About Kai Yeo

by Kaelen Felix for use by 360 Magazine

Top Mistakes to Avoid While Selling a Home for Cash

Generally, selling a home can take so much time, which you may not have. Real estate experts estimate 6 months or more when you follow the normal listing process. However, selling a home for cash can save you a lot of time because it is fast and easy. It will be even better if you avoid common mistakes homeowners make when taking this direction.

So, are you planning to sell your home for cash? Whether you are a real estate investor or just a homeowner trying to sell your home, avoiding these mistakes will make a big difference in your life.

Setting an Unrealistic Price When Selling a Home for Cash

Selling a home for cash, either to homebuyers or any other interested person, is fast when the price is realistic. When it is too high, every buyer will think twice before making an offer. A price that does not match the house will slow everything and might even derail the whole project completely.

To avoid this, have a professional conduct an appraisal and understand the current market price. If you want the house to sell even faster, slightly lower the price especially if you have not renovated and repaired areas that are not in great condition.

Selling to the Wrong Cash Buyers When Selling a Home for Cash

When selling a home for cash, using cash buyers can really save you time. They conveniently buy homes that are proposed to them as long as they meet their standards. However, one wrong move can mess things up; avoid choosing the wrong cash buyers, who are not fair in their pricing or will give you empty promises and never close the deal.

So, take your time to research and locate the best cash buyers in your area. Whether it is selling your house to an investor or new homeowner, they will give a fair offer and close the deal fast for you.

Failure to Prepare the Home for Sale

Selling a home for cash requires that you prepare your home for the process. Just like any other home sale, take some time to declutter and clean the home for showings. Potential cash homebuyers may want to close a deal fast, but they also consider the status of the home. Disorganization can put off buyers and force them to look elsewhere.

If possible, do simple repairs and renovations unless the cash buyer offers to buy on an “as-is” basis. This is usually a simple project that any person can really do.

Failure to Market the House

It is easy to personally market your home on social media and other free platforms. This will increase the visibility of your home even if you do not list it with real estate firms. On the other hand, failure to do marketing when selling a home for cash will increase the time it will stay on the market.

The wrong marketing will have a negative impact as well. So, make sure that you have used the right marketing even if it means hiring a digital marketer to take professional photos and post them for you.

Final Words

When selling a home for cash, most people wish to take the shortest time possible and get good proceeds at the same time. The above insights on mistakes to avoid when selling your home fast for cash will be invaluable to you. So, follow them carefully.

illustration by Kaelen Felix for use by 360 Magazine

Blackpink The Movie Release Dates Confirmed

Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of BLACKPINK’s Debut, Theatrical Release of BLACKPINK THE MOVIE Is Confirmed, In Cinemas Worldwide August 4 and 8. 

Experience 5 Years of Memories and Splendid Performances of BLACKPINK on Global Screens.

Beloved by fans across the world, the global K-POP group BLACKPINK celebrates the 5th anniversary of their debut with a theatrical release of the film BLACKPINK THE MOVIE, coming to theaters in over 100 nations this August.

Consisting of four members – JISOOJENNIEROSÉ, and LISA – BLACKPINK’s debut song reached the top of every record chart in Korea within only four hours of its release, announcing a splendid arrival of “the monster rookie.” Five years later, BLACKPINK has risen to worldwide stardom thanks to its members’ exceptional talents and performance far beyond the realms of K-POP and “Girl Group.” Each member of BLACKPINK possesses distinctive talent such as vocal, dancing, rapping, and musical skills while boasting perfect chemistry among each other. Naturally, BLACKPINK radiates infinite charms flashy as “Pink” and intense as “Black.”

In commemoration of BLACKPINK’s debut, BLACKPINK THE MOVIE will be released this August in more than 100 nations worldwide. Where available, the audience will be able to enjoy the film on various formats around the world including ScreenX; an expanded three-screen system utilizing the front screen as well as the side walls of a theater, 4DX; the world’s first commercial multi-sensory theater providing a cathartic experience as though in an actual live concert, and 4DX Scree”; a combination of both.

