Posts made in August 2021

Free Guy Soundtrack Released

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The track list from the Free Guy Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was revealed today. With songs featured by Mariah Carey, Fred Astaire, Digital Underground, Mama Cass and more, the Free Guy soundtrack offers an eclectic mix of some of pop music’s greatest moments. The soundtrack also includes 4 score tracks by Emmy-nominated composer Christophe Beck (WandaVision, Frozen 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp). The Free Guy Original Score album is also available on August 11 and will be followed by the vinyl soundtrack album release on August 13. Listen to the Free Guy playlist HERE. “Free Guy“ opens August 13, 2021, only in theaters.

Free Guy Original Motion Picture Soundtrack track list follows:

1. FANTASY – Performed by Mariah Carey

2. LEGENDZ – Performed by AG featuring Devvon Terrell

3. 100 MILES AND RUNNING – Performed by Logic featuring Wale & John Lindahl

4. HUMPTY DANCE – Performed by Digital Underground

5. CHEEK TO CHEEK – Performed by Fred Astaire

6. MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC – Performed by Mama Cass

7. CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU – Performed by Frankie Valli

8. AIN’T NO STOPPIN’ US NOW – Performed by McFadden & Whitehead

9. THEME FROM “THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO“ (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) –

Performed by Joey Scarbury

10. DON’T HAVE A GOOD DAY, HAVE A GREAT DAY (Score) – Music by Christophe Beck

11. IT’S ALL A LIE (Score) – Music by Christophe Beck

12. MILLIE (Score) – Music by Christophe Beck

13. GO TIME (Score) – Music by Christophe Beck

About Free Guy

In Twentieth Century Studios’ epic adventure-comedy Free Guy, a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story: one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it is too late. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Taika Waititi, Free Guy is directed by Shawn Levy from a screenplay by Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn and a story by Lieberman. The film is produced by Ryan Reynolds, p.g.a., Shawn Levy, p.g.a., Sarah Schechter, Greg Berlanti and Adam Kolbrenner with Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, George Dewey, Dan Levine and Michael Riley McGrath serving as executive producers.

Lakou Mizik × Joseph Ray – Leave the Bones

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Few albums manage to evoke a time and place with such startling effect as Leave the Bones, the unlikely collaboration between the multi-generational Haitian band Lakou Mizik and Grammy-winning electronic music artist Joseph Ray. Out today, the album has already garnered support from global tastemakers NPR, BBC Radio 3, BBC 6 Music, KCRW, KEXP, CRACK, Afropunk, Songlines, Worldwide FM, and many more.

The album arrives after the release of three incredible singles and videos, “Ogou (Pran Ka Mwen)”, ‘Lamizè Pa Dou” and “Bade Zile”, offering a window into the beauty of the rich and vibrant culture of the Haitian people. The album precedes a range of high-profile remixes and a feature-length documentary out later this year. In what has been a tumultuous year for Haiti, Leave the Bones provides a unique insight into the creative heart of the island nation.

“Haiti” is a word that conjures up a lot of images. It is a country judged by many, most of whom have never set foot on its shores. But its history is rich, its people proud and defiant, and nowhere is that more evident than in its music. Culture is what defines the country, its drums and Vaksins (horns) are symbols of freedom and pride, liberty and struggle, and the joy of dancing.

Leave the Bones paints a musical portrait, a fresh glimpse of an oft misrepresented country. Through Vodou chants, chest-pounding Rara dance tunes and contemporary protest songs, the record conveys the listener to Haiti’s spiritual heart, a place that remains a compelling mystery for foreigners and a source of pride for every Haitian.

Since its inception Lakou Mizik has sought to re-define people’s conceptions of Haiti through its music. The nine piece band, formed in 2010, is emblematic of the melting pot that is Haiti’s musical culture. Lakou’s figurehead, Sanba Zao, one of only ten original Sanba poets left, played a central role in Haiti’s Rasin (roots) movement of the 1980s which sought to re-imagine traditional Haitian Vodou music through radical experimentation with modern instruments. This spirit of Haiti’s rich musical history underpins Lakou Mizik today; a multi-generational genre-blending ensemble that plays traditional Haitian music with a punk energy and a deep sense of their heritage.

