Culture Editor Tom Wilmer reports from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee
Faith Morris External Affairs Officer at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
The Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 serves today as the powerful anchor of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Lorraine Motel-Room 306 where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Martin Luther King delivered his last speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee on March 3rd 1968. The next day King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel.
Twenty-three years later, the National Civil Rights Museum was unveiled on the site of the old Lorraine Motel.
Through powerful exhibits and interpretive displays the history and legacy of civil rights is showcased–from the arrival of the first slaves on the shores of America to lynchings, sit-ins, the Freedom Riders, Rosa Parks in Birmingham, Brown Vs. Board of Education, and the perpetuation of Jim Crow today.
Freedom Riders Greyhound bus firebombed by white supremacists in Alabama in 1961
Charred hulk of the firebombed Greyhound bus on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
The façade of the iconic Lorraine Motel was preserved chillingly intact complete with vintage autos parked out front, but on the inside of the motel rooms, past the curtains, is the massive museum.
Poignant displays include an intact burnt out Greyhound bus that was firebombed by white supremacists during Freedom Summer in 1961, and the original lunch counter from a powerful student sit-in that was captured on film in 1960.
School field trip to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
The museum is located on Mulberry Street in the heart of the South Main Arts District in downtown Memphis, six blocks from the Mississippi River.
If you go plan on spending a minimum of two or three hours to experience the highlights, but with dozens of historic films playing continuously, you could easily spend an entire day at the museum.
French singer/song-writer, TESS is taking her eclectic pop sound worldwide with her new video for “Dark But Beautiful” – out now on Republic / Casablanca Records. The track features striking drums and a lively beat elevated by TESS’s wondrously smooth voice. The video, which demonstrates TESS’s skill as a dancer and performer, takes place in the middle of a picturesque desert.
Teaming up with video producer Clémence Demesme allowed them to tell TESS’s tale through the medium of contemporary dance. “Dark But Beautiful is a radiant and genuine single.” explains Clémence Demesme, “I imagined TESS and her tribe as the symbol of a daring and heart-to-heart generation. With them, we go through the desert, the night, the abysses, but we always find the light and move forward together.”
Fascinated by music that shaped her generation, TESS has always been influenced by a range of musical pioneers. This includes Rihanna, Major Lazer, Drake and Radiohead who made a heavy appearance in her childhood years. Mastering the guitar to absolute perfection, TESS soon developed the gift of covering popular tracks.
Honing in on trademark sounds to eventually write originals of her own. Known for writing and producing her other tracks such as, Endlessly, which premiered on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show and Love Gun, which received support from music icon Elton John and amassed 17+ million global streams. This multi-talented musician shows nothing but drive and persistence to continue the successful road she’s already found herself on.
Increasing excitement among fans, it lands just one week prior to the arrival of her hotly anticipated full-length debut, ULTRAVIOLET [Roc Nation/Republic Records], out next Friday January 19, 2018. Pre-order HERE.
“Heaven” shows yet another side of JUSTINE. Carried by her expansive vocal range and magnetic charisma, it lives up to its title with a definitive and divine energy.
Notably, it follows up a string of buzzing singles from ULTRAVIOLET. “Back For More” generated over 2.5 million Spotify streams and counting, while “Don’t Think About It” clocked more than 1.1 million Spotify streams. Check out the high energy, nineties dance-inspired music video for “Don’t Think About It”HERE.
Get ready for ULTRAVIOLET!
JUSTINE SKYE has been quietly and diligently inching towards the top of pop since 2014. Produced exclusively by GRAMMY® Award-winning visionary The Dream, her 2016 EP 8 Ounces earned praise from the likes of Billboard, The Fader, Genius, and more as Wonderland Magazine proclaimed her a “musical prodigy on the rise.” Her sphere of influence dramatically expanded yet again in 2017 as she became an ambassador for both True Religion and Forever 21 in addition to making her big screen debut in Green Dolphin.
Børns released their new album Blue Madonna Jan. 12 on Interscope Records.
1. God Save Our Young Blood feat. Lana Del Rey
2. Faded Heart
3. Sweet Dreams
4. We Don’t Care
5. Man
6. Iceberg
7. Second Night of Summer
8. I Don’t Want You Back
9. Tension (Interlude)
10. Supernatural
11. Blue Madonna
12. Bye-bye Darling
SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT 3/30 – NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
“Its opening uses a lone voice above sustained keyboard chords; by the end, horns and a choir have joined in without disturbing the dignified farewell.” – The New York Times
Her has shared the music video for their new single “We Choose”, directed by Antoine Poulet and Giorgio Martinoli. “We Choose” is the Her’s first release since the untimely passing of co-founder Simon Carpentier following a long bout with cancer. On “We Choose,” Victor Solf carries haunting verses into a hypnotic refrain with an airy sonic palette and classic soul style punctuated by Carpentier’s final vocal performance. The new song and video also herald the arrival of their anxiously awaited self-titled full-length debut, Her [Republic Records] — out March 30, 2018 and available now for pre-order, here.