While BLACKPINK THE MOVIE is a celebration of BLACKPINK’s 5th debut anniversary, it is also a special gift for BLINKs – BLACKPINK’s beloved fandom – to revisit unforgettable memories and enjoy the passionate performances in festive spirit. The film consists of diverse sequences focused on each member of BLACKPINK, some of which are: The Room of Memories; a segment looking back on five years of memories since BLACKPINK’s debut, Beauty; compelling shots of all four members with their distinct characteristics, Exclusive Interviews; a message for the fans. Furthermore, the re-edited versions of the live performances from THE SHOW (2021), IN YOUR AREA (2018), and a dozen more hit songs by BLACKPINK will be unfolded on the screens to provide the global fans with a touching experience as though they are at fan meeting events and live concerts.

Anticipated by every BLINK across the world, BLACKPINK THE MOVIE will be released this August in theaters worldwide.

Tickets On Sale Beginning June 30: get them here.

illustration by mina tocallini for use by 360 magazine

Epic Destinations for Adrenaline Junkies to Add to Your Travel List

An adrenaline-filled adventure can be anything from jumping out of a plane to looking off the side of a tall building. Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone can make for a memorable experience, so why not try something new? Whether you like to keep your thrill-seeking desire under wraps or prefer to go full force, there’s going to be something on this list for you to enjoy.

Our Top Destinations for Insatiable Thrill-Seekers

Sedona, Arizona: Off-Roading

There are so many incredible things to do for adrenaline junkies within the state of Arizona, but Sedona’s off-roading center is the place to enjoy desert driving. At Sedona Off-Road Center, you can rent a self-guided Razor, which can seat as many as 6 people. Rent one for a full day, stay on the trails or drift around the sandy hills. Helmets and safety gear are included.

Panama City Beach, Florida: Flight Simulators

At Panama Beach, you’re treated to sandy white beaches and emerald waters, but don’t stick around here for too long. At Cobra Adventure Park, you can experience the Max Flight Simulator or the “rollercoaster of the future.” There are multiple rides dedicated to adrenaline junkies, including the Slingshot, which reaches 100 miles per hour, and the Indy Speedway.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii: Scuba Diving

Hawaii is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive, and tourists have plenty of options for how they want to experience the ocean depths. You can learn how to scuba dive with qualified instructors across Waikiki Beach. While you do start in shallow waters, you can quickly move up to open water dives, where you’ll see tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Whitewater Rafting

The whitewater rafting in Santa Fe is top-notch, as it has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a leisurely float, you can go through the azure canyon of the Rio Chama. On the other hand, experienced swimmers can take on the Class IV rapids of the world-famous Taos Box. You can also try kayaking, paddleboarding, and fly fishing while you’re in the area.

Bend, Oregon: Snowboarding

If you haven’t skied in Bend, you need to start now. Thrill-seekers and terrain-tacklers will love riding the 4,300-acre lift-accessible grounds that promise to offer visitors the best snowboarding experience of their lives. There are plenty of other Winter activities for you to enjoy, like hiking, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, so zip up your coat and stay warm!

Las Vegas, Nevada: ZERO-G

You can’t talk about exciting vacation destinations without adding Las Vegas to the list, and we’re not talking about the rush you get from gambling. The ZERO-G Experience, which mimics astronaut training, allows you to feel what it’s like to live in a world without gravity. It’ll probably make your stomach churn, but strap in because you’re paying for 5 hours of weightlessness.

Twin Falls, Idaho: BASE Jumping

BASE jumping from a cliff is one of the most extreme thrills you can pursue, mainly because you have a short window to deploy your parachute. Travel to Twin Falls to stand 500 feet above Perrine Bridge, which doesn’t seem so bad until you actually jump. You don’t need a permit to try BASE jumping, but it’s recommended you receive some instruction before attempting it.

