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UPSAHL – Melatonin

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UPSAHL Shows Off Her Musicality in New Stripped Version of Melatonin, Debut Album Out This October via Arista Records, To Perform at NYC’s Webster Hall & Los Angeles’ Fonda Theater Supporting Olivia O’Brien This Fall

WATCH THE MELATONIN VIDEO HERE

WATCH STRIPPED VERSION HERE

WATCH NEW LYRIC VIDEO HERE

Bold and brash, she holds nothing back – SPIN

An artist who’s as great at writing a hook as she is at singing one – BILLBOARD

Exudes an infectious sense of confidence that provides an aura of empowerment for her listeners – V MAGAZINE

Playful – PAPER

With a sharp voice and an even sharper pen, trailblazing iconoclast UPSAHL shares a reimagined, stripped down version of her bright, buoyant (Billboard) new single Melatonin, another tremendous example of her musical depth and prowess via Arista Records. As she sings earnestly of Insomnia, the track glides between dreamy production swells to a danceable funk bassline. Her voice ebbs and flows with stark confessions, I think I had too much to drink and I got issues in my mind, and I gotta face ‘em.

The hook instantly captivates you, exemplifying UPSAHL’s witty songwriting craft. Insomnia now has a bop of its own. If sleeplessness sounds this appealing, who wants to go to bed anyway, Billboard muses. READ MORE HERE

I wrote ‘Melatonin’ shortly after the breakup that inspired my song ‘Douchebag,’ UPSAHL explains. I wasn’t sleeping. I was super anxious and had crazy insomnia. Melatonin is about being so overwhelmed with your emotions that you can’t even escape your problems in your dreams. That said, I wanted people to be able to dance in their dreams and have a little fun while they can’t sleep, so we made the production feel like a party!

MORE VIA PAPER HERE

On the visuals, she added, The director, George Gallardo, and I wanted to show what ‘sleep paralysis’ would look like as a person, someone who can make your best dreams feel dark. I go on a journey with this sleep paralysis character, ultimately leading to a nightmare. In the beginning, the character is sexy. I’m intrigued, just like a new romantic relationship. Once I’m taken into this dream world, which seems like an escape at first, shit begins to hit the fan. This character figuratively and literally kicks my ass! Even though the video is quite literally about anxiety in dreams, I think the arc of it is very similar to the arc of failed relationships. They can start off amazing, but when they end, it can fuck you up.

UPSAHL recently announced a run of fall dates across the U.S. opening for Olivia OߣBrien kicking off August 30th at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. She will also make her first-ever headline show debut at the Courtyard Theatre in London this fall on October 12th.

Happy Endings, UPSAHL’s recent collaboration with Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and iann dior, climbed up to #9 on the Alternative Top 40 Radio Chart. She also logged a second entry with her feature on DREAMERS’ Palm Reader with Big Boi currently sitting at #28 on the chart. Additional highlights include her breakout hit Drugs eclipsing 100 million streams followed by People I Don’t Like at 50 million streams.

UPSAHL’s full-length debut album is due out this October. More info to follow.

About UPSAHL

Early in her career, UPSAHL released songs which gained much-deserved recognition throughout the Phoenix music scene. As a graduate of the Arizona School for the Arts, she went on to ignite a groundswell of fan adoration and tastemaker praise by way of numerous indie alternative gems. Can You Hear Me Now achieved a palpable viral buzz followed by the widely praised single Drugs, which has been used in nearly 2,000,000 TikTok videos, reaching #6 on the TikTok Viral Chart and #1 Sound on the TikTok Trends Chart. It has also been featured in clips posted by the likes of James Charles, Charly Jordan, Alex French, Jason Derulo, and more. Drugs led to a momentous year for the up-and-coming indie-pop queen, according to Alternative Press.

2019 saw UPSAHL take the stage at Lollapalooza and support acts including PVRIS, Joywave, BROODS, and Young the Giant. Additionally, YouTube claimed UPSAHL as their Artist on the Rise, Nylon proclaimed, She’s on her rock star ish, and NME declared she has a knack for fusing fizzy hooks with her drawling delivery of pithy lyrics. The result, her vibrant alt-pop bops.

