Friday, October 11, 2019

Original Genesis Guitarist Anthony Phillips To Release First New Album In 7 Years "Strings Of Light" 2CD/1DVD - Released October 25, 2019


Signed Postcards Available With This Release While Stocks Last!

A Gorgeous 2CD/1DVD Set of Anthony Phillips' Brand New Album!

Featuring an NTSC / Region Free DVD of a New 5.1 Surround Sound Mix by Anthony Phillips & James Collins

Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of “Strings Of Light”, the beautiful new album by GENESIS founding member ANTHONY PHILLIPS.

For his first new album in seven years Anthony has composed and recorded the twenty-four pieces of music on this album, which span two CDs, utilizing the many beautiful and rare guitars in his collection, all of which have made “Strings Of Light” one of the finest instrumental guitar albums of Anthony’s long and acclaimed career as a musician and composer.

This set is made even more special by the inclusion of a 5.1 Surround Sound mix of album on a DVD (NTSC / Region Free). After a seven year absence of new recorded work, “Strings Of Light” is a welcome return and a fine album by a legendary musician.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: CD

1. JOUR DE FÊTE
2. DIAMOND MEADOWS
3. CAPRICE IN THREE
4. CASTLE RUINS
5. MERMAIDS AND WINE MAIDENS
6. WINTER LIGHTS
7. SONG FOR ANDY
8. PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE
9. SKIES CRYING
10. MOUSE TRIP
11. RESTLESS HEART
12. STILL RAIN

DISC TWO CD

1. INTO THE VOID
2. ANDEAN EXPLORER
3. MYSTERY TALE
4. SUNSET RIVERBANK
5. TALE ENDER
6. SHORELINE
7. DAYS GONE BY
8. CRYSTALLINE
9. FLEUR-DE-LYS
10. GRAND TOUR
11. HOME ROAD
12. LIFE STORY

DISC THREE: DVD

1. JOUR DE FÊTE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
2. DIAMOND MEADOWS
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
3. CAPRICE IN THREE
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
4. CASTLE RUINS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
5. MERMAIDS AND WINE MAIDENS
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
6. WINTER LIGHTS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
7. SONG FOR ANDY (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
8. PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
9. SKIES CRYING (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
10. MOUSE TRIP (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
11. RESTLESS HEART
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
12. STILL RAIN (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
13. INTO THE VOID (5.1 SURROUND MIX))
14. ANDEAN EXPLORER
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
15. MYSTERY TALE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
16. SUNSET RIVERBANK
(5.1 SURROUND MIX)
17. TALE ENDER (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
18. SHORELINE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
19. DAYS GONE BY (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
20. CRYSTALLINE (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
21. FLEUR-DE-LYS (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
22. GRAND TOUR (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
23. HOME ROAD (5.1 SURROUND MIX)
24. LIFE STORY (5.1 SURROUND MIX)

NTSC REGION 0


Released October 25, 2019 on Esoteric Antenna.  

To purchase Anthony Phillips “Strings Of Light” 2CD/1DVD Digipak Edition:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/anthony-phillips-strings-of-light-2cd-1dvd-digipak-edition/
https://www.amazon.com/Strings-Light-2CD-1DVD-Digipak/dp/B07WGJK5R5
https://smarturl.it/APStringsOfLight

Anthony Phillips official website: http://www.anthonyphillips.co.uk/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Progressive Rock Review: The Inner Road-The Majestic Garden

Release Date: March 1, 2019
Label: Independent

The Inner Road is the creation of Steve Gresswell and Phil Braithwaite, two former members of the band Coalition who joined forces to fulfill their own musical needs. On March 1, 2019, they released their fourth album The Majestic Garden. The album, along with other works of theirs, falls into the genre of progressive rock: originally a movement in the 70's to bring new elements of sophistication to rock music. The genre gains inspiration from psychedelic music from the ’60s, often containing uncommon song structures, interludes, and heightened dynamics. The Majestic Garden is a wonderful example of prog that portrays its unique characteristics while also contributing to the genre with the addition of a fantastical layer to their music. 


