Brett Altman Puts a Shakespearean Twist on Modern Dating with “Pretty Long Island Girls”

It’s 3am. Romeo and Juliet just met at a bar in NYC...Romeo lives in New Jersey and Juliet’s been told never to cross the Hudson River.

New Jersey-based artist Brett Altman will release his upcoming playful summer pop single, “Pretty Long Island Girls,” on June 27th, 2025, across all streaming platforms.

Brett says, “Every Long Island girl says they never go to New Jersey.” He joked with his producer that Jersey and Long Island have this obnoxious rivalry nobody can solve. Despite the insults these girls may throw at his home state, he still finds himself attracted to them.

“Forbidden love is kinda hot.” Brett adds, “‘Pretty Long Island Girls’ is the first single off my upcoming third album titled ‘This Is Me’ which will be released Spring 2026. This album is an attempt to bridge my honest and vulnerable side with my silly and playful one.”

Brett is set to release a new single every six weeks for the next year. A Long Island girl and a Jersey boy are never written in the stars. Their families would never allow such a union. Although the two places are almost mirror images, the idea of one side losing its child to the other remains unthinkable. But a boy can still dream.

Pop Artist from New Jersey. Oldest Sibling. Rehabilitated Hopeless Romantic.

Now you know everything about Brett Altman….

Le Tigre's 'This Island' getting first vinyl reissue in 20 years (exclusive neon pink variant)

This Island, the most recent album from dancepunk / electroclash trio Le Tigre (featuring Kathleen Hanna, JD Samson, and Johanna Fateman), turned 20 in October, and it’s getting reissued on vinyl for the first time in 20 years to celebrate. We have an exclusive neon pink galaxy vinyl variant, limited to 200 copies and available for pre-order now.

Le Tigre also reunited in 2023 for their first North American tour in 18 years, and you can see pictures from that tour’s second night in NYC with Shamir, and stream This Island, below.

In England, Parents Are Moving Their Children Into a Doomsday Cult—With a Man Calling Himself ‘the New Pope’

According to Islamic legend, a messianic figure known as the Mahdi will appear before Judgement Day to vanquish injustice and tyranny, and usher in an era of peace across the world before the apocalypse. Abdullah Hashem, a beanie-wearing American-Egyptian running what can only be described as a quasi-Islamic doomsday cult based out of a former orphanage in the north of England, claims to be that Mahdi, and for good measure “the new Pope.” If you want to join him, you’ll have to cash in your home and give him all your money.


“We are looking for people who are willing to sell their homes and to come and be amongst the community and to follow me, [and to] not waver or want to leave once they’ve come,” Hashem says in one piece of in-house propaganda from earlier this year, wearing his black beanie so low it casts a dark shadow over his eyes. More bluntly, he compares himself to Jesus and says he wants people that will “love” him and be willing to “sacrifice it all to establish a divine, just state.”

His organization is called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, or AROPL for short. It’s a doomsday cult for the social media age, with members likely running into thousands worldwide. The organization is flooding the internet with an avalanche of slickly produced yet chilling content from a ramshackle broadcast studio based out of its Grade II-listed red brick mansion in Crewe, Cheshire, 35 miles from Manchester. “Accepting this covenant is the only thing that will save you from the punishment that is about to come down on mankind,” Hashem said late last year. “COVID was merely the beginning of that punishment and a precursor. More plagues and diseases will be unearthed and unleashed upon you.”

“He is to me the most important person in the world right now.”

“I was told I was the reincarnated Zeus,” a former member who left AROPL last year told VICE. “When I visited them in Sweden, there was a miracle of thunder.”

Over the span of a decade, he sent Hashem all the money he could to support the cause, opening additional businesses and even taking out a bank loan for more than $200,000. “I needed to trust in whatever he was doing,” the ex-devotee recalls.

