My books are now available at @mightyape New Zealand! 🇳🇿 They are also available worldwide on Amazon, Google Play, Shopee (Philippines), and via this link. 📕 NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! 📚 #authorlife #amazonauthor #onlygrowingup @ukiyotopublishinghouse
“CHEETAH” NEW SINGLE & VIDEO OUT NOW
KICKS OFF NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES THIS WEEK AT SHRINE AUDITORIUM IN LOS ANGELES
Photo Credit: Mason Rose
Singer and performer Jackson Wang has released the new video for his single “Slow" with GRAMMY-Award winning artist Ciara. The music video is directed by Daniel "Cloud" Campos (Zedd, Paramone, Panic! at the Disco, Jackson Wang) and features choreography from Mykell Wilson (Prince, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears). The video is a visual feast that showcases Jackson and Ciara uniting to display an explosive fusion of their respective styles, creating a dynamic and innovative choreography that features intricate footwork, sharp isolations, and powerful dynamics. Watch the video here.
Earlier this week, he released his latest single “Cheetah,” following his exhilarating performances at this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The track's lively, jazz-infused rhythm is produced by Jacob Ray (NIKI, Rich Brian, and Alison Wonderland) and MAX (Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd). Listen to “Cheetah” here and watch the accompanying music video, directed by Jackson Wang and Sean Lew, here.
Jackson achieved a breakthrough moment during his Weekend One set at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival by bringing on board R&B sensation Ciara for an unexpected performance “Slow,” and joining her for a performance of “1, 2, Step.” Rolling Stone raved about their collaboration calling it “the surprise duo we never knew we needed.” Following his performance, Jackson trended #1 on Twitter’s worldwide trends. Watch the performance footage here.
Jackson achieved a significant milestone in his career at this year’s Coachella, making history for the second time as the very first Chinese solo artist to perform his own set. In 2022, Jackson was the first-ever Chinese solo artist to perform on the main stage as part of 88rising’s ‘Head In The Clouds Forever’ set. He will return to the stage this weekend to showcase his extraordinary talent as a live performer. For information, visit https://www.coachella.com/.
Jackson will kick-off the North American dates for his first-ever tour as a solo act MAGIC MAN World Tour, this Wednesday, April 26th in Los Angeles at the Shrine Expo Hall. The limited six-city tour will stop in San Francisco and Chicago, then wrap up on May 11th in New York at the Barclays Center. Later this year, Jackson will embark on additional dates across South America. See below for a complete list of tour dates. For more information, visit tour.jackson-wang.com.
Jackson Wang 2023 Tour Dates
April 26Shrine AuditoriumLos Angeles, CAApril 28Bill Graham Civic AuditoriumSan Francisco, CAApril 30Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports ArenaVancouver, BCMay 4Wintrust ArenaChicago, ILMay 6Coca Cola ColiseumToronto, ONMay 11Barclays CenterNew York, NYMay 15Escapaco UnimedSao Paulo, BRMay 18Movistar ArenaBuenos Aires, ARMay 22Movistar ArenaSantiago, CLMay 25Arena CDMXMexico City, MX
(Download high-res images here)
Connect with Jackson Wang
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Source: Blackstar
Prolific producer/singer-songwriter Ace Banzuelo reflects on yearning and young love in new song “Pag-ibig (Meron Ba)”
The electro-pop tune soars with minimalist arrangements and dreamy, bedroom synths
Filipino singer-songwriter/producer Ace Banzuelo reflects on the uncertainties of romantic commitment in his new single “Pag-ibig (Meron Ba?)”—out today via Sony Music Entertainment.
On the R&B-inflected, dream pop track, the young multi-hyphenate unpacks multiple reasons as to why love can be quite difficult to find.
“Pag-ibig (Meron Ba) was inspired by a particular scenario in my life when I was looking for something not everyone can provide an explanation for,” shares Banzuelo. “If you ask someone what love is, you will get a different answer every single time.”
Produced and written by Banzuelo himself, “Pag-ibig (Meron Ba?)” effortlessly glides through bedroom synths and ethereal, minimalist arrangements, while making the kind of music that is easy to get lost in.
Ace Banzuelo also emphasized that he got to finish the track in one sitting. According to him, the second verse remains his favorite part of the song, as it explores the realistic experience of falling in love when you're young.
“Sonically, the song sounds like a dream, but it's very real at the same time,” the breakthrough chart-topper adds. “I'm not going for anything big, but I kept it simple without losing my signature dreamy production style and R&B vocal performances.”