A key characteristic of The Majestic Garden that sets it apart from other prog music is the usage of musical elements to suggest a fantastical setting in each song. While other prog bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis sway their audience with compelling melodies and lyrics, The Inner Road sways theirs with the atmosphere they create. The Majestic Garden transports you to a magical forest populated with giants, trolls, and faeries, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a high fantasy story. This is likely due to the repetition of minor scales ascending to the fifth interval and then descending, mostly seen during “Call of the Spirit” and “Water Well.” Minor scales are infamous for providing a spooky and ominous atmosphere. When they’re used as the melody of multiple songs, it causes the album to feel nothing short of supernatural. The repetition of the scale going up and down also generates a mood of suspense; the listeners hear this melody and expect it to change like usual, but it remains constant for a long portion of the song. The anticipation of a melody change sparks suspense into their listeners, a characteristic also extremely prominent in high fantasy. 
           
To add, a large contributing factor to the atmosphere of this album is the irregular rhythm in each song. For example, the rhythm section of the title track “The Majestic Garden” begins by playing four monotonous quarter notes, assisting in the creation of an upbeat melody and an inspirational ambiance. However, in the second track “Call of the Spirit,” the melody is much darker and ominous. This is reinforced by the rhythm section, whose dynamics are heightened at the beginning of the song when they play two strong quarter notes at the end of each measure. The rhythm of each song differs, either becoming more complex like in “Lost Land” or becoming more simplistic such as in “Mother Earth.” The continuous transformation from the rhythm section assists in the feeling of multiple events with different levels of significance occurring one after the other as if the album were telling a story. 

If you want to be immersed in a world similar to that of Lord of the Rings or Dungeons and Dragons, The Majestic Garden by The Inner Road is the album for you. With the assistance of musical elements such as the use of minor scales and the irregularity of the rhythm in each song, The Majestic Garden contributes to prog by adding a layer of fantasy that had been rarely seen before in the genre. 

Key tracks Include: "Call of The Spirit" "The Majestic Garden" "Mother Earth" “Fire of Life”

Ana McLaughlin-Contributor
October 3, 2019

Tracks:
1. The Majestic Garden
2. Call of the Spirit
3. Wind from the Reeds
4. Fire of Life
5. Lost Land
6. Changing Sea
7. Water Well
8. Mother Earth
9. Circle of Shadows


Prog Legends Nektar Release New Single "SkyWriter"


Available on 12-inch vinyl, CD single and digitally!

Prog legends Nektar have released their first single “SkyWriter” B/W “Devil's Door” in October from their eagerly anticipated forthcoming new album “The Other Side”! This is the first new studio album by Nektar made in the United States since 1977!

The original members of Nektar; Derek “Mo” Moore, Ron Howden, and Mick Brockett are back. They've added Ryche Chlanda from Fireballet and the 78' band, Randy Dembo from the 2005 band, and newcomer and world-class keyboard player, Kendall Scott.

The music for Nektar's new album “The Other Side” comes from the 1978 era when they were writing in Mo's basement in Chatham, New Jersey. This music was put on pause for the last 40 YEARS and it's now time to release it with new input and fresh ideas. The music is growing exponentially as Nektar continue rehearsing and writing and letting it take the band to new heights.

Of the new single, Mo explains, “'Sky Pilot' I wrote in 1978 but did not like it so much, it was OK but not finished. Ryche switched it around and wrote the music for the verse and it became 'SkyWriter' which I love. Words are by Ryche, Mick and myself. It's a story of a guy whose significant other...wife, girlfriend, mother, dies and he is up in the sky writing letters which he hopes she will see. All part of “The Other Side” concept. By the way it does not say he was flying IN anything, I will leave that to your imagination.”

The b-side of the single “'Devils Door' was an old 1974 song we played in a couple of concerts back in the day but we never finished it, I think the chorus was a little too high and we had never taken it into the studio to finish it. Ryche, Mick and I wrote lyrics for it and got it ready to record. While we were getting ready I realized that Roye Albrighton's introduction guitar sounded great, I suggested starting off the song with it which was enthusiastically received by all. It became a great piece of music and the beginning vocal even sounds like Roye. The story is of flying near the and flying away from the Devils Door which is beyond the Other Side...”

The 12-inch Vinyl and CD single will first be available at ProgStock, which the band will be performing - October 11th – 13th. Nektar's new album will be released on Esoteric Records in the UK in January 2020.



