About allybrewster

AL EWING × RAM V × BRYAN HITCH – NEW VENOM

Leave a reply

Following a blockbuster turn by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, Marvel’s resident master of horror, Al Ewing, and Ram V will take over the adventures of Venom — bringing the same style and sensibilities that made Immortal Hulk a smash hit. Ewing and award-winning author Ram V, a titan of terror in his own right, will work together to lend a dramatic and dangerous air to this twisted new vision of Venom! Rounding out this symbiote hivemind will be legendary artist Bryan Hitch, bringing his rich and detailed style to the Venomverse. The future of Venom lies in the hands of this mastermind team, and you won’t believe what lies ahead!

“When my editors at Marvel reached out about taking on Venom alongside Al Ewing and Bryan Hitch, I was not prepared for the kind of creative thrill it has been ever since,” Ram V said. “This story is going to expand and push the symbiote narrative and lore in even more unexpected and fantastic directions. It is also an utter thrill having the sort of call and response mechanic I’ve had with a writer like Al and an artist of Bryan’s caliber. Fans and new readers, strap in— you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

Fans can get their first glimpse at what’s in store in this year’s Free Comic Book Day title, Free Comic Book Day 2021: Spider-Man/Venom, available at participating comics shops on August 14. Stay tuned for more information and don’t miss the next superstar era of VENOM this November. For more information, visit Marvel.

Art by Bryan Hitch

Honoring Mary Wilson’s Memory – Black Music × Pride Month

Leave a reply

Legendary artist/author and original and founding member of the Supremes, Mary Wilson was also known as a tireless advocate for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.

The Motown/UMe April release of Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition represented an ongoing effort to honor her memory and her passion for celebrating life through music. Her work to raise awareness of the need for tolerance and equality is especially poignant during June, which is dedicated to Black Music Month and Pride Month; her music provides a fitting backdrop to celebrations and events — from intimate events to large-scale community celebrations.

Ms. Wilson believed in the power of music, especially the joy The Supremes brought to the world. She carried on that legacy throughout her career and right up to the days before her untimely passing in February, just weeks before the release of Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition.

“The music was inclusive. It didn’t matter who you were, the music touched your soul. Music, to me, brought all the souls together. I’ve always said that Motown was an ambassador for love and for friendship because it brought people together.” – Mary Wilson in a 2015 interview with Pride Source.

Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition was originally announced to celebrate her 77^th Birthday and honor her history and legacy with the first of her album projects. Ms. Wilson, who retained ownership of her solo recordings, wanted to make the album – and much more – available to her many fans around the world. Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition is a newly compiled version of her solo album, originally released by Motown in 1979, that will now be available on all digital platforms for the first time. Added to the album are eight incredible bonus tracks, four of them unreleased, including the legendary tracks recorded as a follow-up to the album produced by Gus Dudgeon (Elton John, Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, et al). Featured as the lead single is a brand-new song, “Why Can’t We All Get Along,” produced by Richard Davis and co-written with Angelo Bond, who previously had great success as a co-writer with General Johnson and Greg Perry for “Bring The Boys Home.”

Mary Wilson, who had many fond memories around recording her solo debut, was so excited about the release of this album that, after finalizing details with UMe, she created an impromptu “teaser,” posting what was to be her final YouTube video. “I finally decided how to work with Universal, and they are going to release new Mary Wilson recordings,” she said. “Yes! At last! At last,” adding that the expanded version of the album, known by her and to fans as “Red Hot,” referring to its lead single, will include the Dudgeon productions – and something new. “It was four wonderful songs that were never released… and I also have some other songs, some surprising new songs… Thank you Universal for chiming in with me and helping this come true. Hopefully some of that will be out on my birthday, March 6^th… I’ve got my fingers crossed.”