Anchorage, Alaska: Heli-Skiing

After BASE jumping, heli-skiing doesn’t seem so extreme, but it’s still incredibly scary. Skiers who try heli-skiing are flown up towards the base of an inaccessible mountain top and descend towards the base via skis. The Chugach Mountains in Alaska offer miles of terrain and steep descents that guarantee you won’t see the same line twice in the same trip.

illustration by Nicole Salazar for use by 360 magazine

Why Texting and Driving is So Incredibly Dangerous

Text messaging is arguably one of the most common forms of communication and an excellent alternative to making a phone call. However, texting while you drive is dangerous behavior.

Much like making a phone call, eating, drinking, talking to other passengers, or any other form of distracted driving, texting takes your attention off the road, increasing the possibility of an accident. As such, texting and driving should never go together.

Keep reading as we explore why texting and driving should never mix.

Distracted driving statistics

Since mobile phones came into existence, texting while driving has proved to be one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 340 fatal crashes in 2018 involved using a cellphone while driving.

This makes cell phone-related distraction while driving one of the most common causes of car accidents in America. According to the CDC, the reason behind this is simple. Reading or sending a text causes a five-second distraction only, which is equivalent to driving a football field’s length with your eyes closed if your driving speed remains at 55 mph.

What texting-related distracted driving entails

Distracted driving can be classified into three primary types, all of which come into play in texting while driving:

  • Visual distractions. Visual distractions refer to any form of distraction that takes your eyes off the road. For example, reading or typing a text message involves taking your eyes off the road to the phone screen.
  • Manual distractions. These are distractions that take your hand off the wheel. For instance, typing a message or click on the phone to read a text involves getting one hand off the wheel, which can significantly increase the chances of causing an accident.
  • Cognitive distraction. These are distractions that take your mind off the road. When reading or typing a text, your mind focuses on what to say or read, increasing your chances of causing an accident.

Risks associated with texting while driving

It could cost your life or the lives of others.

Sadly, distracted driving poses a risk not only to the driver involved but also to other motorists and road users. For instance, in 2018, about 1 out of 5 deaths resulting from distracted driving involved pedestrians, cyclists, and other people outside a vehicle.

Jail time and fines

Laws concerning texting and driving may vary from state to state. However, in most cases, penalties for texting while driving can include monetary fines ranging from as low as $20 up to $500 depending on the jurisdiction or prison time if the offense results in an accident causing bodily harm to other road users.

Insurance rate hikes

If you think that your auto insurance premiums are high, wait until your insurer realizes you have been charged for texting while driving or the same is cited in a police report for an accident you were involved in. Texting while driving charges will see your consecutive premiums significantly increase as insurers consider you a risky driver to cover. Other times, an insurer may decide to drop your policy if they consider you too much of a risk.

Damage to your car

Even if no one is hurt in an accident resulting from texting while driving, you risk damaging your car. A totaled vehicle can be expensive to repair or replace, especially if it is not covered for damages.

Summing up

Multi-tasking while driving is always a bad idea. Not only does it put your life in danger, but it also endangers the lives of others. If you must read or reply to a text while traveling, pull over or wait until you get to your destination. Always remember one mistake on the road could be all it takes to alter the rest of your life.

photo by Louie Knows for use by 360 Magazine

BLUEBUCKSCLAN – RAP CITY

BLUEBUCKSCLAN UNLEASH NEW RAP CITY MUSIC VIDEO

“Since their emergence in 2019, the pair has been busy” – Rolling Stone

“LA’s best duo.” –  Pitchfork

“It’s clear that BlueBucksClan is only getting started.COMPLEX

“BlueBucksClan have built their own high-speed lane.” – Billboard

Jeeezy and DJ are all about fashion, women and clever sports references, and their natural sense of humor has garnered attention all over L.A. and beyond.” – XXL

Continuing to heat up the West Coast this summer, Los Angeles rap duo BlueBucksClan drop a punchy new video for their latest lyrical barrage, Rap City, out now via Out The Blue Records. It pops off as another banger from the pair’s latest buzzing mixtape, Clan Virus 2.

Shot on an iPhone by director Tevo Laron, the clip tails BlueBucksClan through the Los Angeles underground. They hit up all the spots as the standard smartphone camera captures them ripping bars while making it rain with their homies. The streets come to life in the visual as they’re proudly “talking crazy in the booth like this Rap City.” It arrives on the heels of the Different Levels music video.