“Pag-ibig (Meron Ba?)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
Japan’s Rude-α and ¥uk-B, the Philippines’ Alisson Shore and Waiian, and Indonesia’s Tanayu team up for collaborative music project for Basketball World Cup 2023
The five artists will be part of a special live collaboration that will take place in three cities across Asia
L-R: Rude-α (JP), Alisson Shore (PH), and Waiian (PH)
Japanese hip-hop acts Rude-α and ¥uk-B links up with Filipino rappers Alisson Shore and Waiian and Indonesian singer-songwriter Tanayu for “Our New Songlines 2023,” a multi-disciplinary effort that brings together like-minded artists from the Asian region in their bid towards “weaving new music, using their imagination as a source of inspiration, while searching for a way to hope for the future.”
The newly minted collective is set to perform at the Music Town Oto-Ichiba in Koza, Japan on August 26, 2023, as part of Basketball World Cup 2023’s series of sideshows in three key cities co-hosting the tournament: Manila (the Philippines), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Koza (Japan).
L-R: Tanayu (ID) and ¥uk-B (JP)
Aside from the individual and collaborative performances, the participating acts are currently working on a new song that reflects the vision and theme of Songlines—the invisible paths that have been passed down among the indigenous Aboriginal people of Australia as a guide towards one’s journey into the new world.
The official statement shares, “These five artists will create and present their works with the keywords of ‘change’ in a new era, ‘hope’ for tomorrow, and ‘mutual understanding’ in a land of different cultures and values. In August, Koza, Manila, and Jakarta will host the Basketball World Cup. The enthusiasm of the three cities through sports will be converted into the form of music and transmitted to the world from Music Town Oto-Ichiba.”
The music project is presented by Okinawa City and Music Town Oto-Ichiba in partnership with Music Lane Okinawa, The Rest Is Noise PH, and SRM Bookings and Services.
Source: Nyou
Fra Lippo Lippi adds 2nd date to 2023 Philippine Concert
Philippine-based promoter DMC Philippines has recently announced that Fra Lippo Lippi will be staging another show on June 17, 2023, at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
The Norwegian pop act, headed by lead vocalist and keyboardist Per Sorensen, returns with a two-part concert that celebrates their legacy as one of the most iconic hitmakers of the new wave era.
Fra Lippo Lippi made a name in the ‘80s for producing classic tunes such as "Everytime I See You," "Beauty and Madness," "Stitches and Burns," "Light and Shade," "The Distance Between Us," "Angel," and more.
After bassist and founding co-member Rune Kristoffer decided to call it quits, Per Sorensen kept the band’s music alive through live concert tours all around the world, with the Philippines as one of its regular stops.
In 2002, Per Sorensen and his band released "Later," a chart-topping smash in Asia and the rest of Europe. He even managed to collaborate with Filipino R&B star Kyla on "Wish We Were Two," which garnered heavy airplay on various top 40 stations in Manila and major cities across the Philippines.
This year, he is set to headline the concert as the prominent personality behind Fra Lippo Lippi, performing some of the band’s greatest hits, as well as some rarities.
This event is supported by Steve Hovington of B-Movie, who will be performing with Fra Lippo Lippi’s Per Sorensen at both venues: The Theatre at Solaire on June 16, 2023, Friday, and the Santa Rosa Sports Complex on June 17, 2023, Saturday. The event is presented by New DMC Entertainment Production Management, Maui & Sons,and The Rail.
Source: Nyou
Foo Fighters to release new album, But Here We AreFoo Fighters to release new album, But Here We Are
Listen to the lead single “Rescued”
Following a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances, Foo Fighters return with But Here We Are, out June 2 on Roswell Records/RCA Records.
A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters endured over the last year, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family. Courageous, damaged and unflinchingly authentic, But Here We Are opens with newly released lead single “Rescued,” the first of 10 songs that run the emotional gamut from rage and sorrow to serenity and acceptance, and myriad points in between.
Produced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, But Here We Areis in nearly equal measure the 11th Foo Fighters album and the first chapter of the band’s new life. Sonically channeling the naiveté of Foo Fighters’ 1995 debut, informed by decades of maturity and depth, But Here We Are is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life.
But Here We Are is available for pre-order now, with all pre-orders including “Rescued” as an instant grat. The album’s track list is as follows:
Rescued
Under You
Hearing Voices
But Here We Are
The Glass
Nothing At All
Show Me How
Beyond Me
The Teacher
Rest
Foo Fighters’ “Rescued” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Pre-order their new album, But Here We Are here.
