Sights and Sounds: Paul Weller to release 'Fat Pop (Volume 1)'; 'The Final Countdown' collector's edition; Nik Turner's 'Xitintoday'

 Here is a roundup on some just-announced upcoming titles!

FAT POP (VOLUME 1) NEW ALBUM SET TO BE RELEASED MAY 14TH ON POLYDOR RECORDS TODAY BLACK BOX CELEBREATES THE RELEASE OF "COSMIC FRINGES"

February 25, 2021 - We may be cursed to be in the midst a global pandemic, buffeted by all of its stresses and pain, but everyone knows that art provides succour, that music is the most reliable balm. For many there is further significant comfort to be drawn from the knowledge that Paul Weller is in the midst of an unbelievably prolific purple patch. Paul Weller will not let us down when we need him most.   On May 14, Paul Weller releases his 16th solo album since his 1992 self-titled debut, which comes in just under twelve months following June 2020’s magnificent, UK chart-topping On Sunset. It’s not hyperbole to state that this new album, titled Fat Pop (Volume 1), is among his most compelling collections. It’s an absolute scorcher. Weller heralds the new album with a video for “Cosmic Fringes” which can be viewed HERE.   During spring last year, after his tour dates were postponed, Paul Weller needed something else to focus on. With many ideas for new songs stored on his phone, Paul started to record them on his own with just vocals, piano and guitar which he’d send to his core band members (drummer Ben Gordelier, Steve Cradock on guitar and bassist Andy Crofts) to add their parts. Despite it being strange not being together, it kept the wheels rolling and sanity prevailing. The band reconvened at Weller’s Black Barn studio in Surrey when restrictions were lifted to finish the work with the shape of the album becoming clear to all.   Fat Pop (Volume 1) – Paul adding the “Volume 1” to keep options open for a second volume in the future - is a diverse selection of sounds. No one style dominates. There’s the synth-heavy, future-wave strut of “Cosmic Fringes”, the stately balladeering of “Still Glides The Stream” (co-written with Steve Cradock), the chunky percussive groove of “Moving Canvas”(a tribute to Iggy Pop no less), and the kind of dramatic immediate pop symphonies on “Failed”, “True” and “Shades of Blue” with which Paul Weller has hooked in generation after generation of devotees.   As ever, Fat Pop, sees a number of guests contributing including Lia Metcalfe, the young Liverpudlian singer with The Mysterines who combines her tremendous vocal as well as a song writing credit to "True." Andy Fairweather Low adds his distinctive vocals to superfly strutting “Testify” and Paul’s daughter Leah co-wrote and features on the classic 3-minute pop kitchen sink drama “Shades Of Blue” which will be the first single taken from the album. Hannah Peel is back in the fray adding her classic string scores to “Cobweb / Connections” and “Still Glides The Stream.” Tracklisting: 1. Cosmic Fringes 2. True 3. Fat Pop 4. Shades Of Blue 5. Glad Times 6. Cobweb / Connections 7. Testify 8. That Pleasure 9. Failed 10. Moving Canvas 11. In Better Times 12. Still Glides The Stream Fat Pop comes in several covetable formats all showcasing the stunning artwork:  Standard CD Individual exclusive cassettes for Indie Record Stores and Paul’s artist store Individual exclusive colored vinyl for Amazon, Indie Record Stores and Paul’s artist store Black heavyweight vinyl Exclusive picture disc vinyl   Deluxe Formats which include Fat Pop, Mid-Sömmer Musik (the live special from November last year) and bonus tracks: 3 CD Box Set 3 LP Box set – black heavyweight vinyl

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Exclusive Limited Collector’s Edition includes 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Soundtrack CD, Collectible Booklet, and 3D Lenticular Slipcover (First Pressing Only) Available April 27th PRE-ORDER NOW (SAVE $10 at MVDshop.com) “Captivating, exciting, and wondrous filmmaking that poses one of the ultimate ‘what if’ scenarios of our time!” – Blu-ray.com

WATCH TRAILER

Trapped outside the boundaries of time and space – 102 aircraft... 6,000 men... all missing.   The time is now. The place is aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, America’s mightiest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier on maneuvers in the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly, a freak electrical storm engulfs the ship and triggers the impossible: The Nimitz is hurtled back in time to December 6, 1941, mere hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As the enemy fleet speeds towards Hawaii, the warship’s Captain (Kirk Douglas), a Defense Department expert (Martin Sheen), a maverick Air Wing Commander (James Farentino) and a desperate Senator in the Roosevelt administration (Charles Durning) must choose between the unthinkable. Do they allow the Japanese to complete their murderous invasion, or launch a massive counterstrike that will forever change the course of history?   Katharine Ross and Ron O’Neal co-star in this spellbinding sci-fi action hit filmed on location aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz with the full participation of the U.S. Navy and the ship’s crew. Now Blue Underground is proud to present THE FINAL COUNTDOWN in a stunning new restoration, scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original 35mm camera negative, with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, for the ultimate in explosive home theater excitement! Trailer: https://youtu.be/vfrh9PtLoZ8 EDITOR'S NOTE: The stills displayed from the film below are NOT from the 4K restoration, they are screenshots from the previous Blu-ray edition. If you have posted a news item, please amend it with this caveat.

Extras: Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Victor J. Kemper Lloyd Kaufman Goes Hollywood - Interview with Associate Producer Lloyd Kaufman Starring The Jolly Rogers - Interviews with The Jolly Rogers F-14 Fighter Squadron Theatrical Trailers TV Spots Poster & Still Galleries BONUS! THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by John Scott BONUS! Collectible Booklet featuring The Zero Pilot Journal  BONUS! 3D Lenticular Slipcover (First Pressing Only)

# # # Blue Underground Official Channels

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For Immediate Release

Cleopatra Records Issues Deluxe Collector’s Edition Of HAWKWIND Co-Founder NIK TURNER’s 1978 Album XITINTODAY!

Produced by GONG’s Steve Hillage

Los Angeles, CA - From ‘60s legends the Grateful Dead to Grammy winning flautist Paul Horn, industrial band Killing Joke, and Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner, Egypt’s Great Pyramids have been a powerful source of inspiration for many musical adventurers over the years. Some, like Turner, have even gone so far as to record their instruments inside the ancient wonders, capturing the unique resonance of these mystical spaces and blending them with modern techniques and sensibilities to create a truly innovative work of art. Shortly after his abrupt departure from Hawkwind in the late ‘70s, Turner recorded nearly a half an hour’s worth of improvised flute melodies within the Egyptian pyramids, which he then used as the basis for his incredible 1978 experimental ambient masterpiece Xitintoday. The album, which is officially credited to Nik Turner’s Sphynx, is an adventurous, groundbreaking collaboration with several alums from prog rock legends Gong including Steve Hillage (who produced the album), Miquette Giraudy, Harry Williamson, Mike Howlett, Tim Blake and more. 

For Turner, the album has a more personal meaning as he explains, “Xitintoday was a very necessary source of catharsis and healing for me, not only from being fired by my former band but also from the death of my father.”

Now this superb project is being reissued in a deluxe collector’s edition on gorgeous picture disc vinyl housed in a gatefold jacket with 16-page booklet insert that meticulously recreates the distinctive artwork of graphic design icon Barney Bubbles. The package also includes the entire album on CD with a special bonus track of Turner's raw 30-minute flute recording from deep within the pyramid. 

Order the album: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turners-sphynx-xitintoday-limited-edition-picture-disc-vinyl-bonus-cd-booklet/

Track List: 
VINYL 
SIDE A
1. The Awakening (Life On Venus) 
2. The Pyramid Spell 
3. The Hall Of Double Truth 
4. Anubis 
5. Thoth 

SIDE B
1. Horus 
2. Isis And Nephthys 
3. Osiris 
4. God Rock (The Awakening)

CD 
1. The Awakening (Life On Venus) 
2. The Pyramid Spell 
3. The Hall Of Double Truth 
4. Anubis 
5. Thoth 
6. Horus 
7. Isis And Nephthys 
8. Osiris 
9. God Rock (The Awakening)
BONUS TRACK
10. Pyramidflutenik

Get more information HERE.

The Alarm's 'WAЯ' set for release on Friday, Feb. 26

The Alarm's outstanding new album WAЯ is set for release this Friday, Feb. 26. I'll have a full-length review of the title in my next column, but here are the details about the forthcoming release...Robert Kinsler

Welsh rock legends The Alarm record new album in just 50 days; 'WAЯ' to be released on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021

Featuring guest appearance of Skindred's Benji Webbe on a cover of Massive Attack's 'Safe From Harm'

The Alarm / Photo credit: Andrew Labrow

The Alarm's brand new album WAЯ has been completed in order to be serviced around the world at midnight on Feb. 25/26 via the world's digital music suppliers. In order to combat production times and to have physical product available immediately, the band advance-released the album (without music) in a special CD-Rom format. Fans can then burn their own copy of the finished record. The album's writing and recording creative process only commenced on Jan. 7, 2021, but the band promised finished tracks will be sent electronically to fans once the final mix and mastering process took place.

Mike Peters of The Alarm.
Photo: Stuart Ling

WAЯ is also available to pre-order as a hand-cut vinyl LP and pre-loaded CD which will be released to fans on Feb. 25 (Alarm lead vocalist/guitarist Mike Peters' birthday).

Peters, along with band members James Stevenson (guitars) and Steve "Smiley" Barnard (drums) and producer George Williams completed the album from scratch using their own isolation studios. Peters' wife, Jules Jones Peters, documented the recording process and created a very incisive fly-on-the-wall vision of Mike Peters and The Alarm at work, sharing regular videos online at www.thealarm.com.

The Alarm has kept their fans entertained throughout the global pandemic, hosting weekly "Big Night In" broadcasts over the internet, all live from Mike and Jules Peters' living room; 23 shows have been transmitted so far, raising the spirts of more than 600,000 viewers who have been able to watch live interviews, acoustic performances from the Jukebox stage with rare and unseen Alarm videos. 

For more information on The Alarm and the forthcoming album WAЯ, check out the band's official website HERE.

Essential special editions revisit lost cult-worthy classics

There has always been a forceful link between cinema and music extending far beyond the role that a strong instrumental score plays in helping define a movie. In addition to the success of great musicals, the importance of theme songs, commercial soundtracks and the appearance of well-known musicians in major films have all helped elevate the link between music and movies for more than 60 years. In this week's column I highlight some notable titles that tap into that synergy.

Title: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Shout! Factory)

Artists: Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Preston, Aerosmith, more

You might like if you enjoy: The Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Aerosmith, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Preston, Steve Martin

Tell me more: Not everyone has seen – or even heard of – the 1978 cinematic musical comedy "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" despite the bona fide star power of the film’s key players – Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees. That is surprising when you consider the inclusion of more than 20 Beatles-penned classics and the production talents of George Martin and engineering skills of Geoff Emerick; the list of artists and actors who appear in the film extends from George Burns, Donald Pleasence and Steve Martin to Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Billy Preston and Earth Wind & Fire. 

The renewed interest in Peter Frampton (who is battling "inclusion body myositis," a progressive muscle disorder) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio the Bee Gees (their story is chronicled in the acclaimed must-see 2020 documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”) has led to a reexamination of "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band."  And the availability of a wonderful 2017 Blu-ray edition of the film released by Shout Factory allows the film to be seen and heard by many for the first time. This is not a perfect film, but there is definitely enough charm, sincerity and magic to encourage a viewing of the flick. The two-disc soundtrack for the film is also available on audio CD and via vinyl. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Title: Saturday Night Fever: Deluxe Edition (Capitol Records)

Artists: The Bee Gees, Yvonne Elliman, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, more

You might like if you enjoy: The Bee Gees, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang

Tell me more: In honor of its 40th anniversary, the highest-selling soundtrack album in history was re-released via a deluxe two-disc edition in 2017. Disc one features the original 17-track soundtrack (including four No. 1 hits for The Bee Gees) along with potent tracks from '70s favorites Yvonne Elliman, Kool & The Gang, KC & The Sunshine Band and others. The second disc includes four new mixes by GRAMMY Award winner Serban Ghenea of The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever," "How Deep Is Your Love" and "You Should Be Dancing." Information: universalmusicenterprises.com.

Title: Prince: Sign 'o' the Times

Artists: Prince (Paisley Park)

You might like if you enjoy: Prince, James Brown

Tell me more: Prince was at the peak of his illustrious career when he was captured in 1987 for the concert documentary "Sign 'o' the Times" (available to view on the Peacock streaming service and via Amazon Prime). The film was shot on the heels of the release of his terrific 1987 album Sign 'o' the Times (his ninth studio album, and often cited as his greatest full-length studio set). The propulsive "Play in the Sunshine,"  enthralling "Little Red Corvette" (bolstered by Prince's piano playing), rousing "Housequake" (with Prince offering up some great James Brown dance moves) and soulful joy "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" are early standouts in the documentary. There are also compelling takes on some of his most-beloved songs including the funky "U Got The Look," R&B gems "If I Was Your Girlfriend" and "Forever In My Life," and inspired rocker "The Cross," all of which help make this remastered film one of the best ways to experience the thrill of a Prince concert when the acclaimed artist was at the height of his powers. His band for the film included Sheila E. on drums and percussion, Miko Weaver on guitar, Levi Seacer Jr. on bass, Eric Leeds on sax, and a number of amazing dancers who collectively keep the momentum moving across all 84 minutes of the fast-moving film. Information: prince.com. 

Title: Silent Running (Arrow Video)

Music: Songs performed by Joan Baez; songs written by Peter Schickele and Diane Lampert; soundtrack written by Peter Schickele

You might like if you enjoy: Joan Baez, '70s soundtracks

Tell me more: It's hard to believe that a science fiction film released in 1972 resonates more today than at the time of its release. "Silent Running," the directorial debut from visual effects master Douglas Trumbull ("2001: A Space Odyssey," "The Andromeda Strain," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind") bore little in common with the blockbuster likes of "Star Wars" and "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" that came a few years later. Indeed, here was a film that looked at an Earth in the near future, stripped of all flora and fauna; the only remaining ecosystems were preserved in massive domes attached to large spaceships. When a decision is made by the U.S. government to destroy the biospheres and return the spaceships to commercial use, there are devastating consequences. The film (which stars acclaimed actor Bruce Dern as Freeman Lowell) has just been released on Blu-ray for the first time ever and the masterful use of original songs sung by folk legend Joan Baez as well as evocative instrumental music from composer Peter Schickele and groundbreaking sound effects are the equal of the film's sci-fi setting. It is alien to audiences today, but the use of music in the film is heightened throughout the aptly-titled "Silent Running" because there are frequent stretches where there is little or no music used. The Blu-ray released by Arrow Video has a plethora of bonus features, including an isolated music and effects track. There is also a feature titled "No Turning Back," a new video interview with film music historian Jeff Bond on the film's masterful score. Information: https://mvdb2b.com/s/AV300.  

Robert Kinsler 

The Beat Farmers' classic 1985 album 'Tales of the New West' gets deluxe reissue on April 2 via Blixa Sounds

In August 2017 I got to cover the Co-Cal Hoedown festival in Santa Ana, CA and the day's single best performance came via San Diego-spawned cowpunk-roots rockers the Farmers, a direct descendent of the Beat Farmers (you can read my review of the event HERE). Now comes news that the legendary band's 1985 album 'Tales of the New West' is being reissued via a deluxe edition this spring! Here is the media release...Robert Kinsler

The Beat Farmers classic 1985 debut album 'Tales of the New West' getting the deluxe treatment via upcoming reissue from Blixa Sounds

Features a second CD, 'Live at the Spring Valley Inn, 1983.' 

Single LP vinyl to be released on May 7, 2021.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Beat Farmers, one of roots-rock’s most beloved but unsung combos, finally get their due with a deluxe reissue of their classic 1985 debut album, Tales of the New West, out April 2, 2021 from Blixa Sounds. This deluxe CD reissue features all 12 tracks from the original album released on Rhino Records, as well as a second disc, Live at the Spring Valley Inn, 1983, a 21-song recording of the Beat Farmers on their home turf of San Diego that helped land the band a record deal. A gatefold package houses the two discs with a 24-page booklet featuring rare photos and other images. Also included are liner notes by the reissue’s producer, Dan Perloff, an early champion who discovered the band while attending San Diego State University and brought them to the attention of Rhino Records executive Gary Stewart. Tales of the New West features the Beat Farmers’ classic lineup of singer-guitarists Jerry Raney and Buddy Blue, bassist Rolle Dexter, and drummer-singer Country Dick Montana. With their trademark double-barreled attack, the Farmers had the unique talent to deliver a mix of earnest roots-rock with killer riffs on originals like Blue’s “Lost Weekend” and Raney’s “Showbiz,” and choice covers of the Velvet Underground's “There She Goes Again” and Bruce Springsteen's “Reason to Believe.” They capped it all off with the over-the-top lunacy of Country Dick on tracks such as “California Kid” and “Happy Boy.” Steve Berlin of Los Lobos co-produced Tales of the New West, and blows sax on “Showbiz.” Other special guests included Chip and Tony Kinman of Rank & File, Peter Case of the Plimsouls, Sid Griffin of the Long Ryders, and the Bangles' Vicki Peterson, as well as future Beat Farmer Joey Harris and “Bigger Stones” songwriter Paul Kamanski. Following the release of Tales of the New West, the Beat Farmers signed to Curb Records, with Buddy Blue opting to leave the band and Joey Harris stepping in as his replacement. After four albums for Curb/MCA, the Beat Farmers went the indie route, releasing two albums on Sector 2 Records. Sadly, tragedy struck in November 1995, when Country Dick died on stage, behind his drum kit, while performing in Whistler, British Columbia. The surviving members of the band decided to call it quits but did eventually get back together in a number of different configurations, including some with Buddy Blue back in the fold. Eventually, the survivors reunited under the moniker of the Farmers, but then tragedy hit once again: Buddy Blue died of a heart attack at his home in La Mesa, California. He was 48. Still, the Farmers, led by Jerry Raney, continue to play on, with a new lineup intent on keeping the spirit of their fallen comrades in the original Beat Farmers alive and kicking. “In a perfect world the Beat Farmers would have been huge, but that’s not how the business works,” Perloff writes in the liner notes. “Has this album stood the test of time? In my humble opinion, I believe that the answer is a resounding yes and this album sits high up on the American Roots Rock Pantheon. I feel that it was one of those albums from that period that influenced and helped pave the way for the much larger Americana movement of the 1990s and 2000s, and my view is supported by the album being listed time and again on ‘All Time Top Americana Album’ lists far and wide.”

Track Listing: CD 1 TALES OF THE NEW WEST 1. Bigger Stones 2. There She Goes Again 3. Reason to Believe 4. Lost Weekend 5. California Kid 6. Never Goin' Back 7. Goldmine 8. Showbiz 9. Lonesome Hound 10. Where Do They Go 11. Selfish Heart 12. Happy Boy CD 2 LIVE AT THE SPRING VALLEY INN, 1983 track listing: 1. Never Going Back 2. Trying to Get to You 3. Jump Right Back 4. Lonely Blue Boy 5. Beat Generation 6. Selfish Heart 7. Assembly Line Rock 8. Lonesome Hound 9. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke             and Loud, Loud Music 10. Big River 11. Showbiz 12. Sloppy Drunk 13. Sunday Morning 14. Reason to Believe 15. Big Rock Candy Mountain 16. Big Ugly Wheels 17. Upsettin' Me 18. I Still Miss Someone 19. Lost Weekend 20. You Can't Judge a Book by             Its Cover 21. Mondo   Amazon Pre-Order: bit.ly/beat-farmers (Deluxe 2-CD set) Amazon Pre-Order: bit.ly/farmers-vinyl (Vinyl) YouTube Promo Video: bit.ly/blixa-farmers

Paul Stanley's Soul Station set to release 'Now and Then' on March 19

Going into the weekend, I wanted to provide an update on Now and Then, the forthcoming debut release from Paul Stanley's Soul Station.

KISS singer Paul Stanley brought his new group Soul Station
to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 26, 2016.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

As Stanley and his collective get set to release their highly-anticipated new album Now and Then on March 19, 2021, it got me recalling how truly strong the ensemble was when I saw them appear at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano five years ago. And yes, for those who don't know, Soul Station's Stanley is also the frontman ("the Starchild") for legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame outfit KISS. 

Paul Stanley at the Coach House.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

When I reviewed Stanley and company in February 2016, I was absolutely floored and had no idea that Stanley could sing soul music with such power and authenticity. Read my Orange County Register review of that memorable concert re-posted on Rock 'n' Roll Truth HERE. 

Hear the troupe's versions of "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" and "O-O-H Child" and other stellar soul cuts HERE. The forthcoming disc will feature five original selections along with nine covers of classic R&B and soul tracks. Here is the complete track listing for the upcoming album:

1. Could It Be I’m Falling In Love
2. I Do
3. I, Oh I
4. Ooo Baby Baby
5. O-O-H Child
6. Save Me (From You)
7. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
8. Whenever You’re Ready (I’m Here)
9. The Tracks Of My Tears
10. Let’s Stay Together
11. La-La – Means I Love You
12. Lorelei
13. You Are Everything
14. Baby I Need Your Loving

The musical troupe accompanying Stanley on this project include Rafael “Hoffa” Moreira (guitar & backing vocals), Sean Hurley (bass), Alex Alessandroni (Musical Director, keyboards), Ely Rise (keyboards), Eric Singer (drums & backing vocals), RayYslas (percussion), Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals), Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet).

In a statement, Stanley says of Now and Then: "Between us doing some great Soul Station shows and starting the album, I started to think that neither the band or the music we love should depend only on the past, so I started writing with the goal of seamlessly taking songs into the present. From what a lot of people I respect have told me, that mission was accomplished.”

You can pre-order the album HERE.

Robert Kinsler

Greta Van Fleet shares ethereal new music video

Check out the super cool video / killer advance track ("Heat Above") from Greta Van Fleet's forthcoming album The Battle at Garden's Gate. Good to hear this; such a great song! Robert Kinsler

 

GRETA VAN FLEET SHARES
ETHEREAL NEW MUSIC VIDEO, "HEAT ABOVE"

View the video HERE

Greta Van Fleet presents a brand new music video for the song “Heat Above” from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate, produced by Greg Kurstin (Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Adele) and due out April 16 (Lava/Republic Records).  According to the band:
 
“‘Heat Above’ is theatrical, eloquent, and exaggerated.  This is a dream in the clouds, a moment of peace in the storm.  Thematically, we are dead center in the cult of Heaven, surreal, strange, alive and free.”
 
The band debuted the song last week in an interview with Zane Lowe, who said, “You aren’t ever going to hear anything like this today and probably in the near future, Greta Van Fleet doing it like nobody else.”
 
The Battle at Garden’s Gate, has an elevated elegance unseen yet from the young band.  With string orchestras, explorative songs, and the band building a visual story with every track, it explores the boundaries of the group’s artistry.
 


ABOUT LAVA RECORDS
Lava Records is an artist-first label that offers the best of all worlds:  the attention and commitment of an indie and the global reach and capabilities of the world's largest music company through its partnership with Republic/Universal.  Originally founded in 1995 by Jason Flom, Lava has been the home to many multi-platinum superstars, Grammy winners, and critical darlings.  With a proud heritage and eyes fixed on the future, the label is now home to phenomenal artists including Greta Van Fleet, Hero the Band, Jessie J, and Lorde.

Greta Van Fleet, L-R:

Sam Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Jake Kiszka, Danny Wagner

Photo Credit:  Alysse Gafkjen

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS

A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Thought, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, XO, Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (J Balvin and Karol G).  In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label's catalog and artists. Its first production was the Jonas Brothers documentary Chasing Happiness for Amazon Prime Video.