Sadly, the world mourned the sudden passing of Mary Wilson on February 8^th, which also marked the 56^th anniversary of The Supremes’ #1 hit, “Stop! In the Name Of Love.” She was a world-renowned singer, best-selling author, a humanitarian, artist rights advocate, philanthropist, cultural ambassador for the U.S. appointed by Colin Powell, but she was best known as a “Supreme.” She was the co-founder of the original Supremes, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, which signed to Motown in January 1961, making this year their 60^th anniversary. The group broke down barriers by becoming the world’s most popular female singing trio, with an unprecedented string of 12 number one hits, 33 top 40 singles, a record breaking 5 consecutive number ones, and the first number one album for a female group. Mary Wilson is the only member with the group from their signing in 1961 to their disbanding in 1977. Their legendary history is the foundation for dozens of books, movies, and even three Broadway musicals.

But the often-overlooked history is of the solo careers of Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. Ballard had previously released an album on ABC Records while, upon leaving the Supremes, Mary Wilson released her self-titled solo album debut on Motown, her label for the previous 18 years. Mary Wilson had the potential of becoming a dance classic. Famed Motown Producer Hal Davis, known for #1 hits on the Jackson 5, Thelma Houston and Diana Ross crafted a lush disco album for Wilson, with six dance tracks and a mid-tempo ballad. Wilson recorded the album while pregnant with her youngest son, Raphael, and for the album’s cover shoot she was wrapped in a jacket to hide the pregnancy.

“Red Hot” was the obvious lead single. But just prior to the release of the album the infamous Disco Demolition Night took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago on July 12, 1979. The “Disco Sucks” movement impacted the release of Mary Wilson, and the single reached #85 on the dance chart and #95 on the R&B chart. This new collection retrieves for history the song’s rare 12” and 7” mixes, which were unique from the album’s version. Despite being loved by fans, and the release of a second single, “Pick Up the Pieces” in the U.K., the Mary Wilson album did not get the recognition it deserved.

In 1980, Mary Wilson headed to Europe to record with Elton John’s producer, Gus Dudgeon. The late Dudgeon, who started as Decca Records’ in-house recording engineer, became a key creative collaborator with Elton John, producing seven No. 1 albums, in addition to creating masterworks with David Bowie, Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, and many more.

Wilson wrote in her second autobiography, Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together, “I was very excited about these four songs. It wasn’t the formula disco of my first album. Two of the songs were big ballads. The other two were rock and roll in the style of Tina Turner’s mid-eighties hits; I was certainly ahead of the time.” Three of the four songs were never released. The fourth song, “You Dance My Heart Around the Stars,” first made available in 2015 on a collection of the co-writer’s, Steve Kalinich, a frequent collaborator of the Beach Boys, is considered one of Wilson’s finest performances.

In 1986 Mary Wilson wrote her best-selling autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme, followed by two more books, Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together, and Supreme Glamour. Although Mary continued to record and release music through the rest of her career, fans have continually requested to hear this music. These songs remain among the most requested items in the Motown catalog.

While recording more music over the last 10 years, Mary Wilson reconnected with Richard Davis, executive of Gold Forever Music, a publishing company established by Eddie Holland after leaving Motown. In the early days of Motown, Holland-Dozier-Holland was the songwriting team responsible for The Supremes’ string of hit records.

While Mary continued to record, she kept a journal with her most personal thoughts, perspective, outlook, philosophy on life, beliefs based on her experiences and topics of the day. Richard Davis discussed this song with Wilson. Mary told Davis and Bond that their lyrics were able to capture and articulate her feelings into song and help her tell her story. As she was watching and writing about her feelings about the political unrest and the division in the country, Mary felt strongly about releasing “Why Can’t We All Get Along,” now in the hopes of spreading a positive message through music.

TRACKLISTING:

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition

1. Red Hot (6:06)

2. I’ve Got What You Need (5:08)

3. You Make Me Feel So Good (5:51)

4. (I Love A) Warm Summer Night (4:07)

5. Pick Up the Pieces * (5:01)

6. You’re the Light That Guides My Way (3:18)

7. Midnight Dancer (3:08)

#1-7: Produced by Hal Davis

* Co-Produced by Hal Davis & Bobby Belle

Originally issued as Motown M7-927 R1 (1979)

Bonus Tracks

The Red Hot Singles

8. Red Hot 7” Single Version (3:53)

9. Red Hot 12” Disco Version – Remixed by Rusty Garner (7:12)

10. Red Hot 12” B-Side Promo Version – Remixed by Rusty Garner (3:53) – previously unreleased commercially

The Gus Dudgeon Sessions – previously unreleased except **

11. You Dance My Heart Around the Stars** (4:34)

12. Love Talk (4:05)

13. Save Me (3:53)

14. Green River (3:36)

The Richard Davis Sessions – previously unreleased

15. Why Can’t We All Get Along Single version (4:50)

SLEEPY HALLOW DEBUT ALBUM – STILL SLEEP?