Then he joined the group in Crewe, a small town in the north of England best known for a football team that’s been embroiled in a child sexual abuse scandal. “He’s asking for absolute submission,” he says. “I was tricked and scammed, and threatened when I was leaving.”

Those who uproot their lives to join AROPL in-person speak openly about the need for “submission” to succeed within the organization, and unmarried women sometimes find future husbands waiting within its membership, according to video testimonials. At least a dozen children are reportedly being homeschooled at the HQ in Crewe.


Male members, including the group’s security guards, wear dark beanies covering their entire foreheads, almost obscuring their vision, copying Hashem’s dubious style choices (his look has been branded a “2015 Zara starterpack” by online jesters). Footage also shows large groups of men eerily punching their fists into the air during his sermons, which he delivers in a room known as the “basilica” on an elevated podium in front of apocalyptic artwork.

Pavement will be playing more shows according to Spiral Stairs

When Pavement played NYC’s Sony Hall in October, 2025 as part of the NY Film Festival, Bob Nastanovich told the crowd at the end of the night that it would be the band’s “last show for a long time.” Not as long as he may have thought at the time, though, as this week Pavement were announced as one of the headliners at Austin’s Levitation festival in September. And it looks like that won’t be the band’s upcoming show, either, according to Spiral Stairs, aka band co-founder Scott Kannberg.

In early May, Scott was on the Revolutions Per Movie podcast to promote the PAVEMENTS film, and he said that Pavement “just got offered to play a festival in Austin in September. I’m not sure if we’re going to do it or not.” Clearly that was Levitation and they decided to do it.

More recently, at the May 10 screening of the PAVEMENTS movie at LA’s Nuart Theatre, Kannberg was on hand for a Q&A and said that there would be more touring for Pavement ahead. He didn’t go into detail but according to one redditor that was in attendance, “From the way Spiral talked about it, it sounded like shows are either already booked, or imminently going to be booked, so probably later in 2025 or 2026 at the latest.”

Stephen Malkmus might be the biggest determining factor, as his current band The Hard Quartet are still touring in support of their 2024 debut album, including dates across Europe in June.

Pavement have also been back long enough that one wonders if new music could actually be a possibility. If Stereolab can do it, if Pulp can do it, never say never.

Meg Whalen Announces Anticipated New Single “The Break” – Out June 20, 2025

New Jersey-based singer-songwriter Meg Whalen will release her haunting and cinematic new single, “The Break,” on June 20, 2025, across all streaming platforms. A stirring blend of folk-rock, emotional tension, and poetic storytelling, “The Break” introduces listeners to a bold new chapter in Whalen’s artistic evolution.

Written and recorded during the introspective winter months, “The Break” showcases Whalen’s talent for marrying vivid lyrical imagery with sweeping arrangements.

Fans can catch live performances of “The Break” throughout the summer, with stops across the Jersey Shore, including Asbury Park and Long Beach Island’s iconic Joe Pop’s.



Upcoming Shows:


June 21st, 2025 – Asbury Underground for North2Shore


June 22nd, 2025 – Sunset Riverfront, Neptune City, NJ


June 29th, 2025 – Joe Pop’s, Long Beach Island


July 2nd, 2025 – Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ


July 12th, 2025 – The Sandbox at Seastreak, Highlands, NJ


Meg Whalen is a rising voice in the indie folk-rock landscape, known for her poignant songwriting and emotionally raw performances. Drawing comparisons to artists like Brandi Carlile and Phoebe Bridgers, her music explores themes of personal growth, and quiet resilience.

Based on the Jersey Shore, Whalen began performing locally in 2018 and has since released a growing catalog of fan-favorite singles, including “Goodnight to Love,” “Talking in My Sleep,” and “Bleed.” Her live shows—intimate, compelling, and vocally powerful—have earned her a loyal grassroots following throughout the Northeast.

With “The Break,” Whalen continues to carve a distinct path as an independent artist committed to honest storytelling and musical depth.