2020 was a standout year for UPSAHL, releasing her second EP Young Life Crisis, which Billboard crowned as one of the top 25 pop albums of 2020. Earlier in the year, UPSAHL undertook her first co-write on Good in Bed for Dua Lipa’s GRAMMY Award winning blockbuster, Future Nostalgia, and recently lent her pen to Madison Beer on her fiery single BOYSHIT, as well as Mike Shinoda’s upbeat anthem Happy Endings, which features her and iann dior. Complete with throwback alternative vibes and her signature unfiltered lyricism, UPSAHL’s new singles Douchebag and Melatonin are out now, off of her highly anticipated full-length debut album due out in October 2021.

Connect with UPSAHL via their website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Zeds Dead – Alive featuring MKLA

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**Zeds Dead Drop New House Single Alive with MKLA via Deadbeats**

Listen HERE

Ahead of DeadRocks, Two Night Show at Red Rocks Amphitheater on July 2nd & 3rd

Zeds Dead are back with a brand new single – Alive with MKLA – celebrating their imminent return to the touring circuit. Alive sees Zeds Dead gravitating to house music, continuing their multi-genre approach to music production and building on their signature sound.

Alive is a grooving late-night house jam ripe with progressive melodies, evoking a sense of comfort and euphoria. Zeds Dead tapped MKLA for the track, pairing her ethereal vocals with minimalist synths and a four to the floor beat that rounds out the intoxicating club record.

Alive is Zeds Dead’s first release since their genre-defying mixtape Catching Z’s in March, a project that runs the gamut of electronic music, blending elements of downtempo, drum and bass, and house into a cohesive 13-track project. While Catching Z’s was released on the recently launched Altered States record label, Alive drops on Zeds Dead’s own label Deadbeats. No strangers to house music, Zeds Dead fans will remember their blow out house hit You Know, a collaboration with Oliver Heldens.

MKLA and Zeds Dead shared some words about their collaboration:

This is one of my favorite songs that I feel like I’ve ever written and working with Zeds Dead on it has been one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had on a record, yet. Zeds Dead are artists who believe in making music that feels conceptual, meaningful, and emotional – I’d gotten a sense of this even before we started working together because the vocals / lyrics they showcase always have something deeper to say and the artists they work with are the same. I’m really grateful that I could connect with such legendary artists in such a meaningful, artful way. – MKLA

We’re excited to get this new one out with our friend MKLA and to play it out at our first shows since March 2020 this weekend at DeadRocks! – Zeds Dead

The release comes ahead of two sold-out shows at Red Rocks on July 2nd and 3rd; the 7th annual DeadRocks, which has become the mecca for Zeds Dead fans who travel from around the world to attend the yearly event. This year DeadRocks is perhaps the most anticipated yet, after the unfortunate cancellation of last year’s festival during the thick of the pandemic. They are headlining both nights, with opening support from the likes of Blunts & Blondes, Delta Heavy, Zeke Beats, Sippy, Chomppa, Kill The Noise, Eprom, GG Magree, Chee and Nostalgix.

And for the first time ever Zeds Dead will be extending the DeadRocks celebrations for a third day with two more events they will be headlining on July 4th; the inaugural Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree at Sculpture Park during the day time and a sold out DeadRocks Hangover event at the Mission Ballroom in the evening.

Then they’re off to Chandler, AZ for Deadbeats Arizona at the Rawhide Events Center on July 10th and 11th, where they’ll be joined by Subtronics, Rusko, Dirt Money, Lick, Level Up and Cheiif.

This fall, they’re embarking on the Deadbeats: Revival Tour, a nationwide tour of the US. It’s a welcome return to the touring circuit for one of the most beloved duos in dance music today.

About Zeds Dead

Zeds Dead is one of the top electronic artists today. Their consistent stream of quality releases has won them the adoration of millions of fans and praise from the biggest names in music. Their independent record label Deadbeats continues to break the hottest electronic artists and their Deadbeats tour has expanded across the globe.

