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Wes Freed, Visual Artist for Drive-By Truckers Albums, Dies at 58

Konstantinos Pappis
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Wes Freed, Visual Artist for Drive-By Truckers Albums, Dies at 58

Wes Freed, the visual artist whose Southern-gothic imagery adorned album covers by Drive-By Truckers, has died at the age of 58. The group’s publicist confirmed the news of Freed’s death to Rolling Stone. Earlier this year, Freed was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help pay for his treatment.

Freed, who attended art school at Virginia Commonwealth University, met Drive-By Truckers in the late 1990s at Capital City Barn Dance, a music festival he co-founded. Himself a musician based in Richmond, Freed first collaborated with the band on their 2001 double LP Southern Rock Opera. He went on to design posters, T-shirts, and other merch for the band and created the cover art for seven more of their albums, including 2004’s The Dirty South, which he has described as his favorite. The “Cooley Bird” image Freed created, which first appeared on 2003’s Decoration Day, would become synonymous with the band and guitarist Mike Cooley. Freed’s artwork features on DBT’s latest LP, Welcome 2 Club XIII, which came out in June.

In addition to his work as a visual artist, Freed played in a number of local bands including the Shiners, Dirt Ball, and Mud Helmet. In 2019, he published The Art of Wes Freed – Paints, Posters, Pin-ups and Possums, a coffee-table book collecting some of his best-known works.

“In the winter, my grandmother cooked on a wood stove and my Grandfather had a rocking chair that sat next to it,” Freed said in a 2011 interview. “There was a set of steps that went up the back way to what used to be my dad’s bedroom. We’d sit on the steps and look out the window while she cooked. In that sort of setting, you can romanticize just about anything. That setting, to me, is part of Paradise; full of the smell of a wood stove and whatever’s cooking; with Grandma downstairs plucking a chicken.”

“I think with my art I’m mostly trying to convince myself that the place really does exist somewhere,” he added. “Maybe I’ll find it, in a metaphysical sort of way…”

The Virtual Casino Trend

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The Virtual Casino Trend

Part of our lifestyle is to check social media on our gadgets as part of entertainment and socialization with our friends and family. Online gaming is the current trend and many people from different generations are into it. One of the most popular are online slot machine games which have plenty of variations and titles to choose from.

Online betting is very popular at this time though surprisingly its breakthrough was in 1994 when Microgaming software introduced the possibility of wagering on the computer or laptop through the aid of a stable internet. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9 percent and the betting market reached around $61.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to rise to $ 114.4 billion by 2029 which indicates the rapid growth of the success and popularity of the online casino. You can read more and get to know more about online casinos and where we can find legit and reliable casino sites.

What makes it popular?

There are various reasons for its fame and each virtual punter has its reasons for preferring to bet online. One major reason is its convenience to wager using any modern device as long as the internet connection is stable enough for the clarity of the graphics and audio of the casino games for the player’s seamless gaming.

Other reasons include

  • Compatibility with modern gadgets

5G or the fifth-generation technology is the latest standard for broadband cellular networks and people will eventually upgrade to 5G or buy 5 G-ready gadgets and this is inevitable. The modern lifestyle of consumers prompted them to update gadgets since this is essential to their lives. 5G promises no lags, fast downloading, no virus or malware issues, low latency, higher speed, and greater capacity compared to the other Gens. The online casino is designed to adjust and adapt to the latest 5G thus virtual punters are very happy because of the excellent designs, graphics, and sounds of the latest games introduced by the software of the casino sites.

  • Flexible to modern technology

A live casino is one of the best features of an online casino because the players can have the opportunity to interact with other players from anywhere in the world and the live dealer. The game is real-time and communication is possible thru the AI chatterbot provided by the site.

Another technology that casino sites have adopted is the use of AR and VR technology which makes the player’s gaming experience surreal.

