My Morning Jacket puts out a surprise acoustic album on Bandcamp for charity

My Morning Jacket are standing alongside the citizens of Minneapolis with this week's release of Peacelands, an acoustic album of original songs and exclusive covers, available now at Bandcamp.

Recorded by Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, Kacey Musgraves, The War on Drugs) at EastWest Studios’ Studio Three in Hollywood, CA, the 14-track collection includes stripped-down new versions of My Morning Jacket and Jim James solo favorites like “I’m Amazed” and “Here In Spirit” alongside iongs by Bob Dylan (“Blowin’ In The Wind”), The Velvet Underground (“I Found A Reason”), Brian Wilson (“Love and Mercy”), and more. 

All proceeds from Peacelands will benefit such important nonprofit organizations as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Doctors Without Borders, and the International Rescue Committee. For an additional directory of activists providing crucial efforts on the ground in Minneapolis and elsewhere, please visit www.standwithminnesota.com.

PURCHASE PEACELANDS

“Peacelands” is a word and concept created by Louisville artist Mark Anthony Mulligan,” says My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, “an imaginary land of peace, friendship, and equality he created in his artwork - a place where folks listen to each other and find a way to get along in peace, friendship, and togetherness - despite their differences.

I think about this word “Peacelands” in our world all of the time, especially in troubled times, and we believe that it’s still possible for us to achieve Mark’s vision of Peacelands - a world of love and friendship - if only we can learn to listen, love, and forgive in paths of peace, acceptance, and tolerance.

We stand with the people of Minnesota and everywhere else affected by the horrors of ICE brutality and lack of human decency or transparency from this administration.

There is room for everyone to be safe and free and at home in this vast world and we need to find a new path together to safe and humane immigration policy and reform rooted in peace and love… safety and equality… and new systems of fairness, freedom, and transparent justice for all.

All proceeds from “Peacelands,” an album of mostly unreleased, acoustic peaceful protest songs - some covers and some of my own - that we released exclusively on @bandcamp, will go to organizations like @aclu_nationwide fighting for our safety and freedoms here at home, as well as @doctorswithoutborders and @rescueorg - organizations working hard to help heal the horrors of war and terror around the globe… working around the clock to help move us all towards “Peacelands.”

Artwork artist is unknown and comes from a handmade wood carving I found years ago at a second-hand store in Missoula called Circle Square."

TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE VISIT:

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) – www.aclu.org

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS – www.doctorswithoutborders.org

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE – www.rescue.org

Track list:

1. Why Can’t We Live Together (Timmy Thomas)
2. New World Coming (Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil)
3. Love and Mercy (Brian Wilson)
4. Here In Spirit (Jim James)
5. Rainbow Power (Timmy Thomas)
6. I’m Amazed (Jim James)
7. Don’t Lose Your Eye (Sonny Boy Williamson)
8. Changing World (Woody Guthrie and Jim James)
9. State Of The Art (Jim James)
10. Blowin’ In The Wind (Bob Dylan)
11. Everything Must Change (Benard Ighner)
12. In The Moment (Jim James)
13. Together Again (Buck Owens)
14. I Found A Reason (Lou Reed)

The NAMM Show 2026: Report on Jan. 22 events

photo by Robert Kinsler

The NAMM Show officially kicked into high gear on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Marking its 125th anniversary, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) hosted the world’s largest music trade event.

Here’s the weekend’s statistics, provided by the NAMM Show organizers:

60,000+ show attendees, including 8,760+ international attendees from 122 countries, regions and territories

1,650+ exhibitors representing 5,400+ brands, which is 25% more than 2025.

Nearly 15,000 artists demonstrating and endorsing products and brands
200+ education sessions with 550+ speakers
1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200+ million followers, which is 50% more than 2025.

Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan was given the Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Award for innovation, while Mike Dirnt of Green Day and Les Claypool of Primus were among those receiving Bass Magazine Awards (all performed as well, with Dirnt’s band mates Billie Joe Armstrong and Tre Cool turning up for a surprise mini-set during the event).

During the “Industry Insights” Breakfast Session, NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak (pictured above) interviewed retail business leaders and presented the not-for-profit organization’s annual Music for Life Award to Rick Beato. The musician, producer and educator, whose Everything Music channel on YouTube has 5.45 million subscribers, was the first influencer and non-music celebrity to be honored.

photo by George A. Paul

After the trade show floors opened, Tony Hoffer – whose studio credits include mixing/production work on albums or singles by Beck, Depeche Mode, Travis, Air, Phoenix, Silversun Pickups, and others – did a Mix with the Masters song demonstration session.

When an attendee sought an anecdote about working on Beck’s albums, Hoffer said the alt-rock musician would sometimes do one take of a song and wouldn’t want to do another. “There could be a mistake, but we moved on. That gives it a vibe,” and often leads to magic. He added, “something different gets you excited … I’m searching for scrappiness.” Citing a post-punk music background, Hoffer admitted his goal is to “try and see what I can get away with.”

Across the way at the Hilton Hotel, the often humorous and engaging afternoon TEC Tracks panel discussion ‘Buzz Me In’: Birth of a Record: Devo’s ‘Whip It’ included Devo singer Mark Mothersbaugh, the 1980 song and Freedom of Choice album producer Robert Margouleff and moderator/author/music journalist Mr. Bonzai, AKA David Goggin.

Following the “Whip It” video projected silently on a screen, Bonzai asked Mothersbaugh about the clip’s connection to a 1962 article in Men’s pinup magazine The Dude. The singer said, “There was somebody in Nevada that whipped clothing off,” and quipped, “whips can be dangerous if not used properly.” He continued, “‘Whip It’ was our looking for something. Instead of being confrontational, we were sneaking into the system. The lyrics were like something out of Thomas Pynchon’s [novel] ‘Gravity’s Rainbow.’”

Margouleff – who’d gained prominence as a pioneering synth musician and produced a string of Stevie Wonder albums in the 1970s – recalled catching a Devo gig at L.A.’s Starwood before taking the production job. Referring to the overall message of the song “Freedom of Choice,” he felt that Devo “had something really important to say and I’m glad to be part of it. It was truly art.”

photo by George A. Paul

Mothersbaugh emphasized that without Margouleff’s contribution and the success of “Whip It,” “there would be no Devo today.” The group had been under pressure by Warner Bros. Records to deliver a hit after two previous albums failed to make an impact (Freedom of Choice was eventually certified platinum and is Devo’s most successful studio effort).

