A Different War

FIERCELY AND DEFIANTLY, DANIELIA COTTON

RE-EMERGES TO CONFRONT RACE, GENDER, AND WEALTH

IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES WITH ‘A DIFFERENT WAR’

§  Most Politically Charged Album of Heralded Career Due May 29

§  2^nd Single, Cheap High, Now Active at Triple A

§  ‘Live from Home’ Streaming Concert to Premiere SUNDAY

“Ms. Cotton testifies to pain, need, revelation and redemption in a voice that’s as raw as it is indomitable.” – The New York Times 

Hailed by The New York Times for music that’s “soulful enough to fill a revival tent,” DANIELIA COTTON has risen again into the light, fiercely and defiantly, with A Different War, her most politically charged album in a widely heralded career.

Set for release May 29 on all major digital platforms through Cottontown Music, the six-song opus finds the “fiery rock vocalist” (American Songwriter), whose voice gives her songs “stunning power” (No Depression), speaking to these extraordinary times by unloading her sin while the world around her is gripped in a turbulent spin. Cotton frames A Different War by confronting race, gender, and wealth − deeply personal and pervasive issues that have plagued folks like her for an eternity.

As the first single, “Forgive Me,” moves up the Triple A charts, the second single, “Cheap High,” is now active at radio. The music video will premiere next week. The “Live from Home” Streaming Concert will premiere Sunday (May 17) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Facebook Live.

Additionally praised by Billboard, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and USA Today, among others throughout her career, Cotton continues to inhabit a song, turning it inside and out to create transcendent music and lyrics, and carry us higher and higher with her in her musical flights. 

It's Danielia!
Photo:
Chia Messina

A Different War finds the gutsy New Yorker swimming through the tumultuous social issues of racism and greed, and the tempestuous waters of love and relationships. These are songs deeply rooted in the protest anthems of yesterday but built for the current state of our world. A multi-racial, gospel-fueled, Jewish blues-rocker who believes in the power of womanhood, Cotton grew up in a predominantly white New Jersey community as one of just seven black kids in her high school. She has survived cancer and the tragic loss of twins at birth, only to bounce back and finally welcome a daughter in 2018. Cotton’s consistent ability to overcome pain and express it through music shines a light on the issues of the day and shows the world what it's like to fight “A Different War.”

“This is the first album I’ve made that includes songs that are both social and personal,” says Cotton. “On several of these songs I tried to get out of my own head and talk about the world outside. I think about the experiences of my listeners. I like when the listener can jump into a song.”

The title track examines how the reality of people of color getting called into battle as a result of being marginalized informs their entire existence. Featuring a guest appearance by prominent Bronx hip-hop artist Mickey Factz, the song also urges us to press ahead because of the ongoing need for substantive change. “Cheap High” is a stomping rocker that finds Cotton probing our precarious economic situation, speaking to both a personal unhappiness arising from greed, and the dangers of a society mired in economic disparity and despair. The evocative and transporting music of “Forgive Me” mimics the lyrics, which Cotton wrote with her sister, Catherine Fulmer-Hogan, stressing the necessity of forgiveness in any relationship in order for its survival. The fierce feminist anthem “She Too” is a propulsive rocker that rides along a screaming lead solo. Cotton’s bluesy vocals on this track defiantly proclaim not only equality but righteous anger at anyone who wants to silence women for raising their voices in unity against abuse, ill and unequal treatment.

A Different War is a true collaboration with some of the most talented musicians and technicians in the business. From Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne, Edie Brickell) on drums, Ben Butler (Sting, George Michael, Chris Botti) on guitar, and Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule, Black Crowes) on bass, to young gun guitarist Emmanuel Rossillo working his first major studio project, the record resonates with innovation and flare. The finishing touches of the brilliant mix provided by Dave O’Donnell (James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer) and the mastering of Greg Calbi (numerous hits over the past 20 years) make this record a true meeting of the best of the best.

The evidence is clear on A Different War that DANIELIA COTTON continues to evolve and challenge herself as a musician. Fifteen years since her breakout as an Artist to Watch by influential Philadelphia public radio outlet WXPN, Cotton remains a true indie artist fighting for independence – the space to create her own sound and an audience that would journey with her.

