Posts made in July 2021

Lord Huron – Love Me Like You Used To

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Lord Huron released the official music video for their song “Love Me Like You Used To” off their critically acclaimed album Long Lost.

Watch Lord Huron’s “Love Me Like You Used To” official music video HERE

Stream Long Lost via Whispering Pines Studios Inc./Republic Records HERE.

The video shows a mysterious woman exploring the Whispering Pines Museum. As she explores the memorabilia, paying homage to Tubbs Tarbell and the artists of Whispering Pines Studios, the true purpose of her visit becomes clear.

Recently, the band announced new dates for their Long Lost fall 2021 headline tour, their first shows in support of Long Lost, including top billing at Ohana Encore Festival alongside Pearl Jam and Beck. The tour kicks off in Philadelphia on September 9th and hits a variety of outdoor venues in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Portland and other markets across the country, with Allison Ponthier and Andy Shauf opening on select dates. See full list of tour dates below, click HERE for more info and ticket links.

Lord Huron continues to celebrate their success of recent album Long Lost, which has garnered nearly 50 million streams and counting, captured the #1 on The Americana/Folk Album and Tastemaker Albums Chart, #2 on Vinyl Albums & Alternative Albums chart, #3 Top Rock Albums Chart, #4 Top Album Sales Chart and #23 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album also received critical acclaim from the likes of Wall Street Journal, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR, American Songwriter, All Music, Uproxx, WNYC, Flood, JamBase and more all praising the immersive world Lord Huron has created with Long Lost. Not to mention, it has captured a 88 score on Metacritic which summarizes all critical and user reviews of an album from across the globe.

Recently the band performed “Mine Forever” on The Late Late Show with James Corden, “I Lied” with Allison Ponthier on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, three songs on CBS This Morning: Saturday, “Not Dead Yet” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a live set on NPR’s World Café.

Whispering Pines

Fans across the country have been noticing vinyl from the Whispering Pines back catalog showing up in various sections of record stores across the country. Notably, the artists who originally recorded the vinyl were seen in numerous episodes of Alive From Whispering Pines. This isn’t the first time that the merchandise, music and memorabilia from Whispering Pines studios has suddenly appeared, as fans have already found items for sale recently on CraigsList, Reverb, and Discogs.

During its first episode, viewers were introduced to Mr. Tubbs Tarbell, fell under the spell of commercials that may very well be lost tapes from the past, and were treated to some incredible performances by Lord Huron. The band played some old songs including “Meet Me In The Woods” (view video here) and provided a sneak peek at some new songs. The episode also featured a hotline where fans could call in and ask Mr. Tarbell questions and request songs from the band. Episode 2 included additional cryptic clues, more beautiful performances from Lord Huron (including “The World Ender” and “Frozen Pines”) and even the secret world premiere of “Mine Forever.” Episode 3 included a long awaited performance of “The Night We Met,” “The Balancers Eye,” and fan favorite “Ghost on The Shore.” In case you missed the performances of “The Night We Met” Watch HERE. The final episode featured a performance of “I Lied” with Allison Ponthier herself and tied up the four episode story of Alive From Whispering Pines and set the stage for Long Lost.

In the beginning of this new era, Tubbs put out an official letter into the multi-verse from Whispering Pines Studios describing the mythical tale of recording Long Lost with Lord Huron and the origins of its cosmic music. Read the full letter HERE.

What could be in store for the band next? Only time will tell…As Tubbs says: “As ever, friends, may you live until you die”

About Lord Huron

Lord Huron first made a name for themselves with their debut album Lonesome Dreams and shortly after Strange Tales, which featured the triple-platinum single “The Night We Met.” In 2018, Lord Huron earned widespread critical acclaim with their first Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 2—with their third album, Vide Noir. A cinematic collection of pensive provocative, and powerful rock, the record garnered praise from NPR, Time, Los Angeles Times, Spin, Stereogum, Refinery29, UPROXX, and more as singles such as “Wait by the River” (which the band performed on “Late Night with Seth Meyers”) and “When the Night is Over” generated tens of millions of streams. Their recent album Long Lost, featuring #1 song “Not Dead Yet” debuted #1 on The Americana/Folk Album and Tastemaker Albums Chart, #2 on Vinyl Albums & Alternative Albums chart, #3 Top Rock Albums Chart, #4 Top Album Sales Chart and #23 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also received critical acclaim from the likes of Wall Street Journal, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR, American Songwriter, All Music, Uproxx, WNYC, Flood, JamBase and more all praising the immersive world Lord Huron has created with the album and its four part live event Alive From Whispering Pines featuring mysterious character Tubbs Tarbell. In addition, the band went on to perform “Mine Forever” on The Late Late Show with James Corden, “I Lied” with Allison Ponthier on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, CBS This Morning: Saturday, “Not Dead Yet” on Jimmy Kimmel Live and a live set on NPR’s World Café. The band’s extensive touring includes headline shows at some of the most storied venues in the country (including the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, and the Ryman Auditorium) and prime slots at festivals ranging from Coachella to Lollapalooza to Bonnaroo and more.

