Pop Music

Stephen Chopek Holds Out ‘Empty Hands’ With New Single Ahead Of Upcoming EP ‘Dweller’ – Essentially Pop

Published

10 months ago

July 13, 2021

Da Mixx

Released July 9, ‘Empty Hands’ is the new single from Stephen Chopek. The track comes ahead of the August 6 release of his new EP, ‘Dweller’, on Declared Goods Records.

Stephen Chopek is a name you might know if you read the album small print. Before he released his first solo album in 2012, he had spent more than a decade behind the drums, on tour, and in the studio with other such artists as Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, and Jesse Malin, among many others.

Chopek is much more than a drummer however, and plays all the instruments on ‘Dweller’, a 6 track EP, which takes its name from lockdown – the universally shared experience of having nowhere to go. For a touring artist to be suddenly stationary for the first time in his life as a professional musician, it was a shock to the system. Chopek had become a dweller. It gave him an opportunity not usually afforded, and he was able to take time with new songs.

“I got to a new place with my writing because I was able to completely focus on this one thing,” Chopek says. “I had the time, so there was no rush.”

With its classic hooks reminiscent of such iconic songwriters as Matthew Sweet, Ben Kweller, Bobby Bare Jr., Paul Westerberg, Tommy Keene, and Evan Dando, ‘Dweller’ has an all round appeal. The EP is preceded by two singles – ‘All Play No Work’, which was released on the 8th of June, and the latest, ‘Empty Hands’.

Chopek’s wife accepted a job which took them to Atlanta, Georgia, from Memphis, Tennessee, necessitating Stephen setting a timeframe for his songs.

“The move gave me a deadline,” he says. “If I didn’t finish recording at home in Memphis, it would have really disrupted the process.”

Once in Atlanta, he was able to listen to his songs again differently, revisiting them anew, and so he re-arranged them, and started the mixing process, before sending them back to Memphis for mastering by Matt Qualls at Young Avenue Sound.

New single, ‘Empty Hands’, brings to mind that of Alan Parsons Project – think ‘Eye In The Sky’ – a timeless sound but with a contemporary edge. Chopek’s characteristic drumming is front and centre, but his vocals are also pleasant and warm, while the synths and guitars are jaunty – even ebullient.

The track comes with a stop motion music video which sees Chopek in the kitchen, in a series of different outfits. It’s very simple and yet it feels entirely appropriate to the music. You can watch the video below.

You can find out more about Stephen Chopek and his music – and we hope you will – by checking him out online on his official website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, and YouTube.

Source link

Pop Music

Usher Has A New Las Vegas Residency Lined Up For This Summer

Published

15 hours ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

Eight-time Grammy Award-winner Usher had an extraordinarily successful year in 2021, selling out every date for his 20-show Las Vegas residency and bringing in record-grosses. Next up, the American singer/songwriter is heading to the beautiful Dolby Live venue at Park MGM to headline a new Las Vegas residency that begins on Friday, July 15, 2022, and runs until October 2022. The residency was first announced at the start of the year, and tickets went on sale on February 25. Ticket prices for the performances opened at $79, with limited VIP packages available.

A New Resident At Park MGM

Usher’s new Las Vegas residency at Park MGM’s Dolby Live venue will showcase his impressive 20-year-long career, and MGM Resorts International and Live Nation will present the residency together. Dolby Live is a 5,200-seat theatre that has previously had residences by music legends like Cher, Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, and Janet Jackson. Even though Jackson’s Park MGM residency was shorter than Usher’s upcoming one (18 shows versus 23 shows), Metamorphosis still sold over 75,000 tickets and grossed around $13 million in 2019.

Dolby Live is one of the main attractions at Park MGM, a resort hotel and casino owned by MGM Resorts International. According to the original press release from February, Usher’s show will be custom-designed for the stage at the Dolby Live venue. The press release also stated there will be audience interaction and staging, which will give fans an up-close-and-personal experience with Usher.

I’m so excited to be returning to Vegas with a BRAND NEW residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM this July through October! Text me at (404) 737-1821 and I’ll hit you with an early access code to the fan presale, starting tomorrow at 12pm PT at https://t.co/DQfivT2xuw. pic.twitter.com/DdNlMPNEpO

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) February 17, 2022

Based on the success of Usher’s last residency in Las Vegas, it was only a matter of time before the artist accepted another. Likewise, it’s not surprising to see MGM Resorts International connected again in some way to one of the biggest names in the music industry.

In the past, MGM Resorts International, whether it’s through its land-based casinos or BetMGM, its online sportsbook and casino, has partnered with some of the most influential names in the entertainment and sports industries. For example, some of the celebrity ambassadors for the BetMGM brand, which, according to this review site, is one of the best PayPal casinos available, offering a $25 no deposit bonus and fast withdrawal speeds, include Jamie Foxx, Wayne Gretzky, and Connor McDavid. BetMGM, which only launched four years ago, is listed as one of the best online casinos by review sites – a testament to the success of MGM Resorts International over the years. However, so is securing a Park MGM residency for artists like Usher, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, and Ricky Martin.