The Vinyl will include:
“SkyWriter” in its longer form 7:53 (A-side)
“Devils Door” 8:09 (B-side)

CD digipack will include:
“SkyWriter” in its longer form 7:53
“Devils Door” 8:09
“SkyWriter” Radio Edit 5:20

Opening guitar on “Devils Door” is by Roye Albrighton
cover art is by Helmut Wenske



Thank you from all of us at Nektar.....
Derek, Ron, Mick, Ryche, Randy, and Kendall

To purchase Nektar's new single “SkyWriter” B/W “Devil's Door”: www.nektarsmusic.com

For more information:
Website: nektarsmusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/nektarRocks
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/nektarfans
Instagram: instagram.com/nektar.official
Twitter: twitter.com/NektarThe
YouTube: Nektar The Legendary Rock Band: youtube.com/channel/UCoEd-HQa3RmFXHUEQ9j_PJA?view_as=subscriber

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Progressive Rock-Jazz -Fusion Review: Yuval Ron-Somewhere in the Universe Somebody Hits a Drum

Release Date:  October 3, 2019
Label:  Wrong Notes Music
Website:  www.yuvalron.com

6-years in the making, progressive and jazz fusion guitarist, Yuval Ron has released six other-worldly arrangements sure to please staunch prog-rock enthusiasts and jazz aficionados alike. 

One look at the album art and a minute into the opening title track, you'll realize you're about to explore a new musical world and boldly go where no listener has gone before. You'll hear yodeling, synth landscapes, xylophone interludes, and virtuosic guitar riffs riding on the rhythm of thick, syncopating drumbeats. Along the journey, you'll experience moments of weightlessness followed by playful interludes followed by turbo thrusts where the universe flies past you in a blur. 

Like many of his influences, Yuval Ron has collaborated with several musicians in several bands, including the influential Residents of The Future. His talents cannot be constrained to the fixed structure of a single band. Yuval Ron assembles musicians for a project based on the vision in his head.

For Somewhere in the Universe Somebody Hits a Drum, he recruited renowned prog-rock drummer Marco Minnemann who has worked with Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats, and others. Mr. Minnemann's influence is hard to ignore, providing the grounding for complex synth and guitar solos as well as flashes of brilliance such as "Wifi in Emerald City" when his drumming emerges into the forefront but does not overtake the composition. 

Not one of these six tracks sounds indulgent or derivative. Yuval Ron democratizes the talent he's assembled. He shares the spotlight, letting the solos fly and then return to form a colorful assembly of textured sound. You'll feel as if you're on a journey of discovery. You won't know where you are, you won't know where you're going, but you'll be thrilled to be on the ride.  

Key Tracks Include: “Gravitational Lensing”, “Wifi in Emerald City”, “I Believe in Astronauts”

Tom Endyke – MuzikMan.net Staff
October 3, 2019

Reviews Provided By:
Rate The Tracks

Tracks:
1. Somewhere in This Universe Somebody Hits a Drum
2. Gravitational Lensing
3. Kuiper Belt
4. WiFi in Emerald City
5. The Discovery of Phoebe
6. I Believe in Astronauts

Tribute Album & Shows To Original Genesis Guitarist Anthony Phillips By Rocking Horse Music Club Announced


Rocking Horse Music Club presents the music of Anthony Phillips feat. guest appearances by Steve Hackett, John Hackett, Nick Magnus, Kate St. John, John Helliwell & others!

Rocking Horse Music Club presents the music of original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips on the new album, “Which Way the Wind Blows.” The Rocking Horse Music Club is a songwriting and performing collective that emerged from Rocking Horse Studio, a world-class recording facility in central New Hampshire, USA. The group features producer/songwriter/instrumentalist Brian Coombes, singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Cohn, and singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Patrik Gochez, along with Rocking Horse Studio session musicians Eric Wagley (drums), Myron Kibbee (guitar), Mike McAdam (guitar), and Brenden Harisaides. The band has been performing as a unit live and in the studio since 2008.

In February 2019, Rocking Horse Music Club began rehearsing and recording material for a tribute album to original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips. The album is scheduled for release on October 11, 2019, with live dates in England scheduled for November 2019.

The album features numerous special guests, including: 

Steve Hackett (guitar) – Anthony Phillips' replacement in Genesis. A legend.

John Hackett (flute) – in addition to playing flute on the Anthony Phillips album “The Geese & the Ghost,” John has performed on numerous Steve Hackett records and live shows.

Nick Magnus (keyboards) – Nick has performed on numerous Steve Hackett records and live shows.