The video for “We Choose” was shot in Paris, in the prestigious Palais d’Iéna and was directed by Giorgio Martinoli (Creative Director at l’Optimum and l’Officiel) and Antoine Poulet (who has worked with Louis Vuitton, Yves St Laurent, and on videos for Lana Del Rey, Woodkid and The Shoes). On the song and video, Her’s Victor Solf explains,
“‘We Choose’ was the first Her song we wrote after our previous band ended. We wrote it overnight. It was a statement about why we were continuing and about this strong faith we had into our music because we couldn’t do anything else. It’s the song with which we were opening all of our live shows for the past 18 months, and it felt like the right moment to release it now—as a reason why Her needs to pursue this quest for hope and life.”
“The video tries to illustrate the impossible: the absence of Simon, half of Her and my closest collaborator for 10 years. There is a sort of beautiful melancholia to the video. The basic premise was ‘what would we do if Simon was still here?’ So everything is framed for two and meant for Simon to have a place of expression.”
LISTEN AND SHARE THE NEW SINGLE FROM HER, “WE CHOOSE” HERE
““In the grander scheme, it’s a bridge between Her’s humble beginnings and their uncertain future where the question of moving forward continues to present itself. However, Solf approaches this challenge with the same determination as on Her’s first day.”– Billboard.com
While still in school, the half-German Victor and the French Simon met in 2007, bonded like long lost brothers, started making music together equally informed by old school soul a la Otis Redding and post-Yeezus hip-hop, and formed Her in 2015. Success followed as the breakout “Five Minutes” soundtracked Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign and eventually generated over 6.7 million Spotify streams. The duo released a pair of EPs Her Tape #1 and Her Tape #2, spawning fan favorites such as “Quite Like,”“Union,” and “Her” and amassing over 20 million cumulative Spotify streams. Merging artfully seductive and provocative visuals and dreamy newer wave pop with a jazz undercurrent, the boys crisscrossed the globe in support of the EPs, including making waves stateside. In the middle of it all, unbeknownst to anyone but those closest to him, Simon lost a long, quiet, and arduous battle with cancer in August 2017. With his friend’s spirit always close by, Victor worked on what would become the duo’s 2018 major label full-length debut, Her [Republic Records].
ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS
A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Aminé, Black Sabbath, DNCE, Florence + the Machine, Gotye, Hailee Steinfeld, James Blake, James Bay, John Mellencamp, Jordan Smith, Julia Michaels, Keith Richards, Kid Cudi, Liam Payne, Marian Hill, Of Monsters and Men, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings (The Avett Brothers, Towkio), Boominati Worldwide (Metro Boomin), Brushfire (Jack Johnson), Casablanca Records (Giorgio Moroder, KUNGS, Tïesto), Cash Money (Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj), Hollywood Records (Sofia Carson, Zendaya), Lava Records (Greta Van Fleet, Jessie J, Lorde), Monkeywrench (Pearl Jam), XO (The Weeknd), Roc Nation (Belly, Justine Skye, The Dream), Tuff Gong (Damian Marley), Victor Victor Records (D Savage, Ski Mask The Slump God), among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with country powerhouse Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift), and Universal Music Latin Entertainment (Luis Fonsi, J Balvin). In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey, SING), Fox TV (Lee Daniels’ STAR), and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises.
The world of festivals and consumer events has evolved. Today, people travel far and wide to come together and celebrate more unique interests, hobbies and passions. Hertz Europe has put together the ultimate European road trip festival guide for 2018 as festivals are a great way to experience a destination in a unique and different way. Hertz Europe has paired preferred vehicles for each festival based on the destination as an added bonus to explore the road less traveled.
Venice Carnival – Italy
January 27 – February 8, 2018
Head to the world famous festival known for its elaborate masks, Venice Carnival, while exploring the city’s backroads via Hertz Europe recommended Fiat 500 Cabrio with its ability to navigate large crowds.Throughout the festival experience a water performance on the canals, best mask contest, parade, street shows, extravagant ball and more.
St. Patrick’s Festival – Ireland
March 15-19, 2018
Looking for some Irish luck to last you throughout 2018? Head to Dublin for the annual St. Patrick’s Festival where leperchon’s and pots of gold aren’t the main attraction as the climax to the four-day carousing spree is the parade held on March 17th. The event is as much about participation as it is about spectacle. Traditional Irish dancing spills into the streets, green-clad revelers cheer through the pubs, annual boat races and a massive exhibition of Gaelic football and hurling cap off the festival in high spirits. It is highly advised to rent a car for airport transportation in Dublin and of course to explore Ireland’s countryside- Hertz Europe recommends a VW Touaregfor it’s smooth ride throughout the windy countryside.