Clan Virus 2 has cemented the duo as a West Coast force to be reckoned with. Inciting widespread critical applause from Rolling Stone and more, FLAUNT Magazine exclaimed, When it comes to who’s running the streets of Los Angeles on the rap tip, look no further than BlueBucksClan and XXL observed, BlueBucksClan‘s movement is going strong as their style and sound evolves.” Earmilk christened them “one of the strongest new acts coming out of the city.” To date, Clan Virus 2 has already gathered over 22 million streams and counting, boasting standouts such as Lil League (feat. Quavo & Hit-Boy). Clan Virus 2 hit No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart and they themselves hit No. 16 on Rolling Stone’s Breakthrough 25. Pitchfork called them “L.A.’s best duo,” and HipHopDX wrote that the group was the city’s “hottest new talent.” Complex hailed them “Rappers to Watch in 2021” and Billboard included them on their 6 LA Rappers to Watch in 2021 list.

About BlueBucksClan

BlueBucksClan are driving Los Angeles’ rap renaissance forward slowly, steadily, and mercilessly. Since emerging in 2019, the duo of DJ and Jeeezy have captivated their city with hypnotic beats, mind-melding verbal chemistry, and vivid tales of shutting down the club while draped in designer drip. Together, these lifelong friends who met on the football field are taking the fierce sound of contemporary SoCal Street rap and making it regal, bringing the hood to Beverly Hills. Each new cinematic song affirms that these two men from the rough parts of South L.A. are leveling up, wearing shoes that cost more than your rent and driving foreign cars with beautiful women riding shotgun. Clan Virus 2 is their seventh project in two years. They’ve refined their deadpan punchlines, flamboyant boasts, and charismatic back-and-forth delivery as quickly as they’ve expanded their wardrobes, car collections, and fanbase. In an era where shallow hooks take precedence over bars, BlueBucksClan bring you into their world one clever couplet at a time. With Clan Virus 2, DJ and Jeeezy invite fans into their luxurious universe once more, bringing their city with them on their meteoric rise. In the U.S. alone BlueBucksClan have generated nearly 85 million streams to date.

image by BALL Watch Company for use by 360 Magazine

Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer – the next-generation dive watch

In 2006, BALL Watch Company introduced its first-generation dive watch: a robust, aesthetically functional timepiece that delivered remarkable performance with an inner bezel, illuminated by micro gas tubes and a 2-crowns design. Over the last 15 years, its “Engineer Master II” collection has boasted a wide range of timepieces that have complied with the many requirements imposed by deep-sea diving. Building on its predecessors and extensive craftsmanship, BALL presents the Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer, integrating more protective technologies while refining its size and everyday wearability. This new diving tool built for the thrill of adventure and the pursuit of freedom, underscoring the success of this collection.

This dive watch has a water resistance of 300m/1,000ft and runs the BALL RR1101-C caliber, certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). To ensure high accuracy in adverse conditions, the movement is safeguarded by powerful resistance technologies. A mu-metal shield surrounds the caliber allowing an anti-magnetic protection to an intensity of 1,000 Gauss (80,000 A/m). Also, BALL’s patented Amortiser® system absorbs energy created by external shocks and makes sure every component stays intact in case of harsh impact.

The Diver Chronometer features a bi-directional sapphire internal bezel used to count down dive time and ensure safety. Activated by the crown at 2 o’clock, the internal diving bezel can be operated while completely submerged under water to time the safety stop. This bezel remains visible even in total darkness thanks to the cutting-edge Swiss technology of self-powered H₃ gas tubes. H₃ gas is encapsulated in glass micro tubes and light energy is released when the molecules strike the internal colored surface of the tubes. Without any form of charging, the luminosity shines automatically and combats the black expanse of any environment. Notably, for the first time, the tubes are placed underneath the bezel for an uncluttered design. To complete visibility, micro gas tubes have also been placed on the dial and the hands for a total of 36 tubes. The Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer is offered with either a classic mix of green and yellow tubes or a more modern rainbow-colored combination.