The Devo singer/songwriter recalled initially seeking a third album producer such as David Bowie, having “loved the Ziggy Stardust concept,” or Brian Eno, due to his early work in Roxy Music, because Eno was “what synthesizers were all about.”

At the time, Devo wanted to add more funkiness to their new sound. Mothersbaugh said they looked to Margouleff because of his work with Wonder: “He had common sense technique” and “so many great ideas. Also, he was a conceptual artist; he brought a positive energy to what we were trying to do.”

For a producer to be good in their role, Margouleff said they should “get the artist to perform at the limit of their potential and keep it as simple as possible; that album is really simple.” Then he went on to praise Devo drummer Alan Myers as a “rock solid player” in the studio for melding well with the drum machines and complimented the current band lineup after seeing a recent concert.

Motherbaugh noted that Devo’s tour dates with the B-52’s lately have been “really enjoyable: We’re old and crabby and they’re a party band. We really complement each other.”

Additionally, there were some funny stories about recording Freedom of Choice at L.A.’s Record Plant at the same time as Little Richard and the wild shenanigans of Rod Stewart’s posse (encompassing a dwarf, the studio facilities’ jacuzzi and lewd drawings all over the mixing board area).

“It really was like the ‘Hotel California,’” Margouleff noted, and relayed how he accidentally whipped himself in the face trying to get the “Whip It” single’s sound.

Thursday evening, dB Technologies USA celebrated its new loudspeaker launch with a private NAMM Show release party at the Grand Theater in Anaheim. The concert featured singer/guitarist Stacy Jones and lead guitarist Jamie Arentzen of American Hi-Fi, playing alongside singer/bassist Max Collins and drummer Ben Hilzinger of Eve 6 for the first time. Paul David Hager, a noted A-list engineer and producer, made sure the sound was top notch.

photo by George A. Paul

The first of two sets saw Jones and Collins trade vocal duties on each band’s respective alt-rock radio hits from the late 1990s/early 2000s. An exuberant Jones was in fine form, especially during the crunchy power pop-leaning “Flavor of the Weak” and midtempo, Oasis-styled favorite “Another Perfect Day” (the Manchester group would later be represented by an impressive “Champagne Supernova” cover).

Before doing Eve 6’s popular ballad “Here’s to the Night,” Collins said “If you’re an elder millennial … this was probably your graduation song.“

His performance on it and “Inside Out” was iffy at best. Jones joked that they were “the Sloan of cover bands,” and the musicians did solidly fun takes on Cheap Trick’s “Surrender,” Huey Lewis & the News’ “Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll” (complete with guest saxophonist) and Tom Petty’s “You Wreck Me” (for which Jones jumped on drums).

My article was originally posted to rockcellarmagazine.com. 

Rare early Cranberries EP 'Uncertain' available today

Before The Cranberries had 1990s hit singles with “Dreams,” “Linger,” and “Zombie” and before their albums were certified multiplatinum and their videos racked hundreds of millions of views (“Zombie” has racked up 1.7B alone), the Irish alt-rock band released UNCERTAIN in October 1991.

Today, Island/UMe announced the reissue of the EP via a limited edition, numbered and lightly remastered reissue of Uncertain. Pressed on cranberry-colored vinyl, the 45-RPM 12” arrived prior to debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? in 1993.

Originally released in very limited quantities (estimates project just 5,000 copies were made), the rare four-song EP was recorded by the late Dolores O’Riordan on vocals, drummer Fergal Lawler, bassist Mike Hogan, and guitarist Noel Hogan.

“Whoa! Listening to these songs is like taking a trip through a time machine,” says Fergal. “We were so young when we recorded this EP. You can really hear it in Dolores’s voice. She was just 19 years old then.”

“Listening to Uncertain all these years later, I’m surprised by how well it’s held up,” adds Noel. “You can hear small hints of how the band would eventually sound, but more than anything, it brings back great memories of four young people eager to play music. The EP shows clear signs of strong songwriting, even if it still sounds very much of its time.”

“‘Uncertain’ seemed to me at the time to be more of a pop song, but I must say, listening back to it now, it’s got a bit more of an alternative slant to it,” Fergal reminisces.

"Uncertain": https://thecranberries.lnk.to/UncertainVideo

Of “Nothing Left At All,” Fergal says, “It’s heartbreaking lyrically but has this driving beat behind it giving it hope,” while the musician describes “Pathetic Senses” as “Dolores’ high soprano backing vocal is superb.

“Great big guitar power chords and jangly picking parts. It has a bit of an ‘80s feel to it, reminding me a bit of The Cure who we were all big fans of.”

For Fergal, however, it’s the closing track, “Them”, that resonates most. “I personally always loved this song,” he says. “It’s so powerful. It was one of the songs we played live a lot in our early days that really had a mesmerizing effect on the audience.”

Track listing: 

SIDE A

Uncertain
Nothing At All

SIDE B

Pathetic Senses
Them

The black watch returns with new album next month

Varied Superstitions, the black watch's 26th album, will be released Feb. 27 through UK label Blue Matter Records. Formats include a limited edition of 300 on purple vinyl and 300 CDs, plus digital release.

At a London gig last year, the black watch frontman/songwriter/novelist/ex-English prof John Andrew Fredrick joked that he’s “a recovering Anglophile...something I’ll never recover from.”

Believing his heritage to be “a third Scottish, a third English, a third Irish”, when Fredrick formed his band in 1989, he named it after the famous Scots infantry regiment. Though a recent 23andme test has revealed him to be 98 per cent English. So much for the nod to the regiment!

“British music, history, fiction, and poetry has formed so much of who I am as an artist and a person. Especially The Beatles,” Fredrick notes from his studio in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. “The year The White Album came out, I broke my leg so badly playing American football that I had to spend eleven months in bed. I read maniacally about English History, and propped a little Silvertone acoustic on my cast and started writing songs in kiddie imitation of my heroes. That sad-at-the-time year turned out to quite profoundly if not fortuitously make me who I am.”