Available May 29 at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and where music is consumed on-line.

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Kristine W Has "Issues"

KRISTINE W UNLEASHES HER “ISSUES”


Billboard Magazine’s “Dance Music Artist of the Decade” Releases Music Video For New Single, “Just a Lie” 

Kristine W returns to the dance floor with the music video for “Just a Lie", the first single from her soon to be released album, Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies. Being distributed globally through The Orchard, all eight songs on the album deal with love in its complexities: the deception from others as well as the lies we tell ourselves. “Just a Lie” was originally about death and the loss felt by those left behind, but it morphed into the single it is today after Kristine experienced a painful divorce.  “I realize now how similar divorce is to a death,” she explains.  “The grieving is intense.  It’s mourning the loss of the relationship, the breakup of the family, the betrayal, the time invested; so many things.  I was with my husband for a long time and we worked through so many challenges, I initially assumed we’d find our way through his infidelity, but what starts as just a lie sometimes grows into a tornado of betrayal and sometimes it’s best to just let go and let God guide you to your next chapter in life.”  Kristine W’s “Just a Lie” is available now on all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  The Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies album is available for pre-order now.

“Learning there was a third person in our marriage turned out to be only the tip of the iceberg,” Kristine W reflects.  “There were layers of deceit including my ex leveraging our family home to purchase a house for his other family.”

“My friends have been rocks for me during this hard time,” she continues.  “Also, my kids have been incredibly supportive and so strong.  They serve as reminders that while the marriage may have given me the biggest heart break I would deal with in life, it also gave me my two greatest blessings in the world: my beautiful son and daughter.”

“Just a Lie” was produced in Amsterdam by Bob Sandee / Subgroover aka Crossnaders and they manage to give the emotional track a very cool, progressive, funky electro house vibe.  “I love the unique sound of the track,” Kristine says.  “The Bass line, in particular, is infectious.”   

Kristine W hails from Pasco, Washington. After winning titles as Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, she went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas. There, she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history, including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W day in the state of Nevada.

She began recording pop and dance tracks in 1994.  Her first track, “Feel What You Want” reached #1 and since then, Kristine W has had a steady flow of chart toppers.  Her latest single, “Stars” became her 17th Billboard #1.  She now ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most No. 1s since the chart’s August 28, 1976, inception. Madonna leads the chart with 46.

It’s been five years since the release of Kristine W’s last full-length album, New & Number Ones.  The 13-track album included re-edited versions of six of her classic songs as well as hit single “Everything That I Got”, “So Close to Me”, and “Love Come Home.”

Divorce is not Kristine’s first life struggle.  She is a leukemia survivor, celebrating 15 years in remission this year.  She is also a survivor of the music industry that melted as a result of the digital revolution; a battle she counts as her biggest feat in life.   “Frankly, it has been a lot of work,” she concedes, “but I firmly believe in the power of music and it has certainly helped me through the toughest episodes of life.”

The three episodes of Issues are intended to take listeners on a journey, with songs relating to the subject of each episode.  Following Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies, Issues Episode 2: Struggles will deal with life’s battles including those associated with relationships, work, time management and self-esteem.  Then, Issues Episode 3: Redemption will celebrate life's small victories.  All thirty tracks of Issues will be released as a double album in early 2021.

“Life is about love and loss with fabulous triumphs and heart wrenching experiences,” Kristine W attests. “No one is getting through this journey unscathed.  We need to be there for each other with a sympathetic ear always remembering what may appear as ‘Just a Lie’ is likely more significant and complicated for the person going through it.”

Kristine W’s “Just a Lie” is available now on all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  The Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies album will be available February 2020; available for pre-order now. Fly Again Music is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of dance, pop and jazz culture.  For more information on Kristine W and her music, visit http://kristinew.com.

