Nas & NYC: Revisiting The Rapper's History With His Hometown

With almost three decades in the game, Nas and the city of New York are synonymous with one another. In fact, the hip-hop titan's new album, NASIR, saw him take the Kanye West-produced set to Queensbridge Park for a listening party, continuing his legacy with the city that he's repped since birth. After all, the title for King of New York was never so prominent until Nas took the throne with the release of his debut album, Illmatic.

In honor of his ties, iHeartRadio LIVE and Verizon have curated an epic series of intimate concerts just for New Yorkers and the rapper's set is first up. You heard it first. We're giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite artists, courtesy of iHeartRadio and Verizon.

Beyond being born in Brooklyn in 1973, Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones' career in hip-hop is cemented in the city. After recording a demo at Sty In The Sky Studios in Coney Island, he took daily trips to Manhattan in hopes of securing a deal, and one day it led to an opportunity of a lifetime: a record deal with Columbia, a $17,000 advance and his debut, Illmatic. Told through the eyes of a budding '90s rapper in New York City, it changed everything. New York hip-hop went on to see shining moments when he repped the streets in his video for "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)"and even tried his hand at acting in 1998's Belly, a crime drama about two Queens' street criminals.

After winning the title of King of New York against JAY-Z in 2001 with his ferocious diss record, "Ether," Nas affiliation with the city was never again doubted. Throw in his love for the Mets and his New York restaurant Sweet Chick, and it's very clear why iHeartRadio LIVE and Verizon have selected him to jumpstart our upcoming concert series.

If you want to get into the mix, stay tuned for details on how you can participate in our upcoming scavenger hunt, detailing the secret location of where his show will take place. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled to @Z100NewYork, @Power1051 and @1035KTU for the big reveal and your chance to win tickets to see yet another historic milestone between Nas and New York City.

NYC-Based Band All Types of Kinds To Perform LIVE at Adventureland In Farmingdale Wednesday, August 1st

In a city often oversaturated with musicians of every genre constantly performing and creating, it takes a special group of artists to truly stand out amongst the crowd that produce a truly unique sound, and New York City’s All Types of Kinds truly live up to the namesake. With an upcoming show slated for Wednesday, August 1st at one of Long Island’s oldest amusement parks - Adventureland (2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT.110) Farmingdale, NY, 11735) park-goers will have the chance to experience the band LIVE for the very first time! But for those who still can’t get enough of the band - catch them July 29th at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn AND at the Long Beach International Film Festival’s Concert on the Beach on Friday, August 3rd at 4PM!

All Types of Kinds (or ATOK) plays a wide variety of music ranging from rock to pop, folk, punk, funk, hip-hop, blues, jazz, and country - even sometimes all at once. The members come from diverse backgrounds that make for an amalgamation of musical textures and vibes. Their EP, "Love Songs (Or Songs For Your Ex)" debuted on Valentine's Day 2018 and they are currently gearing for dates all over the country.

The band consist of Ray Rubio (Guitar), Billy Conahan (Guitar), Berk 0 (Percussion), and Rocco Stroker (Guitar) - all of whom have unique musical backgrounds. Ray, 20, a multi genre artist and singer/songwriter, hails from Harlem NY and has also been on stage from young age, mainly theater productions. Ray attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2014, and since then has been performing his music in the New York Metro Area and Richmond, Virginia. Billy, 25, is a queens native whose been on the stage since his early teens as a stand-up comedian, singer/songwriter folk artist playing his own folk tunes as well as cover tunes. Berk O, singer and percussionist, is from Brooklyn and also contributes to the band's songwriting process, while Rocco is the newest member of the band - playing bass, guitar and as an incredible vocalist. He hails from New Fairfield, Connecticut.





With the goal of becoming a full-time, self-sufficient, self-produced band, able to tour and create their own audio and video products on a regular basis, they plan to soon follow up their debut with a sophomore effort in late 2018. Unlike other bands who strive for major-label greatness, ATOK shys away from fitting into an industry mold, and often scoff at the idea of being referred to as a ‘boy band’.

Believers in finding a way to share their music while remaining firmly in the driver’s seat, they continue to write, practice, and enjoy playing their music for any crowd that will have them. Making friends from all over the world by busking on the NYC streets has even allowed them to meet and collaborate with like-minded musicians.

Now, as they get ready for THREE upcoming performances - Sunday, July 29th at The Knitting Factory, Wednesday, August 1st at Adventureland, and at the Long Beach International Film Festival’s Concert on the Beach on Friday, August 3rd - there’s plenty of opportunities to catch these recent “Your Big Break” contest winners who’ve been praised for their “polished precision, sweet harmony, musicianship, artistry, versatility and originality in their smart lyrics”.

FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS ($7.50) TO SEE A.T.O.K. AT THE KNITTING FACTORY JULY 29TH, EMAIL: AllTypesofKinds@gmail.com

To Purchase All Types of Kind’s “Love Songs (Or Songs For Your Ex)” via iTunes, VISIT: https://apple.co/2MN7W5o

LISTEN: ATOK "Love Songs" via Spotify

Lee Ranaldo & Thurston Moore playing shows; Kim Gordon preps new Body/Head & solo LP

Lee Ranaldo released his latest solo album, the great Electric Trim, last year, and he’s got what appears to be a Brooklyn one-off happening June 23 at Saint Vitus. There’s direct support from super talented drummer Greg Fox (Liturgy, Ex Eye, Guardian Alien, Uniform), and the bill also includes Bentley Anderson + Mystic Ruler and DJ Zoe B. Tickets are on sale.

Lee’s former Sonic Youth bandmate Thurston Moore, who also released a great solo album last year (Rock n Roll Consciousness), has a unique one-off happening in the UK on Saturday (4/14). The event is at London’s Babican Hall and it’s called “GALAXIES 12×12 – Music for Twelve 12-String guitars,” and it features Thurston along with guitarists Rachel Aggs (Shopping, Trash Kit, Sacred Paws), Jen Chochinov (Schande), Joseph Coward (Camp X-Ray), Eugene Coyne, Jonah Falco (Fucked Up, Career Suicide), Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine, Thurston Moore Group), James McCartney, James Sedwards (Thurston Moore Group), Susan Stenger (Band of Susans), David Toop (The Flying Lizards), and Alex Ward (N.E.W.). The description reads:

Arch-experimentalist Thurston Moore premieres his new work GALAXIES, leading a symphony of 12-string guitars in this two-part programme – the first half acoustic, the second electric.

This isn’t a rock band – it’s an orchestra, with Moore as conductor and composer. Twelve guitarists are arranged as if one instrument, exploring the vast emotional depths present in 12 strings. Taking inspiration from a poem by Sun Ra and featuring cosmos projections by Radio Radieux, GALAXIES ponders our place in the universe over two parts – ‘Earth’, an acoustic meditation on nature and animal wildlife; and ‘Sky’, which translates space’s great expanse into an electric guitar onslaught.

More info here. Thurston will also be in residency at The Stone’s new location in December.

In other Sonic Youth news, Steve Shelley is on the new Mark Kozelek album that’s due out next month. And last but definitely not least, Kim Gordon revealed in a Consequence of Sound/WFPK-FM podcast that Body/Head, her duo with Bill Nace, will follow their 2013 debut Coming Apart and their 2016 live album No Waves with a new studio album on July 13. “It’s really heavy,” Kim said. “I don’t really know what to think of the Body/Head record. It’s quite different than the first one.” She also revealed that she’s still working on a solo album, but it probably won’t be out until 2019. She released the great solo single “Murdered Out” in 2016. She’s also duets on the new Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks album.

Watch Lee’s recent KEXP session and Thurston’s “Smoke of Dreams” video, and stream “Murdered Out,” below.

Warpaint’s Theresa Wayman talks us through her solo project TT

On motherhood, the creative process and loneliness.

TT, also known as Theresa Wayman, released her debut solo album LoveLaws last month.

You may recognise her enchanting voice from Warpaint, but the release of her first solo project has allowed TT to delve deeper into the creation of her own musical sound. The result of which is pure melodic harmony and layers upon layers of hazy goodness.

The album is best described as downtempo, broody and soulful pop. It’s the type of music that’s perfect for staring out the window and reminiscing about past or current relationship woes. Producing the entire LP herself – with help from some music industry heavyweights – Theresa has well and truly flexed her creative muscles.

Phoning in all the way from London, we talked to TT about motherhood, the creative process and loneliness.

Tell me a little bit about your debut album. What does it mean to you?

It’s been a liberating feeling for myself, to do this thing that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, showing myself that I can follow through and get it done. It’s been therapeutic in the subject matter as well.

How long have you been working on LoveLaws?

I’ve been working on it for a while, learning how to record myself and make what I’m hearing in my head. Some of the songs I started a really long time ago – [some of] it started as a beat or sample combination and over the years I’ve added to it. For the last year and a half, my brother and I took all the bits and pieces that I had already and put it together to finish the album.

Have you found the solo album-making process different, compared to when you’re collaborating with the Warpaint crew?

Well, initially everything we did [with Warpaint] started from a jam and then we would arrange things together and it’s a collaborative process. But with my album, it feels much more personal to me, because it’s only in my head. It took a while because working, touring and making albums, and being a mum, it’s been hard to find the time. It’s been busy, but it’s definitely been worth it for sure.