The new album reflects Fredrick's long-avowed attempts to make LPs that are as varied and melodic as the aforementioned legendary double LP that haunts and thrills him to this day. With Varied Superstitions’ New Order-ish title track, psychedelically majestic (and mostly backwards) experimental guitarscape No I Shouldn't, the propulsive pop drone of It Is What It Isn't, Some People Will Believe’s uptempo singalong, Your Clothes Sir evoking The Cure’s more wistful moments, to the shoegazing numbers Faze and Jolly Melancholy, the band once again reveal their diverse, ‘perennially quixotic’ ambitions.

There's a bona fide whimsical side to the oxymoronically jolly melancholy of Fredrick’s approach. The title track is evidence of how playful Fredrick can be as he chronicles all the ways in which one might defy superstition. And as the quasi-political Some People Will Believe points out, we do live in a somewhat superstitious if not fear-driven era. “But amidst the somewhat gloomy/dour nature of so many of my most upbeat songs, there are clues that one shouldn't take it all too seriously. We don’t ourselves. I mean, I can’t stand being called 'prolific'. I much prefer 'fuzzy-janglepop genius’”, Fredrick laughs as he reveals there’s another full-length and EP recorded and ready to go after this.

“Like my chum Nick Saloman and his band The Bevis Frond (who runs Blue Matter Records with Gary Urwin), I don't seem to be able to stop making records. Nor do I really want to, despite my innumerable threats to quit. I'm a quitter at heart, however. I quit teaching literature, smoking, being married, writing fiction, and teaching tennis. But music? Ah, I seem to be a recovering quitter in that realm as well.”

For more info, go to bluematterrecords.com.

Out now digitally: Beck's odds 'n' sods collection 'Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime'

photo: Nasty Little Man PR

Beck's Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime, an eight-song mini-album, collects some of his standalone singles and soundtrack contributions, cover versions and a couple of exclusive previously unreleased recordings.

It is named for Beck’s version of the Korgis’ song on the soundtrack to 2004’s The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and a frequent fixture of Beck’s live shows, especially his orchestral performances of the last few years. Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and the Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes for You” are here in addition to tributes to John Lennon (“Love”) and Caetano Veloso ("Michelangelo Antonioni”).

“Ramona,” from the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World soundtrack, is the sole Beck original here, while never before released recordings of two of Beck’s other reinterpretations — Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You in the End” — round out this collection.

For a full list of recording credits, go to: https://beck.lnk.to/EGLSCredits

Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime is available now across DSPs, and will see physical release February 13 on opaque red vinyl, which can be pre-ordered HERE

Track list:

Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime
Can’t Help Falling In Love
I Only Have Eyes For You
Ramona
Michelangelo Antonioni
Your Cheatin’ Heart
Love
True Love Will Find You In The End

Def Leppard release new single on eve of Las Vegas residency

Def Leppard have unveiled the new single “Rejoice.” It arrives ahead of Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency that kicks off February 3. “Rejoice” is available via UMe now on all streaming platforms – Listen Here. Watch the official lyric video here.

On the creation of the song, lead singer Joe Elliott shares: “This song’s been an amazing journey from concept to conclusion. I said to Phil [Collen] one day, ‘I’ve got this idea for a lyric where the narrator is at absolute rock bottom and wants to rise up to a higher level. Do you have a musical piece that might match with that?’ And he said, ‘As it happens, yes I do.’”

Guitarist Phil Collen adds: “I had this riff, this idea for a song a while ago actually, so when Joe came to me I created this drum loop based with a tribal sound and it fit perfectly with this other arrangement I had. I sent it to Joe and it was like magic – he sang straight over the top of it. And that’s how the song was formed. Then we gave it to Ronan [McHugh] who’d done a proper drum loop with different sounds. It all started gelling and just sounded like a powerful chant. We love it. It’s hard rock for us. It’s got a bit more of an ‘oomph’ than stuff we’ve been doing for a while. It’s kind of magical.”

Fans can expect a brand new show and hear “Rejoice” live alongside classics from Def Leppard’s catalog of hits at their residency running through February 28 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. These new shows follow the band’s sold-out residencies in 2019 and 2013.

Lou Gramm of Foreigner unveils 'Released' in March

Lou Gramm, best known as the orginal voice of Foreigner, unveils “Young Love,” the first single from his upcoming album Released. Set to arrive on March 27, Released features 10 original tracks co-written by Lou and his former Black Sheep bandmate Bruce Turgon. 

A promotional tour will kick off this summer, with full headline dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Lou says, “My new album Released is a collection of unreleased songs that were recorded in the 1980s during the production of my 3 previous solo albums. These are powerful, heartfelt songs with a great vintage sound taken right from my old multitrack tapes. This new album was a long time coming and it’s a real nostalgia trip. When I pulled these songs out of the vault, I knew I had to finish them for my fans around the world, so they can experience what I did when I first heard them after all these years. It means a lot to me to finally see this album released, to be taken back in time when I hear this music again, to remember working with all these great musicians, and to feel that my catalog is now complete.”

Produced by Lou Gramm, Released features appearances from Tony Franklin (The Firm) on bass for “Long Gone” and Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) on guitar for the opening track “Young Love.” The physical album, available in both CD and limited-edition Ruby Red vinyl formats, is now available for pre-order here: https://lnk.to/LGReleased

Amid Foreigner's run of multi-platinum albums and hit singles, Lou enjoyed solo success with Ready Or Not (1987), featuring the hit “Midnight Blue,” followed by Long Hard Look (1989), which included “Just Between You And Me.”

The album includes “True Blue Love (Unplugged)”, originally appearing on Long Hard Look, and follows recent high-profile collaborations with Foreigner connected to the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Lou Gramm will be touring throughout 2026 in support of Released, including solo dates and special appearances with Foreigner. Full tour dates will be announced soon.