Leave a reply

Today, Winners Circle’s Sleepy Hallow drops his debut album Still Sleep? via Winners Circle Entertainment/RCA Records. Producer Great John lays down the foundation on the 14 tracks, while Sleepy’s hard-hitting lyrics takes center stage. Click here to listen.

Still Sleep? Track list:

Basketball Dreams (Intro)
2 Sauce
4or Daze
2055
Make You (Snake Proof)
Equal
Scrub
Sleepy Freestyle
Chicken
Mi No Sabe
1999
Murda She Wrote (Outro)
Lowkey
Tip Toe

Hailing from East Flatbush, Brooklyn and one of the breakout stars of the Brooklyn Drill hip-hop scene, Sleepy Hallow came to prominence in 2020 with the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Deep End Freestyle” which featured vocals by Fousheé. Recently selected as one of HipHopDX Rising Stars 2021 and BET Amplified Artist of the Month (January), Hallow’s impressive repertoire of EPs – Sleepy Hallow Presents: Sleepy For President, The Black House, Don’t Sleep – has earned him coveted “best of” lists recognition from XXL, Complex, UpRoxx and more.

ABOUT WINNERS CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT

Incorporated in 2019, Winners Circle Entertainment includes label co-owners Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, Eli Fross and producer Great John, who handles a majority of the label’s music production. Co-owned and operated by a solid management conglomerate which is made up of Jeremy “Jerm” Soto and Karel “White” Jorge.

STILL SLEEP? ALBUM LINK

Cover Artwork Created by Nick Baran

VEVO × JORJA SMITH RELEASES LIVE PERFORMANCES

Leave a reply

Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of 8 exclusive Official Live performances with Jorja Smith.

Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams resulting in a series of bespoke and immersive performances. Previous Official Live Performances include Justin Bieber, The Weeknd and J Balvin.

“Jorja Smith is a truly one of a kind talent, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her and her team again for this exciting new project,” says Claudia DeWolff, Vice President of Content & Production, EU, “Close collaboration with an artist is key to the success of our Official Live Performances, and being able to create with such a visionary brought these visuals to an entirely new level. It’s a privilege to put visuals to all of the tracks of Be Right Back, and we look forward to continuing to champion her creativity.”

Jorja previously worked with Vevo back in 2018 with her LIFT performances of “Where Did I Go?” and “February 3rd,” as well as being named their DSCVR Artists to Watch in 2016. Over the years, Jorja’s infectious pop spirit and vivid storytelling has catapulted her to superstardom, becoming the perfect fit for an Official Live Performance series, Vevo’s highest-tier of original content. Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close collaboration with the artist and their team to create stunning, next-level visuals to their music.

These eight special performances were all shot in Vevo’s London studio over one day. Built by Croga Studios, the expansive space allows for Vevo’s intricate, bespoke sets to be carefully assembled to match each artist’s creative vision. Jorja’s set in particular was centered around a stylized set of stairs and fluid camera movements to symbolize growth and ascension.

ABOUT VEVO:

Vevo is the world’s leading music video network, connecting an ever-growing global audience to high quality music video content for more than a decade. Founded by Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in 2009, Vevo offers fans worldwide a vast array of premium content to choose from, showcasing official music videos alongside a constantly developing lineup of live performances and innovative original programming. From top superstars to rising new talents, Vevo brings incomparable cross-promotional support to artists across the musical spectrum, at every stage of their careers.

Vevo has consistently evolved over the past decade to lead within today’s ever-changing media landscape, embracing partnerships with a number of leading distribution platforms to deliver extraordinary content within ad-supported environments. With more than 26B views across television, desktop and mobile devices each month, Vevo brings music videos to the world when, where, and how fans want them.