  • Benefits and promotions

The online casinos offer more bonuses to their players which include the possibility for prospective players to enjoy any free games offered by the site. They also have a higher RTP or Return to Player scheme and loads of benefits like coupons and tournaments depending on the site and location.

  • Diverse Payment Option

Online casinos have flexible payment choices because they offer not just conventional debit/credit card or banking payment options but they also other methods of payment to accommodate other players who are not comfortable with the banking system or live offshore.

The following are the payment options:

  1. Digital Wallet
  • Paypal

This payment method has been trusted and proven by many users all over the world and this company has proven its credibility for being reliable and efficient which is why all major casino sites prefer and recommend Paypal as a secondary option to any payment transaction. A minimal fee is required depending on the location.

  • Skrill

This E-wallet, formerly known as Moneybookers has the reputation to be the best option because it provides a fast and safe way of transactions.

  • Neteller

Neteller is considered as one of the best e-wallet options in the online casino because of its easy method of depositing, faster payouts, and security. All players who are using this e-wallet are guaranteed its safety and security in terms of money transactions.

  1. Open Banking Method

This is another mode of payment that has the capacity for the player to use in an online casino using an ID provided by the bank. An example of this is Trustly from Sweden. Let it be known that the open banking method is available depending on the location.

  1. Bank Transfer Method

This mode of payment transfers the player’s money to any bank anywhere and can be applied in major establishments as well as the virtual casino. Examples are Wire Transfer, InstaDebit, iDeal, and ECheck.

  1. Cryptocurrency

The use of crypto is in demand in online casinos because it uses numbers and letters which means that the user is anonymous. It is decentralized and the currency is in cryptographic form.

Bitcoin is commonly used in crypto and other altcoins are also getting popular in the virtual betting world such as Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Tether.

Conclusion:

The online casino is broad and constantly upgrades according to the flow of technology and the lifestyle of the people.

Why Hyde become the disposable vape star?

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Why Hyde become the disposable vape star?

In recent times, the modernization of conventional objects has become the latest trend. Cars have become electric, education has become digitized, and even cigarettes have transformed.

While smoking is frowned upon as the cause of several health concerns, its altered state, i.e., e-cigarettes, are extremely popular and thought to be up to 95% less harmful than the conventional ones.

Although its impact on health is a highly debated topic, there are multiple varieties of e-cigars that are steadily gaining favor.

A form of e-cigarette that enjoys massive popularity is disposable vapes. And within the industry, Hyde Vape is an emerging brand offering a wide range of safe disposable vapes.

So, in this article, we will discuss the reasons behind Hyde’s rise to fame.

What makes Hyde’s disposable vapes stand out?

Hyde vapes are well-reputed for their quality and affordability. Also, the exclusive features of their disposable vape range cater to e-cigarette smokers of any level, from beginners to experienced vapers.

So, here are some factors that make Hyde the disposable vape star.

Rechargeable vapes 

The specialty of Hyde’s vapes is that they are rechargeable. Hence, you don’t need to throw them off after exhaustion.

Instead, you can easily recharge these vapes with a micro USB-type charger for longer battery life and vaping sessions.

Smoke-less cigarette alternatives

The basic feature of e-cigarettes is the lack of tobacco and smoke. Unlike standard cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco that needs to be burnt, releasing harmful toxins.

Thus, many government programs also suggest e-cigars as an alternative to cigarettes to motivate the public to stop smoking and improve public health.

Following this principle, Hyde offers disposable vapes with inhaling nicotine vapors, eliminating the likeability of burning tobacco and causing smoke.

Their disposable vapes come in varying nicotine levels, tastes, and the number of puffs, facilitating users with a unique vaping experience without the adverse effects of burning tobacco.

Ergonomic designs

After several trials and careful expert considerations, Hyde manufactures disposable vapes to produce the best-suited and optimized design that is comfortable to hold and easy to grip.

The innovation and creativity infused in designing a Hyde vape are unmatched. Thus, it results in some of the most comfortable, portable, and visually appealing vape designs in the market with a high battery capacity.

