Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 43
July 30, 2025
LITTLE BIG ANNOUNCE 17-DATE THE ORIGINAL SKIBIDI TOUR THROUGH NORTH AMERICA
LITTLE BIG ANNOUNCE 17-DATE THE ORIGINAL SKIBIDI TOUR
THROUGH NORTH AMERICA
https://littlebig.band/tour
LITTLE BIG RETURN WITH
YOUR NEWEST HERO “COCO COPTER” HERE
+ WILD, ABSURDIST MUSIC VIDEO HERE
Little Big - The Original Skibidi Tour:
10.22 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10.23 - Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues
10.24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
10.25 - Washington, DC @ The Howard Theatre
10.27 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
10.28 - Toronto, ON @ REBEL
10.30 - Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
10.31 - Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre
11.1 - Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
11.4 - Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
11.5 - Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theatre
11.7 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11.8 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
11.9 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11.12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
11.13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether
11.14 - San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
Today, LA-based punk-pop-rave renegades Little Big announce their 17-date The Original Skibidi Tour, which will go on sale on Friday, August 1 @ 10 am local time via https://littlebig.band/tour. Their North American The Original Skibidi Tour will start in New York on 10.22 and bring them to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, through Canada’s Montreal, Toronto, back over the border to Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, to Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and the final stretch takes them from Seattle, Portland to San Francisco, Los Angeles on 11.13 and will end on 11.14 in San Diego.
Originally from Saint Petersburg, they unleashed their latest anti-hero: “COCO COPTER,” last week, crashing onto the scene with a wild, no-holds-barred music video in their signature absurdist style. Frontman Ilya Prusikin explains: “Little Big - The Original Kings of Italian Brainrot are back with their latest wild creation! If you thought Bombardino Crocodilo was over the top, and Ballerina Cappuccina felt too tame for your hardcore disco cravings, buckle up. Coco Copter spins through chaos, dodges Skibidi Toilet, and drops bangers like it's second nature. It’s loud. It’s absurd. And yeah… It’s definitely going to get stuck in your head for way too long. You’ve been warned.”
Little Big was originally formed in 2013 by frontman Ilya “Ilich” Prusikin and is now driven by the explosive duo of Prusikin and vocalist Sonya Tayurskaya. Known for their absurdist visuals, satirical edge, and viral hits, the Saint Petersburg-born group has built a devoted global following, collaborating with artists like Oliver Tree, Tommy Cash, Finch Asozial, Dillon Francis, Clean Bandit, and even Sacha Baron Cohen.
They are the true originators of the word “Skibidi”, unleashing the surreal, high-octane anthem in 2018, long before 2023’s “Skibidi Toilet” phenomenon. Their “Skibidi” video has garnered over 776 million views, making it their biggest hit, while their catalog has surpassed 3 billion total views. Their 2020 single “UNO” also made history as the most-viewed video in Eurovision history, with over 296 million views.
In March 2022, following their outspoken opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the band relocated from Moscow to Los Angeles, turning their art and platform into a powerful form of protest.
Top music videos:
Little Big “SKIBIDI” (776M)
Little Big “FARADENZA” (464M)
Little Big “HYPNODANCER” (433M)
Little Big “UNO” (296M)
Little Big “I’M OK”(236M)
Oliver Tree & Little Big “The Internet”
Oliver Tree & Little Big “Turn It Up” feat. Tommy Cash
Little Big “Give Me All Your Money” feat. Tommy Cash
https://linktr.ee/littlebig.band
https://www.youtube.com/littlebig (7.2M)
https://www.tiktok.com/@littlebig (5.4M)
https://www.instagram.com/littlebigband
https://www.facebook.com/littlebigbandofficial
https://x.com/littlebig_band
https://www.instagram.com/iliyaprusikin/
https://www.instagram.com/sonyatayurskaya
AMI TAF RA RELEASES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO “THE PROPHET”
AMI TAF RA RELEASES NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO “THE PROPHET”
DEBUT ALBUM THE PROPHET AND THE MADMAN OUT AUGUST 22 VIA BRAINFEEDER
NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR KICKS OFF IN SEPTEMBER
Photo by Audrey Wilkins
Today, North African, LA-based singer-songwriter Ami Taf Ra releases her new single and video, “The Prophet.” The ethereal, jazz-infused opus marks the fourth release from her forthcoming debut album, The Prophet and the Madman, out August 22 via Brainfeeder. With lyrics inspired by Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran’s seminal poetry collection of the same name, “The Prophet” is a theatrical, eight-minute composition that showcases Ami Taf Ra’s powerful, operatic vocals over glittering production and bright, dynamic drums. The track radiates with shifts in sound, tempo, and emotional intensity, as she sings with ever-changing expressiveness. Despite its luminous sonic palette, the lyrics explore themes of separation, loss, and longing. The perspective flows between an omniscient narrator, a chorus of voices, and the Prophet himself as he prepares to leave a city and people he has come to love. Throughout the song, Ami Taf Ra wields her vibrant voice as a powerful instrument, guiding the listener through a rich emotional landscape before the song gently descends into a shimmering close. “The Prophet” is accompanied by an intimate visual directed by frequent collaborator Cleon Arrey. Filmed in black and white at Los Angeles’ Lula Washington Dance Theatre, the video features expressive, interpretive choreography by Tamica Washington, capturing dancers (Ongelle Olivia and Kaitwan Jackson) in raw, emotional motion. Listen to “The Prophet” HERE and watch the video HERE.