Vevo is available on YouTube, Samsung, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Show, PlutoTV, Apple TV, Roku, Comcast (Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex), VIZIO, Sky (NowTV and SkyQ), Foxxum, XITE, NetRange, Redbox, T-Mobile Play, Virgin Media, Xumo, Telstra and Vewd.

GRYFFIN × KYLE REYNOLDS – “BEST IS YET TO COME”

Leave a reply

L.A.-based artist/producer Gryffin has just unveiled a new single entitled “Best Is Yet To Come” with buzzing California singer Kyle Reynolds. Released via Darkroom/Interscope Records, Gryffin once again crafts the ultimate summer anthem with an engaging electronic soundscape heightened by Kyle’s soaring delivery and powerful hooks. The track and accompanying video showcase the promise of an endless summer as the world comes back to life. “Best Is Yet To Come” is available now via all digital retailers, watch the video here or listen here.

Earlier this year, Gryffin teamed up with Two Feet for single “I Want Love” which thus far has generated over 9.5 million Spotify streams and garnered critical acclaim. EDM praised, “This idyllic track showcases a balanced blend of seemingly juxtaposing styles.” Additionally, his 2019 anthem “Tie Me Down” with Elley Duhé has surged in popularity once more. Exploding on TikTok, it has recently inspired over nearly 3 million videos in the past month alone. To date, it has amassed nearly a quarter-of-a-billion streams and views. Gryffin also recently announced the first dates for his return to Las Vegas for a 2021 Wynn residency, tickets now on-sale here.

On the meaning behind the track, Gryffin says “Best Is Yet To Come is a song about not knowing or being able to predict the future, but being hopeful and optimistic that better days are on the horizon.”

Be on the lookout for more music from Gryffin soon!

“I Want Love” followed Safe With Me”, featuring rising star Audrey Mika, and “Cry,” a collaboration with Swedish singer/songwriter John Martin hailed by EDM.com as a “scintillating future pop record that tugs at the heartstrings.” In addition, Gryffin’s recent output includes “Hold You Tonight,” a breathtaking collaboration with platinum-selling country artist Chris Lane. Premiering in April, the acoustic-guitar-laced track marked Gryffin’s first new music since the release of Gravity — a widely acclaimed album including hits like “Remember” ft. ZOHARA (a track that shot to #1 on Dance radio), “OMG” (a #16 hit on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, featuring Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen), and “Body Back” ft. Maia Wright (#16 hit on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart). With its incredible lineup of collaborators and guest artists, Gravity also features “Hurt People” (a collaboration with singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc, co-written by Bastille frontman Dan Smith) and “Baggage” by Gryffin with Gorgon City ft. AlunaGeorge (praised by Dancing Astronaut as a “perfectly poignant and danceable requiem to the summer season”).

Known for his kinetic fusion of dance-pop and future bass, Gryffin recently earned RIAA gold certification for “All You Need to Know” with SLANDER ft. Calle Lehmann — a 2019 release that’s now surpassed 100 million streams. The chart-climbing single appears on Gryffin’s debut album Gravity, which hit #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart soon after arriving in October 2019.

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.

Gryffin ft Kyle Reynolds – Best Is Yet To Come eSingle

For more information on Gryffin:

H&M × Banana Republic × UN Free Supports Global LGBTI Equality

Leave a reply

The United Nations Foundation announced today that top global brands H&M and Banana Republic are once again partnering with UN Free & Equal for Pride Month this June to raise awareness and funds in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) equality worldwide. H&M will donate $100,000 to the global campaign this year, while Banana Republic will donate $60,000 this Pride Month.

“Pride connects directly to our core values and encapsulates our social vision to enable everyone at H&M and beyond to live the life they want, express who they are and to be the best of themselves”, says Pascal Brun, Global Sustainability Manager, H&M.

Both H&M and Banana Republic have long supported UN Free & Equal, a global campaign of the United Nations Human Rights Office that strives to advance equal rights and fair treatment for LGBTI people around the world. With this year’s contributions, H&M has now donated a total of $850,000, while Banana Republic has donated $240,000 to date through partnerships with UN Free & Equal.