Follow Zeds Dead via their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, website and YouTube.

Inhaler – Totally

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**INHALER SHARE NEW TRACK TOTALLY, LISTEN HERE, DEBUT ALBUM OUT JULY 9, NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SET FOR MARCH 2022**

Today Inhaler share their new track Totally out now on Interscope Records. The song premiered alongside an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music. Listen to Totally HERE.

Totally is the latest song to be shared from Inhaler’s debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This, which is set for release on July 9th and available for pre-order HERE. Singer and guitarist Eli Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon have made a record that captures their evolution from exciting upstarts to refined songsmiths. It takes in a dazzling array of sonic textures, where huge, hooky choruses perfectly meld with intricate, dynamic instrumentation.

A Covid-enforced delay encouraged the four-piece to find new levels as a band, opening up both their sound and their lyrical themes. Songs about meeting girls turned into reflections on society and how to get through tough periods. We started writing this when we were teenagers and now we’re adults, says Keating. I wanted the songs to feel positive, adds Hewson. Because… it won’t always be like this.

Recorded with long-term collaborator and producer Antony Genn at London’s Narcissus Studios, it’s a coming-of-age record about losing yourself and finding yourself again, trying to make sense of the world when the world doesn’t make much sense.

Inhaler will play an 18-date tour of the UK & Ireland later this year before heading to the states for their March 2022 North American headline tour. The dates in September, October and December include brand new UK tour dates alongside the band’s rescheduled tour of Ireland. Click HERE for a complete list of UK and Ireland tour dates.

Inhaler formed while still at school in Dublin, bonding over a love of Joy Division, The Stone Roses, Kings Of Leon, The Strokes, Interpol, The Cure and more. A string of captivating singles and their fevered live show have earned them a diehard fanbase. The band were originally meant to begin recording It Won’t Always Be Like This in March 2020 but their plans were derailed by lockdown. Instead of moping, they used the period as a time to rethink and reimagine what their debut album could be.

Connect with Inhaler via their Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

YSB Tril – Hotshot Mixtape

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**YSB TRIL PROVES HE’S THE ULTIMATE HOTSHOT WITH NEW MIXTAPE**

New Project Features Hits Ain’t the Same and Touchdown

YSB Tril (LISTEN TO THE KIDS/Interscope Records) looks to stampede his way into stardom with his HOTSHOT mixtape. The 13-track project finds Tril, the melodic wunderkind floating through tracks with ease. And when he is not crooning, Tril looks to save the rap game with his steely wordplay, as proven on his sticky intro Hero. His confidence remains top-notch on the swaggering tune Hot Shot. The bouncy anthem captures Tril in his element: punching in a sure-fire hook with clever rhymes.

Tril has garnered success with his previously released singles Ain’t the Same and Touchdown, featuring Bankrol Hayden as each record amassed over six million streams globally. The former became a popular song in the sports world after the NBA and Toronto Raptors used it before tip-off during the regular season. As part of his mixtape release, Tril will perform today All Da Action and Hotshot as part of the Toronto Ultra halftime show.

So far in his career, the rising rookie showcased his versatility and rock-solid work ethic, amassing his streaming totals to a whopping five million independently. Last year, Tril earned him a performance slot for NBA #2KFest celebration. Tri’s rapid ascension equally enthuses publications. GrungeCake lauded the young hyphenate for his undeniably catchy, singsongy hook and fast-paced verses on Do It Most. Flaunt Magazine highlighted Tril’s action-packed video All Da Action and dubbed him a force to be reckoned with. Lyrical Lemonade applauded Tril for having a natural and effortless flow you cannot teach.

Tril also thrives on self-reliance, as he is proven to record his music, film his videos, and even developed a strong connection with his fans on social media. With Roddy Ricch and Juice WRLD serving as influences, YSB’s road to greatness will come sooner than later.