Source: Nyou
PHINMA Education expands its mission in South Luzon through acquisition of two Laguna-based colleges
The educational institution commits to make lives better in the S. Luzon market through #TAYÓTAYOLaguna campaign
PHINMA Education Holdings, Inc. (PEHI), an institution known for providing accessible and quality education to the youth, specifically those from low-income families, extends its network’s mission to the South Luzon market with its acquisitions of two new schools: PHINMA Union College of Laguna (UCL) and PHINMA Rizal College of Laguna (RCL).
The announcement was made formal on April 25, 2023, at the Calamba Tent during the PHINMA Ed RCL & UCL Partners' Launch, which jumpstarts #TAYÓTAYOLaguna: Bayani Para Sa Isa't Isa, a campaign that highlights its commitment to nurture a new batch of heroes capable of improving not just their own lives, but also the lives of their families, communities, the country, and the world through accessible quality education.
In line with this, to emphasize its commitment to the Laguna community, PHINMA Education, through PHINMA RCL and PHINMA UCL, is launching bayanihan initiatives that aim to enhance the facilities of major national high schools in Calamba and Sta. Cruz. This will be done in partnership with Renovate to Educate (rED), a non-government organization whose goal is to enhance the educational experience of students through school renovation projects.
Eduardo Y. Arevalo, Chief Operating Officer of PHINMA Education Laguna Network Laguna, shares, "We are humbled and honored at the opportunity to foster the values that Laguna, the cradle of our national hero, is known for. This makes us all the more determined to deliver our brand of accessible, quality education for as many Lagunenses as possible, so that we might keep the spirit of bayanihan alive among the youth by empowering them to become positive forces in their homes, communities, our country, and wherever they go in the world.”
"PHINMA RCL and UCL commit to continuously find ways to deliver student-centered, inclusive, and effective learning for our students. However, fulfilling our goal of giving more kids a chance at a better lifeis not something that we can do on our own,” Arevalo continues. “ We are fortunate to share the same dream with Laguna’s leaders and influencers, along with organizations like Renovate to Educate. Together we look forward to a sustained and concerted effort to develop new, young heroes in our midst. .
PHINMA RCL and PHINMA UCL join PHINMA’s growing roster of Philippine academic establishments, which includes PHINMA Araullo University, PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, PHINMA University of Iloilo, PHINMA University of Pangasinan, Southwestern University PHINMA, and PHINMA St. Jude College, and PHINMA Republican College Manila and Quezon City Campus.
About PHINMA EDUCATION
PHINMA Education Holdings, Inc. (PEHI) under the conglomerate PHINMA Corporation, started investing in the education services sector in 2004 through the acquisition of PHINMA Araullo University in Nueva Ecija.
We have since expanded our presence across the country with our network of schools namely: PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, PHINMA University of Pangasinan, PHINMA University of Iloilo, Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu City, PHINMA Saint Jude College in Manila, PHINMA Republican College in Quezon City, PHINMA Rizal College of Laguna, and PHINMA Union College of Laguna.
In 2019, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Tripersada Global Management for the establishment of PT Ind Phil Management (IPM). IPM oversees tertiary institutions for Yayasan Triputra Persada Horizon Education, the first of which is located in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia.
But our mission to make lives better through education goes beyond our schools. Every year, we host the Education@theMargins: A Global Alliance conference which envisions a world where underserved youth are given access to quality education at prices they can afford, using the resources they have access to. In 2022, we are focusing on learning solutions for poverty to better serve the underserved.
Source: Nyou
grentperez Releases NEW SINGLE "WHEN THE DAY IS DONE"
Photo Credit: Theo Batterman
Filipino-Australian rising star grentperez has today announced his highly anticipated forthcoming EP ‘When We Were Younger’. To mark the release, the Western-Sydney bedroom pop phenomenon has also revealed his latest disco-drenched single "When The Day Is Done", out now everywhere via Fast Friends & AWAL. Fans can listen to "When The Day Is Done" here: grentperez.ffm.to/whenthedayisdone and pre-save the EP 'When We Were Younger' here: grentperez.ffm.to/whenwewereyounger
Saturated in disco-soul, grentperez describes the new single as “a timeless classic that the whole family can listen to. Or as my dad would say ‘The song I can dance to'”. Picking up the pace dramatically from his most recent single and drama-rich ballad "Us Without Me", "When The Day Is Done" ends in a completely different place to where you started - gradually building up to a punchy syncopated pre-chorus melody before letting loose into an unstoppable roller-rink ready boogie. “This track embodies the line ‘there’s no place like home’ and when all is said and done, I just want to get back home and to the feeling of family having your back no matter where you are.” Every lovingly crafted detail — from the stacked harmonies on the bridge to the roiling congas to that one delayed beat drop in the final chorus — emanates a pure joy.
