Tag Archives: music

Crowdfunding Corner: Rock on! Metal Warrior are here!

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing

Prepare to be transported to the far reaches of the universe as this legendary interstellar band makes their triumphant return…

on Kickstarter!

For decades, Metal Warrior vanished from Earth, engaging in a thousand-year war across billions of light years. But thanks to the incredible power of Quanndamm’s Black Blade and their journey through temporal rifts in the Time-Space Dimension Construct (TSDC), the band has resurfaced to rock your world once again!

The graphic novel presented in this campaign unveils the incredible challenges and villainy that Metal Warrior faced during their reunion. It is a riveting tale that sets the stage for the release of their new songs, including the mesmerizing tracks “Serenity” and “Malaçite Smash.” The Premium Edition of the graphic novel is an oversized (8″ x 12″) collector’s item, complete with an exclusive vinyl record featuring the two aforementioned songs. Additionally, the digital tracks, along with a special bonus track, “Peace Love Push & Shove,” will also be available. But it doesn’t stop there! Metal Warrior’s pledge levels are PACKED with Kickstarter Exclusive Rewards!

The campaign rocks on until Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST.

Miles Davis and the Search for Sound arrives from Z2 this November

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Z2 Comics has announced Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound, an innovative and stunning exploration of the musical pioneer’s winding, exhilarating life and the intoxicating music that followed. The graphic novel will be released on November 7th, 2023.

The graphic novel chronicles Davis’ journey from his childhood in Illinois to mastering jazz improvisation throughout the ’40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. These formative experiences led him to redefine the form again and again, culminating into the psychedelic frontiers of afro futurism throughout the ‘70s and beyond. Cartoonist Dave Chisholm, who received his doctorate in Jazz Trumpet from the Eastman School of Music, takes readers on a meticulously researched odyssey charting this dynamic figure’s musical evolution. Throughout, Chisholm centers on the one obsession threaded throughout Davis’ sprawling career: a restless search for the sound. A search that shattered and redefined the limits of what jazz—and music—could be.

Featuring narration adapted from Davis’ own words and a shifting palette of visual styles that mirrors Davis’ famously varied oeuvre, this 150-page graphic novel follows Davis through four decades of musical innovation and ever-escalating obstacles.

Chisholm frames the narrative around Davis’ recovery from a stroke in 1982. With Davis unable to play his trumpet, his medical team urged him to regain coordination by scratching out patterns and scribbles with a pencil on paper. From there, the story hurdles back in time to the icon’s quest to find a mysterious tone he once heard on a moonlit country road in his childhood.

Z2 Comics will release Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound on November 7th in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions. The deluxe hardcover will be packaged with three art prints illustrated by Dave Chisholm and a limited-edition Miles Davis split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key, with new art by Dave Chisholm. The Gold editions will be signed and numbered by Dave Chisholm and come with a set of accordion-style postcards with original paintings from Miles Davis and the split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key will feature an exclusive colorway. Finally there will be only 10 of 10 Platinum editions of Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound and these will come with a 360° spinning Miles Davis Limited-Edition 3D sculpture, a Miles Davis T-shirt designed by Dave Chisholm and a split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key on clear vinyl.

John Carney’s Flora and Son is one of the Best Films of 2023

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Movie poster of Flora and Son, directed by John Carney, premiering in theaters and Apple TV+ September 29

Fans of Irish writer/director/songwriter John Carney (Once, Begin Again, Sing Street) can rejoice again in having another strong entry in the filmmaker’s oeuvre. Flora and Son delivers that sweet spot that Carney is king of, successfully blending music and melodrama in a way that, pardon the pun, hits all the right notes in that perfect blend of happy/sad. But this time Carney stretches himself a bit by delving into dance and hip hop, which also alludes to a generational divide: youth who previously picked up guitars are now more likely to be making beats on a Macbook. While the film builds slowly and doesn’t quite have the showstoppers some of Carney’s previous works have, it sticks the landing so hard with its finale that it just leaves you feeling everything in a wide array of emotions.

Our protagonist is Flora (Eve Hewson), a single working-class Dublin mom to Max (Orén Kinlan), whom she had as a teenager. Estranged from Max’s dad, Ian (Jack Reynor), Flora is struggling to keep Max out of jail and connect with him. Finding a beat up guitar in a dumpster, she fixes it up and offers it to him as a gift, which he rejects, but she stubbornly decides instead to try to learn how to play it herself. She connects with Jeff (Joseph Gordon Levitt) a Los-Angeles-based guitar tutor online and there’s some immediate sparks. Flora crosses a few inappropriate lines, but undaunted, Flora continues to learn, even collaborating with Jeff on a song as they grow closer to one another.

At the same time, she’s trying to be there for Max, eventually discovering he’s also making music on his laptop. While his is more beats and hip hop, they begin collaborating, with her even helping shoot a rap music video. It’s beautiful to see Flora try and fail to connect with people, over and over. She’s a mess, but we’re always rooting for her.