YSB Tril HOTSHOT Mixtape

Hero
Action
Hotshot
Workin’
Ain’t the Same
So Done
Touchdown Feat. Bankrol Hayden
21
Medic Feat. Dripsterr
Survival of the Fittest
Feel It
Famous
All Along Feat. lilspirit

Purchase or stream YSB Tril’s HOTSHOT and make sure to follow him for more via his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Lil Yachty – Love Music

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**LIL YACTHY RELEASES NEW SINGLE LOVE MUSIC WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE STREAM HERE**

Today Lil Yachty has shared his newest track Love Music via Quality Control / Motown. The laid-back single is his first release following his highly praised Michigan Boy Boat mixtape. On Love Music the ever-versatile rapper takes a turn from the rapid-fire, off kilter delivery of his latest body of work. The track yet again demonstrates a new side of Yachty backed by alt-pop production, showcasing his melodic prowess and story-telling abilities. The release is accompanied by a visualizer of the single’s artwork.

After dropping the last chapter to his Lil Boat trilogy in 2020 with Lil Boat 3 (and subsequent deluxe album LB3.5), Lil Yachty entered 2021 soaring with his mixtape Michigan Boy Boat. The tape was a homage to the emerging Michigan rap scene and was packed with features from fast rising midwest rappers. Lil Yachty is keeping busy this year, working on a new series for HBO Max based on the card game UNO, releasing his cryptocurrency YachtyCoin, partnering with Reese’s Puffs Cereal, and promoting his new unisex nail-paint line Crete.

Follow Lil Yachty for more via his Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Soundcloud.

Måneskin Soars to the Top of the Global Charts

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Måneskin Soars To #2 On Spotify’s Global Top 200 Chart For The Second Day In A Row, Måneskin Sits Right Behind Only Olivia Rodrigo’s Smash good 4 u As The Platform’s Two Most Streamed Songs In The World.

The Surging Young Rock Band Is Also The Only Artist With TWO Tracks In The Top-10, Alongside Lil Nas X, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, BTS & More

Måneskin Also Continues To Be At The Forefront of Bringing Rock Back To The Upper Tier of Charts In Numerous Countries- Just Notching Their THIRD #1 Track In Recent Weeks On Spotify’s U.S. Viral Chart, Making History This Week With TWO Tracks In The Official UK Top-10, And Currently #1 In Germany & Switzerland

Maneskin make history with two Top 10 entries on the Official Singles Chart… Måneskin continue their run of success, landing not one but two entries on this week’s Official Singles Chart Top 10. …To put that into perspective, not even Eurovision champions ABBA or Celine Dion have achieved two Top 10 singles in the same week – Official Charts

This Past Weekend, Måneskin Also Showed Their Support For The LGBTQ Community During A Top Music Festival In Poland

Måneskin Share A Kiss On Stage In Defiance Of Poland’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Rulings – Bustle

Måneskin share same-sex kiss on stage on Polish TV to protest country’s homophobia – Gay Times

View Måneskin’s Instagram post and full performance on YouTube.

2021 is the year of Måneskin – Success has numbers that back it up. Facts. Yet the set of reasons that guaranteed Måneskin access to international fame do not have to do solely with pure mathematical data. The Italian band, the first in the last thirty years to see the doors of the English charts open wide, has been able to embody a new prototype of an artist. Something that holds humility and innovation together, forgetting the mannerist excesses of the rock star. The Måneskins have shown how honesty – intellectual and human – can still be. The Måneskin have rejected shortcuts…. And, they have gone where no one else, to date, has managed to go…This is something that has no equal in Italy – Vanity Fair (IT)

Stay connected with Måneskin via their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.

Wondagurl Announces Wonderchild Label Imprint with Red Bull Records

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GRAMMY-NOMINATED PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, AND EXECUTIVE WONDAGURL ANNOUNCES WONDERCHILD IMPRINT WITH RED BULL RECORDS

Today, Red Bull Records is thrilled to announce its partnership deal with acclaimed producer, songwriter, and music executive Ebony ‘WondaGurl’ Oshunrinde and her label imprint, Wonderchild. The news of the exciting new partnership follows WondaGurl’s history-making win at the 2021 Juno Awards, where she became the first Black woman to receive the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award.