Drawing on the themes of having no place like home, today grentperez has also announced his highly anticipated forthcoming EP 'When We Were Younger’ out everywhere on Friday 2nd June . Conceived as a means to get out of a songwriting rut ‘When We Were Younger’, is a seven-track song cycle centered around the concept of nostalgia - motivated by the desire to stave off cynicism and embrace the carefree creativity of childhood. “We would have these super wholesome outdoor writing sessions as we were putting the project together,” he shares. “Connecting with what I remember as a really lovely childhood grounds me in the real world and keeps me thinking of the important friends and family in my life. It keeps me from getting ahead of myself.” Taking listeners on a series of unexpected yet intuitive sonic detours, grentperez fuses the signifiers of a wide variety of nostalgic sounds across the EP: infusing his beloved bossa nova with sprightly Philadelphia soul and the swelling strings of golden-era Hollywood, and taking inspiration from the soundtracks and general vibe of 90s rom-coms.
To mark the release, grentperez has also launched the official pre-order for the 'When We Were Younger' EP physical vinyl, featuring a blue coloured vinyl and offering the first 100 x orders an exclusive signed bookmark featuring custom drawings by grentperez.
Multi-media artist, singer-songwriter and producer grentperez’s handcrafted DIY pop instantly soothes on a series of releases that have helped endear him to rapidly growing audiences at home in Australia as well as further afield in Southeast Asia, North America and Europe.
His debut single "Cherry Wine", released in September 2021 shot up the Spotify viral charts across the globe, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and swept up the #1 spot in Singapore soon after its release. In less than two years, grentperez’s catalogue has seen over 200 million streams to date, and over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with hundreds of new fans discovering him daily.
Born in Australia, grentperez grew up as the youngest of three kids in a Filipino family. Raised on a diet of The Eagles, The Beatles, and Queen thanks to his dad before moving onto the likes of Musiq Soulchild. As soon as he received his first nylon string acoustic, he taught himself Jeremy Passion’s “Lemonade”, learning chords, shapes, and plucking patterns. At the end of 2013, he launched his YouTube channel which currently sits at over half a MILLION subscribers.
Listen to "When The Day Is Done" here: grentperez.ffm.to/whenthedayisdone
Pre-save the EP 'When We Were Younger' here: grentperez.ffm.to/whenwewereyounger
Source: Blackstar
PHINMA Education: A Beacon of Light in Laguna and the Philippines
I had the privilege of witnessing the launch of the #TAYÓTAYOLaguna campaign by PHINMA Education at the Calamba Tent last April 25, 2023. PHINMA, which is now the biggest education network in the Philippines, has recently acquired two higher education institutions in Laguna: the PHINMA Union College of Laguna (UCL) and the PHINMA Rizal College of Laguna (RCL). The #TAYÓTAYOLaguna campaign aims to highlight the inclusion of these two colleges in the PHINMA network, as well as to forge a partnership with Laguna, which is the birthplace of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. I entered the event knowing that I was witnessing a corporate launch, but I left inspired by the messages of hope that I have heard.
I first heard about PHINMA when I was still in university myself. Our school has a classroom named after PHINMA. I knew even then that this institution invests in education and knowledge, so I was not surprised to hear about their expansion in the Southern Tagalog region. While I am a product of a university in Metro Manila, I am aware of the disparity between the different students in our country. I have been a child sponsor since I was in university, so I am deeply invested in uplifting the state of education in our country, even in my own small way. I am glad that I share the same values with PHINMA.
During the event, I heard that they are proud of their advocacy to provide quality education to the marginalized and the underserved. I was happy to know that they prioritized students from mostly low income families, because these students also deserve to upskill in order to improve their circumstances. Because I was curious about their advocacy, I listened further. I learned that they solved the two major problems which were commonly faced by low income students: expensive and restrictive admissions exams, and inaccessible tuition fees. They also welcome working students and the differently-abled, which is admirable because it truly shows that they foster inclusion and equal opportunity for all. I was excited that this institution, which already has a proven track record in other regions across the Philippines and in Indonesia, is investing in educating Lagunense students.