Joseph Ray, a Grammy winner and founding member of the pioneering Platinum selling electronic music trio, NERO, had never heard of Lakou when he arrived in Haiti in 2015, having volunteered to teach a course at Haiti’s only music production and audio engineering school, the Artist’s Institute. Ray stumbled on Lakou at a tiny beach side club in Jakmel; the scene that night was frenetic and ecstatic, evocative of the spirit of Ray’s early electronic music clubbing experiences. The band’s organic power entranced Ray, who saw the possibility of merging his cinematic electronic production style with Lakou’s own traditional dance rhythms. Their subsequent six year journey led to Leave the Bones, teaching Ray more about himself and music than any other period in his life.

Ray had initially wanted to sample the band, and overlay them on traditional 4×4 electronic beats, but he realized this approach would not evoke the spirit he was so captivated by. Lakou’s organic style needed more room to stretch and breathe, and the album became far more collaborative and deeper in scope. Ray was forced to rethink his approach, learning how to produce and engineer for a nine piece band. He incorporated new time signatures to capture Lakou’s complex drum patterns, lacing in 1930s field recordings from ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax and replacing synth sounds with Mbrias and conch shell samples that he stretched.

By way of preview, Leave the Bones weaves us through the euphoric swagger of No Rival! and the the mystical underworld of Bade Zile (Under the Island), yet offers lessons for the living, reminding us we should not underestimate those who seem easy to walk upon on Zeb Atè (Grass of the Earth), and that we are all one people, Nou Tout Se Moun.

Leave the Bones is a record that sounds like it could come from nowhere else, and while its rhythms undoubtedly possess a universal danceability, their meaning and depth are also unique to Haiti. It’s powerful to imagine these tracks being played on dancefloors in Miami, London or Ibiza, transporting people from around the world, inviting them to dance, celebrate and get lost in the richness of Haiti, if only for a moment.

Historic Underground Railroad Marker Unveiled in Niagara

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The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission (Commission) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) proudly unveiled a Historic Marker designating the former site of the Cataract House at a press conference on Thursday morning at the park area across from Red Coach Inn, 2 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303.

The importance of the Cataract House as the center of Underground Railroad activism in Niagara Falls cannot be overestimated. The African American waiters who worked as Underground Railroad agents made this site one of the most important Underground Railroad nodes in the entire nation. Famous cases included a failed rescue attempt in 1847 and the successful escapes of Cecilia Jane Reynolds (1847), a woman named Martha (1853), and waiter Patrick Sneed (1853). John Morrison, head waiter at the Cataract House, often ferried people across the river himself.

The Cataract House burned down in 1945 and was demolished in 1946. The Historic Marker for the former location of the hotel has been funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

“This Historic Marker will now designate a location that was important not only to our local heritage, but our national history as well,” said Saladin Allah, Visitor Experience Specialist, and Community Liaison at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, operated by the Commission. “Outside of our community, people may not know much about Niagara Falls beyond the Falls themselves. This Marker will help others realize the vital role our region played in the Underground Railroad and the rich history of Niagara Falls’ Black community. We hope that our representation of this site will help us continue to learn from the past so we can work toward a more just, equitable future.”

Congressman Brian Higgins agreed that the Marker represents an important aspect of the history of our city and country.

“The Cataract House was a pivotal station along the Underground Railroad and its story is told beautifully and poignantly through the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center,” he said. “This Historic Marker further shares the story of the powerful network of ‘conductors’ here in Niagara Falls who bravely helped people escape slavery along the road to freedom.”

The event was attended by several community leaders and local political officials, including City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.

“The Cataract House is an important part of the history of our City,” Mayor Restaino said. “It continues to show the significant impact of Niagara Falls in our national story. We appreciate the work of the Commission and NYSOPRHP in designating this Historic Marker for the Cataract House.”

Speakers at the event included:

Saladin Allah
- Visitor Experience Specialist & Community Liaison at Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
- Descendant of freedom seeker Josiah Henson
Douglas J. Perrelli, Ph. D., RPA
- Chair of NYS Board for Historic Preservation
- President, New York Archaeological Council (NYAC)
- Director, Archaeological Survey
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University at Buffalo
Mark Mistretta, RLA
- Western District Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Assemblyman Angelo Morinello (R, C, I-Niagara Falls)
Robert M. Restaino, Mayor of Niagara Falls

Following the unveiling, visitors were invited to walk in the footsteps of freedom seekers from the hotel site to the brink of the Niagara River. For media files, visit here.