“Inclusion has always been part of Banana Republic’s DNA and we are proud to partner with UN Free & Equal again this year to support their mission for LGBTI equality and human rights,” said Ana Andjelic, CBO of Banana Republic. “The past year has shown it is more important than ever to fight for equality and celebrate opportunity for all.”

Pride celebrations this year are taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – a global crisis that has further exposed and exacerbated inequities and underscored the urgency of protecting the rights of LGBTI people.

“Every person – no matter who they are, where they live, or whom they love – deserves to live freely and authentically with full equality,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President & CEO of the UN Foundation. “The UN Foundation is proud to support UN Free & Equal in the fight for global LGBTI equality, and is grateful to both H&M and Banana Republic for their continued partnership.”

Now in its eighth year, the UN Free & Equal campaign aims to win respect, recognition, and acceptance for the human rights of LGBTI people around the world. The campaign reaches parents, students, teachers, journalists, and policymakers, especially in countries where LGBTI communities face hostility and hardship and aims to cultivate new allies in the fight for equality. It has campaigned in more than 30 countries so far, with 12 full-scale national campaigns currently active.

“LGBTI people remain among those who are most often left behind due to exclusion, discrimination and violence, and this has been further exacerbated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Young LGBTI people in particular face disproportionate levels of family rejection, bullying online and offline, homelessness and restrictions on access to information,” said Michael van Gelderen, LGBTI lead at UN Human Rights.

In support of LGBTI youth, UN Free & Equal recently launched a campaign with the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth calling on allies to support young LGBTI people in creating a fearless future where all young people are safe, loved and empowered to thrive – regardless of who they are or whom they love. The campaign, which is made possible by the generous support of corporate and Government donors, kicked off on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and will run through International Youth Day on August 12.

To learn more about the UN Free & Equal campaign, visit here.

About H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is quoted on Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M’s business idea is to offer fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. In addition to H&M, the group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, H&M HOME and ARKET as well as Afound. The H&M group has 53 online markets and approximately 4,950 stores in 74 markets including franchise markets. In 2020, net sales were SEK 187 billion. The number of employees amounts to approximately 153,000. For further information, visit here.

About Banana Republic
Banana Republic is a global apparel and accessories brand committed to building a better tomorrow for people and the planet. Designed with purpose for those who share a passion for life with no boundaries, Banana Republic is redefining luxury by using the finest materials with the latest fabric innovations to create timeless, modern, and versatile clothing, eyewear, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and fragrances. Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, Banana Republic connects with customers online and in company-operated and franchise retail locations globally. For more information, please visit here.

About United Nations Foundation
The UN Foundation is an independent charitable organization created to be a strategic partner for the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and drive global progress. Learn more here.

About UN Free & Equal
The UN Free & Equal campaign is an unprecedented global public information campaign aimed at promoting equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTI people. It was launched by the United Nations Human Rights Office in July 2013 and has since reached hundreds of millions of people globally through traditional and social media as well as generated a stream of widely shared materials – including powerful videos, impactful graphics and plain-language fact sheets. For more information please visit here.

Digital Health Revenues to Jump 34% by 2023

Leave a reply

Although the COVID-19 pandemic put enormous pressure on the global healthcare sector, one of the promising side effects has been the rapid growth of digital health services. During the crisis, hospitals were facing the most challenging public health threat they have ever experienced. However, digital health has stepped in providing innovative and effective solutions for chronic patients or those in need of immediate healthcare. As a result, the revenues of the entire sector jumped by 30% YoY, reaching $109bn in 2020.

According to data presented by Trading Platforms, digital health revenues are expected to hit $132.2bn in 2021. The entire industry is forecast to continue growing and reach a $177.5bn value by 2023, a 34% increase in two years.

Digital Fitness Revenues to Jump by 40% in Two Years, eHealth Segment Follows with a 27% Increase

The digital health market covers many technologies, including mobile health apps, connected wearable devices, and telemedicine. By tracking physical activities or identifying early signs of developing diseases, these technologies enable millions of people worldwide to monitor and record their health conditions more efficiently and in a user-friendly manner.

The surge in the use of the internet and smartphones and the shift towards a healthier lifestyle have been driving the impressive growth of the entire sector even before the pandemic. However, the COVID-19 has undoubtedly fueled the widespread use of digital health apps and solutions.