Flora and Son ends up being a really beautiful tribute to family, to music, and to the messiness of life. While it’s not as immediately striking as Carney’s previous films, it’s still right in the pocket of what he’s known for. Carney again writes many of the songs, and is joined by the always adept Gary Clark, Jr. Joseph Gordon-Leavitt also delivers a wonderful supporting performance that is vulnerable, aloof, and charming in equal parts.

There are a few downsides, as the film certainly earns its R rating with language and a decent amount of sexual content. No nudity, but still a decent amount of talk that would be uncomfortable to watch with a lot of younger viewers. Speaking of talk, more than any of Carney’s previous films, this movie leans in heavily to its Irish brogue. One argument to watch this at home on Apple TV+ would be that you can turn on subtitles, which may be a necessity. The most unrealistic thing in the entire film is despite major portions of the film taking place over Skype between Flora and Jeff, he never once asks her, “What? What did you say?” Flora’s accent is thicker than the head on a Guinness. It’s also equally as amazing.

Flora and Son gets a hybrid release both in a handful of theaters and on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 29. Apple’s release plan mirrors its similar film, CODA, in 2021, and the similarities could not be more striking. It’s worth noting CODA ended up nabbing numerous Oscar nominations, and wins for Best Picture and Supporting Actor. Given Gordon-Levitt’s performance, don’t be surprised to see him in the mix come awards season. And Carney himself is an early favorite for Original Screenplay. Given the Academy’s ranked-choice voting system, if there is a pitched battle for Best Picture between Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Color Purple, etc, if Flora and Son can be everyone’s second or third choice (the way CODA was), it could be a surprise winner.

Whether streaming or in a theater, treat yourself to Flora and Son as soon as possible.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Listen to “My Sails are Set” from Netflix’s One Piece

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The second single from Netflix’s upcoming live action adaptation of the best-selling manga in history, One Piece has just released. Available everywhere now,  “My Sails are Set” feat. Aurora, is the dazzling second single, written and produced by Billboard chart-topping artists Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli, from the depths of this highly awaited series.

Uniting the acclaimed composers and music producers, Belousova and Ostinelli – the masterminds behind the phenomenal soundtrack of “The Witcher” – with the effervescent sensation, Norwegian art pop superstar, Aurora, the artist behind the Academy Awards and Golden Globes nominated song “Into The Unknown” from Frozen II, this collaboration is a celestial symphony in motion. Aurora’s ethereal vocals cast a spell, immersing listeners in a sublime realm. Belousova & Ostinelli, the composers of the viral sensation “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” are set to make waves once again, this time in collaboration with Aurora, as they continue to create unforgettable music for captivating stories and push barriers in the epic fantasy action-adventure genre whilst retaining their trademark expansive sound. Together they composed the original score to One Piece as well as wrote & produced the original songs.

The track is the second listen of the eventual soundtrack, which will be released alongside the series on Thursday, August 31.

Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn. 

Starring Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji, One Piece is a live action pirate adventure created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda are writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements also executive produce. Previously announced cast includes Vincent Regan, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Alexander Maniatis, McKinley Belcher III, Craig Fairbrass, Steven Ward, Chioma Umeala and Michael Dorman. Additional cast to be announced.

Michael Vescera to Perform at Otakon 2023

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Michael Vescera

American heavy metal singer Michael Vescera will be a guest at Otakon 2023, according to Otakorp Inc. He will be a guest singer at the Yaiba concert.

Vescera has been a singer for various bands and projects, such as Loudness, Obsession, Yngwie Malmsteen, Animetal USA, D-Metal Stars and presently AniMaze X.

In 2011 Mike started ANIMETAL USA (Sony Music), playing heavy metal versions of Japanese anime theme songs (following in the steps of the Japanese project Animetal). This project features Rudy Sarzo on bass, Scott Travis on drums (later, Jon Dette on drums), and Chris Impelliterri on guitar. “Animetal USA 1” and “Animetal W” both charted at number one In Japan. Two successful tours of Japan followed, sharing the bill with Jam Project, along with an appearance at “LoudPark” and Anime Expo in Los Angeles. Animetal USA also collaborated and recorded the theme song for the Naruto spin-off, “Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals” as well as a song for Ressha Sentai ToQger 2 mini album – 2014 (Columbia), “I’ve been working on the railroad” (metal version), Animetal USA with Shogo
Kamata (Japanese vocal).

In mid-2016, in a spin-off of the Animetal USA project, Vescera with Rudy Sarzo on bass, John Bruno (Obsession) on guitar, and BJ Zampa (House of Lords) on drums, recorded a new project. This project, D-Metal Stars, “Metal Disney” was released in October 2016 on Walt Disney Records in the Japanese market. It reached No. 3 on the Amazon Japan Hard Rock / Metal Best Sellers chart, and No. 2 on the Children’s Chart. The album was then released for the U.S. market in March 2017 by Universal Music Group, landing on the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon charts.