Isle of Wight Festival – UK
June 21-14, 2018
Rock out this summer at one of the UK’s most famous music festivals- dating back to its debut in 1968. It’s hall of fame includes a rock-tactic, pop-filled, dance-ackee lineup such as David Bowie, Jay Z, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and more. Since there are no direct commercial flights to the Isle of Wight the best way to get to the island is via car and ferry that way once you arrive on the island you have transportation to explore the wonders of Isle of Wight. Hertz Europe recommends cursing around in Ferrari California to feel the wind in your hair and smells the sweet sea breeze of the island.
Running of the Bulls – Spain
July 6 – 14, 2018
Run with a heard of bulls for a once in a lifetime experience at the nine-day festival of Sanfermines in honor of Saint Fermin in Pamplona. The best way to experience this city in Spain is via car where Hertz Europe recommends a Mini Cooper Cabrio– small enough to squeeze through the city streets with a convertible option to see and smell the city of Pamplona. The first 24 hours of the San Fermin festival is quite the celebration where the city doesn’t sleep and guests follow suit. Towards the closing of the festival, the city calms down with an intimate candlelight ceremony capped by fireworks and marching bands.
Oktoberfest – Germany
September 22 – October 7, 2018
Prost! Wear your finest lederhosen while sipping on a stein filled with German beer at Munich’s annual Oktoberfest- think Disneyland for adults. As Germany is known for having some of the best scenic roads and highways, skip taking the train from the airport into downtown Munich and rent a Hertz Europe recommended Range Rover Sport for fast and easy accessibility into the city center with an added bonus of experiencing the road less traveled along the way. Oktoberfest is one of the most famous events and the world’s largest fair with six million people attending everyone year filled with Bavarian traditions and feasts.
As I boarded the flight to Quito from Miami airport, I left my expectations unchecked (as I usually do with my carry-on luggage. I’ve learned to pack light). I arrived 4 hours later at my 21st international destination. Ecuador has always been high on my list of places to see so I figured I might as well add it to my goal of visiting 30 countries before 30. Mariscal Sucre International is on the smaller side, as far as international airports go, and is easy to navigate. Outside the customs and baggage area, there is a host of ground transportation options, such as taxis or buses, and I was able to nab a seat on one of the buses without difficulty. The Aeroservicios bus was both efficient and cost effective (approx $9 one way, air conditioned, and free WiFi). The new Quito airport is quite a hike from Centro, the downtown area, so you can expect at least an hour ride. Hailing a cab from the central station will get you to the city center in 15 minutes or less and should cost no more than $8. Some conversational Spanish is recommended to engage in conversation with cab drivers and with the locals in general.
Being new to solo travel, I tend to gravitate towards urban and expat areas when selecting accommodations. These areas typically have great access to public transportation and are, for the most part, safe. Hostels are an inexpensive accommodation and have become my go-to for short trips. While in Quito, I lodged at Hostal L’Auberge Inn, a quaint, locally run B&B near the downtown area. The homey atmosphere, friendly staff and awesome on-site restaurant made me fall in love with this place. The rooms are cleaned daily and the front desk staff are extremely knowledgeable about the sights and happenings in Quito. Location is paramount as well and I soon found that I was, in fact, very close to all the action.
Plaza Foch, also called “La Zona”, is a well-known block that is extremely friendly to foreigners – so much so that the locals endearingly refer to it as “Gringolandia.” Needless to say, this was the perfect place for me to start. On any given night the square is full of activity. Locals of Quito, known as Ticos, and foreigners alike hang out at bars and restaurants until all hours of the night. Nightlife is unpretentious and people are very approachable. Most bars are centered around the square. It’s definitely worth stumbling into a few. There’s something for everyone however karaoke, jazz and hip hop bars seemed among the most popular. I frequented Touch, an intimate, LGBTQ friendly bar/dance club. It’s impossible to be a wallflower around here; everyone loves to dance. I found myself unable to resist the blare of Latin dance music mixed with Top 40.
I recommend El Espanol for a casual cafe-style meal before a night out. I chose a sandwich with pechuga de pollo (chicken breast) and two glasses of wine which was more than satisfactory. The morning after I headed to the periphery of the plaza and found local eateries serving desayunos (breakfast) and almuerzos (lunch) complete with an appetizer and entree for as little as $3.
My daytime strolls through the city quickly acclimated me to the high elevation of the region. The winding streets and hilly terrain of Quito deem it a true Andean City. As the second highest capital in the world, it lies extremely elevated at 9,350’ (2,850 m) above sea level. The views from TelefériQo- the city’s cable car attraction- are absolutely breathtaking and allow one to take in the entirety of this sprawling metropolitan area. Truly a must see!