The Prophet and the Madman was produced by legendary saxophonist, composer, and Ami Taf Ra’s frequent collaborator Kamasi Washington. “The Prophet” follows Ami Taf Ra’s recent collaboration with renowned jazz trombonist Ryan Porter on “Love”. A transcendent, sonic palate cleanser that draws from Moroccan gnawa, gospel, and spiritual jazz, Ami Taf Ra’s debut album is a personal and poetic meditation on duality, healing, and ancestral memory. In June, Ami Taf Ra shared the single and video “How I Became A Madman” featuring Kamasi Washington — a soaring and entrancing track capturing the tension between inner chaos and clarity—a central theme of the forthcoming album. Set across Los Angeles’s Leimert Park and against the striking forms of Thomas Houseago’s sculpture garden, the song’s music video, directed by Cleon Arrey (co-owner of Neighbors Skate Shop), blends a lyrical mix of slow motion and quick cuts, the visuals mirroring the song’s frenetic pulse. In May, Ami Taf Ra announced her signing to Brainfeeder with the release of “Speak To Us (Outro)”, praised for its emotional depth and the accompanying video’s striking visual storytelling.
Over the course of her career, Ami Taf Ra has graced stages worldwide, captivating audiences in Denmark, Turkey, Morocco, Belgium, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. She has performed at esteemed festivals like the South East Jazz Festival and the Haarlem Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, as well as with the Dutch Royal Metropole Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall (Concertgebouw) and the Dutch Blazers Ensemble. Ami has toured extensively with Kamasi Washington, performing together at notable venues and festivals across the United States including City Winery in Boston, the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, and the Just Jazz Concert Series at Mr Musichead Gallery in Los Angeles. She has also performed with a diverse array of musicians, including trombonist Ryan Porter, saxophonist Rickey Washington, percussionist Kahlil Cummings, bassist Ben Williams, drummer Jonathan Pinson, and pianist Jamael Dean. This fall, Ami Taf Ra will embark on a North American headline tour kicking off September 22 at the renowned Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. For more information and tickets, visit https://amitafra.com/#tour.
Ami Taf Ra’s deep commitment to music as a tool for connection and healing has taken her beyond the stage and into communities impacted by displacement and conflict. In conjunction with a group of Dutch musicians, she led creative workshops for children, using music and painting to spark expression. The experience culminated in a collaborative performance that brought together the children, the musicians, and Ami Taf Ra as the opening act of the Amman Jazz Festival in 2014.
Today, Ami Taf Ra continues to explore the fusion of cultures through music, crafting a sound that honors her heritage while embracing new influences through different languages and nationalities. With every performance, she strives to connect people, stories, and traditions across borders. Ami Taf Ra's work stands as a testament to the power of cultural fusion in music, connecting people across borders through stories and traditions.
LISTEN TO “THE PROPHET”
https://amitafra.lnk.to/prophetmadmanPR
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “THE PROPHET”
https://amitafra.lnk.to/prophetmadman...