Kate St. John (oboe) – Kate was a founding member of Dream Academy and contributed to a Nick Drake tribute album and live show.

John Helliwell (clarinet/saxophone) – John was a primary member of Supertramp.

Noel McCalla (vocals) – Noel was the lead vocalist on Mike Rutherford's first solo album, “Smallcreep's Day.”

Steve Anderson (guitar) – Steve is currently the guitarist in the Room, a UK progressive/melodic rock band. Prior to the Room, he was the guitarist in Grey Lady Down, a British neo-prog band in the 1990s.

Evelyn Cormier (vocals) – Evelyn was an American Idol Finalist on ABC television in 2019. She is currently recording her new album at Rocking Horse Studio.

Caroline Carter (vocals) – Caroline is a former Miss New Hampshire. As a vocalist, she won the talent competition at the Miss America pageant in 2017. She is currently recording her debut album at Rocking Horse Studio.

Coombes describes the origins of the name Rocking Horse Music Club: “Over the years we've developed a community of like-minded musicians, singers, and songwriters at Rocking Horse Studio. Many of the artists that work with us here at the studio have collaborated with each other and have appeared on each other's records. Our group project, the Rocking Horse Music Club, developed out of those collaborations.” 

The group's debut single, “Everywhere is Home,” a gospel-inspired song that features London's Sing Gospel Choir, was released to critical acclaim in April 2018. The track was featured on radio in New England and received prime time airplay on BBC Radio and London Live in England. In June 2019, almost exactly a year after its release, Everywhere is Home received the award for Best Song – Gospel at the Independent Music Awards in New York City.

The band's debut album, “Every Change of Seasons,” was released in September 2018, shortly before the band departed for a tour of the UK that saw them perform throughout the country, including numerous appearances at the BBC and a special engagement for the British Prime Minister.

Rocking Horse Music Club 2019: Justin Cohn: vocals, guitar Brian Coombes: keys, vocals Patrik Gochez: guitar, keys, vocals Brenden Harisaides: bass Myron Kibbee: guitars Mike McAdam: guitars Eric Wagley: drums/percussion

Album Track List: 
“Um & Aargh”
“Paperchase”
“Which Way the Wind Blows”
“Silver Song”
“Something Blue”
“Pulling Faces”
“Collections”
“Sleepfall: The Geese Fly West”
“Nightmare”

Here is a track-by-track summary of the album with comments from producer Brian Coombes: 

“Um & Aargh” (originally from “Sides”): Our take on Ant's new wave/prog pop song from 1979... reminds me of Squeeze meets the Cars, with a touch of Genesis thrown in. Features Patrik Gochez on lead vocals. 

“Paperchase” (originally from “Wise After the Event”): Dreamy 12 string guitars and mellotron feature heavily on this one, along with a wonderful vocal from Justin Cohn. It sounds like something Genesis would have done circa 1976. 

“Which Way the Wind Blows” (originally from “The Geese & the Ghost”): We took Ant's beautiful acoustic song, gave it a slight R&B feel, and then added an epic prog rock climax. This one features Noel McCalla (the lead singer on Mike Rutherford's “Smallcreep's Day”) on lead vocals and legendary Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett on the ending guitar solo. Where else can you hear Messrs. McCalla and Hackett performing together on an Anthony Phillips song? 

“Silver Song” (originally from “Sides” remaster): 'Silver Song' was originally intended as a single from 1973, featuring Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. Our version features the incomparable Nick Magnus on the ending keyboard solo. 

“Something Blue” (originally from “Invisible Men” remaster): We were looking for a song for Evelyn Cormier to sing on the project. Ant and I looked through his catalog of unfinished and/or unreleased songs and presented a few to Evelyn. She loved 'Something Blue.' Her sultry vocal delivery led us down a smooth-jazz path with the arrangement that also features the amazing talents of Wesley Thurber on trumpet and Jeremy Harman on cello.

“Pulling Faces” (originally from “Wise After the Event”): This is one of my favorite productions on the record. The rhythm section performed brilliantly, Mike McAdam and Myron Kibbee played some great stuff, and Justin delivered a killer vocal. The song also features Steve Anderson from the Room on lead guitar. Mike and I toured with Steve back in the 1990s when he was with Grey Lady Down and we were in Tristan Park, so this collaboration was a cool virtual reunion. 