Underworld spring US tour

Underworld are playing California’s Lightning in a Bottle Festival in May, and they’ve announced a few US headline shows on the way. They’ll play NYC, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco and all dates are listed below.

The NYC show is at Brooklyn Mirage on May 15, and tickets for all headline shows go on sale Friday, February 7 at 10 AM local time.

Underworld released Strawberry Hotel, the duo’s terrific 11th album, last year.

UNDERWORLD – 2025 TOUR DATES
12TH APRIL 2025 – SÓNAR LISBOA FESTIVAL, LISBOA
15TH MAY 2025 – THE BROOKLYN MIRAGE, BROOKLYN, NY
17TH MAY 2025 – RADIUS, CHICAGO, IL
20TH MAY 2025 – SHOWBOX SODO, SEATTLE, WA
21ST MAY 2025 – CRYSTAL BALLROOM, PORTLAND, OR
23RD MAY 2025 – WARFIELD THEATRE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
24TH MAY 2025 – LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE FESTIVAL, BUENA VISTA LAKE, CA
31ST MAY 2025 – AVA FESTIVAL, BELFAST
1ST JUNE 2025 – FORBIDDEN FRUIT FESTIVAL, DUBLIN
13TH JUNE 2025 – FESTI’NEUCH FESTIVAL, SWITZERLAND
4TH JULY 2025 – ROCK WERCHTER FESTIVAL, BELGIUM
12TH JULY 2025 – TRNSMT FESTIVAL, GLASGOW GREEN, UK

US DATES INCLUDE SHOWS AT SOLDIER FIELD METLIFE STADIUM AND ROSE BOWL STADIUM

Following the announcement that was felt around the world, the global cultural phenomenon continues with Oasis’ return. Today the band announce the North American dates of their OASIS LIVE ’25 world tour. The North American leg, produced by Live Nation and SJM, will see Oasis play stadiums in Toronto, Chicago, East Rutherford, Los Angeles and Mexico City next summer with Cage The Elephant as the special guest across all dates.


The news comes 16 years since their last performance in North America. Oasis commented,

“America.

Oasis is coming.

You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.”


The previously announced dates on the Oasis Live ‘25 tour sold out immediately culminating in the biggest concert launch ever seen in the UK and Ireland, with over 10 million fans from 158 countries queuing to buy tickets. Days after their return, the band claimed their 8th UK No. 1 album with the 30th anniversary of their electrifying debut album Definitely Maybe, while at the same time occupying two other spots in the top 5 UK albums chart.

Oasis remain a huge draw in the streaming era, with over 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone – an increase of almost 50% since the announcement of their return – and nearly 12.5 billion streams to date across platforms.

Registration for the presale is currently open at www.oasisinet.com until Tuesday, October 1st at 8am EST. General ticket onsale will begin Friday, October 4th at 12pm local time and will be available from www.ticketmaster.com.

Plans are underway for Oasis Live ’25 to go to other continents outside of Europe and North America later next year.

The Oasis Live ’25 tour dates now run as below:

JULY 2025

4th – Cardiff, UK – Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)

5th – Cardiff, UK – Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)

11th – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

12th – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

16th – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

19th – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

20th – Manchester, UK – Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

25th – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

26th – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

30th – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)



AUGUST 2025

2nd – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

3rd – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

8th – Edinburgh, UK – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

9th – Edinburgh, UK – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

12th – Edinburgh, UK – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

16th – Dublin, IE – Croke Park (SOLD OUT)

17th – Dublin, IE – Croke Park (SOLD OUT)

24th – Toronto, ON – Rogers Stadium (JUST ADDED)

28th – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (JUST ADDED)

31st – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium (JUST ADDED)

SEPTEMBER 2025

6th – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl Stadium (JUST ADDED)

12th – Mexico City, MX – Estadio GNP Seguros (JUST ADDED)

27th – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

28th – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

Long Island Siblings at The Space THIS FRIDAY June 6: Tyler Bragoli to Headline, With Special Guest Olivia Bragoli!