LISTEN TO “LOVE” FEAT. RYAN PORTER, “HOW I BECAME A MADMAN” AND “SPEAK TO US (OUTRO)” + PRE-SAVE THE PROPHET AND THE MADMAN
https://amitafra.lnk.to/prophetmadman
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “LOVE (FEAT. RYAN PORTER)”
https://amitafra.lnk.to/prophetmadman/youtube
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “HOW I BECAME A MADMAN”
https://amitafra.lnk.to/prophetmadman/youtube
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “SPEAK TO US (OUTRO)”
https://amitafra.lnk.to/stu-outro/youtube
ALBUM TRACKLIST
1. Speak to Us (Intro)
2. How I Became a Madman (feat. Kamasi Washington)
3. The Prophet
4. God
5. Love (feat. Ryan Porter)
6. My Friend (feat. Brandon Coleman)
7. Children
8. Gnawa (feat. Kamasi Washington)
9. Gibran
10. Khalil
11. Speak to Us (Outro)
NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES
22 Sept – Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City, NY
25 Sept – Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, OH
26 Sept – City Winery Chicago, Chicago, IL
27 Sept – City Winery St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
28 Sept – City Winery Nashville, Nashville, TN
30 Sept – City Winery Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
02 Oct – Keystone Korner, Baltimore, MD
03 Oct – City Winery Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
05 Oct – City Winery Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
06 Oct – City Winery Boston, Boston, MA
09 Oct – Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA
FOLLOW AMI TAF RA
Glitterfox Literally Wrestles w/ Emotion in Colorful “Gamma Ray” Video | Fall Tour | Debut LP out 8/22
Glitterfox
Shares Lovelorn “ Gamma Ray ” Single + Video
Available across platforms here
Debut Album decoder due out 8/22 via Jealous Butcher
Produced by Chris Funk of The Decemberists
North American Tour
Tour dates below + here
Credit: Julia Varga
Portland’s Glitterfox will release their debut full-length album decoder, August 22 on Jealous Butcher Records. The album has already earned early support spanning Atwood Magazine, Exclaim!, GLAAD, AudioFuzz, Glide Magazine and more. Today they share new album cut “Gamma Ray,” a universally relatable song about wanting someone you can’t have. Songwriter Andrea Walker shares, “It’s a song about obsessive thoughts and how distressing they can be; wanting to feel differently and knowing that the only remedy is time.”
The band is helmed by effervescent frontperson Solange Igoa (they/them) and guitarist Andrea Walker (they/them) who, before recently splitting up amicably, were a couple for 12 years, six of them married. However, their musical connection is so profound that it has remained unaffected. decoder is a jubilant explosion of tracks that synthesizes the two songwriters’ garage rock, new wave, southern Americana and dance music influences.
Glitterfox formed in Long Beach, CA back in 2012 and have released a handful of acclaimed singles & EPs under their belt, several on Kill Rock Stars. Along the way, they relocated to their current hometown of Portland, Oregon, where they met Chris Funk (of The Decemberists) who is now their manager and producer. Hailed for their effervescent live show, the band launched Portland’s indie-music festival Glitterfest in 2019 (which doubled as their wedding reception). Fans can experience their captivating live show at select festivals this month and on their extensive North American fall tour.
Tour Dates - TICKETS
US summer tour
7/31: Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon 2025
decoder tour
9/2: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
9/3: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
9/4: Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme
9/5: Detroit, MI @ The Magic Bag
9/6: Toronto, ON @ Longboat Hall
9/8: Metuchen, NJ @ Old Franklin Schoolhouse
9/9: Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right
9/10: Somerville, MA @ The Rockwell
9/11: Philadelphia, PA @ The Lounge at World Cafe Live
9/12: Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong
9/13: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
9/14: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
9/15: Indianapolis, IN @ Turntable
9/17: Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
9/18: Milwaukee, WI @ Vivarium
9/19: Columbia, MO @ Rose Music Hall
9/20: Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
10/16: Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club Basement
10/17: Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/18: Streamboat Springs, CO @ Schmiggity's
10/19: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
10/22: Tuson, AZ @ Hotel Congress
10/24: Morro Bay, CA @ The Siren
10/25: Los Angeles, CA @ Permanent Records
10/26: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
10/29: Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
10/30: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
10/31: Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
July 29, 2025
Jerry Harrison Expands Stop Making Sense Screening Tour with New 2025–2026 Dates
A24’s 40th Anniversary Re-Release of the Greatest Concert Film of All Time Continues with Live Appearances and Q&A Events Hosted by Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison
For more information and to purchase tickets,
visit www.jerry-harrison.com
Following sold-out screenings across the country, Jerry Harrison – keyboardist/guitarist of the iconic band Talking Heads – has announced an extended run of live events tied to the 40th anniversary re-release of
Stop Making Sense
, widely considered one of the greatest concert films ever made.Presented by A24 and newly restored in 4K, Jonathan Demme’s legendary 1984 film returns to theaters with a special twist: each screening features a live appearance by Harrison, who delivers introductory remarks, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film, and hosts an audience Q&A following the show.
