Sunday, May 17, 2020

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
§  2nd 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.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Dreaming Of Smashing Pumpkins On The Blvd...

It's Cherie Currie!
Photo:
Robert Sebree
Cherie Currie is back with a new solo album produced by Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver).  Blvds of Splendor via Blackheart Records is available here: - https://music.apple.com/us/album/blvds-of-splendor/1506715461 

CLICK HERE to  listen & watch the lyric video to title track, "Blvds of Splendor" which was written by Billy Corgan and features Billy & Cherie sharing vocals.  "Blvds of Splendor" is one of the few tracks on the album to feature a live string section and reckons back to the sounds of Smashing Pumpkins "1979" era. 

Blvds of Splendor  features guest collaborations with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Slash and Duff from Guns N’ Roses, as well as Juliette Lewis, Brody Dalle, The Veronicas and drummer Matt Sorum,  



The special digital only release features three bonus tracks (including a remake of The Runaways classic “Queens of Noise” featuring Brody Dalle, The Veronicas, Juliette Lewis and Matt Sorum paying homage to late Runaways drummer Sandy West).  

View the Queens of Noise Recording Session  




Follow Cherie Currie:
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/cherie.currie.58
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cheriecurrieofficial/
Cherie Currie Official Website: cheriecurrie.com 
Learn more about Cherie and her chainsaw carving here: http://www.chainsawchick.com/about.html  

Friday, May 15, 2020

"Street Survivors"


STREET SURVIVORS:
The True Story Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash 

Coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats on June 30th 


STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash was scripted and directed by Jared Cohn (Devil's Revenge, Devil's Domain), produced by Brian Perera and co-produced by Tim Yasui for Cleopatra Entertainment. The biopic recreates the story about the ill-fated flight through the eyes of former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle (who narrates the film), who not only survived the plane crash that claimed the life of the band's founder and front man Ronnie Van Zant amongst others, but who also physically pulled the remaining survivors out of the plane wreckage before staggering towards the nearest farmhouse in rural Louisiana to seek help. Pyle also contributes original music to the film's soundtrack.
 
Says Pyle: "This film's story - MY story - is not just about the plane crash but also about my personal relationship with the genius that was Ronnie Van Zant - whom I loved like a brother and still miss to this day."
 
Cleopatra Entertainment completed an international festival run followed by a domestic theatrical run, which included personal appearances by Artimus Pyle, who introduced the film and participated in Q&As with the audience. Pyle also performed a live music concert with this band that featured the hit songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A worldwide VOD and home video release which will include a stand-alone official soundtrack CD are coming June 30th via MVD Entertainment Group.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Michael's Musings

Look! I'm A Push Me Pull You!!!
Michael Shinafelt
On this weeks saga of As The Quarantine Turns - Social Summer has officially been cancelled.? "Yes" Minions California has Stay At Home orders until September. Which is just as well because here in the land of lock down, while I have been exercising, it's not the gym and I have been eating out of boredom. Thus I don't have the Social Summer Body I would have wanted. There's always an upside!

This week's Netflix & Chill is a recommendation from my niece, Lindley Waters, "You" good call Lindley, I love it! Season Two is even better than the first!

Tik Tok is making a lot of hot people truly not do-able

Let's discuss our most  mundane celebrity encounters, shall we? Mine was with Julianne Moore at the now defunct Rexall on Beverly and LaCienega. I told her how much I loved one of her first films Safe, she smiled and said Thank You, then we moved on.

Sweat sock opera gloves, discuss...

This season of Vanderpump Rules feels like it's been on since the beginning of time. In case you were wondering, that is not a compliment.

If you like classic movies, check out this blog a friend of mine does: https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/

Shout out to the Thirst Responders (FYI not a typo)

During this time don't be a conversation killer. Seriously you don't want to be that person


Woman Crush of the Week - Shay Mitchell in You, she gives a deliciously bitchy performance as Peach Salinger 

There's nothing wrong with pretending your apartment is a piano bar and putting a tip jar on the end table, nothing at all

I had a dream with a lot of Cats & Dogs in it last night, that's all I remember about it, other than it was a pleasant one 😊

This weeks go to catch phrase: "Why don't you ask China that?"

I'm having a big bowl of frozen blueberries for breakfast, "Yes" I'm living my best life

My favorite thing about this time and place in the history of the world is ________ your assignment is to fill in the blank, surely you have something you like about it.

Wanna tell me what that was? You can find me here:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Hump Day & Chill

Meditate
Jennifer Aniston
“There’s usually some sort of meditation at that point. Usually 20 minutes, or 10 if I can’t get the full amount of time in. It’s a set [Transcendental Meditation mantra] that I do every time." - Jennifer Aniston 

With Summer officially being canceled due to the pandemic lock down, stress and anxiety levels are pretty high at present. Might I suggest you ask yourself: "What would Jennifer Aniston do?"

Meditate naturally. Honestly it's something so easy to do, and it makes you feel focused and less agitated and susceptible to negative or depressing energy and thoughts.

I know when I do it as I am fading off in my bed for the evening I wake up feeling amazing.

What's that you say? You don't know how to achieve this goal? Nonsense there are apps for it as well as online articles and instruction.

So let's make our Wednesday a little calmer and Hump Day & Chill with some meditation. Just do it! You'll thank me later 😃

Meditation on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

"Liars" For Charity


Got a secret, can you keep it? No, not really especially when it's about a Pretty Little Liars reunion! For those of you out of the loop I am huge PLL fan and they are reuniting this Friday for charity.

All proceeds from the to do will go to Feeding America and is spearheaded by Cast4Good, a creative new fundraising platform that was developed in response to the ongoing global health crisis to raise vital funds for charitable organizations and their relief efforts, the virtual event will feature a live panel and a fan Q&A, followed by one-on-one video chats with the actors and King.

Sounds like a blast! Now to decide who I would like to one on one with, so many "Liars" so little time...

Get your tickets at the link below...

https://www.cast4good.com/  

Monday, May 11, 2020

Sign O' The Times

I just want your extra time and your, Kiss
Selma Blair & Ron Carlson

Hello Minions, in case you are wondering it's Monday. This photo of Selma Blair and her guy Ron Carlson sharing a kiss while waiting for coffee in Studio City, CA perfectly captures a moment in time during this point of history of the world.

I mean come on, nothing says pandemic more then a masked kiss in public between two love birds. Except for perhaps the bird that is attacking people in my neighborhood. Yeah there's a bird who obviously is aggressive about defending it's nest even though it's up in a tree and the sidewalk is three feet away from it, when people walk by the bird starts making loud nasty noises and then comes at you. It pecked me and one of my neighbors (and more I'm sure I don't know about) in the back. So there's that going on too.

Too bad it was too frantic for me to catch a photo of, so now I walk on the opposite side of the street from the side my apartment building is actually on. Meh.

Enjoy your Monday, "Yes" it's Monday, really I promise 😎

Selma on IG -