Kristine W "Just a Lie"

KRISTINE W PREPARES TO UNLEASH HER “ISSUES”


With New Single, “Just a Lie,” Out Now

Kristine W returns to the dance floor with Love and Lies, the first part of her three-episode Issues double-album that includes the #1 single “Stars” and her brand new single, “Just a Lie”. Being distributed globally through The Orchard, all eight songs on Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies deal with love in its complexities: the deception from others as well as the lies we tell ourselves. “Just a Lie,” the album’s second single, releases today.  The song was originally about death and the loss felt by those left behind, but it morphed into the single it is today after Kristine experienced a painful divorce.  “I realize now how similar divorce is to a death,” she explains.  “The grieving is intense.  It’s mourning the loss of the relationship, the breakup of the family, the betrayal, the time invested; so many things.  I was with my husband for a long time and we worked through so many challenges, I initially assumed we’d find our way through his infidelity, but what starts as just a lie sometimes grows into a tornado of betrayal and sometimes it’s best to just let go and let God guide you to your next chapter in life.”  Kristine W’s “Just a Lie” is available now on Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/episode-one-love-and-lies/1480309972) and all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  The Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies album will be available February 2020; available for pre-order now.  

“Learning there was a third person in our marriage turned out to be only the tip of the iceberg,” Kristine W reflects.  “There were layers of deceit including my ex leveraging our family home to purchase a house for his other family.”

“My friends have been rocks for me during this hard time,” she continues.  “Also, my kids have been incredibly supportive and so strong.  They serve as reminders that while the marriage may have given me the biggest heart break I would deal with in life, it also gave me my two greatest blessings in the world: my beautiful son and daughter.”

“Just a Lie” was produced in Amsterdam by Bob Sandee / Subgroover aka Crossnaders and they manage to give the emotional track a very cool, progressive, funky electro house vibe.  “I love the unique sound of the track,” Kristine says.  “The Bass line, in particular, is infectious.”   

Kristine W hails from Pasco, Washington. After winning titles as Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, she went on to pursue her educational and musical dreams in Las Vegas. There, she found success headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and being officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history, including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being officially sanctioned Kristine W day in the state of Nevada.

She began recording pop and dance tracks in 1994.  Her first track, “Feel What You Want” reached #1 and since then, Kristine W has had a steady flow of chart toppers.  Her latest single, “Stars” became her 17th Billboard #1.  She now ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most No. 1s since the chart’s August 28, 1976, inception. Madonna leads the chart with 46.

It’s been five years since the release of Kristine W’s last full-length album, New & Number Ones.  The 13-track album included re-edited versions of six of her classic songs as well as hit single “Everything That I Got”, “So Close to Me”, and “Love Come Home.” 

Divorce is not Kristine’s first life struggle.  She is a leukemia survivor, celebrating 15 years in remission this year.  She is also a survivor of the music industry that melted as a result of the digital revolution; a battle she counts as her biggest feat in life.   “Frankly, it has been a lot of work,” she concedes, “but I firmly believe in the power of music and it has certainly helped me through the toughest episodes of life.”

The three episodes of Issues are intended to take listeners on a journey, with songs relating to the subject of each episode.  Following Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies, Issues Episode 2: Struggles will deal with life’s battles including those associated with relationships, work, time management and self-esteem.  Then, Issues Episode 3: Redemption will celebrate life's small victories.  All thirty tracks of Issues will be released as a double album in early 2021.

“Life is about love and loss with fabulous triumphs and heart wrenching experiences,” Kristine W attests. “No one is getting through this journey unscathed.  We need to be there for each other with a sympathetic ear always remembering what may appear as ‘Just a Lie’ is likely more significant and complicated for the person going through it.”

Kristine W’s “Just a Lie” is available now on all digital retailers via Kristine’s own imprint, Fly Again Music Productions.  The Issues Episode 1: Love and Lies album will be available February 2020; available for pre-order now. Fly Again Music is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of dance, pop and jazz culture.  For more information on Kristine W and her music, visit http://kristinew.com.

Gone Too Soon, Scott Weiland

Scott Weiland
Keep On Rockin'

Addiction is an all to real thing. Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver were two of the best bands ever!

Of course do in no small part to one Mr. Scott Weiland. Who recently passed from cardiac arrest brought on by his addiction to drugs.

Such a great talent, cut short at age 48. Here is a musical memory of his legacy below. Plush by Stone Temple Pilots.

R.I.P. Your talent will live forever.

If you know someone who has addiction issues, please direct them to help. It's out there. Peace.