, NC—The RitzOctober 22—Norfolk, VA—The NorVaOctober 24—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at FenwayOctober 25—Washington, DC—The AnthemOctober 26—Philadelphia—The Filmore www.imaginaldisk.world
Tom Waits' 'Nighthawks at the Diner' Receives 50th Anniversary Vinyl Re-Issue
ANTI-RECORDS ANNOUNCES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
TOM WAITS’ ‘NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER’
VINYL RE-ISSUES
OUT OCTOBER 24
This October marks the 50th anniversary of Tom Waits’ 1975 album ’Nighthawks at the Diner’. Taking its title from Edward Hopper’s painting, the record captures the singular spirit of Waits’ early live performances: intimate, theatrical evenings where inventive songwriting mingled with storytelling and sharp-witted asides. Recorded over four sessions at Los Angeles’s Record Plant with a small invited audience, ‘Nighthawks’ stands as a rare artifact of this formative period, crystallizing the persona that would bridge ‘The Heart Of Saturday Night’ and his early opus, ‘Small Change’, as well as feature some of his most iconic songs of the era, including “Eggs And Sausage“, “Warm Beer And Cold Women”, and the epic, rambling “Spare Parts”.
ANTI- Records is releasing the album in three limited edition variants of yellow vinyl to celebrate the ‘Nighthawks’ anniversary:
Tom Waits Webstore Exclusive in 180g Ducky Yellow - pre-order HERE
Indie Record Stores will have a 180g yellow marble - pre-order HERE
Spotify Fans First Exclusive in 180g Yellow Smoke - pre-order HERE
Included in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Song Writers of All Time and a 2011 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Waits is a legendary artist who explored the full canon of American and European songwriting - from folk to jazz to blues and gospel to cabaret and spoken word - all in service of his experience of the human condition from every rung of the ladder. He has a voice and eye so singular that ‘Waitsian’ has become an adjective used by critics and dictionaries to describe his aesthetic and style.
Photo Credit: Scott Smith
Tom Waits' 'Nighthawks at the Diner' Receives 50th Anniversary Vinyl Re-Issue
ANTI-RECORDS ANNOUNCES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
TOM WAITS’ ‘NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER’
VINYL RE-ISSUES
OUT OCTOBER 24
This October marks the 50th anniversary of Tom Waits’ 1975 album ’Nighthawks at the Diner’. Taking its title from Edward Hopper’s painting, the record captures the singular spirit of Waits’ early live performances: intimate, theatrical evenings where inventive songwriting mingled with storytelling and sharp-witted asides. Recorded over four sessions at Los Angeles’s Record Plant with a small invited audience, ‘Nighthawks’ stands as a rare artifact of this formative period, crystallizing the persona that would bridge ‘The Heart Of Saturday Night’ and his early opus, ‘Small Change’, as well as feature some of his most iconic songs of the era, including “Eggs And Sausage“, “Warm Beer And Cold Women”, and the epic, rambling “Spare Parts”.
ANTI- Records is releasing the album in three limited edition variants of yellow vinyl to celebrate the ‘Nighthawks’ anniversary:
Tom Waits Webstore Exclusive in 180g Ducky Yellow - pre-order HERE
Indie Record Stores will have a 180g yellow marble - pre-order HERE
Spotify Fans First Exclusive in 180g Yellow Smoke - pre-order HERE
Included in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Song Writers of All Time and a 2011 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Waits is a legendary artist who explored the full canon of American and European songwriting - from folk to jazz to blues and gospel to cabaret and spoken word - all in service of his experience of the human condition from every rung of the ladder. He has a voice and eye so singular that ‘Waitsian’ has become an adjective used by critics and dictionaries to describe his aesthetic and style.
Photo Credit: Scott Smith