The first deal of its kind for Red Bull Records, WondaGurl will work alongside Red Bull Records executives Greg Hammer (Managing Director) and Kenny ‘Tick’ Salcido (Senior Vice President / Head of A&R) to sign fresh, exciting new talent. Toronto rapper JUGGER will serve as the first artist to sign to the label, with his highly anticipated full-length project executive produced by WondaGurl out later this year. Read the full announcement on Complex here.

We couldn’t be more excited to announce this partnership with WondaGurl, says Hammer. As one of the most groundbreaking producers in her field, we look forward to investing in WondaGurl’s creative vision and championing her future signings. Our first joint signing JUGGER is the perfect embodiment of our partnership, and as a pioneer of the ‘death trap’ genre, his sound is one that is truly innovative and unmatched.

WondaGurl defines our mission statement of working with culturally significant talent. A veteran producer at only 24 years old, WondaGurl has worked with A-list artists for years and is now offering rising talent the chance to sign to her Wonderchild imprint in partnership with Red Bull Records, notes Salcido. At the time of negotiations, our A&R consultant Gelareh ‘G’ Rouzbehani worked tirelessly with us to help bring this deal to fruition. JUGGER will be our first official joint signing, and we are excited to combine forces to give him the platform he needs to make a strong debut. I believe Tyler Henry and Sturdy are one of the best management teams in the business, and we could not be more excited to grow this partnership with them.

It has been a pleasure working with the Red Bull Records team this past year in developing my first artist, JUGGER, says WondaGurl. Kenny, G, Greg, and the rest of the team have given me the time and space to create. As an artist and producer, that means everything. I look forward to the release of our first project together and everything to come with this relationship.

Red Bull Records has been a great partner and supported WondaGurl in her creative endeavors over this last year, adds WondaGurl’s manager, Tyler Henry. We are excited to get our first release out together.

About WondaGurl

WondaGurl is a Canadian 24-year-old multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated producer and executive who has worked with such acts including Travis Scott, Jay Z, Drake, Rihanna, Eminem, and more. Her most recent major placements include Don Toliver’s platinum single No Idea, and Gang Gang, from JACKBOYS’ number 1 eponymous album.

About Red Bull Records

Since its launch in 2007, Red Bull Records has quietly evolved into a homegrown haven for the cultivation of career artists with global reach. Operating out of offices in Los Angeles and London, the international independent record label houses a diverse roster of talent, including The Aces, Albert Hammond Jr, Beartooth, Blxst, Flawes, Gavin Haley, Kofi, pineappleCITI, and sad alex. As of 2021, roster artists have generated over 3 billion streams and video views—unprecedented for an indie. The company’s unrelenting, unapologetic, and unwavering commitment to artist development has resulted in diamond, multi-platinum, platinum, and gold successes as its acts have built devoted audiences around the world, indelibly impacting popular culture from outside of the system.

Follow WondaGurl via her Instagram and Twitter.

Goodwood Festival of Speed Features Two Designs by Gordon Murray

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Two classic Gordon Murray designed race cars to star at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

Legendary Brabham Ford BT44B to run up Goodwood’s famous hill climb route. Joined by IGM F750, one of the first race cars to be designed by Gordon Murray. Professor Gordon Murray was named as one of the judges of the 26th annual Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Élégance. Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from July 8 to 11 – one of the world’s greatest celebrations of motoring and motorsport.

Gordon Murray Automotive is set to light up this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed with two ground-breaking Gordon Murray-designed heritage cars being driven up the famous 1.16mile hill. The 1972 IGM F750 and 1975 Brabham Ford BT44B will star at the Festival which runs from July 8-11. Professor Gordon Murray will be personally driving his creations over the weekend, with racing driver Marino Franchitti amongst the others sharing the driving duties.