With a thickness of only 13.5mm, the 42mm stainless steel  Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer is available with a black or a blue dial, and either on a stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap. It features hours, minutes, sweep seconds and a magnified date.

Today, more than ever, BALL Watch is continuing its journey and asserting its role as a key protagonist in the exploration of modern time and the evolution of watchmaking history.

About BALL Watch Company

BALL Watch Company is a timekeeping pioneer and celebrated manufacturer of quality, precise and reliable timepieces since 1891. The company was literally founded by accident. Following a tragic 1891 Kipton, Ohio head-on train collision, American railroad companies appointed Webster Clay Ball “Chief Time Inspector” to supervise newly synchronized timing protocols. This standardized “railroad time” efficiency originated the popular “Be on the Ball” proverb and inspired the future Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) which governs the highest watch timing certification standards today.

About Patrick’s Labs

To provide improvement and even more innovation than in the past, BALL Watch Company established its first spin-off company, Patrick’s Labs.  A Research and Development Center, this new division focuses on its domain of expertise by gathering a wide range of knowledge. Patrick’s Labs enables BALL Watch to be at the forefront of research and innovation by introducing technically groundbreaking products and solutions.

Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer

DM2280A-S1C-BK/BE/BKR/BER

DM2280A-P1C-BK/BE/BKR/BER

SPECIFICATIONS

MSRP: USD 2499 – USD 2599
Automatic BALL caliber RR1101-C
Chronometer certified COSC
36 micro gas tubes for night reading capability
Hours, minutes, sweep second and magnified date
Ø 42mm, height 13.5mm
5,000Gs shock resistance
Stainless steel case
Bi-directional rotating sapphire inner bezel with micro gas tubes
Anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss (80,000A/m)
Water resistant to 300m / 1000ft
Mu-metal shield
Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screwed-in crown
Black or blue dial, Stainless Steel bracelet or rubber strap
Limited edition to 1000pcs
Additional NATO and calf straps available

image by BALL Watch Company for use by 360 Magazine

image by BALL Watch Company for use by 360 Magazine

illustration by Mina Tocalini for use by 360 Magazine

94 Percent Of Nursing Homes Face Staffing Shortages

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country, announced the release of a recent survey of nursing home and assisted living providers across the U.S. The results from the survey showcase the urgent need to invest in the long-term care workforce, specifically to help recruit and retain staff.

Key findings include:

  • Ninety-four percent of nursing home providers said they have had a shortage of staff members in the last month. In assisted living communities, 81 percent said they had similar staffing shortages.
  • More than half of nursing home and assisted living providers lost key members of their staff last year during the pandemic due to workers quitting, including among certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or direct caregivers and dietary staff.
  • Close to 75 percent of nursing homes and nearly 60 percent of assisted living communities said their overall workforce situation has gotten worse since 2020.
  • Eighty-one percent of nursing home providers and 75 percent of assisted living communities stated that higher reimbursement to offer better staff pay and benefits would help improve the facility’s ability to recruit and retain staff members.

“The survey results clearly indicate that the long-term care workforce is facing serious challenges, and our country must make significant investments to help address these shortfalls,” stated Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Lawmakers across the country must prioritize long term care to ensure the profession has the necessary resources to maintain a strong workforce. This begins with addressing chronic underfunding of Medicaid for nursing homes, which currently only covers 70 to 80 percent of the cost of care. We have laid out proposals in our Care For Our Seniors Act that would enable our providers to address staffing shortages, but without help from Congress and state legislators, this will not be possible.”

“We look forward to working with federal and state governments to ensure every facility has the ability to recruit and retain the necessary staff to ensure our residents receive the level of care they need and deserve. Caregivers are the backbone of nursing homes and assisted living communities, and we need to make sure they are being adequately supported so they can provide the highest quality care to our elderly population,” concluded Parkinson.

A one-page executive summary of the results can be found HERE.

photo by Chris Cuffaro for use by 360 Magazine

THE GO-GO’S ANNOUNCE 2021/2022 TOUR DATES

THE GO-GO’S ANNOUNCE 2021/2022 NORTH AMERICAN WEST COAST DATES IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR UPCOMING INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME  

The multi-platinum selling Los Angeles rock band The Go-Go’s announce their 2021/2022 North American west coast dates to celebrate the band’s upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The new live dates include intimate shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day performances at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10am PT.