Teen pop sensation Tyler Bragoli will take the stage at The Space at Westbury (250 Post Ave, Westbury, NY 11590) on Friday, June 6, 2025 for his first-ever Long Island headline show. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Get Tickets Now:

CLICK HERE!

At just 16 years old, Long Island native Tyler Bragoli has already made waves in the music industry with three charting iTunes singles, a #1 on Amazon Music, over 2 million streams on Spotify, and tens of millions of views across social media. Since his late 2023 debut, Tyler’s emotionally honest songwriting, catchy pop hooks, and hands-on production style have earned him a massive and loyal fanbase—especially among teen listeners who connect deeply with his heartfelt lyrics and DIY artistry.

Opening the night is Olivia Bragoli, a 22-year-old pop/R&B singer-songwriter also from Long Island. Known for her captivating melodies and emotionally powerful lyrics, Olivia blends the soulful essence of 2000s R&B with modern pop edge—drawing inspiration from artists like Ariana Grande, Kehlani, and Sabrina Carpenter. With over 160,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, her viral covers and heartfelt originals have built a passionate fanbase. Her breakout single “This Time” peaked at #5 on the iTunes Pop Charts, and her latest release, “You and I,” introduces a fresh dance-pop sound that’s both emotional and empowering. This performance marks a key moment in Olivia’s live career as she steps into the spotlight with original music and bold new energy.

Nikki Silva’s Debut LP “ty, places” Steps Into the Light

NYC-based pop artist Nikki Silva has dropped her debut LP “ty places,” out on all music platforms NOW. Inspired by the common theatre saying, Silva is finally ready to step into the light as a full-fledged artist. Alongside her extensive experience in TV and film, Silva finds deep inspiration in all of the ‘places’ she’s been to. to share a body of work that makes creative light of pain. The release of “ty, places” follows the recent music video drop for her captivating single “manic episode,” which has racked up nearly 100,000 views on YouTube. Utilizing the backdrop of a Brooklyn apartment and a simple songwriting approach (just a microphone), “ty places” is a reflection of work, dedication, and passion - all ethics that Nikki Silva is ready to put the spotlight on. About “ty, places”, she says:

This is my first solo project. I’ve written for other artists, been in a band, but this one is Nikki telling Nikki’s story. Teddy Kumpel and I had the best time making ty, places - laughing and being silly the entire time. All while healing and learning that everything has led me to where I am.



Nikki Silva is a dynamic force in New York City’s creative scene; an actress, singer, director, and activist whose work radiates passion, authenticity, and a bit of delightful eccentricity. On screen, Nikki has captivated audiences with roles in acclaimed series like Law & Order: SVU and Twisted Fiction. Her performance as Susan in the feature film Our Lady of Queens earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 2024 Chelsea Film Festival, and in 2021, she drew attention for her portrayal of Eve in the short film Eve, directed by Wesley Wang.

Alongside her experience in TV and film, Nikki spent seven years as the lead singer and rapper in the reggae-rock band The Big Happy, touring the East coast and sharing stages with Beres Hammond, Slightly Stoopid, and Sublime with Rome. Now stepping into the solo spotlight, she is thrilled to share her debut LP “ty, places,” created in collaboration with producer Teddy Kumpel.

Beyond the stage and screen, Nikki is the co-founder of The Exceptional Pageant, a non-profit beauty pageant for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Now in its 11th year, it offers a platform for joy, confidence, and community.

Whether performing, creating, or advocating, Nikki Silva is a bold, expressive voice reshaping the entertainment landscape - one genre, one story, and one soul at a time.

“ty, places” is out NOW on all music platforms.

Circus Mind - Battle of Brooklyn

NYC funk-rock band Circus Mind is gearing up to release their powerful new single, “The Battle of Brooklyn,” a track that draws a bold and compelling line between America’s first Revolutionary War battle and the modern-day struggles of gentrification in the heart of New York.