Today’s announcement adds dozens of new dates stretching into early 2026, including stops in California, Texas, Florida, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Pre-sales begin tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31st at 10am local time, and the General On-sale begins this Friday, August 2nd at 10am local time. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.jerry-harrison.com.
Shot at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater, Stop Making Sense features band members David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth, along with their incredible touring musicians. Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is widely considered the greatest concert film of all time.The re-release includes a newly remixed Dolby Atmos soundtrack, with Harrison playing a key role in recovering and restoring the original audio elements. As he told Forbes, “This is just another level better. We went back to scratch on everything — the sound, the mix, the color correction. It’s thrilling to hear the film this way. When you close your eyes, you can feel where every musician is standing.”
The newly announced dates follow a series of successful screenings that have brought Stop Making Sense to audiences across the country in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The re-release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Talking Heads and a number of major milestones for the band, including a new “Psycho Killer” video directed by Mike Mills and starring Saoirse Ronan, and the upcoming super deluxe reissue of More Songs About Buildings and Food.
In addition to his work restoring Stop Making Sense, Jerry Harrison has been revisiting the band’s legacy through live performances of Remain In Light with guitarist Adrian Belew. Together, they’ve brought the landmark album to stages across the U.S. and Europe.
Each Stop Making Sense event offers audiences a unique opportunity to hear directly from Harrison, who shares stories from the making of the film, insight into its recent restoration, and reflections on one of the most iconic live performances ever captured on screen.
STOP MAKING SENSE - SCREENING SCHEDULE
9/11/25 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center
9/12/25 – New London, CT – Garde Arts Center
9/13/25 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall
9/14/25 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
9/16/25 – Virginia Beach, VA – Sandler Center
9/17/25 – Richmond, VA – The National
9/18/25 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
9/20/25 – Providence, RI – The Uptown Theater
9/21/25 – Beverly, MA – Cabot Theater
10/2/25 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
10/3/25 – Davis, CA – Mondavi Center
10/4/25 – Modesto, CA – Gallo Center
10/8/25 – Glendale, CA – The Alex Theatre
10/10/25 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
10/12/25 – Albuquerque, NM – KiMo Theatre
10/13/25 – Santa Fe, NM – The Lensic
10/30/25 – Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre
11/1/25 – Kansas City, MO – Kauffman Center
11/2/25 – Omaha, NE – Kiewit Concert Hall
11/13/25 – San Antonio, TX – Empire Theatre
11/14/25 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theater
11/15/25 – Dallas, TX – Texas Theatre
11/20/25 – Seaside, FL – Syceum Lawn
11/22/25 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
1/9/26 – Livermore, CA – Bankhead Theater
1/10/26 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre
1/13/26 – Medford, OR – Holly Theater
1/14/26 – Bend, OR – Tower Theater
1/15/26 – Beaverton, OR – Reser
1/16/26 – Olympia, WA – Washington Center
1/17/26 – Bellingham, WA – Mt Baker Theatre
https://jerry-harrison.com/
Major Lazer unveil new member America Foster
photo credit: CVPL MediaJuly 29, 2025—Major Lazer, the iconic multi-platinum and diamond charting dance music group, has returned with breakout British-Jamaican artist America Foster added into the fold. America joins Diplo, Walshy Fire and Ape Drums for the latest iteration of the legendary group. America revealed the news on Instagram after Major Lazer’s headline set at Austria’s Electric Love Festival—see HERE. “@majorlazer are back…and, it looks like I’m the 4th member for the foreseeable future!...Thank you @diplo @walshyfire @apedrums @majorlazer for taking me under your wings! I love you guys dearly…” The group continues to take their dynamic live show on the road, debuting a bevy