We really missed seeing and playing for our fans and we are happy we can experience and enjoy live music with each other once again. We are looking forward to celebrating and bringing in a brighter new year with everyone,” says The Go-Go’s.

With concerts finally making a very welcomed return, longtime fans can celebrate with the newest inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the new generation of fans can see the band that they discovered through the documentary,” says Art Cisneros, The Go-Go’s Manager.

As the first multi-platinum-selling, all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs and soar to No. 1 on the album charts, The Go-Go’s are the most successful female rock band of all time.

Rooted in the early L.A. punk scene, Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals), Belinda Carlisle (lead vocals), Gina Schock (drums, percussion, vocals), Kathy Valentine (bass guitar, vocals) and Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals) didn’t PLAY the part of bad girls; they were genuine punk rockers. Now, this October, The Go-Go’s will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Tina Turner, Carole King, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters and Todd Rundgren.

In 2020 the band released their documentary THE GO-GO’S, which first premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews, achieving a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and won a 2020 Critics Choice Award for “Best Music Documentary” in addition to receiving the honor of “Most Compelling Living Subjects in a Documentary.” Directed by Alison Ellwood, the candid and archive-rich documentary assesses the group’s place in music and the first to set the record straight about their historical ascent to global stardom. The Go-Go’s first new recording in nearly 20 years, Club Zero hit the Top 10 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart upon its release and the documentary captures them working on an early version of the song.

Date                 Venue City, State
Dec 28 SF Masonic Auditorium San Francisco, CA (Purchase Tickets
Dec 29 Microsoft Theater Los Angeles, CA (Purchase Tickets
Dec 31 The Venetian Theatre Las Vegas, NV (Purchase Tickets
Jan 1 The Venetian Theatre Las Vegas, NV (Purchase Tickets
Jan 3 Civic Theatre San Diego, CA (Purchase Tickets)

The Go-Go’s rose to fame following the release of their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat, a collection of infectious tracks with huge hooks. Locked at No. 1 on the Billboard charts for six consecutive weeks, Beauty and the Beat was one of the most successful debut albums of all time, featuring the hits Our Lips Are Sealed (one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 100 Pop Singles’) and “We Got the Beat” and resulted in a Grammy® nomination for Best New Artist. The Go-Go’s became a global phenomenon and blazed brand-new trails in music – for women in particular.

 

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 Magazine

US Mass Shooting: Gun Violence in 2021

New York City police released a video on Friday showing two children getting caught in a shooting. The 5-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister were rushing toward a bodega’s entrance for shelter when they heard gunshots, but they collide with another man who is also racing for cover, and all three of them tumble to the pavement.

While the children are laying between the shooter’s obvious target, the gunman continues firing at close range. Police said the shooter opened fire around 6:45pm ET Thursday in front of 1551 Sheridan Ave. The target fell on top and around the kids as he struggled to escape the gunfire.

NYPD shared in a tweet that both children were “very unfortunately not injured. However, this episode is a vivid example of how gun violence in America has been and is a major crime issue. Just a few days after the Bronx shooting mentioned, there were 10 overnight shootings on Monday, 21 June.

Countless shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives. On June 14, the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reported 272 mass shootings in 2021. Today, just one week after, the number is now reported at 297. This week’s shootings include incidents in New York City, Missouri, California, Florida, and Chicago.

As states begin to lift restrictions on social gatherings, shootings are happening more often. Over the course of the Covid pandemic, the federal government tracked gun sales exceeding a million per week – this benchmark has not been hit since gun tracking started in 1998. According to the GVA, the number of mass shootings has increased about 40% compared to 2020 (194 cases), and 65% from 2019 (164 cases).

America’s culture of guns has now become a culture of killing. Gun violence takes innocent lives and traumatizes the communities every day.