Jena Rose – Checkmate

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INDEPENDENT ARTIST JENA ROSE HITS 5-WEEK STREAK WITH LIFESIZE CHESS MUSIC VIDEO

CHECKMATE IN THE TOP 10 ON MTV

THE RISING SINGER/SONGWRITER JOINS HARRY STYLES, CNCO, ZAYN AND MORE IN THE FAN-VOTED RANKINGS FOR THE 5TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK

Watch the video HERE

Cuban-American gen-Z artist Jena Rose hit a 5-week streak on MTV’s Friday Livestream with Kevan Kenney, joining a-list artists including Harry Styles and Zayn in the fan-voted Top 10 rankings. The larger-than-life music video, Checkmate, released via Gem Street Music and Sweety High, was inspired by The Queen’s Gambit and her lifelong fascination with chess. The pop track visually follows Jena as she takes the power back in a toxic relationship. Watch HERE.

Since releasing Checkmate in June, Rose has experienced tremendous momentum across social media and DSPs. By the numbers, Checkmate has generated 4.65M total views and streams, 450K monthly Spotify listeners and 70K new TikTok followers. Additionally, the Checkmate sound has been used in 8.3K videos and her TikTok audience has increased by 70K followers.

The single kicks off an exciting new chapter for Jena Rose and prepares listeners for her forthcoming debut EP Baby, Maybe. The project is slated for release later this year and will feature collaborations with all-star co-writers/producers including Nick Furlong and John Feldmann (Blink 182, Panic! At The Disco).

Christened a tour de force by American Songwriter, Jena has toured with Aly & AJ, Echosmith and Why Don’t We, attended NYFW (dressed in Alice+Olivia, Anna Sui, Tom Ford, etc), and worked on brand partnerships with Tommy Hillfiger, FabFitFun and MAC.

ABOUT JENA ROSE

Growing up with a father who immigrated from Cuba and a mom raised in Chicago, Jena was inspired by a wide array of musical influences from a very young age. Displaying a precocious talent early on, she started playing her own songs on tour with AJR, Echosmith and Why Don’t We when she was only 17-years-old. Trained as a multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer, with over 1M social followers and 10M likes, she is an artist to watch in 2021. Gearing up for a slate of releases, fashion week, and her debut EP, Rose will be back on tour just as soon as the world allows.

For more information on Jena Rose please visit her website, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and TikTok.

ABOUT GEM STREET MUSIC

Gem Street Music, based in LA and Nashville, was created as a solution to a new music market that requires artists to drive continual growth across their digital platforms. Their core business, spanning from A&R and content production to growth and distribution, delivers the cultural scale essential to building real fan bases and driving positive ROI. Owning one of the largest Gen Z platforms and growth networks in the U.S. (Sweety High and Social Impact), they leverage their diverse audiences and employ innovative, collateralized strategies for both established stars and promising newcomers.

FEDERICO BARONI RELEASES DOUBLE VERTICAL MUSIC VIDEO

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The Italian singer Federico Baroni is the first artist in the world to release on YouTube a double vertical music video, for his brand-new record “JACKPOT,” available on all digital platforms via Warner Music Italy. You can stream the song HERE.

The double vertical music video is a special format in which two different music videos are both shot vertically and uploaded on YouTube separately as side right and side left. When two smartphones are close to each other and the videos start together, the viewer can see the full story, in which scenography and animations result in one single video. The left version is available HERE, and the right version is available HERE.

