California Dream

Tom Sless

NEW AMERICANA ARTIST TOM SLESS DRAWS HIGH PRAISE FOR ‘ASSURANCE, CRAFT AND CONVICTION’ ON ‘UPLIFTING’ DEBUT ALBUM, ‘CALIFORNIA DREAM’

Live Quarantine Concert Series, California Dream: Melodies and Remedies, Continues Each Wednesday to Also Help Musicians Battle Adversity

California Dream, surveys Sless’s soulful ride down the winding roads of life and love from Jersey Shore and Baltimore roots to Los Angeles with celebratory country rock, nod-and-a-wink humor, and rough-hewn folksiness.

“[California Dream’s] assurance, craft and conviction belie the fact that [Tom]’s a novice or a newcomer of any kind. … Great stuff indeed.” - American Songwriter

Critical acclaim is mounting for LA based Americana singer-songwriter-guitar slinger TOM SLESS as the media continues to discover and embrace his new debut album, California Dream.

Released just as the COVID-19 pandemic in late March forced postponement of live Album Release events at home in Los Angeles and plans to tour across the country, California Dream receives high praise in the current edition of American Songwriter as an “uplifting” work that is “Great stuff, indeed,” offering an “assurance, craft and conviction” that belie Sless’s status as “a novice or a newcomer of any kind.” The song “Astronaut,” the magazine continues, “asks the question, ‘Will anyone remember me?’ Based on the evidence offered here, the answer is an emphatic yes indeed.”

Americana Highways hailed California Dream for its “wealth of good musical touches [with] style & a commercial charm that’s not too sweet,” adding that the “superb rollicking” guitar-driven track “Gimme the Breeze” – also featured in the Los Angeles Post-Examiner and Baltimore Post-Examiner – is “worth the price of the CD” alone. That rock-fueled energy, the review continues, is beautifully countered by the “sweet and dynamic” cut “Too Much On My Mind,” a looping, Grateful Dead-like, exploration of a musical theme driven by the pedal steel of — no relation — Barry Sless (Phil Lesh, Chris Robinson) with “excellent lyrical imagery.”

Midwest Record joyously noted “it’s always a treat to stumble across a singer/songwriter that knows how to make sensitive, personal songs without stooping to bleeding gums music,” adding that Sless “captures the wanderlust” in creating an album that’s “a dandy ear opener throughout.”

Sless likewise earned high marks from New Jersey Stage (“refreshingly honest”), Short and Sweet LA/NYC (“a songwriter not to be deterred” with “an insidious way” of “getting our feet tapping while he delivers lyrics of substance”), and Exclusive Magazine (“[he] immediately gets our attention, and as we progress, his musical messages carry us along on his rich journey”). Elmore Magazine and Nashville.com are among others planning coverage.

With coronavirus consciousness for his fellow musicians and followers in mind, Sless continues his weekly live streaming quarantine concert series “California Dream: Melodies and Remedies” also designed to help battle adversity through music and discussion. The interactive series premieres new episodes every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Pacific/10 p.m. Eastern on Instagram Live at www.instagram.com/tomsless with on-demand archived episodes at www.soundcloud.com/tomsless.

“California Dream: Melodies and Remedies” includes under-the-hood discussions of the inspiration for each week's featured song from the new album, an interview with a key contributor to the song's production, and an audience-Q&A round table focused on self-help strategies applicable to the pandemic, such as dealing with anxiety, maintaining motivation, and “finding joy in the little things.”

Co-produced by the Jersey Shore native with John Bottrell (Christina Perri, Mike Posner) and recorded live in the studio at comp-ny in Glendale, CA, California Dream carries us along Sless’s soulful ride down the winding roads of life and love with a vibe that alternates between the celebratory country rock of Luke Combs, the nod-and-a-wink humor of Sturgill Simpson, and the rough-hewn folksiness of Donovan Woods. Through canny lyrics and infectious tunes, California Dream captures Sless’s love of LA, the highs and lows of his decision to move there from the Baltimore area after college, and his struggles to embrace the past and push forward. Like Steve Earle, Sless displays bracing honesty in his songwriting, and like Jason Isbell, has a knack for creating a world in which our souls struggle to define themselves. With ceaseless creativity, Sless possesses an ear for the just-right melody and lyric, and a passion for songs that evoke his disappointments, hopes, joys, and loves.