Formats details: Digital Album, Dolby Atmos Album, CD (HNE Recordings / Cherry Red Records), Vinyl (Friday Music)

Track listing:

1. Young Love
2. Lightning Strikes
3. Walk The Walk
4. Long Gone
5. Heart And Soul
6. Long Hard Look
7. True Blue Love (Unplugged)
8. Deeper Side of Love
9. Time Heals The Pain
10. Word Gets Around

Aerosmith's 1973 debut album to get box set treatment in March

Multi-Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Aerosmith have announced the release of their forthcoming Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) on March 20.

For the first time, the Boston band (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer) have assembled the definitive version of their multiplatinum self-titled debut, Aerosmith, originally released in 1973. 

In an effort to finally present their unfiltered vision now, Aerosmith Co-Founders Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have newly mixed the original recordings and tapes alongside Zakk Cervini and Steve Berkowitz.

Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) will be available via Capitol Records / UMe in multiple configurations, outlined in detail below, including a 5LP Box, 4LP Slipcase, 1LP Black / 1LP Color, 3CD, 1CD, and Digital. Exclusive merchandise will also be available. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE on the group’s official store.

To celebrate its arrival, Aerosmith just shared “Mama Kin (2024 Mix)” as an instant grat track, kicking the energy of the original into high gear and giving fans a taste of what to expect from the newly-mixed version of the record.

Listen HERE.

The various album configurations include the limited-edition Aerosmith (Legendary Collector’s Edition). Housed in a 5LP Deluxe Box Set, it has the Original Album now remastered on 180g Clear Vinyl, the brand-new 2024 Album Mix pressed on 180g translucent Red Vinyl, a highly sought-after live performance from Paul’s Mall back in 1973 on 180g Black Vinyl, a host of recently unearthed and unheard studio tracks on 180g Black Vinyl, and an exclusive clear UV cloud-effect 12” vinyl with “Dream On” (2024 Remaster) and “Dream On” (2024 Mix) placed atop a printed sky-blue slipmat. 

With creative direction and images by photographer Ross Halfin, the package documents the genesis of Aerosmith with a hardback book featuring never-before-seen photos. Penned by author and veteran music writer Rick Florino, the liner notes tell the story of Aerosmith in the band’s own words with new interviews with all five original members as well as perspectives from Dolly Parton, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains, Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Sully Erna of Godsmack, and more. The package also features an exclusive fold-out 24” by 36” poster and sticker sheet. The box itself unfolds into a 3D Aerosmith popup Diorama.

Additionally, two exclusive fanpacks are available for purchase. The Aerosmith – Legendary Collector’s Edition Fanpack features the 5LP Deluxe Box Set and a satin bomber jacket, and Aerosmith – Legendary Edition Fanpack includes the Translucent Red Vinyl as well as a brand-new band T-Shirt.

Aerosmith (Legendary Deluxe Edition) consists of 4 LPs pressed on 180g Black Vinyl packaged in a premium slipcase with the remastered Original Album, the 2024 Album Mix, Live At Paul’s Mall and the unearthed and unheard studio tracks on 2LPs accompanied by a book with the new liner notes, photos, and more.

Then, there’s the 3CD Aerosmith (Legendary Expanded Edition). It comprises the remastered Original Album, 2024 Album Mix, Live at Paul’s Mall, and the unearthed and unheard studio tracks. The 16-page booklet features new photos.

The Legendary Edition CD arrives with a 12-page booklet complete with photos, while the Legendary Edition LP is pressed on 180g Black Vinyl or limited-edition Translucent Red Vinyl encased within a numbered premium tip-on jacket.

Track listings:

CD1 – “Aerosmith” Original Album Remastered 2024

1. Make It (2024 Remaster)
2. Somebody (2024 Remaster)
3. Dream On (2024 Remaster)
4. One Way Street (2024 Remaster)
5. Mama Kin (2024 Remaster)
6. Write Me A Letter (2024 Remaster)
7. Movin’ Out (2024 Remaster)
8. Walkin’ The Dog (2024 Remaster)

CD2 – “Aerosmith” Original Album Remixed 2024

1. Make It (2024 Mix)
2. Somebody (2024 Mix)
3. Dream On (2024 Mix)
4. One Way Street (2024 Mix)
5. Mama Kin (2024 Mix)
6. Write Me A Letter (2024 Mix)
7. Movin’ Out (2024 Mix)
8. Walkin’ The Dog (2024 Mix)

CD3 – Paul’s Mall Live Performance March 20, 1973 + Bonus Tracks

1. Introduction (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
2. Make It (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
3. One Way Street (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
4. Somebody (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
5. Write Me A Letter (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
6. I Ain’t Got You (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
7. Mother Popcorn (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
8. Movin’ Out (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
9. Walkin’ The Dog (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
10. Train Kept A Rollin’ (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
11. Mama Kin (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)

Bonus Tracks

12. Train Kept A Rollin' (Session Take)
13. Make It (Rehearsal Take)
14. Make It (Alternate Take)
15. Write Me A Letter (Alternate Take)
16. Harmonica Bass Jam Jelly (Session Take)
17. Joined At The Hip (Aerojam)

Soundtrack to 'Louder Than You Think' documentary on Pavement drummer Gary Young out on Friday

Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement, the original motion picture soundtrack from the 2023 documentary film, will be released on Jan. 30 via digital outlets, Special Edition CD and black and colored vinyl editions on Independent Project Records. 

The first single from the soundtrack, “Please Be Happy (For Us),” from Gary Young & Pavement is available here.

Pavement, an alt-rock band best known for the top 10 modern rock radio hit "Cut Your Hair" in 1994, reunited in 2010 and performed at Coachella Festival. 

When drummer Gary Young was approaching the age of 40, he joined twenty-somethings Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (Spiral Stairs) to become Pavement's original drummer, as well as producer. He appeared on the seminal debut album Slanted and Enchanted in 1992 and exited the band the following year.

The film soundtrack features rare and never-before-heard tracks from the Stockton music scene of the ‘80s and ‘90s, including bands like Fall of Christianity, CRLLL, The Authorities, Gary Young’s Hospital, and Hot Spit Dancers. The album also includes tracks scored for the film from Edward W. Dahl (Jodorowsky’s Dune) and Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Cate Le Bon).

“Louder Than You Think is the story of original Pavement drummer Gary Young,” said Pavement’s Scott Kannberg. “This soundtrack captures the spirit and warped vision that could only come from Gary and the ‘underbelly of California,’ Stockton!"