I read that loneliness as a musician on the road was an inspiration behind the album, how did this impact your process? Do you think it’s important, as an artist, to be lonely at some point?

Yeah, I do in a way. I think it’s important for artists to really experience what they’re experiencing and not push things aside. It comes with all the key inspiration. Maybe it’s not loneliness, maybe its something else. Whatever it is, the point of being an artist is to explore it and think about it. Some people could say you’re spending too much time on the subject matter, which could be true. But it’s the role of the artist to dwell on things.

A lot of people probably don’t realise you’re a single soccer mum. Has motherhood changed your approach to music?

Its switched my preferred work hours to early morning, before any of my friends or anyone I know is up. I like having the new energy of the day and that purely came from the fact that I had to get up and take my kid to school. I can’t stay up late because I’ll be incredibly tired in the morning and not be present as a mother. I definitely have a sense of security having my kid and knowing our relationship is solid. It’s a good foundation to build from.

What is next for TT?

I would love to have my own tour, in the fall probably. I have a couple of songs that didn’t go on the album that I want to finish as well. I just want to keep expanding visually and musically. Visual aspects are things I have never prioritised, but I think are important as well. I have some ideas. I want to go home and learn how to record the drums better, so I can get to the next step of independence in recording.

LoveLaws is out now via Caroline Australia. Listen to it here.

ttlovelaws.com

Blues Rock Singer/Songwriter Albert Cummings comes to New York For TWO SHOWS August 18 and 19

Having hit both coasts already this year performing to sold out crowds of adoring fans, Blues Rock and Americana Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Albert Cummings is ready to head to Long Island and the Big Apple this August with stops at the YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore on Saturday, August 18th AND The Loft @ City Winery on Sunday, August 19th!

With his latest CD/DVD/Blu-Ray collection “Albert Cummings Live at the ’62 Center” making its mark on the live music world, Cummings recently told The Herald Palladium “It’s amazing what’s been happening with it,” continuing “It’s opened doors left and right with people starting to see who the band is and what it does. It started out as a video project, but we figured we might as well make it a live album as well. It just evolved into this whole thing.”

Outlets like Rock and Blues Muse have also noted “His muscular guitar work is simply outstanding.” and “He’s a great blues singer as well, with passion for the tunes inherent in his full throttle approach.” with The Cleveland Plain Dealer calling it “...a pulsating concert film”.

Albert Cummings Upcoming NY Tour Dates (CLICK LINK FOR TICKETS):

Date/Time	Venue/Location	Details
Saturday, August 18th, 2018 8:00PM	YMCA Boulton Center Bay Shore, NY	Age Limit: All Ages    Tickets: $35.00
Sunday, August 19th, 2018 7:00PM	The Loft @ City Winery New York, NY	Age Limit: 21+   Tickets: $20-25

Now as he gets ready to take on Long Island and New York City, fans will have not one but TWO chances to catch his extraordinary talents LIVE!

For More on Albert Cummings, VISIT:

www.AlbertCummings.com

Facebook.com/AlbertCummingsMusic

Albert Cummings Official YouTube Channel

Jon Spencer Previews Debut Solo Album With Raw 'Do the Trash Can'

Legendary garage rocker Jon Spencer unveiled a gritty new track, "Do the Trash Can," the first offering off his debut solo album, Spencer Sings the Hits!, set to arrive early this fall via In the Red Records.

From Pussy Galore to 'Freedom Tower,' the combustible blues-punker looks back

On "Do the Trash Can," Spencer puts classic rock and roll dance tunes through a madman's rock grinder. Buzzsaw guitar riffs groove alongside a metallic clatter of percussion, while Spencer lets loose with a wild vocal performance.

Spencer has enjoyed a long career with an array of bands, most notably fronting the Blues Explosion, while also playing with Pussy Galore, Boss Hog and Heavy Trash. For his first solo record, Spencer embraced a DIY approach and partnered with Quasi frontman Sam Coomes and drummer M. Sord.

"Sam is someone with whom I have crossed paths many times over the years, I have always been a fan of his wild keyboard style and twisted tunesmith-ery," Spencer said. "In fact we kicked around the idea of a collaboration way back in the early Aughts. I got to know Sord from many projects done at the Key Club (Andre Williams, JSBX, & Boss Hog), he was the handyman and assistant engineer that turned out to be a great drummer."

Spencer, Coomes and Sord cut Spencer Sings the Hits! with producer Bill Skibbe at his Key Club Recording Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan. However, the group's session was cut short after three days due to the sudden death of Spencer's father-in-law. After spending time with family, Spencer returned to Key Club to finish overdubs and mixes on his own. The record will feature percussion with a metallic edge, a nod, Spencer said, to his past with Pussy Galore.