“Collections” (originally from “The Geese & the Ghost”): Just like 'Which Way the Wind Blows,' we simply couldn't leave Ant's beautiful song alone. The chord progression led us into Beatles territory, so we embraced that vibe. This one is really singer/pianist Pat Gochez's arrangement and features members of his band on drums and bass. Also worthy of note is Myron Kibbee's slide guitar and the choral background vocals.

“Sleepfall: The Geese Fly West” (originally from “The Geese & the Ghost”): One of Ant's prettiest melodies. We developed the piece into something bigger, adding and changing instrumentation each sequence through the progression until it ends with a dramatic flourish. Features John Hackett (who performed on the original version back in the day) on flute and Kate St John from Dream Academy on oboe. 

“Nightmare” (originally from “Sides”): Ant's prog rock classic instrumental in really a showcase for drummer Eric Wagley and bassist Brenden Harisaides. We added a lo-fi optigan/toy piano groove in the middle, and with Caroline Carter's wailing vocal and John Helliwell's melodic saxophone in the end section, I guess I'm displaying my Pink Floyd influences vividly on my sleeve. 

About the shows:

November 15-16 at Trading Boundaries

Trading Boundaries & Rocking Horse Music Club from the USA present…
The Music of Genesis founding members:
Anthony Phillips & Mike Rutherford
Performed live by a full band for the FIRST TIME EVER!

Working directly with Anthony Phillips, Rocking Horse Music Club has lovingly curated a selection of songs primarily from Ant's first three solo albums, “The Geese & the Ghost”, “Wise After the Event”, and “Sides”. The band will be flying from the USA to perform these shows exclusively for us here at Trading Boundaries. These performances are once-in-a-lifetime events… the shows with us at Trading Boundaries will be the only UK appearances.

As an added bonus, the show will also include a performance of material from Mike Rutherford’s beautiful debut album, “Smallcreep's Day”. Joining the band on stage will be the album’s original vocalist, Noel McCalla!

Trading Boundaries is proud to present this unique showcase of the early work of two Genesis legends.

Trading Boundaries
Sheffield Green
Near Fletching
East Sussex, UK TN223RB

For tickets: https://www.tradingboundaries.com/live-music/whats-on/

About Producer Brian Coombes 
Brian Coombes is an award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician. With influences ranging from progressive rock to melodic pop, Brian combines his love of interesting instrumentation, quirky keyboards, melodic hooks, and lush vocal harmonies with an extensive technical knowledge of the recording process to create releases that are both artistically and sonically rewarding. He is the owner of Rocking Horse Studio; he has also produced projects at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and Genesis' Fisher Lane Farm in Chiddingfold, England.

Prior to Rocking Horse, Brian was a founding member of Tristan Park, a progressive rock band that was signed to the British record label, GFT. The band recorded four albums and toured extensively in Europe and North America before going into hiatus in 1998. After Tristan Park, Brian recorded a record with his wife, using the name Waking in the Blue.

In his time as a producer, Brian has worked with such notable musicians as Chris Difford (Squeeze), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Anthony Phillips (Genesis), Ian McDonald (King Crimson), Garth Hudson (the Band), Greg Hawkes (the Cars), Ingrid Chavez (Prince), Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan), Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention), Vernon Reid (Living Color), Jonathan Mover (GTR) and Kenwood Dennard (Brand X).

Brian has received various honors for his production work. In 2014, he received two Emmy award nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In 2015, he received a “Producer of the Year” award from the New England Music Awards. And in 2019, “Everywhere is Home,” a song that he co-wrote with Patrik Gochez, received the Best Song – Gospel award at the Independent Music Awards.

To purchase “Which Way the Wind Blows”:
USA: https://www.rockinghorsemusicclub.com/shop
UK: https://burningshed.com/rocking-horse-music-club_which-way-the-wind-blows_cd
Germany/Europe: https://justforkicks.de/shop/progressive/6234/which-way-the-wind-blows-the-music-of-anthony-phillips?number=29000

Available iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, etc. October 11th.