In 2019, the entire market generated $83.3bn in revenue, revealed the Statista data. After the pandemic struck, revenues jumped by $25.6bn in a year. The widespread use of digital health solutions is expected to continue this year, with the entire sector growing by 20% YoY. By 2023, global digital health revenues are forecast to increase by another $45.3bn.

As the largest segment of the market, digital fitness is expected to generate $76.3bn in revenue in 2021. By 2023, this figure is forecast to grow by nearly 40% to $106.2bn.

E-health services are set to witness a 27% growth in this period, with revenues rising from $55.8bn to $71.3bn.

China and the United States to Generate 50% of Total Revenues

The Statista survey also revealed the following years are set to witness substantial growth in the number of people using digital fitness apps and eHealth services.

In 2021, the unified market is expected to count close to 3 billion users, almost 40% more than before the pandemic struck. By 2023, this figure will jump over 3.5 billion and continue growing to 4 billion by 2025.

The number of people using digital fitness apps is expected to jump by 27% in the next two years, rising from 980 million to over 1.2 billion. The eHealth segment is forecast to witness a 17% growth in this period, with the number of users reaching 2.2 billion by 2023.

As the world`s largest digital health market, China is forecast to generate $38.5bn in revenue in 2021, up from $30.8bn last year. In the next two years, the Chinese market is expected to hit $52.7bn value.

With 261.6 million users and $26.3bn in revenue in 2021, the United States ranked as the second-largest market globally. By 2023, this figure is set to jump to $31.4bn.

India, Japan, and Germany follow with $6.2bn, $4.2bn, and $3.5bn in revenue in 2021, respectively. Statistics show that China and the US, as the two largest markets, are expected to generate nearly 50% of global digital health revenues this year. By 2023, their combined revenue share is expected to slip to 47%.

The full story can be read here.

Bitcoin miners generate $1.4 billion despite 36% BTC slump

Leave a reply

Bitcoin miners generate $1.4 billion in May’s revenue despite 36% BTC slump

With bitcoin experiencing a price correction of almost 50% in May from the all-time high, mining revenue was expected to take a significant hit. However, contrary to expectations, the revenue has shown resilience.

Data acquired by Finbold indicates that bitcoin miners earned $1.45 billion in May, dropping only 15.01% from the April figure of $1.7 billion. The revenue dropped slightly considering bitcoin suffered a significant price correction of about 36% in May. Between March and April, the revenue slightly plunged 2.5% from $1.75 billion to $1.7 billion.

Over the last three months, the highest daily bitcoin mining revenue was on April 15th at $77 million. The lowest returns were recorded on May 29th at $26 million.

Continued crackdown likely to impact bitcoin mining revenue

In May bitcoin faced increased scrutiny over the carbon footprint debate, something that was expected to significantly impact mining revenue. According to the research report:

“The bitcoin mining revenue is encouraging considering that the industry has witnessed a decline in profitability over recent years. However, with the regulatory crackdown on mining, the industry risks slowing down on revenue since large-scale miners are mostly targeted by authorities.”

The focus on bitcoin’s energy consumption can potentially lower the interest from institutional investors who want to meet the needs of environmentally cautious investors. However, the emergence of renewable energy sources might tilt the tide. The research report notes that:

“With the increased focus on renewable energy for bitcoin mining, the asset might attract more institutions potentially sparking an increase in value and consequently the mining revenue.”

Regions like North America are taking the lead aiming to establish a bitcoin mining hub that relies on renewable energy.

Read the full story with statistics here.

Alice Coltrane – “Kirtan: Turiya Sings,” – Release July 16

Leave a reply

This summer, the world will finally hear an intimate, spiritual recording made by the godmother of spiritual jazz, Alice Coltrane. Recorded in 1981 and never shared in this form with the world at large, Kirtan: Turiya Sings is a stunning collection of nine devotional songs, featuring the never-before-heard combination of Alice Coltrane’s voice and organ. Kirtan: Turiya Sings will be available July 16 on Impulse! Records/UMe, as part of the legendary label’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Though known by many as the musical partner and wife of John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane is revered for her groundbreaking contributions to spiritual jazz with her legendary Impulse! recordings Journey in Satchidananda and Ptah, The El Daoud, among others. Throughout the 1970s, in addition to maintaining the busy schedule of a recording and touring artist, Alice Coltrane was immersing herself in Eastern philosophies, mythologies, and Vedic religious practices. By the early 1980s, she had become a guru and spiritual teacher and began to make music exclusively for her community at The Vedantic Center, northwest of Los Angeles.