The Lead-Up

Leading up to Usher’s Park MGM residency, the artist will perform at the Something in the Water festival in Washington, D.C. The festival will take place between June 17-19, and will include performances by Pharrell, Tyler the Creator, Quinn XCII, and Dominic Fike. It is the first time the Something in the Water festival will be held in Washington after launching in Virginia Beach in 2019.

Usher is a Grammy-Award-winning artist and has sold over 80 million records worldwide. He has also raised tens of millions of dollars for different humanitarian causes through his New Look Foundation since the 1990s. Now, the Dallas-born artist who helped transform Justin Bieber into a global superstar in the late 2000s can add 2x Las Vegas resident to his already impressive resume.

Source link

Pop Music

HANSON RELEASE NEW ALBUM, ‘RED GREEN BLUE’

Published

16 hours ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

HANSON have finally released their highly anticipated new album, ‘RED GREEN BLUE’. Out today, the album comprises three solo-led projects from Taylor, Isaac, and Zac Hanson, and marks the band’s milestone 30th anniversary by bringing together the band’s three unique creative voices like never before, with a third of the album written and produced by each brother: Taylor’s ‘RED’, Isaac’s ‘GREEN’, and Zac’s ‘BLUE’. ‘RED GREEN BLUE’ is available now on vinyl, CD, and digital at all retailers.

Today, HANSON will be hosting an album listening party on YouTube at 11am ET. Then on May 27 at 5pm (EDT and PDT) SiriusXM’s “Artist Confidential” with HANSON will air on 90s on 9 and on the SXM App. The special will be hosted by Lisa Loeb and feature the band performing music from ‘RED GREEN BLUE‘, fan-favourites, and discussing their career as “Mmmbop” celebrates its 25-year anniversary. For rebroadcast times please visit: www.siriusxm.com.

‘RED GREEN BLUE‘, which was produced by the band along with GRAMMY® Award-winning Producer/Engineer/Mixer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco) and GRAMMY® Award-winning Artist/Producer David Garza (Fiona Apple, Midland). amplifies the band’s unique trifecta of sound in a new way which was highlighted through the release of three singles, one featuring each brother. Starting with Taylor’s emotive “Child At Heart,” followed by Isaac’s country strummer “Write You A Song,” and finally Zac’s rock-infused “Don’t Let Me Down,” each song release was a clue to the unique musical influences which make up the project and was accompanied by dynamic official music videos available for streaming now via YouTube.

PURCHASE ‘RED GREEN BLUE’ here, and stream and download it here.

WATCH “DON’T LET ME DOWN” STARRING FRANKIE MUNIZ & ZACH MYERS:

HANSON - Don't Let Me Down (feat. Zach Myers of Shinedown) | Official Music Video

WATCH “WRITE YOU A SONG”:

HANSON - Write You A Song | Official Music Video

WATCH “CHILD AT HEART”:

HANSON - Child At Heart | Official Music Video

“Going into our 30th year as a band we felt like it was imperative we continue to tell our story like only we can,” says Isaac Hanson, “and telling stories in ways that will continue to challenge us to grow and give people new reasons to listen. RED GREEN BLUE is about sharing what has made us a band that has been able to weather so many storms.”

“Our love and respect for Jim Scott has only grown since we first met 20 years ago,” says Taylor Hanson. “He has been behind some of our favourite albums, so it’s an absolute joy to have finally made a project together.”

“We have had a long friendship and deep connection with David Garza since our early days as a band,” says Zac Hanson. “We could not have had a better musical collaborator for this milestone project.”

Source link

Pop Music

Britney Spears Is Finally Happy And “Hungry For More Each Day”

Published

17 hours ago

May 20, 2022

DJ Hittman

Britney Spears has been through a lot over the course of her career, and it seems like now she’s finally getting some big wins. Her 13-year conservatorship finally ended, she’s engaged, and her fans are just as loyal as ever. Could life get any better for Spears? I don’t know if it necessarily needs to. In a recent Instagram post, the performer let her fans know that she’s currently living her best life:

“I feel like I would entertain the people who hurt me … I do believe they would secretly like the embarrassment I would go through bringing it up 100 percent … They will no longer get the best of me and humiliate me.

“I’ve never been more happy in my life My spirit feels lighter and I genuinely laugh and smile now and my eyes are hungry for more each day.”

Part of the big reason why Spears has finally found happiness is because of how open she’s been sharing her mental health journey with her fans – letting them be a part of her emotional recovery and spiritual growth:

“Trust me I KNOW if you’re going through something and you feel so distant from everything … it’s hard to confront your mind and say … oh you’re not alone … it’s easier said than done, but I need to share through it all … my subconscious knew it was gonna be ok … the spirit within me that told me to keep moving forward was all I had … it’s what I hung onto.”

At the end of her lengthy post, Spears thanked her fans for their support over the years and let them know just how grateful she is to have them stick with her every step of the way.

Source link