For more information:
Rocking Horse Music Club www.RockingHorseMusicClub.com
Rocking Horse Music Club Contact:info@rockinghorsestudio.com

Radio/Television Contacts UK: Jeff Chegwin National TV & Radio PR: Jeff Chegwin: jeffchegwin@hotmail.com 07957 939 072 Mike Grocott: mike.grocott@hotmail.com 07885 585 789

Artist Management: Brian Coombes Rocking Horse Music USA 01.603.512.5347 info@rockinghorsestudio.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Crystal Beth Unleashes Her Debut Album PUSH THRU on Trey Gunn's 7D Media– October 18


Crystal Beth is what happens if you cross Frank Zappa, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Janice Joplin

Crystal Beth unleashes her first full-length studio record, PUSH THRU, a solo incarnation using wailing vocals, amplified clarinet, beat-boxing and electronics to weave a sonic universe all her own. The album will be released on Trey Gunn's 7D Media on October 18, 2019. Beth has been described as “world music from an imaginary planet..quite compelling & magical” (Seattle Times), “a supremely versatile and virtuosic maverick” (The Stranger), and “one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” (Earshot Jazz). Known for crafting aural rituals that encompass industrial chants, alien disco breaks, heart gushings, and robot love songs, Crystal Beth redefines the possibilities of the voice and clarinet in tight experimental pop songs and undulating, cathartic noise cries. Crafting moments that ricochet between meditation and a full body purge, she is an electric, adrenaline inducing performer voted Seattle's Best Classical Musician and nominated for NW Vocalist of the Year.

Rooted and defined by singing in her own syllabic language, Crystal Beth began in 2010 and she performs solo using loop pedals and delays, and a five-piece rock outfit (the Boom Boom Band) to craft and explore her idiosyncratic and distinctive original music. Seattle's The Stranger magazine writes “You can find {Crystal Beth} fearlessly indulging her wildest creative inklings whenever she materializes in a musical forum…Crystal Beth & the Boom Boom Band falls somewhere between the grisly skronk-punk of Stickers and earthy freak-indie of tUnE-yArDs, but even fans of those left-of-center acts will be thrown for a loop. Wailing vocals not bound to any conventions but {her} own, paired with percussive 'Bethnic chants,' are set over freely drawn jazz figures and world-y rhythms.”

The music on this record is primal and visceral, sweet and expansive. It's a completely solo work- recorded in 2 days of full live takes at Studio Litho with engineer Floyd Reitsma (Pearl Jam, Audioslave, Dave Matthews Band), mixed by Marcel Fernandez (Foo Fighters, ZZ Top, Molotov), and mastered by Michael Cozzi (Sky Cries Mary, Security Project, Bill Rieflin). With artwork by Mexican artist Ale De la Torre, Crystal Beth's PUSH THRU is available on vinyl, CD, and digitally.

With the reflexes of a mongoose, Crystal Beth spins cathartic hardcore purge pop art punk - sweaty, trance inducing, heart-pouring – these are sonic cupcakes for your soul.



Crystal Beth has 20 years of professional international performances under her full name, Beth Fleenor, where she has been featured on recordings with polymaths including Wayne Horvitz, Jherek Bischoff, and Julie Slick, and includes performances with David Byrne, Terry Riley, Butch Morris, Bobby Previte, Trey Gunn, Robin Holcomb, Joshual Kohl/Degenerate Art Ensemble, Matana Roberts, Skerik, Tamar Kali, LaFrae Sci, Seattle Symphony, Wordless Music Orchestra, Samantha Boshnack, Led To Sea, Mirah, Soko, William O. Smith, Eyvind Kang, Malcom Goldstein, Jessika Kenney, Paris Hurley / Object As Subject, Timothy Young, John Tchicai, Gretta Harley, Mike Dillon, Briggan Krauss, Parenthetical Girls, Gino Yevdjevich/Kultur Shock, Amy Denio, and Shane Parish & Ryan Oslance / Ahleuchatistas – often doing upward of 170 shows a year in different genres.

Her work has been heard in 100,000 seat rock festivals, maximum-security prisons, and some of the most prestigious concert halls, museums, clubs and theaters in the world. Believing that “art is the discipline of being,” Fleenor uses sound to open the channels of communication between and within individuals and environments. Her work as been heard in live music, recordings, theater, performance art, installation, modern dance, and film. She believes that “an emphasis on creativity in a culture gives rise to creative solutions to social problems.”

Along with the straight-forward stamp of “excellent” from the New York Times, Fleenor has been called an “exceptional clarinetist” by the Seattle Times, and The Seattle Weekly writes, “If you’re getting tired of music that’s even remotely formulaic, Beth Fleenor is for you. Her experimental mixing of genres is powerful and refreshing.” Earshot Jazz has described her as “one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” and City Arts Magazine remarks “Beth Fleenor transcends labels – a multi-talented, creative force in Seattle.”