In the “Jackpot” music video, shot by Davide Bastolla (Bastimotion), Federico meets Chricchio (Christian Dei), an average teenage boy going through the typical problems of his age, such as love troubles and fights against school bullies. When Federico runs into Chricchio, he gives him a special walkman that completely changes Chricchio’s life. Chricchio overcomes all of his fears and manages to win the girl of his dreams over—played by the famous Italian TikToker Jennifer Preda.

“The double vertical music video idea came to my mind even before writing the record. During the pandemic I set myself the goal to create something completely innovative, capable of bringing people together through social platforms,” Federico Baroni says. “I tried to tell the story behind the song through the music video. My life as a teenager was very similar to Chricchio’s: music changed everything for me, and this happens to him as well. I wanted to show how it is best to simply enjoy life, rather than letting social and psychological factors become our own limit. Music can save us in difficult moments, and I hope that my song ‘Jackpot’ can make people smile.”

“Jackpot” was written by Federico Baroni and Federico Sambugaro Baldini and produced by Riccardo Scirè. The song was released two years after “Non pensarci,” Federico’s first album which peaked #22 of the FIMI (the Italian Weekly Music Chart of the bestselling albums) on its release date and was presented to the public with the first Italian “outstore.”

“Jackpot” is a pop song, reflecting on the importance of freedom in our life. Behind a funky rhythm, there is a deep analysis of what life has been during the past year, with our own freedom being strongly limited.

Federico Baroni states, “In the first part of ‘Jackpot,’ I sing about how sometimes we only have futile desires and go after appearance rather than substance. Thanks to music, I realized that the most important thing is sharing moments with our loved ones—this is what the second part of the song is about. Freedom is fundamental to live happily with ourselves and others. With ‘Jackpot,’ I want my listeners to think about what we have taken for granted before and what we really learned to appreciate in the past year.”

ABOUT FEDERICO BARONI:

Federico Baroni was born in Rimini in 1993 and he is the most followed Italian busker on social media (+40K follower on Instagram, +2 million streams, +27K subscriptions and 4 and half million views on YouTube, +20K on Facebook). At the age of 18, he moved to Rome, where he studied Economics and Management and attended the master’s in music business at the LUISS University. At the age of 21, he began to write music and to perform as a busker. In 2015, he embraced a Summer Tour, busking all over Italy and documenting the experience on his social media. In 2016, he participated to the auditions for “The X Factor.” During the same year, Federico was the guest of “Edicola Fiore,” the show of Fiorello, one of the two presenters of Sanremo 2020 and 2021. In 2017, he was one of the cast members of “Amici,” the most followed Italian talent show. After this experience, Federico released his debut single “Spiegami,” performed for important brand and events such as Bulgari and Grand Prix Formula E, and shared the stage with Emma Marrone in Rome. In April 2019, Federico released the song “Profumo” and “Non pensarci,” his first album, which was presented to the public with the first Italian “outstore” in Milan and peaked at #22 of the FIMI (the Italian Weekly Music Chart of the bestselling albums) on his first week. In the same year, Federico was the opening act for Max Gazzè and James Morrison. Federico is currently writing his second album, which is produced by the multi-platinum producer Riccardo Scirè.

image from Silvia Santoriello for use by 360 Magazine — Photo credit: Andrea Sacchetti

Neutrall’s Sustainable Glassware

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5 Things to Know About Sustainable Glassware

Neutrall, a company making sustainable glassware, helps uncover the beauty behind the glass

Most people have no idea about their glassware beyond whether or not they like the pattern or look of them. They don’t know what it took to get to their kitchen, the materials that were used, or whether or not they are environmentally friendly. One company that specializes in providing sustainable glassware wants to change all that, leading people to become more aware of what they are purchasing, and why it matters in the first place.

When people learn about glass and sustainability efforts, then they really do care about them, explains Sarah Scott Mitchell, co-owner of Neutrall, a company specializing in sustainable glassware. It’s important that people have access to the information so they can make informed choices when it comes to purchasing items for their homes. We want to help people make healthier and sustainable choices for their families, and we are doing it one glass at a time.

The largest exporter of glassware in the world is China. They exported $18 billion worth of glassware in 2020, with much of it landing on store shelves in the United States. While people don’t give it much thought when they are looking at the product, those glasses traveled 11,000 miles to reach the store shelf. Add that to the issue that we don’t know all the regulations in place when creating the glass. Some glassware can be potentially dangerous, having high levels of lead and cadmium that can enter our bodies when drinking out of them.