About the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission Center manages the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area, a part of the NYSOPRHP Heritage Area Program. The Commission also operates the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, an award-winning experiential museum located inside the former 1863 U.S. Custom House attached to the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station. The Commission encourages and fosters the discovery, illumination, and celebration of the rich heritage of the Underground Railroad and the Abolitionist movement throughout the City of Niagara Falls and its environs. The center, which opened in May 2018 after 11 years of planning, is located inside the former 1863 U.S. Custom House attached to the Niagara Falls Amtrak station. The center sits adjacent to the location of the former International Suspension Bridge, a point of crossing for many freedom seekers including Harriet Tubman.

The Heritage Center preserves the historic role of the people of Niagara Falls in facilitating freedom for the oppressed. The places and stories associated with this network of freedom seekers, free African Americans, and abolitionists evoke powerful themes in American history and celebrate the bravery of the men and women who risked their lives to achieve the most basic rights of liberty. Learn more here.

William G. Pomeroy Foundation

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and to raising awareness, supporting research, and improving the quality of care for patients and their families who are facing a blood cancer diagnosis.

GRYFINN × NEW BLOOD

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Today, L.A.-based artist/producer Gryffin releases a brand-new single entitled “New Blood” with buzzing singer and songwriter Boy Matthews [Duke Dumont, Hayden James, Riton, Oliver Heldens]. Released today via Darkroom / Interscope Records, the track seamlessly integrates show-stopping falsetto vocals with unpredictable and undeniable production, fusing dancefloor bliss and pop energy. The track arrives alongside accompanying lyric video, which can be found HERE.

Listen to Gryffin’s “New Blood” with Boy Matthews HERE.

“’New Blood’ is one of my favorite records I’ve ever done” says Gryffin on the creation of the track. “It is about a special someone coming into your life and allowing you to rediscover your inner self and happiness in life again. Boy Matthews is one of the most talented vocalists I’ve ever worked with. His soul and energy gave this song the euphoric vibes I was looking for. I’m so proud of this record and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”

2021 has shaped up to be a banner year for Gryffin. In just a month, his most recent single “Best Is Yet To Come” with Kyle Reynolds has amassed over 13 million total streams and counting between the Original, Max Styler Remix, Cheyenne Giles Remix, and Acoustic version. Dancing Astronaut praised the latter as “touching” and went on to claim, “Gryffin and Kyle Reynolds smoothly play off each other in the acoustic’s visual and place another layer of charged emotion onto an already faultless merger.”

Currently in the middle of his Las Vegas residency at The Wynn’s Encore Beach Club and XS Nightclub, Gryffin is also performing at major markets across the U.S. See full show dates below, and purchase tickets HERE.

GRYFFIN’S UPCOMING SHOWS:

8/13 Salt Lake City, UT Das Energi Festival

8/14 Las Vegas, NV Encore Beach Club at Night

8/22 Las Vegas, NV XS Nightswim

8/27 Grand Rapids, MI Breakaway Music Festival – Grand Rapids

8/28 San Bernadino, CA Beyond Wonderland

8/29 Water Mill, NY Palm Tree Festival

9/3 Columbus, OH Breakaway Music Festival

9/4 Las Vegas, NV Lost in Dreams

9/5 El Paso, TX Freakazoid Robots

9/10 Surrey BC, Canada FVDED in the Park

9/18 Las Vegas, NV Encore Beach Club at Night

9/19 Atlanta, GA Imagine Festival

10/2 Charlotte, NC Breakaway Music Festival

10/30 San Bernadino, CA Escape Festival

ABOUT GRYFFIN

Born Dan Griffith, Gryffin got his start in music as a classically trained pianist and guitarist and also played in several bands. After receiving an electrical engineering degree from the University of Southern California, he pursued a path in music production, drawing equally from his carefully honed musicality and edgy ingenuity. Gryffin made his breakthrough in 2016 with two singles showcasing his melodic take on dance music: “Heading Home” ft. Josef Salvat (which shot to #1 on Spotify’s US and Global Viral charts) and the Bipolar Sunshine collaboration “Whole Heart.” In addition, his 2017 smash single “Feel Good” — with Illenium and featuring Daya— peaked at #18 on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts. Gryffin’s major triumphs also include “Tie Me Down” ft. Elley Duhé (which hit #2 on the Spotify US Viral Chart and #9 on the Global Viral Chart), “Remember” ft. Zohara (which garnered 6.5 million streams in its first few weeks and earned support from Tiesto, who featured the track on an Instagram story), and “All You Need to Know” with SLANDER ft. Calle Lehmann (a gold-certified smash that’s now surpassed 100 million streams). Arriving in October 2019, Gryffin’s debut album Gravity quickly climbed to #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

Merci – China Tiger

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Merci Release New Single China Tiger

D.C. alternative quintet Merci release their new single China Tiger via Rise Records: LISTEN HERE and watch the video HERE.

Lyrically, the new single is vulnerable, expressive, and near and dear to the band members’ hearts. Fittingly, they directed and filmed the accompanying visual themselves. Describing the song as a powerful and honest expression of the pressure the members were feeling when creating it, lead singer Seth Coggeshall shares:

In August 2019, a lot was changing. We had just signed to Rise Records and were getting ready to take our first trip as a band to LA. However, parallel to the excitement, pressure and opportunity that was surrounding us were the somber realities that Jack’s mom was dying of cancer, while Colby was in rehab. When I heard about how sick Jack’s mom had become, my heart broke for him. I was struck by the painful irony of our achievements coinciding with Colby’s struggle and Jack’s coming loss.

When I sat down to write the beginnings of ‘China Tiger’, my mind was very much on Jack and his mother. I thought about things like the inevitability of life, responsibility to friends, and defiance in the face of tragedy. I imagined us all as a China tiger, the fragile embodiment of something powerful and beautiful. I imagined us withstanding the trial that was his mother’s passing, coalescing as brothers, and healing through the adventures we would have together.

China Tiger arrives on the heels of the band’s recently released EP, Subtle Fiction I, which they first teased in 2020 with their debut single Foolish Me. Earlier this year, they released the next single Haunt Me, along with its accompanying cinematic visual inspired by the Eggers Brothers’ film The Lighthouse. Check out the video for Never Coming Back HERE.

About Merci

Washington, DC’s Merci Seth Coggeshall [vocals, guitar], Nick Jones [guitar], Colby Witko [vocals, keys], Justin Mason [bass], and Jack Dunigan [drums], funnel dreamy nocturnal pop through the lens of dyed-in-the-wool rock underpinned by live instrumentation. Having woven themselves into the fabric of the DMV music scene, playing in various groups separately and together for years, the five members officially joined forces as Merci in 2018 and immediately began prepping for their debut album, due out 2021 via Rise Records.

Follow Merci via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

SolesbyMICHELIN Mizuno Wave Mujin 8 Contest

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solesbyMICHELIN gives you the possibility to win an exclusive pair of the brand new Wave Mujin 8, the new trail running shoe born from the consolidated partnership between Mizuno and solesbyMICHELIN. How?

It is very simple: enter the website, register, and subscribe to the newsletter.

The winner will be drawn from all those who have subscribed to the newsletter during the contest period, as well as those who have already subscribed and will update their preferences during the contest period.

For more information, terms and conditions click here.

What are you waiting for? Run on the website and be the first one to win a pair of Mizuno Wave Mujin 8!

Mizuno Wave Mujin 8 is the perfect shoe to tackle any trail over long distances, even on the most difficult terrains. The MICHELIN sole, designed exclusively by JV International for solesbyMICHELIN, has a light and dynamic compound, representing an excellent mix of grip, technology, and lightness; the new tread design significantly improves traction and grip on all surfaces and helps prevent the accumulation of dirt on particularly muddy grounds thanks to a self-cleaning system of the blocks. The external part of the sole is purposely tough to increase durability, while the arched side knobs help in case of obstacles. The EVA layer positioned in the forefoot area helps absorb impacts while the heel area is reinforced to allow easier and more comfortable braking during descents.