The original recording of these songs, Turiya Sings, was released exclusively on cassette in 1982 for the students of the ashram. In addition to Alice’s voice and organ, the recording included synthesizers, strings, and sound effects. In 2004, Alice’s son and producer of this record, Ravi Coltrane, found mixes he’d never heard before of just Alice’s voice and her Wurlitzer organ. He knew this is what the world had to hear.

“In this setting I felt the greatest sense of her passion, devotion and exaltation in singing these songs in praise of the Supreme. In that moment, I knew people needed to hear Turiya Sings in this context.” Ravi continues, “as her son, growing up and hearing her playing these songs on the very same Wurlitzer you hear on this recording, I recognize this choice maintains the purity and essence of Alice’s musical and spiritual vision. In many ways, this new clarity brings these chants to an even higher place.”

The opening chords of Kirtan: Turiya Sings are a curtain opening into a realm of spirituality and devotion that only Alice Coltrane could conjure. This album is not jazz–it is not improvised. It is intentional, devotional, and spiritual. This music, sung in Sanskrit, is spacious and large, Alice’s voice has weight and power, her organ playing rock-solid, pulsing, a cauldron of musical influences you can hear from her life.

Ravi Coltrane summarizes the musical importance of this album best:

“On this album, your ear will be turned toward the sound of the blues, to gospel, to the Black American church, often combined with the Carnatic singing style of southern India. You will hear beautiful harmonies influenced by Alice’s Detroit/Motown roots, her bebop roots, John Coltrane’s impact, and her absorption of European classical music, particularly that of her favorite: Igor Stravinsky. Yet, at the same time, this is functional music. Its purpose is, with light and love, to praise the names of the Supreme. On this album, your heart and spirit will be turned toward divine inspiration and appreciation.”

Kirtan: Turiya Sings was mixed by Steve Genewick and mastered by Kevin Reeves from original 24-track masters. This is the same team that worked with producer Ravi Coltrane on Alice Coltrane’s last album, 2004’s Translinear Light. The lacquers were cut by Ryan D. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed at Furnace. The album will be available on vinyl, CD, digital download and streaming, as well as hi-res streaming in studio quality sound, and can be pre-ordered here. Watch the visualizer for “Krishna Krishna.”

Shenandoah × Sessions Live – Livestream Performance

Leave a reply

GRAMMY®, ACM and CMA winning Shenandoah, in partnership with Sessions Live, will be performing their first-ever live stream from the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The event will take place Monday, June 21 at 7 p.m. CT in celebration of live performances gearing back up and the band’s greatest hits over the last three decades.

“I’m thrilled to invite our fans to our special livestream performance at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. It will be great to bring a little piece of history to everyone’s living room,” shared front man Marty Raybon.

The livestream will be followed by a VIP encore set and a Q&A session. General admission tickets are $12.00. VIP tickets are also still available, which include a limited edition t-shirt and signed 8×10 picture.

To purchase tickets, click here.

The Every Road Tour Dates:

May 28 – Jimmy Doyle’s Country Club – Little Rock, Ark.
May 29 – JL Bar and Ranch – Sonora, Texas
May 30 – Freiheit Country Store – New Braunfels, Texas
June 11 – Memorial Rod, Run & BBQ – Flemingsburg, Ky.
June 18 – Ford County Fairgrounds – Melvin, Ill.
June 19 – Virginia/Kentucky Fair – Wise, Va.
June 21 – Live Streaming Event
June 24 – Arena Theatre – Houston, Texas
June 25 – Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth, Texas
June 26 – Buck’s Backyard – Buda, Texas
June 30 – Marion County Fair Grounds – Indianapolis, Ind.
July 2 – Wild West Festival – Hays, Kan.
July 3 – Ross Co. Fair – Chillicothe, Ohio
July 9 – Huntley Homestead – Huntley, Mont.
July 15 – Gardiner Farms – Tuscumbia, Ala.
July 17 – Country Jam USA – Eau Claire, Wis.
July 22 – Marshall County Fair Campground – Warren, Minn.
July 29 – Jackson County Junior Fair – Cottageville, W.Va.
July 30 – Country Tonite Theatre – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
July 31 – Warren Sewell Field – Woodland, Ala.
Aug. 5 – Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds – Elma, Wash.
Aug. 7 – Crook County Fairgrounds – Prineville, Ore.
Aug. 14 – River Fest – Watertown, Wis.
Aug. 17 – State Fair of West Virginia – Lewisburg, W.Va.
Aug. 21 – Winstock Country Music Festival – Winsted, Minn.
Aug. 26 – Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 27 – Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 28 – Callaway 200 Bicentennial Bash – Fulton, Mo.
Sept. 2 – Hempstead Hall – Hope, Ark.
Sept. 3 – Eoff Ranch – Clinton, Ark.
Sept. 5 – Rolling Hills Casino – Corning, Calif.
Sept. 6 – Adelanto Stadium – Adelanto, Calif.
Sept. 10 – Crossties – Texarkana, Ark.
Sept. 11 – Mo’s Place – Katy, Texas
Sept. 17 – Roanoke Rapids Theatre – Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Sept. 18 – Great Frederick Fair – Frederick, Md.
Sept. 19 – Sidney High School Auditorium – Sidney, Ohio
Sept. 24 – Showplace Theatre at Riverwind Casino – Norman, Okla.
Sept. 28 – Brown County Fair – Georgetown, Ohio
Oct. 15 – Watson Lake Park – Prescott, Ariz.
Oct. 16 – Heber Valley Fest – Heber City, Utah
Oct. 22 – Hancock County Arena – Kiln, Miss.
Oct. 23 – Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo – Bryan, Texas
Oct. 24 – Barge 295 – Seabrook, Texas
Oct. 29 – Cotton Club – Granger, Texas
Oct. 30 – Live Oak County Fair Grounds & Coliseum – George West, Texas
Nov. 5 – Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – Stateline, Nev.
Nov. 11 – Cherokee Casino – Catoosa, Okla.
Nov. 12 – Cherokee Casino – W. Siloam Springs, Okla.
Nov. 13 – Hard Rock Casino – Roland, Okla.
Nov. 18 – The Ritz Theatre – Greenville, Ala.
Nov. 19 – Walhalla PAC – Walhalla, S.C.
Nov. 26 – Greek Bros Oyster Bar – El Campo, Texas
Nov. 27 – Waller Co. Fairgrounds – Hempstead, Texas

For real-time updates on Every Road, visit their website.

Follow Shenandoah on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About Shenandoah:

GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM-winning hitmakers Shenandoah, fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, are celebrated for delivering such hits as “Two Dozen Roses”, “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next to You, Next to Me” as well as such achingly beautiful classics as “I Want to be Loved Like That” and the GRAMMY® winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” duet with Alison Krauss. Today that legacy continues as original members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire launch a new chapter in Shenandoah’s storied career with their new record Every Road. Raybon and McGuire formed Shenandoah in 1984 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with bassist Ralph Ezell, keyboardist Stan Thorn and guitarist Jim Seales. Shenandoah inked a deal with Columbia Records and began establishing a national fan base with their self-titled debut in 1987. However, it was the band’s sophomore effort, The Road Not Taken, that spawned their first top ten hits—“She Doesn’t Cry Anymore” and “Mama Knows.” Shenandoah followed with three consecutive No. 1 hits—“Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses.” “The Church on Cumberland Road” spent two weeks at the top of the chart and made country music history as it marked the first time that a country band’s first No. 1 single spent more than one week at the summit. It also helped propel sales of the album to more than half a million units thus giving Shenandoah their first gold album. Shenandoah became known for delivering songs that celebrated the importance of faith and family while reveling in the joys of small town life. “Next to You, Next to Me” topped the charts for three weeks and “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart,” a beautiful duet with Alison Krauss, won a Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the year and a GRAMMY® for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Shenandoah also won the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year in 1991.