As its namesake suggests (República del Ecuador translates to Republic of the Equator) the true hallmark of Ecuador is Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). Truly a once in a lifetime experience, here you can actually see where North, South, East and west converge and be at the center of it all. I literally straddled the northern and Southern Hemisphere. The tourist center features tons of local vendors and museums, an exhibition on cacao and even a brewery tour. Another highlight is the Egg challenge in which you can attempt to balance an egg on a nail-a tribute to the force that governs all things on earth, gravity.
My recent visit to Quito was both thrilling and centering. Standing on the equator was unbelievably sobering and solidified my wanderlust. Plaza Foch gave me a few unforgettable nights under the lights. Looking into the valley atop TelefériQo was perspective-shifting and reminded me of the reasons I choose to explore and discover myself and the big world around me. On a weeklong trip to Quito you can expect incredible food, exciting nightlife and sights and sounds you won’t experience elsewhere. Si te vas…
Tune in TONIGHT at 9 PM ET/PT to watch the broadcast premiere of the
concert special on AT&T*AUDIENCE Network
via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114
Click (HERE) for a sneak peek of Bea’s performance (sweet little unforgettable thing)
BeaMiller brings her indomitable voice to the concert stage in this intimate performance of songs off her recently released EPs: chapter two: red and chapter three: yellow.
Miller is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album, which she created with Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Sir Nolan, Jesse Shatkin, Pop & Oak, Ilsey and Nick Jonas, among others. Itߣs been a year-long project ߝ an anthology of EP releases chapter one: blue, chapter two: red and chapter three: yellow that will culminate with her second full-length Hollywood Records album (which will include 5 additional new songs).
Los Angeles singer/songwriter Harry Hudson releases his new song “Yellow Lights.” The vulnerable piano-led ballad was written by Hudson, and co-produced by fellow MSFTSmusic artist ¿Téo? and platinum recording artist gnash. “Yellow Lights” is a raw and sincere confession of unrequited love. “Yellow Lights” follows “Cry For Love” as Hudson’s second official release on the MSFTSmusic/Roc Nation label through their Interscope Records partnership.
“There are so many yellow light moments in a relationship. It represents the point in time when you’re forced to go all in or stop everything completely,” says Harry.
His upcoming LP is a musical memoir that ties together his folk-rock and pop influences with his personal journey of self-discovery after recovering from cancer treatment. For more information about Harry Hudson check out www.harryhudsonmusic.com.
“Yellow Lights” is now available at all digital retailers, you can take a listen HERE.
Los Angeles rock ‘n’ roll torchbearers BLACK VEIL BRIDES return with their fifth full-length and biggest, boldest, and best offering to date, VALE [LAVA/Republic Records]. Get it HERE.
Upon going live last night, the album immediately launched to the top of multiple iTunes charts. Currently, in the US alone it holds the #1 spot on iTunes Top Rock Albums Chart and continues to occupy a spot in the Top 5 of the Overall Top Albums Chart. Internationally, VALE also peaked at #1 on the Rock Album Chart in Australia and the UK, Top 5 on the overall UK iTunes Album Chart and debuted in the Top 10 on the Overall Album Chart in nearly 25 countries.
Stacked with rafter-reaching, arena-size hits, Vale has quickly shaped up as a fan favorite. The single “My Vow” has already cracked 1.1 million Spotify streams with “When They Call My Name” and “The Last One” not far behind. Loudwire fittingly described the new set as “anthemic.”
To celebrate the release, Black Veil Brides also shared the music video for the new single “Wake Up.” The song, which captured a spot on Spotify’s New Music Friday, comes with a cinematic worthy video that features Black Veil Brides as the leaders of a rebellion against evil fictitious world leaders. Check it out HERE!
Audiences get the opportunity to experience these songs live as the group co-headlines North America with Asking Alexandria. It’s underway now!
Check out the full itinerary below and purchase tickets here!
To keep in touch with the band, join the new BVB ARMY and be the first to get news by Text Message! Sign up at www.BVBARMY.com OR Text BVBV to 856-282-2769
BLACK VEIL BRIDES have shocked and electrified modern rock back to life. Their critically acclaimed self-titled fourth album, Black Veil Brides, bowed in the Top of the Billboard Top 200 and received “Album of the Year” at the 2015 Alternative Press Music Awards. It followed up 2013’s Wretched and Divine, which crashed the Top 200 at #7 and yielded the signature smash “In The End” proclaimed “Song of the Year” at the Revolver Golden God Awards. Playing to millions of rabid fans worldwide, they’ve ignited festivals such as Download and Rock on theRange and been tapped for high-profile tours with Avenged Sevenfold, Slash, Mötley Crüe, Hollywood Undead, and more.