Pavement themselves make memorable appearances throughout the record with rare live tracks, as well as on a song that was improvised by Gary during filming - “Please Be Happy (For Us).” Old friend Scott ‘Spiral Stairs’ Kannberg created a musical track (spiced with some Stephen Malkmus feedback yowls). It’s both a surprising reunion and a heartwarming send-off recorded for the movie shortly before Gary’s passing in August 2023.

Directed by Jed I. Rosenberg and produced by Jeffrey Clark, Brian Thalken and Kelly Thomas with Scott ‘Spiral Stairs’ Kannberg on executive producer duties, Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement is a SXSW-winning documentary. 

Track List below:

1. Wink & A Nod – Edward W. Dahl
2. Achtung! – The Authorities
3. Feed ‘Em to the Lions – Fall of Christianity
4. Later Than You Think – Hot Spit Dancers
5. Sparkle / Bloom Padding – Edward W. Dahl
6. LSD – The Authorities
7. Orchard / Drama in the Clean Room / Malice in the Chalice – Noah Georgeson
8. No Sex – CRLLL
9. Distribution / Cushion of Sense – Edward W. Dahl
10. Glacial Victory – Noah Georgeson
11. Baptist Blackjack (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
12. Lions (Linden) (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
13. Summer Babe (Live May 19, 1992) – Pavement
14. Refrigerator Light / Laptop Tanktop – Gary Young & Noah Georgeson
15. Dread is a Dreadful Place – Noah Georgeson
16. Plant Man – Gary Young’s Hospital
17. Birds in Traffic – Gary Young’s Hospital
18. Please Be Happy (For Us) – Gary Young & Pavement
19. Appropriation Mix – Noah Georgeson

First ever live album from Eighties techno-pop band Vivabeat arrives in March

Since I covered the great recent reissues, I'm looking forward to hearing this...

Eighties techno-pop band Vivabeat will release its first-ever live album, Wild World (Live in Los Angeles 1980-84), on March 27 via Liberation Hall Music. The album is available for presave and preorder here. The album’s first single and video, a live version of the band’s best-known song, “Man from China,” is also out and available here.

Two never-before-released tracks, “Glisse le Rat” and “I’m Right,” appear on this new package. The 14 songs were recorded at three live shows in Los Angeles over a four-year period and capture different stages of the band’s career. The Whisky a Go Go date was one of Vivabeat’s earliest shows and features its original lineup. The Lhasa Club was a mid-career performance, and FM Station was the band’s final show ever.

The band's co-founders, keyboardist and vocalist Marina (del Rey) Muhlfriedel and bass player and primary songwriter Mick Muhlfriedel spearheaded the live project after first reissuing their debut album Party in the War Zone and The House is Burning on Rubellan Remasters in late 2023, followed by expanded editions of Party in the War Zone Expanded and another incarnation of The House is Burning with Liberation Hall Music in 2025.

“I had doubts we could make a live album work given the primitive quality of the recordings,” said Vivabeat’s Marina Muhlfriedel. “I’m so glad to have been proven wrong. The live tracks on Wild World capture a wilder, edgier energy than our studio work, bringing me right back to who we were at the time.”

“The process of digging into the various tracks after so long was challenging but so worth the effort,” said Vivabeat’s Mick Muhlfriedel, who produced and engineered the Wild World project. “I was repeatedly struck by how good the playing was at different points in Vivabeat’s career. Most of all, Terrance Robay’s live vocal performances were practically flawless. I truly wish he were still with us to hear Wild World.”

After combing through archival cassettes and videotapes, Mick was able to compile the Wild World, thanks to significant recent advances in production software and AI. After digitizing the long-languishing source material, he spent months assembling the album, using a “stem splitter” to convert the original two tracks into multitracks, separating the vocal and instrumental tracks for mixing. While the technology has improved significantly, it took considerable effort to bring the live tracks into shape. Once Mick’s process was complete, the band worked with engineer Thomas Ross Johansen to finalize the EQs and ensure consistency across the project.

A five-song video from The Lhasa Club show (the only live footage of the band) will also debut on YouTube on March 27. A mashup video of The Lhasa performance of “Man from China” and imagery from the band’s original 1979 “Man from China” video is now live on YouTube.

Marina is currently a writer living in Los Angeles. She occasionally performs in a Backstage Pass reboot and hosts Our Lips Unsealed, a rock ‘n’ roll storytelling show. Mick is the president of a large youth soccer nonprofit, The Downtown L.A. Soccer Club, and is completing a new album with his Buff Roshi project featuring Holly Beth Vincent.

Track listing:

1. Jet Set (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
2. On Patrol (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
3. Not Dead Anymore (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
4. Wild World (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
5. I Know Your Room (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
6. Pop Girl (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
7. I’m Right (Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1980)
8. Glisse le Rat (Live at FM Station, 1984)
9. Angry Red Planet (Live at FM Station, 1984)
10. Last White Man (Live at FM Station, 1984)
11. Gray, Gray Gray (Live at FM Station, 1984)
12. The House is Burning (but there’s no one home) (Live at FM Station, 1984)
13. Shine (Live at FM Station, 1984)
14. Man From China (Live at The Lhasa Club, 1983)

Chameleons heading on the road this spring

photo: Reybee PR

Following the recent release of its latest full-length album Arctic Moon (the first in over 20 years), CHAMELEONS are launching a North American tour which will run in April and May. Full dates below. 

The album contains seven new songs including the single "Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing" (STREAM | VIDEO), a re-recorded version of the 2024 single "Where Are You?", plus longer compositions such as "David Bowie Takes My Hand." 

“There is an obvious maturity to the songwriting on this record, and anyone familiar with our past work will hear that this is a positive step forward,” bassist and singer Vox (Mark Burgess) has previously stated. “While we’re proud of the band’s legacy, we really wanted to forge something fresh while retaining that profound and imaginative quality we’re known for. We think that we have managed to do that and deliver a very strong record!”

Chameleons video "Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing": https://youtu.be/JGnHlAxuDLk

Having inspired Verve, Oasis, White Lies, The Slow Readers Club, Interpol, The Killers and Editors, among others, Chameleons continues four decades in with four albums under their belt: Script of the Bridge (1983), What Does Anything Mean? Basically!' (1984), Strange Times (1986), and Why Call It Anything? (2001).