Professor Gordon Murray has also been invited by the Duke of Richmond to be a member of the judging panel for the 26th annual Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ Concours d’Élégance, the winner of which will be announced on Sunday 11 July.

Professor Gordon Murray CBE said, The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ultimate event for any motoring enthusiast. That’s why I was keen to have two of my favourite racing cars run up the hill. Both cars demonstrate the advantage of lightweight innovation and both established principles that allowed me to have a successful career in motor racing. They also taught me many things. Learnings that I have even employed in our latest T.50 supercar and its T.50s Niki Lauda track-focused sibling. I can’t wait to see them being driven up the hill and experience them again myself.

The 1972 IGM F750 was the first race car that Gordon Murray designed after he arrived in the UK from South Africa in 1969. Determined to go racing he settled on the 750 Formula, designing this innovative monocoque car, with a lay-down driving position, rear radiator and 10-inch wheels, all to create a car with a low frontal area. It also featured a Murray-designed rod operated rising rate front suspension system, which is now universal on all racing cars. The car running at Goodwood is chassis T.4 001 which was discovered as unassembled components and then reconstructed by the Gordon Murray Design team in 2019.

The Brabham Ford BT44B, was a development of the successful BT44, with a step forward in aerodynamic performance. Powered by a 460hp Ford 3.0-litre V8, it gave Carlos Pace his first GP win at his home event at the 1975 Brazil Grand Prix. Brabham teammate Carlos Reutemann also took it to victory at the 1975 German GP. The BT44 was the first GP car to utilise rising rate pull rod suspension and have the rear suspension directly attached to the engine.

Follow Gordon Murray Automotive via their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

AJR – Way Less Sad Cash Cash Remix

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**AJR PUTS FRESH SPIN ON WAY LESS SAD WITH NEW CASH CASH REMIX OUT TODAY – LISTEN HERE, WAY LESS SAD IS NO. 2 AT ALTERNATIVE RADIO, TOP 20 AT POP RADIO AND APPROACHING TOP 10 AT ADULT POP RADIO**

Multiplatinum indie pop trio AJR teamed up with electronic music group Cash Cash to remix their summer anthem Way Less Sad. The club-ready song is available everywhere today via AJR Productions/BMG.

Click HERE to listen.

Way Less Sad is poised to be one of the biggest songs of the summer. It’s generated more than 80 million total streams, is spending its ninth week on the Billboard Hot 100 and just hit No. 10 on Pandora’s Top Spins Chart. Earlier this month, Apple Music added it to its Songs of the Summer and Today’s Hits playlists and Spotify made it a mainstay on its coveted Mood Booster and Happy Hits playlists. The track is currently No. 2 at Alternative radio, recently cracked the Top 20 at Pop radio and is approaching Top 10 at Adult Pop radio, proving them as a force to be reckoned with in the Alternative and Pop spaces.

AJR performed a medley of Way Less Sad and their 2x platinum hit BANG! at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, which Billboard praised by saying, the line ‘I’m A-OK’ hit particularly hard as the countless fans gathered outside sang along, a fitting moment as the world continues to emerge from the ongoing pandemic. They also took home their first-ever Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Song with BANG! at the show.

Both Way Less Sad and BANG! are featured on the group’s acclaimed new album OK ORCHESTRA, which debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative and Rock charts. AJR will release the vinyl edition of OK ORCHESTRA on August 6. Click HERE to pre-order now.

The group is now getting ready to head back on the road as they make the festival rounds this summer at WonderStruck in Cleveland (July 25), WonderBus in Columbus (August 28), Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis (September 10) and Music Midtown in Atlanta (September 18). Theyߣll also embark on The OK ORCHESTRA Tour this Spring. Produced by Live Nation, the 27-date run will kick off on April 28 in Dallas at Toyota Music Factory with stops in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and more, before wrapping June 21 in Phoenix at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Visit their website for a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets.

Follow AJR via their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.