of long-awaited new music, including a song with Busy Signal—a follow up to their cult-classic “Watch Out for This (Bumaye)”—and a selection of original tracks featuring America. Most recently, Major Lazer performed four raucous sets at Paris’ Fête de la Musique—including street parties in city alleyways and a live streamed performance via France2 to over 30,000 listeners—and a headline set at Brooklyn’s Great Hall. The weekend saw Major Lazer host a surprise rave at a Bronx bodega after playing to a crowd in Philadelphia that same morning at the Diplo Run Club season kickoff race.Major Lazer continues with a highly anticipated headline set at Chandler, Arizona’s Goldrush Music Festival, which will bookend spontaneous pop ups from the DJ quartet throughout the summer and a newly confirmed show at Loft Studios for their first London show in a decade. Additional tour dates across the U.K., Europe and North America are forthcoming. Initially a studio-oriented project, Major Lazer developed into a live juggernaut, blowing minds on tour and at festivals across the U.S. and Europe. The global-pop kings have dominated the charts with hits including the Diamond-certified “Lean On”—one of the most successful songs of all time—4x Platinum-certified “Cold Water” and 2x Platinum-certified “Light It Up.” In 2024, the group celebrated the 15th anniversary of their seminal 2009 debut album,
Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do
, with a deluxe 15th anniversary edition digital reissue.Much from Major Lazer is imminent.MAJOR LAZER LIVEAugust 24—Carnival Loft Party—London, U.K.September 12 + 13—Goldrush Music Festival—Chandler, AZ
www.majorlazer.com
/
OMD Celebrate 40 Years of 'Crush' LP | Expanded-Edition Reissue Out October 10th via UMR/Virgin
OMD Celebrate 40 Years of Crush
Expanded-Edition Reissue Out October 10th via UMR/Virgin
Photo by Ed MilesPRE-ORDER/SAVE: OMD - Crush LPOrderIn celebration of the 40th anniversary of their U.S. breakout album Crush , Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark have announced an expanded reissue of the LP, which is out October 10th via UMR/Virgin. Today's announcement also follows the recent 40th anniversary of their acclaimed album Junk Culture.
Originally released on June 17th 1985, the band’s sixth album Crush took OMD across the pond and became their breakthrough record Stateside. Spearheaded by the irresistible single "So In Love," which entered the Billboard Top 40, and radio smash "Secret", the album received acclaim across the board and also saw success in the UK and Europe, peaking at #13 on the UK Official Album Chart. It remains a firm favorite with the band and their fans.
Working from a batch of demos, Andy and Paul, plus multi-instrumentalist Martin Cooper and drummer Malcolm Holmes, began recording Crush in Liverpool’s Amazon Studios in the late winter of 1984. Having laid down what they could in Amazon, they then relocated to the more secluded facilities of The Manor, in the heart of Oxfordshire, where they enlisted US-born producer Stephen Hague to help pull the record together.
“We felt for the first time like we needed somebody to help us focus on the production,” McCluskey says. “We were too close to these half-written songs and needed someone who could be a little bit more objective. Stephen had a very slick production sound. Maybe unconsciously, we were also thinking, ‘If we’re going to break America, we need to be a bit more polished’.”
That approach successfully attracted a new audience and both Humphreys and McCluskey look back on it with fondness. Although Crush was created under gruelling conditions, there’s no doubting that everything paid off: “We managed to create an exceedingly good album,” McCluskey affirms. “We are very proud of every track.”
The 40th celebration of Crush will arrive on 2LP black and coloured vinyl, as well as 2CD and digital formats. Remastered from the original analogue files, the special anniversary release sees a wealth of brand new material including seven unreleased tracks from the album's multitrack sessions, mixed by Paul Humphreys. The release also comes with two demos, an alternative mix, four never-before-heard songs, plus non-album b-sides and extended or 12" mixes, some of which have never been reissued or issued on CD/digitally. The package is rounded out with rare photos and comprehensive notes by journalist and author Jason Draper in conversation with Andy McCluskey.