Chameleons are considered one of the most influential guitar bands of the '80s and '90s, contributing substantially to the post-punk, shoegaze and indie scenes. They are often regarded as one of the most underrated bands ever to emerge from Manchester, England.

2024 saw the band releasing two critically-hailed EPs – Where Are You? which was comprised of three new songs, and Tomorrow Remember Yesterday which contained five songs from the vault that were re-recorded.

Chameleons are Reg Smithies (guitar), Vox (bass, vocals, lyrics), Stephen Rice (guitar), Danny Ashberry (keyboards), and Todd Demma (drums).

Tour dates:

Apr 7 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
Apr 8 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
Apr 10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
Apr 11 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
Apr 12 Toronto, ON Mod Club
Apr 13 Montreal, QC Théâtre Fairmount
Apr 14 Somerville, MA Crystal Ballroom
Apr 16 Brooklyn, MA Warsaw
Apr 17 Washington, DC Black Cat
Apr 18 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
Apr 19 Asbury Park, NJ The Stone Pony
Apr 20 Richmond, VA Richmond Music Hall
Apr 21 Durham, NC Motorco Music Hall
Apr 23 Tampa, FL New World Music Hall
Apr 24 Orlando, FL The Social
Apr 25 West Palm Beach, FL Respectable Street
Apr 26 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
Apr 27 Atlanta, GA Center Stage - The Loft
Apr 28 Nashville, TN The Basement East
Apr 30 Fort Worth, TX Tulips
May 1 Austin, TX Mohawk (outside)
May 2 Houston, TX Numbers

On sale now: Generation Tour feat. Human League, Alison Moyet, Soft Cell

photo: Reybee PR

This is right up my alley: three acts that I've interviewed in the past, not to mention seen live many times!

A trio of UK alt-pop artists that arose around 1980, The Generations Tour brings together THE HUMAN LEAGUE (pictured left) - best known for the chart topper "Don't You Want Me," SOFT CELL and ALISON MOYET for a tour of North America this summer. Kicking off in June, it runs for a month. 

Tickets are available now. 

“Since our debut in 1980, we have always enjoyed an awesome welcome in America and we’re really thrilled to be embarking on a coast-to-coast tour of the U.S. in 2026,” says Philip Oakey of The Human League. “Sharing the stage on this visit will be two of the best and most iconic music acts of our generation, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet. Both are personal favorites. We’re looking forward to being part of the bill of a lifetime and, once more, getting the chance to play in some of our best loved places in the world. We can’t wait.”

“The opportunity to tour with the Human League is just incredible,” adds Marc Almond of Soft Cell. “They are legendary and I know they will do an unforgettable show, having not toured the U.S. for over a decade, and Alison Moyet is such a talented artist and a wonderful singer. Honestly, it will be an absolute honor to be part of the bill with these artists.”

“Live work really matters to me,” explains Alison Moyet about the live performances that all three will contribute to. “I love the physical feeling that singing gives me. It’s totally primal and euphoric. On stage, I remember how to connect with myself. I am honoured to have been invited to share a stage on this tour with The Human League and Soft Cell. Stunning artists that reframed our music scene and by cutting their own shapes, made it possible for people like me to launch.”

With such US/UK singles as The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” “Fascination,” and “Human,” Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and (more recently) “Purple Zone” with Pet Shop Boys, plus Alison Moyet’s “Situation” (as Yaz) and “Love Resurrection,” each artists’ contribution to music is undeniable.

Tour dates: 

Jun 2 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

Jun 4 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Jun 5 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
Jun 6 Wheatland, CA Hard Rock Live
Jun 8 Seattle, WA Marymoor Live
Jun 11 Salt Lake City, UT Red Buttle Garden Amphitheatre
Jun 12 Las Vegas, NV Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Jun 13 Mesa, AZ Mesa Amphitheatre
Jun 16 Dallas, TX Texas Trust CU Theatre
Jun 17 New Orleans Saenger Theatre
Jun 19 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
Jun 20 Charlotte, NC The Amp Ballantyne
Jun 21 Nashville, TN Grand Ol Opry
Jun 23 Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre
Jun 24 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Detroit
Jun 26 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
Jun 27 Boston, MA Wang Theatre
Jun 28 Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia
Jun 30 Vienna, VA Filene Center [tickets on sale Feb. 27th]
Jul 1 Northfield, OH MGM Northfield
Jul 2 Niagara, ON Fallsview Casino Resort

Harry Styles album, live residency news

Grammy Award-winning singer Harry Styles has premiered the music video for “Aperture,” the lead single from his new album KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. set to be released globally March 6 via Columbia Records.

The music video for “Aperture,” finds Harry once again collaborating with acclaimed director Aube Perrie (“Satellite”, “Music For A Sushi Restaraunt”.) Listen to “Aperture” here and watch the music video here.

KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. is the fourth studio album from Harry Styles and first music release since 2022’s Harry’s House, which won Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards. The new 12-track album was written by Harry and executive produced by Kid Harpoon, see full tracklist below.

KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. is available for pre-order at all physical and digital retailers globally. In addition, exclusive color and bundle offerings available on the artist’s webstore. Pre-order KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY. HERE.

Harry will make his long awaited return to the global stage with a seven city residency in 2026. It will include 50 stops in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney from May through December. Styles will perform exclusively in these cities in 2026. 

Special guests include Robyn, Shania Twain, Jamie xx, and others across select dates. 

AMSTERDAM: General on sale begins Friday, January 30 at 11am CET.
LONDON: General on sale begins Friday, January 30 at 11am GMT.
NEW YORK: General on sale begins Friday, January 30 for August 26th through October 9th shows. General on sale begins Wednesday, February 4 for October 10th through October 31st shows.
SÃO PAULO: General on sale begins Wednesday, January 28 at 11am BRT.
MEXICO CITY: General on sale begins Thursday, January 29 at 11am CST.
MELBOURNE: General on sale begins Friday, January 30 at 11am AEDT.
SYDNEY: General on sale begins Friday, January 30 at 2pm AEDT.