"Nothing like digging the gas tank from an old Chevy out of a Michigan junkyard snow bank in January," Spencer recalled. "Junkyard owner kept asking me if the metal was for a school project, but as a bluegrass player he could understand the possible use for a recording session."

Legendary garage rocker Jon Spencer will release his debut solo album, 'Spencer Sings the Hits!' this fall.Michael Lavine

Prior to releasing Spencer Sings the Hits!, Spencer will embark on a North American tour this summer. The trek kicks off July 29th at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota and wraps August 11th at Ottawa Tavern in Toledo, Ohio. The Melvins are set to join Spencer during the early stages of the tour.

Spencer Sings the Hits! Track List

1. "Do the Trash Can"
2. "Fake"
3. "Overload"
4. "Time 2 Be Bad"
5. "Ghost"
6. "Beetle Boots"
7. "Hornet
8. "Wilderness"
9. "Love Handle"
10. "I Got the Hits"
11. "Alien Humidity"
12. "Cape"

Disco dons Nile Rodgers & Chic releasing first album in 26 years

Freak out.

Despite a surge in popularity over the last decade thanks to a series of high-profile collaborations and massive tours, Nile Rodgers’ last album with Chic was 1992’s disappointing Chic-ism. Now, the veteran disco act is back with a brand new album that sports an intriguing cast of contributors.

It’s About Time is set to feature appearances from UK garage legend Craig David, PC Music producer Danny L Harle, rapper Stefflon Don, Cali crooner Anderson .Paak, singer Nao and Mura Masa.



Rodgers and his troupe appeared on the BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland last night to debut the first single ‘Boogie All Night’ with Mura Masa and Nao.

It’s About Time will be released on 7th September via Virgin/EMI.

Monsieur Job Tops Latin Billboard and Heatseeker Charts with BASS PA$$I

Having recently dropped their lead single and Video “Chow Chow Eyyy Pow Pow” Feat. No Mercy followed by their full BASS PA$$I LP via Basswalk Latino and Musik and Film, Latino/Pop/EDM superstars Monsieur Job are continuing to climb charts worldwide, with the album hitting #6 on the Billboard Latin Charts this week!

Toby Holguin dreams music, lives music and gives music life. It was Toby’s vision to create Monsieur Job, a band that will rock you make you move your feet. A band that will make you cry with passion. Formed by Toby Holguin from Cali, Colombia, a beautiful place high in the mountains above the clouds . Toby then asked Stan Kolev from Sofia, Bulgaria, Charlie Illera from Barranquilla, Colombia, and Leo Jaramillo from Bogota, Colombia. To become one musically as Monsieur Job.



“It makes some demands of the listener, but none they won’t be happy to oblige. The demands are centered on how artfully ‘Chow Chow eyyy Pow Pow’ upends expectations for pop music in this vein thanks to its strong musical pedigree and vocal presentation. The performance is unfailingly accessible, but there’s a real sophistication present in the song as well.The three and a half minute radio edit of this initial offering from the quartet is augmented by the presence of guest star Martin Cintron, lead singer for the band No Mercy, and the Bronx born vocalist is the added cherry on top of what will likely prove one of 2018’s more delectable musical confections” - No Depression

All of them them live and breathe their own style of music combined they are Monsieur Job. Toby, Stan, and Charlie spin records as DJs constantly for different pools and venues around the world. Moreover, Toby had the idea to start doing Urban Music besides Chill Out and Electronic Music, which is the vision that created the album “Bass Passi”. they started dropping broken beats with a more festive, shaky, groovy Caribbean latin flavor turning it into an international exclusive mash up of world talents and a unique blend of genres.

For their debut release of Chow Chow Eyyy Pow Pow , The record has hit the Euro Indie Music Chart at #1 for 9 consecutive weeks, the Digital Radio Tracker Top 10, and the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Top 100 Songs for their single and Top 200 for Best Albums for their album “Bass Passi”.

The album “BASS PA$$I” was recorded in Bogota and Miami at Basswalk Studios, Outta Limits Studios in Miami, and Barba Studios in Belgrade and mastered at Sterling Studios, New York.



Purchase: Monsieur Job "BASS PA$$I 1" Feat. "Chow Chow Eyyy Pow Pow" via iTunes

LISTEN: Monsieur Job "BASS PA$$I 1" Feat. "Chow Chow Eyyy Pow Pow" via Spotify



Purchase: Monsieur Job "BASS PA$$I 2" via iTunes

LISTEN: Monsieur Job "BASS PA$$I 2" via Spotify