JOAN ARMATRADING — “NATURAL RHYTHM” LYRIC VIDEO

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Directed by animator, filmmaker Halo Jones (Kylie Minogue, Seasick Steve, St Etienne), the cheerful and colorful new lyric video for the song “Natural Rhythm” by Joan Armatrading is an uplifting upbeat visual perfectly reflected by the sheer exuberance of the children animated therein. You can watch the new video HERE.

If the classical fluidity of the two dancers perfectly complemented the lyrics of the video for the first single, “Already There,” then this lyric video is the perfect accompaniment to the second, “Natural Rhythm.”

“Natural Rhythm” is the second single from Armatrading’s acclaimed new album Consequences (BMG), which has received high praise from the press. You can stream and purchase Consequences HERE.

“Juxtaposing layers of crisp riffs and rhythms while wielding a voice that can dive into a hearty contralto or leap upward to radiate fragility and tenderness” – The New York Times

“Consequences finds her at the peak of her game” – Rolling Stone

“Uncompromising artistic vision” – Yahoo!

“Joan Armatrading has maintained her introspective songwriting and moving vocals while navigating through a variety of genres.” – The Wall Street Journal

“Joan Armatrading will render interior mysteries with such forthright clarity, attuned so sensitively to the rhythms of feeling, that she makes the most terrible depths of heartbreak seem, to start, bearable. And then she’ll make you smile.” – Pitchfork

“Consequences offers no shortage of rhythm-ready offerings, which ensure the enthusiasm remains at a constant peak.” – American Songwriter

Sam Tompkins – (W)hole

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**SAM TOMPKINS RELEASES BRAND NEW SINGLE (W)HOLE TODAY**

LISTEN TO/SHARE SAM TOMPKINS’ (W)HOLE HERE

WATCH/SHARE THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR (W)HOLE HERE

So talented – Justin Bieber

Rising singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins, who has been championed by Elton John, Bastille and Justin Bieber, releases brand new single (w)hole today.

Produced by Laconic, the emotionally charged (w)hole not only showcases Tompkins’ powerful vocals but also his ability to intimately convey his own relatable experiences through candid, heartfelt lyrics. We all, at times, need to find that human connection to bring us out of an ocean sized hole.

I think ‘(w)hole’ is sort of a realisation of knowing that not every problem in the world can be fixed by one person, says Sam. If there is meaning or purpose to this life, it has to come from being and working alongside one another.

The accompanying music video for (w)hole is directed by award winning TV/Film director Josef Bates and set inside an elevator. A metaphorical deep dive into Sam’s mindscape, it charts his journey from a state of disconnect from hope and the positive side of life, back to happiness but by the end once he finds an escape.

(w)hole is the first official release from Sam Tompkins in 2021, and the first cut to be taken from his upcoming third EP release. It follows his 2020 released quarantine EP Isolation Diaries and singles Charlie and Kings.

22-year-old, Sam Tompkins started out busking on the streets of his local town, Brighton, and was signed to Island Records in 2019 after he caught their attention with his independently released debut EP Coloured Emotions which garnered over half a million streams.

Sam has performed live or recorded alongside Krept and Konan, Jason Derulo, Jaykae and MNEK, and welcomed support from the likes of Elton John and Bastille through to Channing Tatum and Justin Bieber, who, in a recent IG live chat with Sam told him You’re so talented… You’re already making an impact… You’re speaking to people’s heart with your music and its pretty awesome.

Alongside writing in lockdown last year, Sam posted a string of covers on his socials including ones of Bruno Mars’ Talking To The Moon and Beyonce’s Halo, which have notched up over 10 million views on Instagram and 3 million views on TikTok. With over 450,000 followers on Instagram and 430,000 on Tik Tok, Sam is garnering an ever growing, super engaged fanbase through his socials.

In addition to releasing new music this Autumn, Sam is set to embark on a sold-out Headline Tour in UK and Europe. Kicking off in Manchester on the 8th of October at Gorilla and wrapping up in Berlin on the 27th of October at Burg Schnabel, the tour will also see Sam play in London, Birmingham, Dublin, Nottingham, Brighton and Paris (see below for full list of dates). Tickets for the tour are available to purchase HERE.