Visit hstyles.co.uk/tour for more information.

Track listing: 

1. Aperture
2. American Girls
3. Ready, Steady, Go!
4. Are You Listening Yet?
5. Taste Back
6. The Waiting Game
7. Season 2 Weight Loss
8. Coming Up Roses
9. Pop
10. Dance No More
11. Paint By Numbers
12. Carla’s Song

Out now: 'The Well,' Independent Project Records' rarities collection

Independent Project Records (IPR) has released a decades-spanning various artists compilation titled The Well, featuring many rare and unreleased tracks from the label’s vaults, as well as music from forthcoming releases, on Special Edition double CD.

The two-disc, forty-one song collection features many previously unheard songs from IPR artists such as Barry Craig (A Produce), Camper Van Beethoven, David J, Lanterna, Middle Class, Savage Republic, Scenic, Shiva Burlesque, and more, as compiled by IPR co-owner and founder Bruce Licher. 

Track listing: 

Volume One:

1 AFTERIMAGE “Afterimage”
From the Faces To Hide retrospective album released on IPR

2 LESLIE MEDFORD “Leslie's Dream”
Previously released as a digital single on IPR, first physical release

3 SHIVA BURLESQUE “Midnight Chapel”
Previously unreleased new recording

4 GREG LISHER “Zen and the Art of Long Distance Driving”
From the Underwater Detection Method album released on IPR

5 THE OPHELIAS “Sleepy Hamlet”
From the Bare Bodkin retrospective album released on IPR

6 SPRINGHOUSE “Sea and Rain”
From the From Now to OK album released on IPR

7 DAVID J “Punishment By Roses”
From the forthcoming Tracks from the Attic Revisited album to be released on IPR

8 HALF STRING “Honeycut”
From the A Fascination With Heights album released on IPR

9 JEFFREY RUNNINGS “Heretofore”
From the Piqued album released on IPR

10 DRIVEWAY CEILING “mr walden”
From the forthcoming death of the walden newspaper co album to be released on IPR

11 ALISON CLANCY “The Valley”
Previously released as a digital single on IPR, first physical release

12 BRUCE LICHER “Tundra”
From the Tape Excavation compilation album released on IPR

13 WOO “The One That Got Away”
From the Xylophonics/Robot X album released on IPR

14 CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN “Vegetables”
Demo recording from 1983

15 FOURWAYCROSS “Halloween”
From the Pendulum archive series release on IPR — forthcoming retrospective release on IPR

16 KOMMUNITY FK “Antipop”
From the The Vision And The Voice album released on IPR in 1983 — forthcoming remastered reissue on IPR

17 JEFFREY CLARK “Sacred”
Previously unreleased recording

18 DECEPTION BAY “It'll Be My Day”
Previously unreleased live recording

19 SPADRA MOODS “New Colours”
From a very limited band-released cassette tape from the mid-1980’s by this group featuring future members of Savage Republic and Scenic

20 BPEOPLE “Persecution, That’s My Song”
Originally released on the Alternative Tentacles Records compilation Let Them Eat Jellybeans in 1981 — forthcoming retrospective release on IPR

21 SCENIC “Hole in the Wall”
From the Incident At Cima album released on IPR

22 A PRODUCE “Tunnels”
From the The Clearing album released on IPR

23 RED TEMPLE SPIRITS “Dark Spirits”
From the Red Temple Spirits 3-CD set released on IPR

Volume Two:

1 SAVAGE REPUBLIC “Archetype”
From the Customs album originally released in 1989 on the Nate Starkman & Son Greece label

2 BARRY CRAIG “I Woke Up Dreaming”
Previously unreleased recording circa 1989 by Afterimage guitarist and well-known ambient electronic artist A Produce

3 DAVID J “No One Looks Like Christopher Walken”
Previously unreleased demo recording

4 TORN BOYS “Mystery”
Previously unreleased version of a song originally released on the 1983 retrospective album on IPR

5 MIDDLE CLASS “Politic (Body and Soul)”
Originally released on the Munster Records compilation What Have We Wrought? A Mike Atta Benefit in 2013 — forthcoming retrospective release on IPR

6 SCENIC “Raintree Road”
Previously unreleased recording from the sessions for The Long Sun 10” release on St. Ives Records

7 THE INVISIBLE OPERA COMPANY OF TIBET “Here I Am”
Red Temple Spirits offshoot from the very limited band-released cassette tape titled The Alien Host from 1996

8 SNUFFY “Breezy”
Previously unreleased recording from Fourwaycross bassist Steve Gerdes circa the late 1990’s

9 WOO “Tibetan Trains”
Bonus track from the expanded reissue of the Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong album released via IPR

10 EDWARD W. DAHL “A Wink and a Nod”
Previously unreleased instrumental mix from the Louder Than You Think soundtrack album to be released on IPR

11 THE SUNFLOWER CONSPIRACY “Spacetime”
Indiana-based shoegaze/dream pop band — from a very limited band-released cassette tape from the mid-1990’s titled Silver Satin Grey

12 LANTERNA “Aegean”
From a very limited artist-released cassette tape from 1992 titled Of Shapes That Haunt Thought’s Wilderness

13 MIKE WHITE “Hangliders Torn Wing”
Previously unreleased solo recording from the 2nd guitarist in the early 80’s incarnation of San Francisco band The Sleepers

14 JAZZ BEDOUINS “Mingus Mountain”
From a very limited 2007 artist-released CDr from this Sedona, Arizona-based modern jazz trio titled Beautiful Trash

15 NEEF “Radiant Transfer To Non-Grey Walls”
From a very limited artist-released self-titled cassette tape from 1979, the first music release that IPR founder Bruce Licher is featured on

16 SCENIC “Film Music #6”
Previously unreleased recording circa 2001

17 A PRODUCE “Jimbe”
From the expanded edition of the Land of a Thousand Trances album released on IPR

18 BOXHEAD ENSEMBLE “Rank”
From the The Unseen Hand: Music For Documentary Film album released on Jealous Butcher Records, featuring guitar work from Bruce Licher

Brothers Osborne mark a decade since debut album with special editions

Grammy winning duo Brothers Osborne celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their breakthrough album Pawn Shop with the announcement of Pawn Shop (10 Year Anniversary Edition), arriving February 13 via MCA. 