Sless still plans to host album release events on the West Coast and East Coast once the live music terrain gets more clearly defined.

“This album is a huge step toward a realization of myself as an individual and a creative artist,” he says. “It’s a jumping off point into a world in which I can fully express myself as a human being. There truly is no better feeling.”

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"Food As A Machine Gun"

ENEMY RADIO SURPRISE FANS WITH DEBUT ALBUM,

"LOUD IS NOT ENOUGH,"

AVAILABLE NOW

 

Chuck D and Flavor Flav Reveal Recent Breakup Was a Hoax,

A Commentary on Social Media-Driven Disinformation

And Hip Hop's Negative News Spin,

As They Collaborate on

"Food As a Machine Gun" by Enemy Radio Featuring Public Enemy

Enemy Radio, the DJ+MC auxiliary unit of Public Enemy made up of Chuck D, DJ Lord, Jahi and the S1Ws, release their debut album today, "Loud Is Not Enough." The album is led by the single, "Food As a Machine Gun," which features a special guest: Public Enemy (including both Chuck D and Flavor Flav), revealing their "War Of The Worlds" inspired hoax that began on March 1 when Chuck D announced Flav would no longer be a part of the iconic group following a public dispute.

 

"I had watched Orson Welles' 'War Of The Worlds' from 1938 when he pulled the wool over the public's eyes as they put 100% belief in the technology of radio," explains Chuck D. "Most people followed like a Pavlovic dog just like they do now. Flav doesn't do benefits and stays away from political events - we been cool and always agreed about that. Enemy Radio was built for that reason, to be a DJ+MC auxiliary unit of Public Enemy, a no-slack homage tossback to DJ+MC roots. It is DJ Lord, myself and Jahi with the S1Ws. Hearing the confused mush of political talk while under the bowels of Trumpotus made me use a presidential stage as my platform. Out of this storm came a plan between Flav and me to remind people that what's important should have as much, if not more, value than just what's popular. Thus came the HOAX, our 'War Of The Worlds.' Believe half of what you hear and NONE of what you see."

 

He also used the hoax to illustrate how the media disproportionately covers bad news over good news when it comes to hip hop. While Public Enemy has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and toured the world for over 30 years including performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, it was the conflict between the group's frontmen that made Chuck D a trending topic on social media and garnered global media attention.  Read Chuck D's full statement on the HOAX here.

 

"So it's April 1, 2020 and as we hoard food and empty store shelves, Chuck D and Flavor Flav hijack it as April 'FlavChuck' Day to end the HOAX with Enemy Radio's new song, 'FOOD AS A MACHINE GUN.' 'Don't Believe The Hype' 2020 style" says Chuck D. "That's right, this is Enemy Radio featuring Public Enemy, with more around the corner: Enemy Radio's debut album, 'LOUD IS NOT ENOUGH,' is here. 'FOOD AS A MACHINE GUN' is the first taste, an attack on the food industrial machine that opens minds to the direct need, dependency and necessity - yet killer - of our current lives, taking inspiration from Kristin Lawless and her book, 'Formerly Known As Food.'"

 

Enemy Radio's debut single sets their sights on the dangers of an industrial food system that adds chemicals and preservatives to grocery store products at the cost of nutrition, resulting in devastating changes to brains and bodies. The concept was inspired by advocate and author Kristin Lawless. "The industrial world food machine rolls like gangbangers in the 21^st century of chaos. Who protects us from the weapon formerly known as food?" asks Chuck.

 

"The cracks in our food system have busted wide open," explains Lawless. "The way we produce our food has helped to create this pandemic and the poor-quality products we consume leave us vulnerable to infection. Radical change around food production is required now if we want to prevent future pandemics, protect our planet and save our lives."

