Kings favorite Shannon LaBrie and Kenny Childers release a new EP which is part of a new project called Forevermore. Shannon takes a slight turn in music style on the new offering but her signature sound is still present. The new project brings to mind the early days of Jackson Brown with a tinge of 90’s. LaBrie says, “we are both pretty emotionally dark but, for some reason, when we play music together, it feels happy. I guess two wrongs make a right?” The album feels free, smooth and breezy, like one would feel at the beginning of fall. The kind of music you can play anytime/anywhere.” Check out the track self titled track.
shannonzodlounge@gmail.com

Young Creatures release the atmospheric Slow (Part II). The Los Angeles based trio brilliantly combine shoegaze, rock, indie, and pop. Their first 2014 full length Fear All The Things grabbed the attention of several tastemaker blogs securing them a residency at the Silverlake Lounge. You can find the band gigging around in LA’s venues including The Bootleg, The Echo, and Satellite. The latest track comes off their forthcoming album “The Future Is Finally Now” out on Nomad Eel Records.
youngcreaturesband@gmail.com

Feedspot just released the top 75 American Music Blogs. Kings of A&R has been selected as one the top 75 American music blogs. But what are music blogs and what is the purpose?

Music blogs can help music go viral and they can drive traffic to music streaming services such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music. Most importantly, blogs are introducing their readership to new artists. Although the web has largely changed, blogs remain a collective powerful force. Artists, PR agents, managers, and other industry people will literally spend hours sending out new music releases to blogs, patiently waiting for a reply back. Patience is key because the email inbox of bloggers looks like a war zone. It’s not uncommon for a blogger to get 25 – 50 emails a day. Since bloggers deal with literally everyone in their respective industry, artists want to hunt down the tastemakers for there connections.

Nicole Cifani who is a Executive producer, writer, and DJ calls music blogs a cultural voice and says, “music blogs have helped shape the landscape of what we tune in to.”

She goes on to say:

“With that said, some similarities can be drawn between music blogs and indie labels. Music blogs are similar to indies because they excel at marketing and branding by taking a very DIY approach. This independent mindset is one that for whatever reason resonates well with music fans. CONTINUE READING

(credit: Instagram screenshot)

Taylor Swift’s music label Big Machine is predicting the latest album ‘Reputation’ will move close to 2 million units first week. This is more than her previous releases. In fact, this is historic.

A Target spokesman notes, “Reputation is our biggest entertainment pre-sale of all time, across movies, music and books” and additionally stated that overall Target expects the album to be the biggest release of the season.

Although data analysts claim the 2 million first week album sales is an overreach, Big Machine is claiming the number is real close.

London based duo Ferris & Sylvester, made up of Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester release the music video for The Room. The video, which is a true standout, was shot in one room and follows the couple’s relationship over the course of a year. The folk pop single comes off their forthcoming EP.

The two met in London’s music scene and started writing together, then shortly catching the ear of legendary producer Youth (Paul McCartney/The Verve/ Crowded House). They recorded their first record ‘The Yellow Line EP’ with Youth in his Space Mountain Studios, Spain. The duo is set to perform at The Harrison (London) on November 11th.
david.sullivan@wilfulpublicity.co.uk, ferrisandsylvestermusic@gmail.com