Those looking for a more sustainable and safer option should consider sustainable glassware that is made in the USA. Companies in the USA are kept to higher safety standards, and the product is already much more environmentally friendly because it’s made closer to home. Here are 5 things to know about sustainable glassware from Neutrall.

Upcycling. Rather than starting with fresh raw materials, sustainable glass is made through an upcycling process. This is when previously used glass is taken and reused to make something better, the sustainable glassware.

Packaging. Sustainable glassware comes in eco-friendly packaging, so there is zero waste. The packaging is made from recycled materials and can be recycled.

Carbon offsets. All glassware purchased through Neutrall provides the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets, which guarantees that there is no carbon footprint.

Durability. The glasses are strong and durable, which ensures that they will last a long time. Sustainable glasses are something that will not need to be replaced for a long time, thus reducing resource usage.

Commitment. Sustainable glassware helps people keep the commitment they made to being environmentally friendly. It provides a simple way to obtain the items needed, but not create waste in obtaining them.

Sustainable glassware is a step in the right direction for anyone who wants to be the change in the world, added co-founder Ernesto Humpierres. It makes people feel good to know they are doing good, and we are happy to know we help make that possible. We have the most eco-friendly glassware that money can buy.

Neutrall was created by Mitchell and Humpierres, who live in Austin, Texas, with their young twins. She has devoted her career to conservation, and currently serves as the director for Cook’s Branch Conservancy, where she helps to restore natural ecosystems. Humpierres, who has a career background working in a variety of business settings, also prioritizes conservation and sustainability. Together they wanted to set the example of how conservation and sustainability are compatible with business models. Thus, Neutrall was born.

All Neutrall glassware is made in the USA, upcycled, sustainable, and is shipped in eco-friendly packaging. The first product launched by Neutrall is a set of two upcycled 8-ounce glass cups that are shipped in sustainable packaging. The sturdy and compact glasses are great for morning juices and drinks, and great for small hands. They are great for families, and to give as gifts for weddings and house warmings. Those who sign up to get the company’s free newsletter can save 12% off their purchase. To get more information about Neutrall or place an order, visit the site.

About Neutrall

Neutrall is a glassware company offering a product line that is sustainable, eco-friendly, and carbon-neutral. The glasses are completely made from upcycled discarded glass. The company was founded by a career conservationist and business leader, who believe that sustainability can be a part of every business model. The products are all made in the USA, and the company is based in Austin, Texas. To get more information about Neutrall, visit the site.

Nyame Brown Featured at Oakland Museum of California

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Nyame Brown Large-scale Blackboard Painting What’s Your Black? in Mothership: Voyage Into Afrofuturism at the Oakland Museum of California

Exhibition Opening Saturday, August 7, 2021

Nyame Brown will be featured in Mothership: Voyage Into Afrofuturism at the Oakland Museum of California, opening August 7, 2021 and on view through February 27, 2022. The exhibition explores Afrofuturism as a strategy that imagines the world through a Black cultural lens and strives for a more just present and future. Curated by OMCA Curator Rhonda Pagnozzi and Consulting Curator Essence Harden, the exhibition celebrates Black imagination and includes the work of over 50 artists—including Wangechi Mutu, David Huffman, and Chelle Barbour, among others—historians, musicians, and collaborators. The show highlights the key role that the fantasy and science fiction of Afrofuturism has, as a strategy for Black community building by envisioning the African Diaspora and Black culture as central in a technically advanced and culturally rich civilization.

Brown—an Afrofuturist installation artist working in the media of painting, drawing, cut paper, blackboards, augmented reality, gaming, and fashion—addresses the Black imagination as a site for new ways to perceive the Diaspora as trans-Atlantic, psychic, and imagined—not just through unity and similarity, but by looking at the dynamics of difference. What’s Your Black?, part of his larger series of blackboard paintings, is envisioned as a tool to combat racial oppression, using a cultural production of the Black community to offer a space to create a new Black mythology. Building narratives like scaffolding around art historical references, hip hop, and personal history, he draws on these precedents as a fluid source of reference, rather than a fixed and linear projection. Reimagining contemporary notions of Blackness in visual culture, he challenges traditional representation and subverts it for a richer surreal language found in folklore and African American hyperbole. His depictions provide different ways to access African American culture through an approach that seeks social transformation and community revolution.