The song was born from a moment of inspiration. Frontman Mark Rechler was listening to an NPR podcast when he heard mention of the historic 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. Having recently relocated to Greenpoint, the story hit home…literally.

“It struck me that the very ground I was walking on held so much history,” he said. “I started digging into it and suddenly the lyrics just poured out. The song started to write itself—and that’s always the best kind of creative rush.”

Lyrically vivid and musically gritty, “The Battle of Brooklyn” opens with vivid imagery of colonial warfare—reinforcements, flanks, bone boxes, and prison ships—before taking a poignant and timely turn. Here, the narrative pivots from muskets and bayonets to bulldozers and broker fees, turning its lens on the ongoing battle of gentrification.

Musically, the track is quintessential Circus Mind—groovy, driving, and sonically rich with the band’s signature blend of funk, rock, and soul. The release continues their tradition of pairing infectious grooves with thought-provoking lyrics.

“The Battle of Brooklyn” is a timely anthem that merges the past and present of a borough constantly evolving—and a community constantly adapting. For Circus Mind, it’s more than a song, it’s a statement.

The single will be available on all major streaming platforms. For updates and exclusive previews, follow Circus Mind!

REBEKAH SNYDER RELEASES NEW SINGLE “AMERICA”

Alt-country/Americana artist Rebekah Snyder returns with “America,” a stripped-down, deeply personal acoustic ballad that honors family, military service, and the resilience of rural life. Released in advance of her upcoming EP, “America” delivers a poignant message of unity, generational responsibility, and hope—grounded in her own experiences as a single mother, domestic violence survivor, and proud granddaughter of a WWII veteran.

Written the day after 9/11, the track offers a raw reflection on what it means to be American, blending heartfelt vocals and acoustic guitar with vivid storytelling. The official video, shot in Los Angeles, CA by Marcos Durian, features her daughter and nods to working-class culture with vintage Americana props like Iron City Beer bottles and Old Spice cologne.

Crafted from lived experience and filmed with honesty, “America” is the first of several releases Rebekah has planned for 2025, offering a bold, unfiltered perspective on womanhood, survival, and the values that bind us. With roots in Appalachia and wings as a licensed flight instructor, Snyder’s story is as compelling as her sound.

A live performance of “America” is scheduled for April 25th at Heroes Bar & Grille in Kittanning, PA—a homegrown celebration of the song’s message and meaning.

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Rebekah Snyder is an alt-country singer-songwriter and certified flight instructor whose music is grounded in truth, tradition, and personal resilience. A single mom of three and domestic violence survivor, Snyder writes songs that speak for the overlooked and underestimated. Her stripped-down style reflects her Appalachian roots and honors the voices of her ancestors—especially the veterans and strong women in her family.

Sarah Mary Chadwick announces new LP, shares "Not Cool Like NY / Not Cool Like LA"

Australia-based artist Sarah Mary Chadwick has announced her ninth LP, Take Me Out To a Bar / What Am I, Gatsby?, due out on April 4 via Kill Rock Stars. She co-produced it with Chris Townend, and she says she stopped drinking after making it. “I can hear it,” she says. “The desolate desire for change, the goodbyes, the fading romance, the memories. And the pain – that’s different but that never leaves, it’s part of me.”

The first single is “Not Cool Like NY / Not Cool Like LA,” which is harrowing and emotional with just the power of Chadwick’s voice and piano. Hear it below.

SARAH MARY CHADWICK – TAKE ME OUT TO A BAR / WHAT AM I, GATSBY? TRACKLIST

1. What Am I, Gatsby?
2. She Never Leant Upon a Bar
3. Soundtrack
4. Take Me Out To a Bar
5. I’m Not Clinging To Life
6. Not Cool Like NY / Not Cool Like LA
7. Fade Like Rain
8. Big Business
9. The Show Musn’t Go On