Because of their awareness that the community must be involved in order to help these students graduate, PHINMA has involved the families of their students by conducting house-to-house visits and teacher training in order to communicate their vision to those who care for the future of our country. They envision a brighter future for Filipino students no matter what their backgrounds, limitations, or competencies are, so they are taking actionable steps in order to keep them in school. They also believe that education is a medium to shape society, and this is evident in the graduates they produce. Their graduates pass the board exams, land jobs within one year of graduation, and communicate effectively with confidence. Without blatantly telling them to serve and prioritize their communities, they train their students to give back to the nation through example. Indeed, when education is used as the means to transform lives and communities, then it is expected that their graduates will also pay it forward and continue shaping society.
Making Lives Better Through Education is the battlecry of PHINMA Education. I believe that they are taking the necessary steps to change lives, mindsets, and communities through quality accessible, inclusive, and effective education. It was an honor to witness their launch at Laguna, and I am excited to witness their growth not just in the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, but in other regions and countries as well.
Mabuhay!
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ADB and ACWA Power Sign Deal for Two Utility-Scale Wind Power Plants in Uzbekistan, the Region’s Largest Wind Development
TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (24 April 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and ACWA Power Company (ACWA) signed $174 million worth of loans to develop the Bash wind power and Dzhankeldy wind power plants, both located in the Bukhara region in Uzbekistan.
The financing comprises loans amounting to $40.5 million for Bash and $46.5 million for the Dzhankeldy funded through ADB’s ordinary capital resources. ADB will also administer $40.5 million for Bash and $46.5 million for Dzhankeldy from the Leading Asia's Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP), administered by ADB.
Each power plant consists of 79 wind turbines, for a total of 158 turbines that will generate 3,235 gigawatt-hours and displace nearly 2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. Together, Bash and Dzhankeldy will be the largest utility-scale wind power development in the Central West Asia region. The loans will also fund the construction of 282.5 kilometers of 500-kilovolt, single-circuit overhead transmission to connect to the power grid.
“Uzbekistan is one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia, and with it comes a growing demand for energy. This brings a unique opportunity to invest in decarbonization and expansion of renewables in the country’s energy mix,” said ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “Bash and Dzhankeldy are landmark greenfield wind power projects which have a significant demonstrative impact of private sector participation across the region’s energy sector.”
ADB has supported approximately 2,500 megawatts of renewable energy in Uzbekistan since 2019, after the country opened up the sector to private sector participants. The total cost of ADB’s latest collaboration with ACWA is approximately $1.35 billion.
Parallel lenders include the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, OPEC Fund for International Development, and Proparco.
LEAP is an ADB-managed fund capitalized with a $1.5 billion commitment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Established in 2016, LEAP focuses on delivering high-quality and sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and offer accessible and affordable health care, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing member countries.
Bash and Dzhankeldy are special-purpose vehicles owned by ACWA Power, a regional leader in renewable energy. ACWA was established in 2008 and is a developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalination plants, with 67 assets in operation, construction, or advanced development across 13 countries. ACWA’s portfolio has a capacity of 43.4 gigawatts of power and 6.4 million cubic meters per day of desalinated water.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Source: ADB
American pop artist Sarah Reeves thanks Filipino fans for crossover success of “Jealousy”
Fresh off the crossover success of her collaborations with high-profile dance music producers Gattüso, Laidback Luke, R3HAB, and Armin Van Buuren, American pop songstress Sarah Reeves continues to make a dent with the release of her new single “Jealousy.”
The midtempo pop tune finds Reeves face-to-face with her younger self, transporting her back to an easier time when she was innocent, confident, and carefree. The newcomer confesses she’s envious of that girl — a child free of insecurity and full of wonder.
“Jealousy” is also performing well in territories outside the United States, particularly in the Philippines where it lands as one of the top 10 countries in Spotify that have heavily streamed her work for the past few months.
“I would love to visit the Philippines one day and am so grateful to all my fans there,” says the young pop act. “I’m glad the music is connecting to Filipino fans. I hope it is appealing to them because it’s bringing hope and inspiration to every person that hears the music.”
In addition to her solo releases, Sarah Reeves has dedicated a vast portion of her career to writing songs for other artists for TV and film. Her music has appeared in Disney Plus and National Geographic’s six-part original series “Welcome To Earth,” starring Will Smith; Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon international trailer; promos for “American Idol” and UFC; and on television series across major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Netflix, among others.