About Nyame Brown

Nyame Oulynji Brown received his BFA from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, and MFA from Yale School of Art and Architecture. He has been the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Painters and Sculptors Award, and the Richard Dreihaus Foundation Individual Artist Award, as well as a site-specific public commission for the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, for which he executed a double portrait of Malcolm X and the artist Jack Whitten. His participation in Theaster Gates’ Black Artist Retreat in Chicago was followed by residencies at the Headlands Center for the Arts (for work on his project The Mapping of Aaron, a model for radical Blackness), Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, and the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans. Brown was honored with a solo exhibition at The Museum of the African Diaspora, and has held solo exhibitions across the U.S., notably at the Hearst Museum at St. Mary’s College (John Henry’s adventures in a Post Black world) and the West Virginia University Art Museum. He has actively participated in group exhibitions in a variety of spaces in California, Illinois, Michigan and New York, and his work has been curated for inclusion at the Museum of Harlem, NY, and the Prizm Art Fair at the Mana Contemporary in Miami. He also took part with Carrie Mae Weems in the symposium The Interrogation of Forms: The Changing Culture in America at The Armory in New York. Brown was selected as the 2020 Tosa Studio Award recipient and was awarded a studio at Minnesota Street Project through 2021.

STATTFest

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Moverz, a community that collaborates to grow brands they believe in, Viola Media, and Limelight Music, the new video live streaming social media platform for music, celebrated creativity and helped raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by throwing a two day virtual event featuring live music and comedy for lovers of music festivals, with aim to promote health alliance.

The event showcased Long Island talent including Kayla Stockert, Kenny Truhn, Bunktown Falls, Aqua Cherry, The Big Happy, Enrose, Specialists, Friendz, Logan Whaley and Nonstop to Cairo.

Virtual STATTFest was live on limelight for more than eight hours each day! Utilizing technology that will soon be available to the average limelight user, the show was streamed with professional studio equipment, thanks to Celia Werner Productions, and sets were broken up with commentary from the hosts, interviews, and all sorts of other gems. The whole event transported us back to the golden era of music television, when the Buggles first broke onto the music video scene, only this time, it’s live streaming that killed the radio star. With everything from the creative pineapple commercials of Viola Media between sets, to the fantastic live music performances, this event was one for the record books.

The virtual event was held in Long Island at West Industry Studios, under tight security, with only authorized artists and crew allowed in, while viewers were able to watch the festival livestream on Limelight Music. But miraculously, limelight’s co-founder RJ Hammond managed to sneak his way on set, and surprised everyone with an on-camera interview discussing limelight’s platform and its budding place in the industry.

In addition to limelight, the event was also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, but the audio and video quality was noticeably better on Limelight, and most importantly, so was the fan experience. Through limelight, STATTFest viewers were able to tip in-stream with all proceeds going to NAMI, and if you missed the chance to show your support, don’t fret! The shows are readily available to rewatch on limelight, and all tips sent, even those sent to the video on demand, will go straight to NAMI! So in case you missed this epic weekend, you can relive the moment on Limelight by watching the replay of both days which is now featured on the app.

About Limelight

Limelight provides a virtual venue for indie and emerging artists to gain an audience and make money, while preserving the concert experience for proven headliners. Viewers gain access to exceptional HD music performances, and a behind the scenes look into the lifestyle and culture of the artist.

Designed with live shows in mind, limelight has created a hybrid concert model perfect for both fans who want to enjoy the performance from home, and those who prefer to experience live music in person. With features like maps, watchlists, and the ability for fans to easily record and share videos they take at the show, limelight is everything you need to make the most out of the live music experience.

Whether the music industry is open or closed, Limelight is front and center when it comes to connecting musicians with their fans. Moverz shares limelight’s mission and helps to create community oriented experiences through music. That’s why Moverz, Viola Media, and Limelight have all come together, not just to bring the music virtually, but also to kick it in person! With more music events scheduled over the next month, it’s all leading to the main event coming this September, STATTFest 2021 at Salt Shack in Babylon, NY. Tickets are now on sale, and if you can’t make the show, download Limelight Music, the exclusive live-streaming sponsor, and watch from home!