(W)HOLE IS AVAILABLE ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS NOW.

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR (W)HOLE HERE.

Find Sam Tompkins via his website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Pokémon 25: The Red EP RELEASE

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ZHU Remixes All Three Tracks For Pokémon 25: The Blue EP, Out Later This Month

The Dual Releases Honor a Pokémon Tradition As 25th Anniversary Celebration Continues

Three new artists have joined Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary celebration: Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU. Staples and Cyn contribute exclusive new songs to Pokémon 25: The Red EP, which was released today. Available HERE, the EP also features Mabel’s song “Take It Home,” which was unveiled last month. View Pokémon 25: The Red EP visualizers on YouTube HERE.

Reflecting the longstanding tradition of dual releases for the core Pokémon video game series, with each featuring nuanced differences from the other, and paying homage to the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games, Pokémon 25: The Blue EP will follow later this month. It will feature remixes of The Red EP songs by GRAMMY-nominated recording artist ZHU, who is fresh off the release of his third album, DREAMLAND 2021, and a sold-out, six-night stand at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater.

The songs from The Red EP will appear on the upcoming P25 Music compilation album, which will be released this autumn by Capitol Records as part of a massive, yearlong music campaign from The Pokémon Company International in partnership with Universal Music Group. ZHU’s remixes will be included on the digital edition of the album. Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU take their places alongside fellow P25 artists Katy Perry, Post Malone, J Balvin and Mabel.

On the atmospheric, melodic “Got ‘Em,” Vince Staples faces life’s challenges head-on, drawing inspiration from iconic Pokémon characters Mew and Raichu. Staples recently released his self-titled, fourth album out now via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records. Garnering positive reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR Music and NME among others, the LP debuted as the No. 1 Current Rap Album and landed at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 Chart week of release. Staples is also currently working on bringing his dramedy, The Vince Staples Show, to Netflix.

“I’ve always been a fan of Pokémon, so it was particularly special to be asked to take part in this 25th-anniversary celebration,” said Vince Staples. “I’m excited for people to hear ‘Got ‘Em,’ and hope the song resonates with fans, especially those who grew up with Pokémon like I did.”

Cyn—who is signed to Katy Perry’s Unsub Records and recently contributed two songs to the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman—offers up “Wonderful,” a shimmering song that celebrates friendship and the joy of being alive.

Cyn shares, “I am so excited to release one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, ‘Wonderful,’ in celebration of 25 years of Pokémon! This song is special to me because I feel it comments on growing pains while also emphasizing a destination of grace and a beautiful journey to it—eggs hatch when they want to or in other words, when they are ready. When I wrote this song, my newborn baby son was in the room—I can hear the influence of becoming a new mother in the music, it will always ring special for me.”

“The Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games introduced the world to Pokémon 25 years ago and we wanted to recognize that important part of the franchise in our 25th-anniversary celebrations within the P25 Music campaign,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon fans will appreciate the nod to the first Pokémon video games with these EPs, while music fans will enjoy new songs and remixes from exciting artists on these dual collections.”

The Red EP kicks off with “Take It Home,” an original song from BRIT Award recipient Mabel. PAPER Magazine noted, “to say it’s a bop would be a complete understatement—‘Take It Home’ is packed with bright and buoyant beats.” The official video, People Magazine observed, “finds the star chasing Jigglypuff into a Wonderland-style dreamworld full of colorful ensembles and pop star choreography.”

Fans can keep up with the latest news for P25 Music and more celebrations across the franchise on Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary website. Pokémon 25: The Blue EP can be pre-saved HERE.

Pokémon and music fans are invited to join the conversation online with @Pokemon and #Pokemon25.

Pokémon 25: The Red EP Tracklist:

1. Mabel – Take It Home

2. Cyn — Wonderful

3. Vince Staples — Got ‘Em

Mabel — Photo Credit: Ashley Verse

Vince Staples — Photo Credit: Tyree Harris

ZHU — Photo Credit: Joey Vitalari

Cyn — Photo Credit: Jerry Maestas

PUBLIQuartet Freedom and Faith Performance

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Death of Classical will continue its third season of The Angel’s Share this August, with the innovative PUBLIQuartet performing in the Catacombs of The Green-Wood Cemetery on August 4, 6, and 7. The Angel’s Share is the Death of Classical’s second concert series, curated by the creator, curator, and leader of the series, Andrew Ousley, in partnership with Green-Wood. The perform will take place in the Catacombs of The Green-Wood Cemetary in Brooklyn, New York City.