Fans can pre-save and pre-order the album HERE. 

Brothers Osborne shared “Love The Lonely Out Of You (Live Pinebox Version),” accompanied by a lyric video recorded in John Osborne’s Pinebox studio (watch HERE) that was captured in a single take. 

To commemorate the milestone, Pawn Shop (10 Year Anniversary Edition) will be released on vinyl alongside three limited-edition 7-inch collector vinyl singles, each offering a pairing of newly released recordings, demos, or live versions from the Pawn Shop era.

The songs selected from Brothers Osborne were intentionally chosen because they have never before been released in a physical format, giving fans the first opportunity to own these tracks on vinyl. One version features “Arms of Fire” (from Brothers Osborne) on Side A and “Love The Lonely Out Of You (Live Pinebox Version)” on Side B. Another includes “Pins and Needles” on Side A and “Stay A Little Longer (Demo)” (from Brothers Osborne) on Side B. The third variant features “Shoot From The Hip” (from Brothers Osborne) on Side A and “21 Summer (Demo)” on Side B. In addition, a special international release will include a single LP compiling all six songs.

When the full anniversary edition arrives February 13, it will also include the previously unreleased song “Pins And Needles,” offering fans a brand-new recording from the Pawn Shop era. 

Upon its original release in 2016, Pawn Shop produced multiple career-defining singles, including “Stay A Little Longer,” which reached No. 1 at country radio and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. “It Ain’t My Fault” climbed into the Top 10 and also received a Grammy nomination.

Over the past decade, Brothers Osborne have earned 13 Grammy nominations (including a win for “Younger Me”), multiple CMA and ACM awards, and amassed more than 3.4 billion global streams. 

Track listing:

1. Dirt Rich
2. 21 Summer
3. Stay A Little Longer
4. Pawn Shop
5. Rum
6. Loving Me Back Featuring Lee Ann Womack
7. American Crazy
8. Greener Pastures
9. Down Home
10. Heart Shaped Locket
11. It Ain't My Fault

Coachella Festival '26 News: Moby details new album

Coachella 2026 performer Moby announced his next studio album 'Future Quiet,' is set to be released on Feb. 20 via BMG. The lead track is a new version of the Stranger Things hit "When It’s Cold I’d Like To Die" featuring Jacob Lusk, best known for his work with Gabriels

Listen: "When It's Cold I'd Like To Die" (ft. Jacob Lusk)

Pre-save: Future Quiet

Elaborating, Moby says, “‘Future Quiet’ is, not surprisingly, quiet. To be clear; I love bombast. I love excess and volume. But as the world gets louder and crazier I find myself needing the refuge of quiet, both as a listener and as a musician. For me, and hopefully for others, 'Future Quiet' is a refuge. The world, self-evidently, is more demanding than it’s ever been. The world screams at us, our screens scream at us, other people scream at us, and to retreat from the screaming we need safety and refuge. That for me is the goal of ‘Future Quiet’. Writing and recording it was a refuge for me, and I hope that listening to it is a refuge for you.”

The album opens with a new orchestral reworking of "When It’s Cold I’d Like To Die," featuring Lusk on vocals. “I first heard Jacob’s voice on KCRW when they started playing ‘Love and Hate in A Different Time’,” Moby recalls. “And, like anyone who’s heard Jacob sing, I immediately fell in love with his voice. After hearing him sing on the radio, I spent weeks tracking him down and begging him to work with me. And, lucky me, he agreed. The results speak for themselves, as his vocals on ‘When It’s Cold I’d Like To Die’ are, I say with something approaching objectivity, transcendent.”

The original song (featuring vocalist Mimi Goese) was first released on Moby’s 1995 album Everything Is Wrong. The track has gained a new generation of listeners thanks to its emotive use in seasons one and four of Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things. 

After it was used in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, the song has become Moby’s most streamed song and has gone viral on TikTok. Speaking of its success, Moby says, “It’s reaching hundreds of millions of people annually, which is both wonderful and surprising, especially as it was an obscure song with no drums or bass and was never released as a single.”

A multi-platinum-selling, multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, author, filmmaker and animal rights activist, Moby released his first single, “Go,” in 1991 (listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine's best records of all time), and has since sold over 20,000,000 albums worldwide. 

Moby has produced and remixed artists like David Bowie, Public Enemy, Ozzy Osbourne, The Beastie Boys, and Daft Punk. More recent collaborations on his label Always Centred At Night focused on new and established voices including Lady Blackbird, Benjamin Zephaniah, serpentwithfeet, José James and Akemi Fox. 

The last year has also seen him work with Russian ambient music prodigy Øneheart, plus remixes from Silver Panda, BLOND:ISH, DJ Tennis, Kiko Franco, Airrica and Kilimanjaro, released on Defected and Mute. 

His work has moved from rave-era techno to ambient, orchestral, acoustic and experimental work. 

“When I was growing up I played in hardcore punk rock bands, and I DJed VERY LOUD hip hop and house music and industrial music,” Moby says, “but I also needed the refuge of quiet records like This Mortal Coil, The Cocteau Twins, Eno & Bowie’s ambient music, Gorecki, Arvo Part, etc. ‘Future Quiet’ is definitely the product of my influences, as I can't count the number of times I’ve listened to ‘Song to the Siren’ or Joy Division’s ‘Atmosphere.’”

A longtime advocate for animal rights, environmental issues and mental health awareness, Moby often donates proceeds and visibility to causes rather than commercial ventures. 

Moby’s influence extends into books, essays, photography and collaborations across film, dance and visual art. 

This year will see Moby embark on his biggest tour in a decade including a Coachella festival appearance and a UK tour. 

Track listing:

When It’s Cold, I’d Like To Die (ft. Jacob Lusk)

This Was Never Meant For Us
Retreat
LiEstrella Del Mar (ft. Elise Serenelle)
Ruhe
Mott St 1992
Precious Mind (ft. India Carney)
Tallinn
On Air (ft. serpentwithfeet)
Selene
La Vide
Great Absence
Mono No Aware
The Opposite of Fear