“The 40th anniversary re-release of 'Crush' has been a wonderful opportunity for us to re-assess the album. 1985 was a period of great intensity with constant touring and time pressure in the studio, but we created a powerful collection of songs and lyrical themes,” Andy McCluskey said of the record. “In hindsight, we made a much better album than we knew at the time. Two hit singles 'So in Love' and ‘Secret’ remain live set constants to this day. There is raw energy and anger in ‘88 seconds in Greensboro’, swaggering pomp of ‘The Native Daughters of the Golden West’, and the melancholy shroud of the title track ‘Crush’ juxtaposing relentless samples of Japanese TV adverts against the weary vocals and somnambulant instrumentation perfectly captures the jet lag induced dream state of global touring.We changed style and musical palette, but 'Crush' retains a confidence and energy that I am very proud of.”OMD LINKS
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music
Crush Tracklisting:
CD 1
So In LoveSecretBloc Bloc BlocWomen IIICrush88 Seconds In GreensboroThe Native Daughters Of The Golden WestLa Femme AccidentHold YouThe Lights Are Going OutCD 2
Wheels of Steel* Lana Turner v.1* Hold You (Rough)* Choral* Lana Turner v.2* Drift (Demo)* All or Nothing (Demo)* Concrete Hands (b-side) Firegun (b-side)Maria Gallante (b-side) Drift (b-side) Secret (Extended Mix) So In Love (Special American Dance Remix) So In Love (Extended) La Femme Accident (12" Mix) Concrete Hands (Extended)*Previously Unreleased Track
LP1
Side I
So In LoveSecretBloc Bloc BlocWomen IIICrushSide II
88 Seconds In GreensboroThe Native Daughters Of The Golden WestLa Femme AccidentHold YouThe Lights Are Going OutLP2
Side III
Wheels of Steel* Lana Turner v.1* Hold You (Rough)* Choral* Lana Turner v.2* Drift (Demo)* All or Nothing (Demo)*Side IIII
So In Love (Special American Dance Remix) Secret (Extended Mix) La Femme Accident (12" Mix) Concrete Hands (Extended)*Previously Unreleased Track
OMD have sold an astonishing 25 million singles and 15 million albums, which has established them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups.Immersion: WTF?? 12" wm60LP / CD wm60CD / Digital wm60D
Immersion: WTF?? 12" wm60LP / CD wm60CD / Digital wm60D
Album: 26 September 2025 | pre-order here | LP on bio vinyl
Single: ‘Use It Don’t Lose It’ | 28 July 2025 (on all streaming platforms) | Watch the video on YouTube
Vinyl A: 1. Defiance / 2. Use It Don't Lose It / 3. It's A Long Way To Brooklyn / 4. TimelineVinyl B :5. How To Be / 6. Change Of Use / 7. Push The Rock / 8. On The Longest Day
What the f*ck?? What the f*cking f*ck??
It’s the only realistic response to these dark, divisive and dangerous times. How do you react? How do you feel? How do you soundtrack?
Immersion is the project of post-punk musical architects Colin Newman (Wire) and Malka Spigel (Minimal Compact) and Matt Schulz (Holy Fuck, Savak & Lake Ruth). Since the pandemic, Immersion has been mainly working on their Nanocluster collaborations but they have now re-engaged with the core project after a UK and USA tour gave them a shot of musical urgency and lyrical immediacy.
The crafted creativity of the core unit has seen their previous projects honed down in their studio set-up but the magic of the live moment sparked a new necessity to the sound. It sees the four instrumentals and the four vocal pieces of the album created with an added energy and a connection to the shared hopes and fears of the band, its audience and the wider community. It musically catches a moment reacting to the apocalyptic madness of these times and trying to come to terms with it. The songs snapshot these uncertain days adding another layer of humanity to the music and another level of ‘what the f*ck??’.
If the Nanocluster project is about collaboration then Immersion in 2025 is a response to where humanity finds itself in the second decade of the 21st century. It reacts to not only that relentless rhetoric of these times but also how we as humans should respond. Music is the message, the medium, the massage and the moment. This song collection manages to combine the unease with hope, minimally hypnotic songwriting with taut melodies and inventiveness with groove.
The lead-off track released on 28 July is ‘Use It Don’t Lose It’, which they describe as “An expression of us both together, saying the same thing for ourselves and for others. The words are so direct they need no explanation. Anyone could join in with the chanting!” The album will follow in September 2025 and there will be UK dates later in the year.
‘Thank you for your attention to this matter!’
JOHN ROBB, Manchester, July 2025
UK 2025 tour dates
Sat 30 Aug: Woodbridge, Festival of Arts & Music
Fri 03 Oct: Brighton, The Actors – Late L(a)unch in conversation with John Robb & album playback
Wed 29 Oct: Leeds, The Attic
Thur 30 Oct: Glasgow, MONO
Fri 31 Oct: Manchester, Kamera
Sat 01 Nov: Coventry, Just Dropped In
Mon 03 Nov: London, Cafe OTO
Thur 04 Dec: Brighton, Alphabet
More dates to be announced. immersionhq.uk always carries a gig list with ticket links as does Immersion's Spotify profile.