Crystal Beth began after Fleenor spent years collaborating with other musicians and artists, when she starting bursting at the seams with her own compositions. After years as a free improviser, Crystal Beth is Fleenor's first project that focuses entirely on her original songs.

She speaks personally about the project, “I believe in the power of sound to clear the body and cleanse the soul. Music is a powerful tool as a listener and as a maker. It changes the state of things internally. I think we need a way to deal with ourselves so that we can better deal with each other….and when we have that, it leads us to a different way of conducting ourselves – a way of empathy, compassion, awareness, consideration, communication – a mutual respect of shared experience. We need focusing agents that help us process experiences – a way to make sense of it all – a way to get it to move through our bodies. Transcendent happiness, and deep tragedy, and everything in between, we need some kind of a ritual to catch up with ourselves in the present moment, to be able to move forward in a state of personal alignment. Crystal Beth is how I deal with myself, how I heal myself, how I Push Thru to the deepest parts of myself, and begin again every single day. My hope is that by sharing my most vulnerable self, perhaps it will offer a moment of the same catharsis and solace to others.”

RECORD RELEASE PARTY
Thursday, October 24 at Substation (Seattle)
Crystal Beth with special guest Alex Faide, Trey Gunn, RGK + the Alternative Facts, and Devils in Skirts 

Fleenor holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Classical Clarinet Performance from Cornish College of the Arts. Her work has been supported by Jack Straw Productions, 4Culture, Allied Arts, Artist Trust, the Millay Colony for the Arts, and the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Crystal Beth's solo record PUSH THRU was brought to life through patrons on the Indiegogo platform. Born in Bristol TN/VA, she has been based in Seattle since 1998.



Here's what the press have said about Beth Fleenor:

“Beth Fleenor transcends labels – a multi-talented, creative force in Seattle.” (City Arts Magazine)

“Crystal Beth creates her own sonic cult through stage thrashing her way through 'cathartic hardcore purge pop,' and wielding psychedelic clarinet melodies and bethnic chants.” (The Stranger )

“Crystal Beth – is an undeniable, unstoppable musical force, and one of Seattle’s treasures. She uses her voice and clarinet to channel strange, disturbing, and beautiful sounds into existence from beyond most of our imaginings. ....Beth’s chants and shrieks bypass the language centers of the brain and drill directly into the deepest, primal folds, beckoning you to surrender to sound, to find peace and clarity through a modicum of musical insanity.” (Ball of Wax)

“If you're getting tired of music that’s even remotely formulaic, {Crystal Beth} is for you. Her experimental mixing of genres is powerful and refreshing.” (Seattle Weekly)

“…a supremely versatile and virtuosic maverick” (The Stranger)

 “exceptional clarinetist” (Seattle Times)

“Crystal Beth & the Boom Boom Band are what happens when accomplished jazz musicians decide to take a reckless holiday in the rock realm.... a kind of artful, deranged rock that recalls the Dirty Three and the Geraldine Fibbers at their most agitated and, alternately, at their most lugubrious.” (The Stranger)

“one of the most fearless and innovative musicians in the city…” (Seattle's Earshot Jazz)

“alternately buoyant and ponderous, transfixing and exceptional” (City Arts Magazine)

 “….fare perhaps best described as world music from an imaginary planet….quite compelling and magical….” (Seattle Times)

AUDIENCE REFLECTIONS

“Some crazy combination of Bjork & Mike Patton, but with a voice truly her own.”

“Brian Eno meets the Beastie Boys in Mumbai and they have a spirited discussion about Alice Coltrane”   

“Crystal Beth is what happens if you cross Frank Zappa, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Janice Joplin” 

“Experimental primal scream punk meets world meets prog meets jazz meets the Dali Lama…and I'm not exaggerating…”. 