Rice Team Creates New Treatment for Diabetes

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Rice University bioengineers are using 3D printing and smart biomaterials to create an insulin-producing implant for Type 1 diabetics.

The three-year project is a partnership between the laboratories of Omid Veiseh and Jordan Miller that’s supported by a grant from JDRF, the leading global funder of diabetes research. Veiseh and Miller will use insulin-producing beta cells made from human stem cells to create an implant that senses and regulates blood glucose levels by responding with the correct amount of insulin at a given time.

Veiseh, an assistant professor of bioengineering, has spent more than a decade developing biomaterials that protect implanted cell therapies from the immune system. Miller, an associate professor of bioengineering, has spent more than 15 years researching techniques to 3D print tissues with vasculature, or networks of blood vessels.

“If we really want to recapitulate what the pancreas normally does, we need vasculature,” Veiseh said. “And that’s the purpose of this grant with JDRF. The pancreas naturally has all these blood vessels, and cells are organized in particular ways in the pancreas. Jordan and I want to print in the same orientation that exists in nature.”

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood-sugar levels. About 1.6 million Americans live with Type 1 diabetes, and more than 100 cases are diagnosed each day. Type 1 diabetes can be managed with insulin injections. But balancing insulin intake with eating, exercise and other activities is difficult. Studies estimate that fewer than one-third of Type 1 diabetics in the U.S. consistently achieve target blood glucose levels.

Veiseh and Miller’s goal is to show their implants can properly regulate blood glucose levels of diabetic mice for at least six months. To do that, they’ll need to give their engineered beta cells the ability to respond to rapid changes in blood sugar levels.

“We must get implanted cells in close proximity to the bloodstream so beta cells can sense and respond quickly to changes in blood glucose,” Miller said. “We’re using a combination of pre-vascularization through advanced 3D bioprinting and host-mediated vascular remodeling to give each implant several shots at host integration.”

The insulin-producing cells will be protected with a hydrogel formulation developed by Veiseh, who is also a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar. The hydrogel material, which has proven effective for encapsulating cell treatments in bead-sized spheres, has pores small enough to keep the cells inside from being attacked by the immune system but large enough to allow passage of nutrients and life-giving insulin.

“Blood vessels can go inside of them,” Veiseh said of the hydrogel compartments. “At the same time, we have our coating, our small molecules that prevent the body from rejecting the gel. So it should harmonize really well with the body.”

If the implant is too slow to respond to high or low blood sugar levels, the delay can produce a roller coaster-like effect, where insulin levels repeatedly rise and fall to dangerous levels.

“Addressing that delay is a huge problem in this field,” Veiseh said. “When you give the mouse, and ultimately a human, a glucose challenge that mimics eating a meal, how long does it take that information to reach our cells, and how quickly does the insulin come out?”

By incorporating blood vessels in their implant, he and Miller hope to allow their beta-cell tissues to behave in a way that more closely mimics the natural behavior of the pancreas.

SOPHIE POWERS × KELLIN QUINN — “1 THING” MUSIC VIDEO

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On Thursday, rising teen pop-rocker Sophie Powers released the music video for her recent single “1 Thing” featuring Kellin Quinn. The video features performance by Powers and Quinn and brings to life the various mental struggles Sophie experiences in her day to day life. Fans can check out “1 Thing” HERE.

On working with the Sleeping With Sirens vocalist, Sophie shares, “It was also super cool to meet Kellin in person considering he’s someone I’ve always wanted to meet!! I directed him and performed with him and I can say I totally get why he has such a good rep. He’s the nicest guy.”

Quinn continues by sharing, “I had a blast writing with Sophie Powers I think she’s an amazing talent a powerhouse! I hope you enjoy the song we did together!”

“1 Thing” follows up Sophie’s debut single, “Lonely Army,” which tackles the feeling of widespread loneliness that so many of us experienced during 2020’s seemingly endless lockdown, featuring powerful vocals that seem much more mature than Powers’ mere 16 years old. The first thing the listener notices is how strong her voice sounds against a single electric guitar riff. “Can you hear the feelings of the lonely?” she sings, describing a world that feels hopeless and stifling. Family is demanding and friends are unreliable.