Laibach Share New Track "Die Kanone" || Out Now On Mute
LAIBACH
SHARE NEW TRACK “DIE KANONE”
Photo credit: Nika Hölcl
Today Laibach continue a series of single releases with bombastic new track “Die Kanone,” their interpretation of “Top” (‘The Cannon’ in English, ‘Die Kanone’ in German), the 1974 single by rock band Bijelo Dugme, the most popular and commercially-successful band in the history of former Yugoslavia, whose music crossed classic rock’n’roll with folk.
This meeting of two Balkan titans was created at the invitation of the track’s songwriter, Goran Bregović, the main creative force behind Bijelo Dugme, to mark 50 years since the band’s inception. The track is essentially a mash up between both groups, once perceived as completely incompatible, in sound as well as ideology.
“Die Kanone” sees Laibach and Bijelo Dugme channel Yugo-nostalgia and post-industrial unease, as martial rhythms layer with raw guitar riffs. Weapons are often used as a substitute for “masculinity” in Balkan mythology and identity and “Die Kanone” plays with this trope as the protagonist tries to use a cannon to attract the object of his desire. The track, translated to German, reflects on identity, ex-Yugoslav diaspora and militarism, highlighting Germany’s current move from the automotive to the arms industry. In a further twist, the Volkswagen Beetle featured on the single cover – long seen as an icon of Germany - was proudly manufactured in Sarajevo in former Yugoslavia.
Listen to “Die Kanone” HERE.
The new track follows Laibach’s Alamut (one of The Quietus’ Albums of the Year so Far) plus recent single releases that include their interpretation of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” and the track that Billie Holiday immortalized, “Strange Fruit.”
LAIBACH – LIVE
8/22/2025 - Ruše, Letno gledališče Pod goroj, SI [tickets] – Festival program
8/23/2025 - Nova Gorica, SI - Mostovna
10/11/2025 - Velenje, SI - Dom kulture Velenje
11/7/2025 - Trbovlje, SI - Delavski Dom
Tickets and further information: https://www.laibach.org/future-events/
Purchase or stream “Die Kanone” HERE.
RECENT RELEASES:
Alamut: https://mute.ffm.to/laibach-alamut
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Crypt Sermon stream “A Fool to Believe”
Crypt Sermon stream new single "A Fool to Believe"
Their new EP is out August 8 on Dark Descent; see the band on tour in Aug + Sep
Photo credit: Scott Kincade.
"Crypt Sermon are one of the metal underground’s biggest movers and shakers in recent years, and it’s easy to see why they cast such a wide appeal." - Consequence
"a testament to Crypt Sermon's infallibility as a band" - Decibel Magazine
"This new collection explores darker, introspective themes and expands the narrative arc with haunting precision." - Metal Injection
Crypt Sermon are gearing up for the release of their new EP: Saturnian Appendices, incoming August 8th. A collection of B-sides taken from one of 2024’s best releases The Stygian Rose, this new EP offers a deeper look into the psyche behind the story, extending the arc of its predecessor with a darker, more introspective lens. “Conceptually, the new tracks 'Only Ash and Dust' and 'A Fool to a Believe' illuminate the shadowed thoughts of the narrator from 'The Stygian Rose,' expanding on the tensions that arise as one confronts the conflicts between orthodoxy and occult,” offers vocalist Brooks Wilson.
The EP's second single "A Fool to Believe" is streaming everywhere now.
Listen / share "A Fool to Believe"
Sonically, Saturnian Appendices is firmly rooted in the band’s signature doom-laden dark heavy metal sound. Grandiose melodies wrap around a crushing volley of monolithic riffs for a commanding and epic performance.
Featuring three, brand-new, original tracks and a transcendental revisioning of Mayhem’s “De Mysteriis Doom Sathanas” (first heard as part of Decibel Magazine’s flexi-disc series), Saturnian Appendices offers fans a compelling experience steeped in grandeur and philosophical unrest.