About Sarah Reeves
Pop artist and songwriter Sarah Reeves signed her first record deal at age 18. Since then, in addition to pursuing her own artistry, she has dedicated a vast portion of her career to writing songs for other artists for TV and film. Her music has appeared in Disney Plus and National Geographic’s six-part original series “Welcome To Earth,” starring Will Smith; Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon international trailer; promos for “American Idol” and UFC; and on television series across major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Netflix, among others. Reeves has also been featured on tracks by high-profile DJs, including: Gattüso, Laidback Luke, R3HAB, and Armin Van Buuren. The Curb | Word Entertainment artist has garnered over 81 million career streams and 40 million YouTube views.
Source: Nyou
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POWERHOUSE DUO SOFI TUKKER SHARE ROUSING NEW SINGLE “JACARÉ”
WATCH THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO HERE
THE DUO TAKES FESTIVAL SEASON BY STORM WITH PERFORMANCES AT
COACHELLA, GOVERNORS BALL, BONNAROO, LOLLAPALOOZA AND MORE
SOFI TUKKER, the GRAMMY-nominated duo comprised of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, have shared their exhilarating new single, “Jacaré'' out today on Ultra Records – LISTEN HERE. Accompanying the track is the colorful new music video filmed on location in Rio de Janeiro – watch it HERE. “Jacaré'' is simultaneously a tribute to both the beauty of Brazil and the LGBTQ+community at large.
Coachella Weekend 1 saw SOFI TUKKER deliver a commanding and high-energy set, with coverage from Billboard, Rolling Stone Entertainment Weekly and Vogue among others - check out their performance of “Swing” from the show here.Vogue included them in their “Best Celebrity Fashion Moments,” with the duo donning custom-made looks by Dolce & Gabbana. SOFI TUKKERwill next bring their immersive live show to a sold-out house headlining the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater tonight, Coachella (Weekend 2), and an impressive line-up of upcoming marquee festivals including Governors Ball, Bonnaroo,Lollapalooza, Osheaga, and headline festival sets at Lightning in a Bottle, Electric Forest Festival, Milwaukee Summerfest & Capitol Hill Block Party. They’ll also hit the European festival circuit including stops at Lollapalooza Stockholm, Down the Rabbit Hole, EXIT Festival, Pohoda, Rock Werchter & Gunnersbury Park London withKygo among others, while their Las Vegas DJ Residency consistently packs in a crowd (see below for all tour dates).
With elements of electronic, house and jazz influences, “Jacaré'' was penned as an ode to Brazil and its inherent sensuality. Inspired by the country’s vibrant culture, “Jacaré'' pulsates with Tucker’s irresistible beats and puts Sophie’s seductive vocals on full display. The lyrics were written by Sophie who is fluent in Portuguese, and longtime collaborator and Brazilian poet Chacal.
Sophie and Tucker explain, "Jacaré means alligator in Portuguese but it's also a derogatory word for women who like women. We wanted to take the word and flip it into something positive and joyful rather than a term used as an insult or threat. This song is super fun and sexy and inspired by our time in Brazil. We wrote the lyrics together with our longtime collaborator and friend, the Brazilian poet, Chacal. It's been a highlight in every DJ set we've done recently. It's a celebration of Brazil, of women and the LGBTQ+ community.”
Directed by Aerin Moreno (whose credits include previous SOFI TUKKER videos, Dove Cameron and Madison Beer clips) the visually thrilling music video perfectly captures the exuberance of “Jacaré.” The band comments, “it’s definitely the most fun video we've ever made. We have wanted to make a video for a long time based on the concept of us fighting for the same girl. It's just such an unusual and unique dynamic we have as a band. It's a silly and sexy story, played out in the most beautiful city in the world, Rio de Janeiro.”
Earlier this year, the magnetic duo recorded a not-to-be-missed session with KEXP featuring a stripped-down version of “Jacaré” with live instrumentation. Watch it HERE.
With more new music on the horizon, SOFI TUKKER also recently collaborated with Kx5 (Kaskade & deadmau5) on "Sacrifice", and producer, DJ & pianist LP Giobbi’s on the new single, “If Love Is A Skill,” - watch the intimate music video featuring LP Giobbi on grand piano, Sophie (SOFI TUKKER) on vocals and Michael Cheever (Le Chev) on drum machine HERE.
Having amassed over a billion streams, several Platinum records and Gold records on five continents, SOFI TUKKER’s inclusive and global perspective on electronic music is laced with themes of liberation, unity, and self-empowerment. Their vibrant fan community “The Freak Fam” are highly engaged both on and off-line. SOFI TUKKER’s latest full-length album, WET TENNIS (When Everyone Tries To Evolve, Nothing Negative is Safe) is the follow-up to their GRAMMY-nominated debut album Treehouse.
SOFI TUKKER’S music has been used in campaigns for film, TV and video games with brands such as Apple, Peloton and Smartwater to name a few. With a mutual love of fashion, they launched their own fashion imprint WET TENNIS in 2022. Last week they launched Sophie’s stage pants as part of the fashion line, which immediately sold out. Most recently they were the face of G-STAR RAW’s colorful denim campaign – see the spot HERE – while Sophie was featured in a Nikecampaign tied to International Women’s Day designing her own sneaker.
Novo Fogo Organic Cachaça, an independent producer of Brazil’s national sugarcane spirit, announced earlier this year that SOFI TUKKER are their new global brand ambassadors and equity partners. Novo Fogo shares the band’s passion of preserving the Atlantic Rainforest through their reforestation project The Un-Endangered Forest.The partnership draws inspiration from SOFI TUKKER’s appreciation of Brazilian music, language, culture, energy, and human and environmental diversity. A clue hidden in the “Jacaré” video alludes to a future announcement to come on their partnership.
In addition to their many musical and entrepreneurial pursuits, the band are passionate activists committed to equality and have raised funds and awareness for organizations including Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, the March for Our Lives and Red Cross Ukraine.
2023 Tour Dates
4/21- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
4/22- Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival
4/30- Las Vegas, NV @ TAO Beach Day Club (DJ Residency)
5/13- Las Vegas, NV @ Marquee Dayclub (DJ Residency)
5/18- Las Vegas, NV @ Marquee Dayclub (DJ Residency)
5/19 & 5/20- Austin, TX @ Seismic Spring: Lite Edition (Hybrid DJ Set)
5/20- Baltimore, MD @ Preakness (Hybrid DJ Set)
5/25- Las Vegas, NV @ Hakkasan Nightclub (DJ Residency)
5/26- Bakersfield, CA @ Lightning in a Bottle Music Festival
5/27- Vancouver, BC @ Harbour Event & Convention Center (Hybrid DJ set)
6/04- Las Vegas, NV @ TAO Beach Day Club (DJ Residency)
6/11- New York City, NY @ The Governor’s Ball Music Festival
6/17- Manchester, TN @ Bonaroo Music Festival
6/19- Oklahoma City, OK @ The Jones Assembly
6/22- Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest Festival
6/23- Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
6/29- Stockholm, Sweden @ Lollapalooza Stockholm (Hybrid DJ set)
6/21-7/2- Ewijk, The Netherlands @ Down the Rabbit Hole
7/1- Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter
7/6-7/9- Constanta, Romania @ Neversea Festival
7/6-7/8- Trenčín, Slovakia @ Pohoda Festival
7/8- Novi Sad, Serbia @ Exit Festival
7/21- Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party
7/22- Las Vegas, NV @ Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub (DJ Residency)
8/3- Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/5- Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
8/6- Toronto, ON @ Veld Festival (Hybrid DJ set)
8/10- Chorzów, Poland @ Fest Festival
8/12- London, England @ Gunnersbury Park with Kygo
8/13- Newquay, England @ Boardmasters Festival
8/26- Las Vegas, NV @ Marquee Dayclub (DJ Residency)
FOLLOW SOFI TUKKER
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Source: Blackstar
SB19’s JOSH CULLEN redefines love song with edgy hip-hop twist in “Pakiusap Lang”
The song comes with a music video that stars KAIA’s Angela and Charice as his love interests
After debuting as a bonafide solo star with the edgy banger “Wild Tonight,” SB19’s Josh Cullen continues his winning streak with the release of his follow-up single under Sony Music Entertainment.
Aptly titled “Pakiusap Lang,” the P-Pop artist proves that there are no four walls that can contain him when it comes to writing and producing a straightforward love song meshed with trap-laden beats and hip-hop verses.
“The lyrics came from my heart, and I wanted to make sure the arrangement and sonic vibe reflected my Filipino hip-hop side,” Cullen reveals. “My cousin and his friends helped out with the chorus, and we all had a good time putting it together.”
According to SB19’s resident lead rapper and sub-vocalist, “Pakiusap Lang” is a song that is based on his personal experiences and thoughts about relationships. He further explains, “It's all about the struggles of maintaining a relationship when you can't be with your partner all the time due to work or other struggles going on in life. The song encourages the listener to hold on and trust the process.”
A romantic rap ballad that forays into emotional honesty as much as it does with stylistic finesse, “Pakiusap Lang” shows a different side of Cullen: an entertainer that doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks just to prove his point.
The release of the track comes with an upcoming music video that explores the idea of “holding onto the memories of your loved one, even when you know it’s time to let go.” Directed by frequent collaborator Toothless (who also helmed the MV of SB19’s “Bazinga), the visuals bring Cullen’s ideas to life and expand on his initial concept with an element of mystery and an understated delivery.
It also stars KAIA members Angela and Charice, who happen to be the main characters in the MV. The two multi-talented artists also dabbled into acting prior to their debut as a P-Pop artist.
Cullen shares, “When I was planning out the music video for ‘Pakiusap Lang,’ I knew I wanted to create a story that was emotional and impactful. As I was brainstorming ideas, I thought about the possibility of incorporating plot twists into the video, to really capture the viewer's attention. That's when I had the idea to feature KAIA members Angela and Charice in the video. I had worked with them before and knew that they would bring a lot of talent and creativity to the project. Plus, their presence in the video would add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for viewers. It was a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and I couldn't be happier with how the video turned out.”
“Pakiusap Lang” will be part of Josh Cullen’s upcoming debut EP, which will be released sometime this year. According to the rising multihyphenate, the maiden record sounds like a fusion between hip-hop and pop music, with his cousin Ocho helping him out in producing, conceptualizing, and refining the tracks. “You can expect a mix of different sounds and genre influences, but overall, it's a reflection of my journey as an artist and a person,” Cullen adds.
JOSH CULLEN’s “Pakiusap Lang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The music video of “WILD TONIGHT” will drop at 7pm on April 21, 2023 (Friday).
Source: Nyou
Clara Benin finds beauty in unlearning people and places on new song “small town”
The multi-awarded Filipino singer-songwriter releases ahopeful, bittersweet tune about taking control of one’s journey by not sticking to the past
Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin drops a song about leaving the past behind, and embracing the newness that comes with it.
On her new single “small town,” the Parallel Universe artist continues the journey of acknowledging that the world is changing and that unlearning people and places could be an enriching way of taking control of one’s life and destiny.
“small town was inspired by my high school experience living in the province, where it was inevitable to bump into someone you know when you're out in public,” Benin reveals. “It's a post-breakup song about trying to find yourself again and struggling because everything around you reminds you of your ex.”
While the exquisitely moving track comes from a place of familiarity, Benin mentions that “small town” is inspired by her growing fascination with coming-of-age films of the early 2000s. The pensive pop-rock lullaby is written by Clara Benin herself and Gabba Santiago and produced by Sam Marquez and Tim Marquez of One Click Straight.
The OFFMUTE muse reveals, “I really enjoyed working on this song, because it felt like reliving my teenage years, when I felt so lost and angsty all the time. It's nice to look back on those years now that I'm older and write about all my experiences then.”
“small town” serves as Clara Benin’s last single before she releases her first studio album in eight years. According to Benin, the up-and-coming record reflects her growth as a singer-songwriter whose work displays vulnerability and versatility in equal measure.
Clara Benin’s “small town” is out now on all digital music platforms via OFFMUTE. Watch the music video here.
Follow CLARA BENIN on socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarabeninmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarabeninmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarabeninmusic
Follow OFFMUTE on socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/offmuteASIA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/offmute
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offmute/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offmute
About Clara Benin
Clara Benin is touted as the indie darling of the Philippines. She is one of the first artists under Sony Music’s new regional label OFFMUTE. Her signature angelic voice and melodic acoustic guitar playing bring a kind of serenity that her listeners gravitate towards. She has collaborated with Singaporean artists Charlie Lim for a remake of her hit single “Wine” and Gentle Bones for the pop track “A Day At A Time”.
Widely loved for her warm and quiet demeanor, the acoustic-folk artist has played in notable festivals like Wanderland Arts and Music Festival in the Philippines, Music Matters in Singapore, and Zandari Festa in Korea. She sold out her first solo concert in 2016 for her album “Coming Home” and had a back-to-back concert with fellow artist Ben&Ben in 2018.
Source: Nyou
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