At just 16 years old, Sophie Powers is the bold voice of a new generation. She understands the unique pressures of modern girlhood and uses her experience to write unfiltered, devil-may-care anthems about the ups and downs of being yourself. One minute she’s confident and cool, with the sneering attitude of a punk rock front-woman, and the next she’s vulnerable and raw, channeling the loneliness of contemporary life in a stirring ballad.

In the midst of quarantine, she decamped to Los Angeles, living away from her parents for the first time in her life with a group of musicians. “In Toronto, I had my parents and friends constantly giving input and telling me what they think about my life. But in L.A. I was left alone with my thoughts. It got quiet.”

In that quiet, she understood her real goal: to express herself honestly. “Music was my outlet during some really dark times,” Powers says. “If I can be that outlet and help other kids navigate what I went through, that’s all I want as an artist.”

Combining the crunchy sound of punk with today’s hip-hop and pop, Sophie Powers is the unfiltered and uncompromising voice of a new generation.

ZION & LENNOX – EL SISTEMA

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ZION & LENNOX CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW ALBUM “EL SISTEMA” FEATURING ICONIC COLLABORATIONS WITH MYKE TOWERS, RAUW ALEJANDRO, SECH, AND MORE

Legendary reggaetón duo Zion & Lennox released their fourth studio album called EL SISTEMA, while celebrating the 20th anniversary since they became a musical act.

EL SISTEMA consists of 13 songs and an introduction, including the previously released “No Me Llama” with Myke Towers (18 million views), “Te Mueves” featuring Natti Natasha, “Gota Gota” together with El Alfa (10 million views), and “Sistema” (15 million views).

The tracklist is as follows:

00- Intro: A quick compilation of 20 years of hits giving you the perfect introduction to what you can expect from the album. Some of the samples used include “Pierdo La Cabeza,” “Zun Da Da,” “Guayo,” “Fantasma,” “Yo Tengo Una Gata,” “Yo Voy,” and many more, setting the tone for a whole album full of new bangers like what we’re used to from Zion & Lennox.

01- Estrella: a reggaetón in the very recognizable Zion & Lennox sound that talks about a beautiful woman that looks like a star (estrella) and the length they’re willing to go to make her feel like the queen she is.

02- Entendemos: an exquisite collaboration with Panamanian sensation Sech that touches on relationships that might not seem perfect to the outside world, but in reality, the two parties get each other and have unbelievable chemistry and make it work despite what people might say.

03- Loco: We’ve all been there: we end a relationship but end up going “Loco” (crazy) because you’re still not over that person and keep reminding yourself all the ways you could’ve saved that relationship. That’s what “Loco” is all about paired with a slow reggaetón that makes it the perfect song to dedicate.

04- No Me Llama: Countless times we’ve heard the female side: a guy leads her on and ends up using her to get into bed. This time around, in “No Me Llama,” Zion & Lennox together with superstar Myke Towers flip the script and share their experience as the guys who end up being used by women.

05- Enchuletiao: This is the perfect hype-up song to get ready to go out and feel yourself! “Enchuletiao” is that song you dedicate to the haters who wanted to see you fail, but you pulled through and are living your best life against all odds with an unmatched swag.

06- Perla: It’s not all about perreo for Zion & Lennox, and with “Perla” they show their softer, more romantic side and showing their most vulnerable side in a beautiful downtempo reggaetón with tropical guitars intertwined in the beat.

07- Destino: On “Destino,” Zion & Lennox team up with another OG, De La Ghetto, for a track that recounts those times you’re in the club and send drinks to a woman that caught your attention although she’s doing her own thing, but that doesn’t stop you from creating a whole fantasy in your head.
08- Diosa: “Diosa” is the perfect song to describe a woman by calling her a goddess. Zion & Lennox’s unique style matches perfectly with Rauw Alejandro’s freshness creating an explosive collaboration that not only has a catchy rhythm, but also has very appealing lyrics.

09- Te Mueves: We all remember the viral “Te Mueves” challenge that took over social media last year. It was only fair that this hit by Zion & Lennox featuring one of the biggest female reggaetón stars, Natti Natasha, found its home as part of El Sistema.

10- Sistema: The track that gives name to this album, “Sistema” is a song that makes you want to dance no matter what with its infectious beat and lyrics that will make you want to create your own “Sistema” (system) for when you go out partying with your friends.