In April, after the devastating shooting in Atlanta – taking the lives of eight individuals – President Joe Biden has announced six initial actions to address to gun violence crimes. But truly effective change is possible only through federal legislation. Biden can expand background checks and band rifles, but Congress must step up in tightening gun laws for change to be effective.

by BMG for use by 360 magazine

JOAN ARMATRADING – CONSEQUENCES

JOAN ARMATRADING RELEASES HIGHLY ACCLAIMED 22ND STUDIO ALBUM CONSEQUENCES

“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

Joan Armatradinghas released her new album Consequences via BMG, one of her most intimate and direct albums yet and one that wears its conscience and its heart on its sleeve. “I feel as excited about this album as I did when Love And Affection came out. Butterflies!”, says Armatrading.

Consequences ably illustrates the fact that Joan Armatrading never likes to repeat herself. Her 22nd studio album is a very different follow up to 2018’s UK’s Top 30 hit album Not Too Far Away.

Of course the change of musical pace will come as no surprise to Joan‘s many legions of world-wide fans since she has always been a pioneer in what she does – ever since the release of her first album in 1972 when her then record company, by their own admission, had little idea of how to present her, being so outside the norm. It should also be remembered that Joan Armatrading was the very first female singer/songwriter from the UK to have international success with the songs she wrote and performed.

Whether she’s playing a blinding electric guitar solo that would put many of the recognized ‘Guitar Heroes’ in the shade or focusing on specific genres like jazz or blues, Joan has always gone where the muse takes her with no predictability attached.  Repetition isn’t in her lexicon, even when composing the music for The Tempest and as demonstrated on the recently screened documentary about her career, ‘Me, Myself, I.’ With her heartfelt, direct, and melodic trademark vocal style and lyrics that tell it exactly how it is and a strong rhythmic flow throughout, Consequences is an album of some surprises for sure but couched in a passionate intensity that benefits from listening to it straight through from start to finish. A complete aural experience and an uncompromising tour de force that engages and gets better with every listen.  And while the subject matter, love in its many guises, is an intrinsically intimate topic this is not an album about Joan herself but rather, as with all her work, one written from observation and where she has created songs that people can make their own, applying the lyrics to whatever their own circumstances might be.

The current single, Already There, is a perfect example of this as it details the common experience of when one person in a couple is already in love while the other still hasn’t quite arrived yet emotionally.

On July 31st  2021, Joan Armatrading does something she has never done before – she streams a specially performed live concert to her fans across the world.

JOAN ARMATRADING WITH BAND – LIVE FROM LONDON
Saturday, July 31, 2021, 8pm GMT/ 3pm ET/ 12pm PT
Streaming Platform: Vimeo
Tickets: $33.44 on sale now
Ticket Purchase HERE

This is a Stream-only concert and cannot be downloaded.  Once purchased, the concert will also be available to view 24 hours after the concert ends.

With her heartfelt, direct and melodic trademark vocal style and lyrics that tell it exactly how it is and a strong rhythmic flow throughout, Consequences is an album of some surprises for sure but couched in a passionate intensity – while the subject matter, love in its many guises, is an intrinsically intimate topic this is not an album about Joan herself but rather, as with all her work, one written from observation, with lyrics that people can make their own and apply to their own circumstances.

Consequences in CD, vinyl and digital format is comprised of 10 tracks in total, all written, performed, and produced by Armatrading.

Consequences track list:
1. Natural Rhythm
2.Already There
3.To Be Loved
4.Better Life
5.Glorious Madness
6.Like
7.Consequences
8.Sunrise (Instrumental)
9.Think About Me
10.To Anyone Who Will Listen

Consequences now available HERE

About Joan Armatrading
Since the release of her last album, Joan has been made a CBE (from an MBE) become a Trustee of The Princes Trust, been awarded an Ivor Novello Fellowship, and received an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award plus a Lifetime Achievement Award from Women of the Year. Joan completed a major sold-out UK and American tour in 2018 following a massive 235 date world tour in 2014/15.

Among many other accolades she is the first female British artist to debut at number 1 in the Billboard Blues chart, where she stayed for 12 weeks and was the first ever female UK artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the blues category.