Pre-order Saturnian Appendices here and see Crypt Sermon live soon:
Crypt Sermon, live:
Aug 07 Brutal Assault Festvial (CZ)
Aug 08 Party San (GER)
Aug 09 Alcatraz (BE)
Aug 10 London, UK — The Black Heart w/ Horrendous
Aug 28 Madison, WI — Blades of Steel Fest
Sep 26 New York, NY — Gold Sounds
Sep 27 Pittsburgh, PA — Descendants of Crom Fest
Sep 28 Philadelphia, PA — Johnny Brenda's w/ Sonja
Saturnian Appendices cover art:
Saturnian Appendices tracklist:
Only Ash and DustA Fool to BelieveLachrymoseDe Mysteriis Doom Sathanas
NYC electronic post-punk band, Public Circuit, won't take any regrets "To The Grave"
NYC ELECTRONIC POST-PUNK BAND, PUBLIC CIRCUIT,
WON’T TAKE ANY REGRETS “TO THE GRAVE” —
NEW SINGLE OUT TODAY — STREAM | WATCH THE VIDEO
NEW ALBUM MODERN CHURCH
ARRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 12 VIA
À LA CARTE RECORDS — PRE-ORDER
HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TOUR
ON-SALE NOW — SEE ALL DATES HERE
Press photo by Nicole Miller
“...an 80s-inspired cut laced with funky guitars and their signature post-punk bite.”
“...a sort of new wave conflation of Yello’s ‘Oh Yeah’ and Talking Heads’ ‘Burning Down The House’, marrying the former’s scattered, hardware midi propulsions with the latter’s jutting polyrhythms and booming vocal chants.”
New York City electronic post-punk band Public Circuit today releases their next single “To The Grave.” A slice of melancholic electro-pop from their upcoming record Modern Church, the album will be released in full on September 12 via à La Carte Records. “To The Grave” intensely twinkles and crashes as the band reels against the parts of themselves they refuse to push back down — Stream.
The band shared, “Life is frail – Many people live a life where they never fully resolve trauma, hatred, etc., and, therefore, take it to the grave with them. Whether it be childhood trauma, gender expression / exploration, or failed romances; this song is inspired by moments left unresolved or, otherwise, unspoken.”
Like a glitched out home video, the “To The Grave” official visual sees the band quite literally digging their own graves, while employing their signature Medieval elements throughout — Watch.
Earlier this month, the band announced their second LP with the release of “Samson.” Taking aim at fragile masculinity, the song was named after the character of Abrahamic mythology known for superhuman strength and a betrayal that led to his downfall. The single received early nods from Notion, Hard of Hearing, Soundvsystem and more.
This coming Fall, the band will set out on their newly announced tour of the US and Europe. While in Berlin, they will join the lineup of 8mm Festival alongside A Place To Bury Strangers and Snapped Ankles. And in the Netherlands, they will play Left Of The Dial festival. See all dates here and below.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
NORTH AMERICA
September 3 - Cleveland, OH - Crobar
September 4 - Detroit, MI - Lager House
September 5 - Louisville, KY - TBA
September 6 - Chicago, IL - Adam's Apple
September 9 - Austin, TX - Chess Club
September 11 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
September 12 - Birmingham, AL - Firehouse
September 13 - Greer, SC - Melon Barn
September 16 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
September 17 - Nashville, TN - The Cobra
September 18 - Asheville, NC - Static Age Records
September 19 - Harrisonburg, VA - DIY
September 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Nikki Lopez
September 25 - Queens, NY - TV EYE
September 26 - Providence, RI - Alchemy
EU AND UK
October 2 - Valence, FR - Mistral Palace
October 3 - Milan, IT - TBA
October 4 - Bologna, IT - Covo Club
October 5 - Rimini, IT - Esperanto Bistrò
October 7 - Zagreb, HR - Mochvara
October 8 - Salzburg, AU - Rock House
October 9 - Wien, AU - Das Lot
October 10 - Berlin, DE - 8mm Festival
October 11 - Berlin, DE - Loge
October 12 - Copenhagen, DK - Råhuset
October 15 - Trier, DE - Mergener Hof
October 16 - Amsterdam, NL - Oedipus
October 17 - London, UK - The Shacklewell Arms
October 18 - Liverpool, UK - Kazimier Stockroom
October 19 - Reading, UK - Purple Turtle
October 20 - Brighton, UK - Hope & Ruin
October 21 - Rouen, FR - Le 3 Pièces Muzik' Club
October 22 - Paris, FR - Supersonic
October 23 - Rotterdam, NL - Left Of The Dial
October 24 - Rotterdam, NL - Left Of The Dial
October 25 - Laval, FR - La Fosse
October 26 - Angers, FR - Joker Pub
October 27 - Lausanne, CH - La Brèche
All tour info here