In 2018, Vescera produced and arranged a rock guitar project called “Disney Super Guitar” (titled “Super Guitar Disney” in Japanese market). This is an instrumental release featuring a guest lead guitarist on each song, featuring Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, George Lynch, Richie Kotzen, Orianthi, Ron Thal, Mike Orlando, Phil X, Jeff Watson, and Tak Matsumoto. Super Guitar Disney became a No.
1 Best Seller on the Amazon Japan Anime Chart, and No. 3 Best Seller on Amazon Japan Rock Chart.

Mid-2018, Michael launched a new project called AniMaze X. This is a project started by the members of D-Metal Stars that encompasses a wider variety of music themes, such as superheroes, popular cartoons, Broadway musicals and movie soundtracks, all played in the metal style.

Otakon 2023 will be held from July 28 to July 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Scott Hoffman, aka Babydaddy, of Scissor Sisters Fame, Makes His Comics Writing Debut With Nostalgia

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Nostalgia

Scott Hoffman (aka Babydaddy) of the multi-platinum selling band Scissor Sisters makes his comics writing debut with Nostalgia, a noir adventure about a futuristic rock star that takes cues from Hoffman’s own life as a musician. Nostalgia features mesmerizing art by Danijel Žeželj, colors by Lee Loughridge, letters by Steve Wands, is designed by Rian Hughes and edited by Greg Lockard and Will Dennis. Nostalgia is a five-issue series that will be released weekly beginning on June 13, 2023 and is available from Amazon’s Comixology Originals exclusive digital content line.

Nostalgia takes place in a dark future that mirrors our current anxieties and divides, from politics, to climate change, and what our future world may look like.

When a mysterious package with an image of a shell on it arrives at the unlisted address of Mr. Craig Mancini his interest is piqued.  Mancini, also known as music performer Nostalgia, begins to reminisce about his past, ditches his tech and goes to meet the mysterious stranger behind the parcel. This encounter blows his mind and takes him down a path unraveling all that he knew to be true.

The series explores what it means for artists to share themselves with the world. It’s also about how we look at our past and redefine our own stories, and how art is a way to transfer our lives and memories to other people.  Most importantly, it examines the idea of fame, connection to the world, and where connecting to other people will ultimately take us, especially considering the dangers of being so connected and constantly inundated with the inner workings of other peoples’ lives.

MC, producer, artist and educator Substantial will be a guest at Otakon 2023

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Substantial

The critically-acclaimed MC, producer, artist and educator Substantial will be a guest at Otakon 2023, according to Otakorp Inc. His soulful and introspective brand of hip-hop music has been featured in films, video games, and more

Born in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Substantial, debuted in 2000, collaborating with the late Japanese producer, Nujabes, who later worked on the popular show “Samurai Champloo.” Legendary rapper and activist Chuck D of Public Enemy referred to Substantial as “One of the great MCs of our time.” His music has received critical acclaim from Ebony.com, “The Source Magazine,” HipHopDX, DJBooth.net, and Okayplayer.com. His music videos have appeared on MTV, VH1, and BET, and he is a two-time Hollywood Music in Media nominee.

Substantial has performed in nearly 20 countries and has collaborated with artists such as Kool Herc; L Universe, better known as Verbal (M-Flo); Oddisee, and more. Substantial has licensed music to major brands such as Ford Motor Company, Amazon, and UBER and also had his music featured in films and television shows such as Kevin Hart’s “Laugh at My Pain,” and the Daytime Emmy nominated show “Tough Love.” In 2021, Substantial was featured on an original song for PUBG Mobile’s short film “The Growth” and also Mobile Legends Bang Bang’s virtual group S.T.U.N.’s song and music video.

In 2020, Substantial featured on The Real Folk Blues COVID-19 relief cover with Yoko Kanno, the SEATBELTS, Mason Lieberman, Mega Ran, and 40 other artists for an official “Cowboy Bebop” charity track in collaboration with FUNIMATION and Sunrise, which reached #6 on Billboard for World Digital Sales. He also featured on the song “Renegade” from the video game “Arknights,” which was also nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Song – Video Game. In 2019, Substantial wrote and produced music featured in the video game “Renaine,” to be released on the Nintendo Switch and the South Korean online game “Tree of Savior.”

Otakon 2023 will be held from July 28 to July 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Yaiba to Perform at Otakon 2023

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Yaiba

Yaiba, the band established by composer Yasaharu Takanashi, will perform the Friday concert at Otakon 2023, according to Otakorp Inc. Takanashi is the composer of “Naruto Shippuden,” among other anime series

Yaiba fuses orchestral rock music with Japanese traditional instruments. The group consists of Yasuharu Takanashi (keyboard), Hiroshi Motofuji (Japanese taiko drums), Kenji Fujisawa (guitar), and other top-notch rock musicians/composers, creating high-voltage Japanese Rock sounds.

They filled up the venue of 10,000 people for two shows at the JAPAN EXPO Paris convention.

Otakon 2023 will be held from July 28 to July 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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