About AJR

Re-envisioning what pop can be in the 21st century, AJR unassumingly emerged as a ubiquitous hit-making outlier and one of the biggest indie bands in the world. Since 2012, the multi platinum indie pop trio, Adam [bass, vocals], Jack [vocals, guitar], and Ryan [ukulele, piano, vocals], have generated billions of streams and earned one triple-platinum single, one double-platinum single, four platinum singles, and one platinum album. 2019’s Neotheater marked their biggest first-week debut, bowing at #8 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on the Top Alternative Albums Chart, and #1 on the Top Rock Albums Chart. Cemented as part of the modern zeitgeist, Spotify touted Sober Up [feat. Rivers Cuomo] among the Best Rock Songs of the 2010s, while Apple Music included Weak on its Best Alt Songs of the 2010s. Not to mention, they remain one of the 500 Most-Listened to Artists on Spotify. On the heels of Neotheater, they dropped the 2020 platinum blockbuster BANG!, which they performed on TODAY, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and even at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The song also cracked the Top 10 at three radio formats, peaking at No. 6 on the Top 40 chart, No. 2 on Alternative radio and No. 1 on Adult Pop and marked their first Top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Now, the band open up their world like never before on their fourth full-length album, OK ORCHESTRA [AJR Productions/BMG] introduced by the single Way Less Sad.

Saahil Bhargava Competes in LA Shorts International Film Festival

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**Indian-American music artist Saahil Bhargava to compete against Paul McCartney, Yo-Yo Ma at LA Shorts International Film Festival for Best Music Video Award**

Animated short film award winner becomes qualified for Oscars 2022

Music artist and writer Saahil Bhargava jolted awake to news of being an official selection in two categories at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious and largest international short film festivals.

Nominated in two key categories (Animation, Music Video) for the video of his song Kohima, Saahil finds himself in stellar company. The list of nominations includes Paul McCartney’s latest music video When Winter Comes and Yo-Yo Ma’s concert See Me.

In its 25th year, LA Shorts International Film Festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (Oscar®), the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (Canadian Screen Awards). Throughout the fest’s history, 60 LA Shorts filmmakers have earned Academy Award® nominations, with 16 taking home the Oscar. In other words, if Saahil Bhargava’s Kohima wins best animated short film, then it will be qualified to compete for the Oscars in 2022.

LA Shorts International Film Festival founder/director Robert Arentz said, It is such a high honor for the LA Shorts International Film Festival to welcome Kohima into the competition this year, which is our 25th anniversary. Only a handful of films were accepted into the brand new Music/Dance category, and Kohima is one of those elite few. In fact, we created the special Music/Dance program due to high-quality content from exceptional artists, such as Paul McCartney, Yo-Yo Ma, and of course, India’s own Saahil Bhargava!

Saahil’s music has always been about telling great stories, especially through his companion screen content. For the innovative and groundbreaking Kohima, Saahil collaborated with Big Bang Music and co-directed the music video with Harmeet Rahal to bring his vision to life. With Kohima, Saahil Bhargava addresses the plethora of emotions – from panic to despair – of a combat soldier. Kohima is set during the infamous World War II battle in the northeast of India.

Curiously, Saahil’s Kohima is trending among video game fans worldwide. On YouTube, gamers flood Kohima’s comments section with love. Mostly, they marvel about the ways that the song effectively captures a serviceman’s journey. It’s a big win for any independent artist, and Saahil is exceptionally grateful.

Talking about the exciting nomination Saahil Bhargava says, It is a huge honor to be recognized alongside so many amazing artists. Kohima was written to be a story about the horrors of war from the perspective of an individual soldier, and I think this video really captures the pain and terror that soldiers go through in a brutal battle. I’m very excited for more people to watch this video and also hope that my future songs and videos can have a similar impact.

Co-director and animator Harmeet Rahal says, It was such a great challenge, bringing the Battle of Kohima to life, and exploring the horrors of war through the story of an abandoned, lone soldier. It was great working with Saahil and Big Bang Music. It’s an honor to be nominated alongside such amazing work, and I hope this helps more people learn about this hidden piece of Indian history.

Follow Saahil’s social media via his website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.