The quartet will perform a program inspired by its GRAMMY-nominated 2019 album Freedom and Faith, featuring works that celebrate women composers through the ages, and explore ideas of spirituality, resilience, and inspiration.

Performances of Freedom and Faith will take place over the course of three evenings, with two performances per night, and include music by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Jessie Montgomery, Hildegard von Bingen, as well as original MIND THE GAP compositions by PUBLIQuartet.

The innovative, barrier-breaking string quartet performs a program inspired by its GRAMMY-nominated album Freedom and Faith, featuring music that celebrates women composers through the ages, and explores ideas of spirituality, resilience, and inspiration.

The ensemble is innovating the performance of classic music and opera by incorporating free-flowing improvisational instrumentation and group compositions into their exhibitions. Death of Classical represents a modern take on timeless classic compositions by giving a voice to emerging performers and underrepresented composers. While many people say “Classical Music is Dead,” this group’s revitalized take on classical music allows for the group’s performances to reach new, younger, unexpected audiences then ever before. With their innovative and exciting twist on the performing arts, Death of Classic is reviving a passion for the genre.

Concerts feature works by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Jessie Montgomery, Hildegard von Bingen, and original MIND THE GAP compositions by PUBLIQuartet.

Each performance includes a pre-concert reception with a whiskey tasting overlooking the Manhattan skyline and harbor at sunset, with distilleries including Madre Mezcal, Appalachian Gap Distillery, Ume Plum Liqueur, and more

The Angel’s Share series takes its name from the distiller’s term for whiskey that evaporates while maturing in the barrel, thus going to the angels. Accordingly, the live concert events on August 4, 6, and 7 will open with a spirits tasting, with distilleries including Madre Mezcal, Appalachian Gap Distillery, Ume Plum Liqueur, and more. The Angel’s Share is curated by Andrew Ousley and co-presented by Death of Classical and The Green-Wood Historic Fund.

Listing Info

August 4, 6 & 7, 2021 at 6:00PM and 7:30PM
PUBLIQuartet: “Freedom and Faith”
Live at The Green-Wood Cemetery

JESSICA MEYER: Get into the Now (2017)
The Pull
Years of In Me
Go Big or Go Home

MIND | THE | GAP: Sancta Femina *
HILDEGARD VON BINGEN: O ignee Spiritus
FRANCESCA CACCINI: Regina caeli laetare Alleluia
CHIARA MARGARITA COZZOLANI: O quam suavis est Domine spiritus tuus

MIND | THE | GAP: Ella! & Nina! *
VAN ALEXANDER: A Tisket a Tasket
NINA SIMONE/HERB SACKER : Blackbird
LESLIE BRICUSSE/ANTHONY NEWLEY: Feelin’ Good
NINA SIMONE/WELDON IRVINE: Young Gifted and Black
NINA SIMONE: Mississippi Goddam

‍*Arr. Gookin, Norpoth, Revel, Stewart 2017-2018

Performers:

PUBLIQuartet
Curtis Stewart, violin
Jannina Norpoth, violin
Nick Revel, viola
Hamilton Berry, cello

About PUBLIQuartet

Applauded by The Washington Post as “a perfect encapsulation of today’s trends in chamber music,” and by The New Yorker as “independent-minded,” the GRAMMY nominated PUBLIQuartet’s modern interpretation of chamber music makes them one of the most dynamic artists of their generation. Dedicated to presenting new works for string quartet, PUBLIQuartet rose on the music scene as winner of the 2013 Concert Artists Guild’s New Music/New Places award, and in 2019 garnered Chamber Music America’s prestigious Visionary Award for outstanding and innovative approaches to contemporary classical, jazz, and world chamber music. PQ’s genre-bending programs range from 20th century masterworks to newly commissioned pieces, alongside re-imaginations of classical works featuring open-form improvisations that expand the techniques and aesthetic of the traditional string quartet.