11- Cinturita: Time to get sexy with “Cinturita” featuring Lenny Tavárez and Darell, the perfect song to grind all the way while vibing to the lyrics that are a bit more provocative than what we’re used to hearing from Zion & Lennox.

12- Gota Gota: Versatility is the name of the game with “Gota Gota” featuring Dominican dembow sensation El Alfa. The song is composed of the highly danceable and popular elements of urban music which is infused with a strong Dominican dembow influence.

13- No Más: To round up this iconic new album by Zion & Lennox, we get the feel-good “No Más,” a track you can’t help but to move to, while repeating the super easy-to-sing chorus with its captivating melody.

Together with the album, Zion & Lennox also released the music video for their next single, “Estrella,” which features the pair having fun in a beautiful mansion in Santo Domingo complete with an infinity pool and waterfalls, surrounded by scantily-clad women dancing along to the song, although none of them are the real “estrella” (star), who at first seems unattainable, but as the video progresses, she makes her way into the party.

With over 200 hits under their belt, Zion & Lennox have captivated fans worldwide and have been a fundamental influence in reggaetón culture and what it’s become today. Their last album, Motivan2, debuted at #1 on iTunes in the US and Latin America. The album included international smash hit, “Otra Vez,” featuring J Balvin, which garnered over a billion views on YouTube and landed them on Spotify’s coveted “Global Top 50” chart. Zion & Lennox’s follow-up single, “Hola,” closed out 2018 at #1 on US Radio Airplay.

The Underground Chicago Review

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By: Emily Bunn × Vaughn Lowery

360 Magazine was invited to Chicago’s most-exclusive nightclub for an evening of merrymaking, music and memories. The Underground Chicago recently reopened last weekend after a fifteen-month lockdown and is yet again revitalizing Chicago’s VIP social scene. The choice club for A-listers– including celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, LaBron James, David Beckham, Will.I.Am, and Miley Cyrus– The Underground consistently delivers elevated experiences surrounding music, cocktails, fashion, art and design. Entrepreneur and owner of The Underground, Billy Dec, comments on the club’s long-awaited re-opening:

“The COVID pandemic has wiped out many live music and nightclub venues across the country,” says Dec. “Historically, nightclubs have had a pivotal role in cultural evolution. The Underground family fought to stay alive and reopen because we see it as a major responsibility—it’s our duty to elevate our community platform so people can come together to celebrate music, fashion, dance, art and design. After an unprecedented and impactful run, we look forward to constantly elevating and innovating our industry and The Underground experience fueled with excitement, creativity, service and positive energy.”

The vibrant ambiance of The Underground reflected the colorful diversity of guests inside, all of which were busy unleashing their signature moves on the packed dance floor. The discotheque throbbed with ecstatic energy and heavy bass lines all night long. A state-of-the-art sound system blared trendy music across all corners of the club for all to hear. The ambiance of the tunes was complimented by thrilling pyrotechnics and digital screens that projected artsy flicks.

Upon arriving at the legendary establishment, 360 Magazine was greeted with service from hospitable, welcoming staff members– including security and a stylish porter. On the particular night we visited, Lil Jon made a star appearance. Lil Jon, the musical mastermind behind releases such as Turn Down for What, Get Low, Cyclone, and Alive (with Offset and 2 Chainz), filled the club with energy and exuberance. Soundscapes swelled across every crowded corner of the club as the rapper delivered an incredible performance.

Lil Jon wasn’t the only celebrity guest, as he performed alongside Emmy award-winning TV host, actor and personality, Billy Dec. Dec also is the restaurateur and owner of the iconic nightclub but is best known for his roles in “Chicagoland,” “Mollywood,” “One Small Hitch,” and “Adventures in the Sin Bin,” among others. Dec has also appearance on many national broadcast programs, including NBC’s Today Show and NBC Today in Nashville.

Looking ahead, Dec is set to open The Underground’s sister venue, The Underground Cocktail Club. Scheduled to open over Lollapalooza weekend (July 30-Aug 1), this new establishment will feature a separate entrance to The Underground’s building and emphasize the nostalgic, vintage appeal of the 1920’s. The Underground Cocktail Club will focus on creating innovative cocktails and featuring more live performances. Next time 360 Magazine comes to Chicago, we can’t wait to have another memorable, lively night at the Underground.