To purchase:
 https://crystalbeth7d.bandcamp.com/album/push-thru

For more information:
Web: www.crystalbethboom.com
Instagram: @crystalbethboom
Facebook Band: https://www.facebook.com/crystalbethboom/
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/beth.fleenor.3

Video links:

SOLO




BAND




INSTALLATION


Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

The Pineapple Thief Announce The Release Of Their New Concert Album 'Hold Our Fire' On November 15th

Photo credit: Diana Seifert dianaseifert.com 

Reveal First Track “Threatening War”

First Ever North America Tour Begins With Drummer Gavin Harrison

Following the release of their latest studio album Dissolution, through Kscope, The Pineapple Thief, one of the leading lights of Europe’s experimental rock domain, announce their new concert album Hold Our Fire captured during their 16-date European headline tour in September 2018. The new album is due for release on 15th November, ahead of their debut North America tour in November / December.

LISTEN TO "THREATENING WAR (LIVE)" HERE


Holding up a mirror to our chaotic, social media-fixated society, Dissolution is a modern masterpiece that pulses with charged emotion – the perfect album for the times. The album earned them their highest UK album chart entry to date at #36 and also #1 in Rock and Metal, as well as reaching #22 in the German album chart, #4 in the Netherlands Platomania album chart and #14 in the Finland album chart.

Hold Our Fire features eight concert performances of Dissolution tracks, including the singles “Far Below”, “Try As I Might”, “Threatening War” & “Uncovering Your Tracks”, as well as “3000 Days” from 2010 studio album Someone Here is Missing with extra guitars from new guitarist George Marios.

The band's virtuoso drummer, also known for his work with Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, Gavin Harrison reveals more about their performances for Hold Our Fire: “I feel this live recording really captures the energy and spirit of the band playing together in front of a great enthusiastic crowd.”

It's a feeling shared by frontman, composer and guitarist Bruce Soord: “It's a great souvenir from such a memorable tour. I am really looking forward to taking the show over to North America in November and mixing the record reminded me just how much fun we have playing live.”



Hold Our Fire track list
1. Try As I Might (live)
2. Threatening War (live)
3. Uncovering Your Tracks (live)
4. All That You`ve Got (live)
5. Far Below (live)
6. Not Naming Any Names (live)
7. White Mist (live)
8. Shed A Light (live)
9. 3000 Days (live)

Hold Our Fire will be released on CD, LP and digitally on 15th November worldwide. Fans can also pre-order Soord's new solo album All This Will Be Yours, which is due to be released on 25th October.

PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE HERE
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hold-our-fire-live/1480606486?app=music&lId=3724ad13-1c1d-44b8-8295-9c3bccbbd08f&cId=d3d58fd7-4c47-11e6-9fd0-066c3e7a8751&src=Linkfire&sr=1


Photo credit: Diana Seifert dianaseifert.com

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF will be playing their first ever North America tour in November and December 2019:
Nov 19 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
Nov 20 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
Nov 21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
Nov 22 - Philadelphia, PA -  Union Transfer
Nov 23 - New York City, NY - Sony Hall
Nov 24 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair
Nov 26 - Quebec City, Canada - Palais Montcalm
Nov 27 - Montreal, Canada - Corona Theatre
Nov 28 - Toronto, Canada - Mod Club
Nov 29 - Cleveland, OH -  Beachland Ballroom
Nov 30 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
Dec 1 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Dec 3 - Guadalajara, Mexico - C3 Stage
Dec 4 - Mexico City, Mexico -  Lunario del Auditorio Nacional
Dec 6 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
Dec 8 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
Dec 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
Dec 10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Dec 12 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
Dec 13 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rickshaw Theatre
Dec 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos

Tickets & VIP packages on sale now - pineapplethief.com/tour

The Pineapple Thief are:
Bruce Soord – guitars and vocals
Gavin Harrison – drums
Jon Sykes – bass
Steve Kitch – keyboards
George Marios – guitars and backing vocals (live)

The Pineapple Thief online:
Website http://www.pineapplethief.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thepineapplethief
Twitter https://twitter.com/pineapplethief
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepineapplethief/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lrBMUSk8PiNnCEZfsmPAk
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE6401DB011BD837E
Apple Music https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/the-pineapple-thief/id278648772

Hi-res images available here: https://kscopemusic.com/media/the-pineapple-thief

Press for Dissolution and The Pineapple Thief's 2018 tour:
“Poetic, erudite, emotionally powerful, and chock-full of musical imagination” - All Music
“Their ability to move from lo-fi intimacy to 21st-century Floydian rock is fantastic” - PROG
“They delivered fabulously constructed, atmospheric music, built on sublime melodies” - Record Collector
“TPT live is an increasingly exciting proposition... they've recently struck some gold. 9/10” - Powerplay

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com