 

"Does it take doing crazy shit or catastrophe to wake people up? Obviously so, even when paying attention is the cheapest price to pay," he continues. "So if you got that in your wallet, Enemy Radio is serving up 'FOOD AS A MACHINE GUN.'"

 

About Enemy Radio

Enemy Radio is the DJ+MC auxiliary unit of Public Enemy, a no-slack homage tossback to the group's roots: a soundsystem of mics, turntables and the political essence of protest. They performed throughout Europe with Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul as part of the Gods of Rap Tour last May and at the Sanders rally on March 1.

Saturday Sinema: The Major And The Minor

Here's one from the great Director Billy Wilder starring Ginger Rogers!!!

From one of Hollywood's most acclaimed auteurs, Billy Wilder (Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard), comes the charming comedy classic The Major and the Minor. Legendary actress and dancer Ginger Rogers (Monkey Business) stars as Susan Applegate, a struggling young woman who pretends to be an 11-year old girl in order to buy a half-price train ticket. Fleeing the conductors, she hides in the compartment of Major Philip Kirby (Ray Milland, The Big Clock, The Pyjama Girl Case). The Major believes Susan is a child and takes her under his wing, but when they arrive at the military academy where Kirby teaches, his fiancée (Rita Johnson) grows suspicious of Susan's ruse... Co-written by Wilder and Charles Brackett (Hold Back the Dawn), The Major and the Minor assumes the guise of a light romance narrative in order to cleverly explore themes of identity and deception. Wilder's American debut is presented here for the first time in stunning High Definition, with a selection of illuminating extras.

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation transferred from original film elements
• Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM audio soundtrack
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin
• Half Fare Please!, a newly filmed video appreciation by film critic Neil Sinyard
• Archival interview with Ray Milland
• Rare hour-long radio adaptation from 1943 starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland
• Image gallery
• Original trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: COLLECTOR’S BOOKLET WITH ESSAY BY RONALD BERGAN

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AA051

It's The Great Violin, Lindsey Stirling

Violinist extraordinaire & YouTube sensation, Lindsey Stirling has hit the road, for the very first to to sold out venues across the United States! She has a few other first too, her self titled album hit number on the iTunes Electronic chart...

Oh, and she dethroned the reigning Queen of YouTube – Her Royal Highness Taylor Swift by passing 137 Million views on her Lindsey Stomp channel.

Here to get spooky is Ms. Lindsey Stirling...!

MS: So, your debut album “Lindsey Stirling” is all original material, correct?

LS: Yes, I was so excited to release it some of the material I wrote some a while ago and some of it I wrote recently.

MS: While I know you must love all the songs you put on there, give me some that are highlights for you personally.

LS: “Zi Zi's Journey” was one I wrote a while back, it was fun for me because “Zi Zi” was my nickname, It has the feeling of an animae film theme song. In fact I want to do an animae video for it with the character “Zi Zi” resembling me. The other newer one I wrote is a Halloween-esque once called “Moon Trance” which I am shooting the video for soon.

MS: Tis' the season, so I have to ask, are you a big fan of Halloween?

LS Yes! I love dressing up in costumes, I make my own for my videos, I made my first Halloween costume when I was eight. I was a kangaroo, I made the ears the feet, the whole body and of course the pouch so I have people put my candy in it. When I look back I kind of go “Wow that was pretty impressive for an eight year old”. (laughs) One year my friends and I dressed up as Fairy Nerds, we had broken wands held together with masking tape. (laughs)

MS: Do you like scary movies too?

LS: Oh no, my imagination is way to active, I would lay in bed at night awake and freak out! (laughs)

MS: Mine was like that when I was in my twenties too, I think you will get over it when you are older (laughs) What are some of the images and ideas you have for your “Moon Trance” video?

LS: I'd like it to be something like the “Thriller” video with a lot of people dancing looking like creatures, I love that song and think doing something along those lines will look great and be a lot of fun.

Put yourself in a "Moon Trance" with Lindsey at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsey-Stirling/132255980139931?ref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindseyStirling