Happy Monday Minions! (say that three times fast) - I thought we would honor Pride Month with one of my favorite Pride Anthems today.
George Michal's "Freedom! '90." Shortly before officially coming out as gay in 1998, George Michael recorded "Freedom! '90", a track that explores his struggles with his personal identity. With lyrics like, “There’s something deep inside of me / There’s someone else I’ve got to be," this classic song endures as a powerful ode to embracing your honest self.
I'll leave you with the song and video below...Enjoy your week with Pride everyone!
INDEPENDENT PROJECT RECORDS ANNNOUNCES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ARCHIVAL SAVAGE REPUBLIC AFRICA CORPS LIVE FROM THE WHISKY A GO GO 30th DECEMBER, 1981 AND EXPANDED EDITION OF BRUCE LICHER’S EXPLORATORIUM ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Each Will Be Released Digitally and on CD with Vinyl Coming Later In The Year and Feature Hand-Letterpress Printed Die Cut Packaging with Inserts
Independent Project Records (IPR) confirmed today the release of two titles in late Summer, the previously unreleased archival concert, Savage Republic – Africa Corps Live at the Whisky A GoGo 30th December 1981 and an expanded edition of Bruce Licher’s self-titled experimental guitar project Exploratorium.
Both albums will be released on compact disc and via digital services on September 16; a vinyl version of the two releases will follow. Each will feature the iconic hand-letterpress printed die cut packaging by label founder Bruce Licher. Full track listing and further details will be announced shortly.
This soon-to-be-released Savage Republic/Africa Corps live album comes on the heels of the expanded Real Gone Music reissue of Tragic Figures. In their review of this 40th anniversary version of Savage Republic’s debut The Vinyl Guide recently wrote that “one of the more undersung (if not necessarily criminally overlooked) bands of the era is Savage Republic of Los Angeles, one of the few US outfits that can legitimately be described as post-punk in orientation”.
The upcoming IPR archival release Savage Republic - Africa Corps Live at The Whisky AGoGo 30th December 1981 fiercely catapults listeners in front of one of L.A.’s most iconic stages, back when a young band of UCLA students (Bruce Licher, Mark Erskine, Philip Drucker and Jeff Long), by then still called Africa Corps, was starting to make its way in the punk underground. The board recording original tape has now been remastered by Warren DeFever (His Name Is Alive) and unearths a most cathartic performance. Africa Corps had only been playing together for about eight months when this was recorded - in different hands this amalgamation of punk, industrial, art rock, psychedelia, Eastern sounds, avant-garde, no wave, surf and minimalism would have eventually proved contrived, pretentious, or at least confusing. But as the loud Whisky crowd - regulars mixing with friends, art school students mixing with tough punks - seems to suggest, with Savage Republic it worked, as if by magic. And as if by magic, it still does.
Originally released in 2006 as a mini-CDr in a limited edition of 300 signed and numbered copies, Exploratorium’s immersive selection of solo recordings by Savage Republic, Scenic and Independent Project Records founder Bruce Licher finally gets the expanded reissue treatment. The three original tracks are now accompanied by a fourth instrumental that ventures into atmospheric electronic territory. It’s a mesmerizing blend of ambient and post-rock, noisy shoegaze and pastoral melodic structures, droning avant-garde and soundtracks at their most sparse and yearning.
Additional IPR releases will be announced shortly and will feature both remastered and expanded IPR classics (and in some cases bring long out-of-print titles back in print) as well as new music that fits the IPR aesthetic both musically and in design. By utilizing IPR's iconic hand-letterpress printed artwork created at Independent Project Press, the label will carry on with the design aesthetic that began in 1980 and has become the label’s hallmark.
ABOUT
Founded in 1980 by musician and artist Bruce Licher, Independent Project Records has created more than sixty releases since its inception. IPR and its sister entity Independent Project Press are known for their instantly recognizable hand-printed record covers for bands including Camper Van Beethoven, For Against, Polvo, R.E.M., Savage Republic, Silversun Pickups, Stereolab and more. Aside from creating all artwork on his vintage two-ton hand-fed letterpress, Licher was nominated for a Grammy Award for his design work on the IPR released debut album from For Against. In 2020, the label was relaunched by both Licher and Jeffrey Clark with new and archival releases with distribution from Darla Records. It is based in Bishop, California, at the base of the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
For More Information, Please Contact Joshua Mills at
The Montalbán is honored to present Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey, the latest immersive live experience from World-renowned physicist, Professor Brian Cox for two nights, Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, 2022. Horizons is a celebration of our civilization, of our music, art, philosophy and science; an optimistic vision of our future if we continue to explore Nature with humility and to value ourselves and our fellow human beings. Cox will once again be joined by award-winning comedian Robin Ince, his co-host on the BBC’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Returning to the historic Montalbán (the site of his Cox’s last sold-out engagement in Southern California), the show will start at 8:00pm. Tickets cost $65. Located near the legendary corner of Hollywood and Vine, the venue is at 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. For information and tickets, please visit https://www.themontalban.com/briancox.
In the midst of a 29-city North America tour produced by WestBeth Entertainment, Horizons demystifies planetary science, cosmology, and quantum theory for an all-ages audience through advanced LED screen technology, comedy, and live Q&A. The tour will also visit arenas and theaters throughout the U.K., Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia. As the Edmonton Journalrecently wrote, “Only a handful of scientists can sell out arenas lecturing on some of the most complex issues vexing particle physicists today. Cox is one of them. His capacity to distill some of the most complex questions researchers ask about space, time and things above and beyond it into something the lay person can grasp is rare.”
Professor Brian Cox Photo: Mark Harrison
Horizons takes audiences on a dazzling cinematic journey; a story of how we came to be and what we can become. Using state of the art LED screen technology, venues will be filled with images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and a time before the Big Bang. What is the nature of space and time? Why does the Universe exist? How did life begin, how rare might it be and what is the significance of life in the Cosmos? What does it mean to live a small, finite life in a vast, eternal Universe? The deepest of questions will be explored using the latest advances in our understanding of quantum theory, black holes, biology, planetary science, astronomy and cosmology.
“I loved the 2019 world tour because it gave me the opportunity to discuss the most profound ideas with tens of thousands of people in front of the most spectacular images of the Universe,” stated Professor Cox. “When the tour was over, I immediately started thinking about how I could delve deeper, tell an even more profound story and make the show even more spectacular. I’m very excited about what has emerged! I hope the evening will make people think about how fortunate and precious we are, how strange and wonderful our Universe is, and the limitless future we have to look forward to if we make the right choices over the coming decades.”
Her Call-to-Action Song and Visual Encourages Queer People Be Proud, Keep Fighting and Shake Sh*t Up
Talia Keys is celebrating Pride month with the release of a new music video that calls for today’s queer generation to be loud and proud in who they are. Written and produced by Keys, “We’re Here” is a reggae inspired, feel good anthem that is broken into three parts. The first verse is about the internal struggles many LGBTQ youth face when their outward appearance doesn’t quite fit the societal mold. The second verse challenges them to smash the patriarchy of society’s expectations around gender binaries. Finally, the outro encouragesall to ownwho they arebecause by simply existing, they are changing the world into a better place.“We need to fight the status quo,” asserts Keys, “Because like it or not, We’re Queer, We’re Here and We aren’t going anywhere.” Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its music video is on YouTube.
“I was inspired to create ‘We’re Here’ because I grew up in Mormon Utah as a closeted queer Catholic girl,” Keys reflects. “Being different in Utah put a target on me. In school, I was bullied for being a Tomboy and then I became a bully to protect my secret.” When she finally came out in her mid-twenties, Talia, a successful musician, lost fans and gigs, but she kept her drive. Today, she uses her music and performances to preach the good word of love, acceptance and fucking shit up. “I see the stage as my platform to spread awareness.”
That message is echoed in the “We’re Here” music video. It was shot in an empty theater because, as Talia explains, “Sometimes it feels empty when you come out and the support you once had is gone. As queer people, though, we learn to be strong willed and to perform with our entire heart, even if it is to an empty room.” She also wanted to shed light on the fact that queer art is suffering during the pandemic.
The video features several queer, trans,enby artists and drag queens.“We’re Here” stars Madazon Can-Can, a gender non-binary drag king, burlesque dancer and clown. “I first saw Madazon Can-Can perform at our local Pride and was captivated by their ability to entertain rowdy queers, dance burlesque, shine as a drag king and make us laugh and cry as a clown,” Talia says. “When I began visualizing the We’re Here’ video, Iimmediately thought of Madazonwhose multifaceted talents would be able to convey the messageof the song.”
She also cast local drag artists Kay Bye (they/them), Lilia Maughn (she/her/they/them) and M’Lady Wood (she/her), as well as local musician Zaza Historia VanDyke (She/Her) in the music video and assembled an all-Queer crew to shoot the video.The award-winning filmmaker Melahn Atkinson (she/they) produced, filmed and edited “We’re Here.” Talia directed, produced and acted in the video. Ismene Vetas and Marz Catrow (they/them) long-time collaborators, were the additional camera operators.
Talia Keys is an activist-musician who has enjoyed a loyal following in Salt Lake City clubs for over a decade, and has made a name for herself on national tours and jam festivals from coast to coast. Growing up, she and her brother were raised by a single mother. Her dad struggled with addiction and his battles forced Talia to grow up sooner than one would expect.
Still, she was a kid with a big imagination and whether she was pretending to be Michael Jordan or impersonating Elvis Presley, Talia could entertain herself for hours. She began piano lessons at age 9, drums at 11, guitar at 16 and mandolin at 22. Music was always very prevalent throughout her youth, beginning with The Beatles and turning to Bob Marley in middle school. Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads were some of the other artists that played a big role in her musical development. She even had a Kris Kross phase (and yes, she wore her clothes backwards for a time). It opened Talia up to rap and hip hop and she became a huge fan of Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees and Blackalicious.
Talia Keys’ trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. While her physical appearance may scream LESBO, her music does not. It presents a modern twist on the rock n’ roll troubadour singing songs of struggle and ultimately, triumph.
Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its music video is on YouTube. Visit Talia’s website and follow her on Instagram @ taliakeys
It's Pride Month Minions! I thought to myself what better way to kick it off than with a Throwback Thursday blast from the past of Myself and Comedian Ian Harvie hanging before a Margaret Cho show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey, it doesn't get anymore LGBTQ than that now, does it??? I thought not.
This Pride Season I'm going to embrace my demons. French kiss them. Might f#ck them.
Memo to RHOBH, Ken Todd had it correct: "Goodbye Kyle!"
He will rise and give us free marshmallows!!! The more you know...
Overheard a son saying to his mom: "You are a liar and an abomination." Whatever your take on this, that kid has an expansive vocabulary.
Was thinking about how much I miss Prince the other day, so I drew a mustache on Rihanna
I've seen this movie, something's gonna crawl up in there. Wait for it.
"Coming out is the most political thing you can do" - Harvey Milk
I would love to go back to pre-stupid times
Woman Crush of the Week - This week it's a duo, Sarah Michelle Gellar & Selma Blair kissing in one of my favorite movies Cruel Intentions, That's Hot 💘
Here's some candy, now wipe your nose
TBH the whole thing really seemed like none of my business
Excuse me I've got "Peach Tree" dishes full of cells that need to be cultured
Remember being yourself is never the wrong thing to do
Today is Marilyn Monroe's Birthday! Thus I propose we Hump Day & Chill to an image from my favorite film she was in The Misfits with Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift.
Here's the 411 on it:
"While filing for a divorce, beautiful ex-stripper Roslyn Taber (Marilyn Monroe) ends up meeting aging cowboy-turned-gambler Gay Langland (Clark Gable) and former World War II aviator Guido Racanelli (Eli Wallach). The two men instantly become infatuated with Roslyn and, on a whim, the three decide to move into Guido's half-finished desert home together. When grizzled ex-rodeo rider Perce Howland (Montgomery Clift) arrives, the unlikely foursome strike up a business capturing wild horses."
Go all in, go hard, no regrets. Rinse and repeat. It’s kind of been a motto of the band Lit for a very long time. It doesn't always end well but it sure keeps it interesting and is the theme behind the band’s latest single, “Do It Again” HEREOf the track, “Do It Again” Lit says it’s about a dysfunctional relationship that you just can’t seem to say no to, because you like to see how crazy things might get. Could be a person, could be a substance, either way you kind of look forward to watching the wheels fly off the cart.” Watch the lyric video HERE
“Do It Again” follows Lit’s current radio single, “Mouth Shut” HERE. Whether you posted something that didn't go over well, or you accidentally sent a text to the wrong person, we all have had foot in mouth disease at some point. Sometimes you wish you would have just kept it to yourself is the impetus for“Mouth Shut.” You can watch the “Mouth Shut” lyric video HERE. Both tracks are off their long-awaited seventh studio album, Tastes Like Gold due June 17, 2022 Via Round Hill Records which you can pre-order HERE.
Lead guitarist Jeremy Popoff says, “We wanted to get back to the old school Lit sound with a modern day approach to the production. It took a minute to get our heads in the right place, especially with all of the craziness going on in the world. We started writing and making demos with Carlo Colasacco and YOUTHYEAR and we knew we had tapped into the vibe we were looking for. Tastes Like Gold is the album we wanted to make.”Tastes Like Gold,produced by Carlo Colasacco, YOUTHYEAR & Lit features No Doubt’s Adrian Young, Butch Walker and American Authors.
“Do It Again,” “Mouth Shut” and the autobiographical “Kicked Off The Plane”HERE follow “Yeah Yeah Yeah”- HERE (live performance video HERE & official video HERE) which was the first single from Tastes Like Gold.
Lit’s US tour is in full swing with a special upcoming hometown show in Anaheim, CA at House of Blues on June 17. Additional dates throughout the summer and fall are currently being added to the schedule including a show at Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI on July 2. All dates are on sale now HERE
Catch up with Ajay & Jeremy as they discuss some of their favorite albums with Spin MagazineHERE
In addition, Lit’s four part documentary style podcast about their iconic song, “MY OWN WORST ENEMY” that was produced for Round Hill Music by Osiris Media is available now. Listen to My Own Worst Enemy, The Podcast. Presented by Round Hill MusicHERE
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