Affordable pricing

The easiest way to draw customers to a brand is by pricing the products competitively or lower than the competitors.

Using this strategy, Hyde prices its disposable vapes extremely reasonably. As a result, it not only makes their products easy to access for first-time users but also affordable enough for experienced vapers looking for inexpensive vapes of high quality.

Easy on the throat

Hyde disposable vapes are not harsh since no tobacco smoke is involved in the vaping process, and the nicotine vapors are relatively better for the user’s throat.

The authentic nicotine used in these devices also helps preserve the state of your throat instead of harming it.

Customizable nicotine levels and puff

Hyde’s disposable vapes come in many variants that allow choosing from different flavors, nicotine levels, and puffs.

Thus, it enables vapers of different levels, from beginners to experienced, to enjoy the same product at their preferred levels.

Variety of flavors

One of the nuggets strengths of Hyde is its massive range of flavors. Each of their products comes in a wide range of flavors, giving users the freedom to choose the taste of their vapes.

Some of the most-favorite vape flavors offered by Hyde are Strawberry Kiwi, Cola Ice, Summer Luv, Peach Mango Watermelon, and Dragon Fruit Lemonade.

Conclusion

With the massive demand for vaping devices, Hyde has capitalized on the market opportunity by providing affordable and premium-quality rechargeable vapes. In addition, with the wide range of customization options and high battery power, Hyde disposables have become a highly-preferred option amongst vapers.

The Rich History of the Barrière Group

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The Rich History of the Barrière Group

The Barrière Group is renowned throughout the world for offering unrivaled five-star French luxury to guests at its hotels, casinos, restaurants, and resorts. Celebrities and the rich and famous are their main clientele. The company’s portfolio includes famous locations in France, Switzerland, and other parts of the world. The Barrière Group has a lengthy and fascinating history, which dates back more than a century, has ultimately aided in its successes and accomplishments.

Creating and Growing the Enterprise

The concept of Luxury Resorts which includes opulent casinos, hotels, and sports venues all in one location was the brainchild of the group’s founder, François André.

At the start of the 20th century, François André launched his gambling enterprise with the purchase of the Ostend casino in Belgium. Around the same time his business partner, Eugène Cornuché, started construction on the Hôtel Normandy and renovated the old casino in Deauville, Normandy, and thus, the first resort was born.

The Deauville Resort served as the inspiration for the La Baule Resort in the Brière Regional Natural Park. In 1923, he added the Hôtel Royal and casino to the Group’s portfolio and in 1926, the Hôtel Hermitage in La Baule. The resort concept was well received and a renowned success, drawing in thousands of tourists and generating significant income.

Changes and Adaptations since the 1950s

By the 1950s, the Group was very successful but if the company wanted to grow and develop, even more, it would need some fresh talent. François André eventually handed over the reins of the business to his nephew Lucien in 1951. Sadly, François André passed away on May 2, 1962, leaving all his shares of numerous Group corporations to Lucien Barrière.

Lucien Barrière was a seasoned businessman who focused on modernizing the company’s operations. He purchased several new hotels for the Group over this period, including Enghien-Les-Bains, Trouville, Dinard, Royan, and St-Malo.

Lucien had an idea to connect The Barrier Group with the film industry by bringing famous people such as Brigitte Bardot and Gunther Sachs to his resorts. As a result, the business became more well-known on a global scale, and the success helped finance the founding of the Deauville American Film Festival in 1975. Although it wasn’t initially a competitive festival it started giving out awards in 1995 and the film festival is still going strong today.

In order to unite all of his enterprises, including hotels and the La Baule casino, Lucien also founded the “Société Hôtelière de la Chaîne Lucien Barrière” in 1980.

The first slot machines arrived in France in 1988 and Lucien had them installed in the Casino Barrière Deauville and Cannes but unfortunately, he passed away in September 1990 before he was able to witness their true success.

Lucien’s daughter, Diane Barrière-Desseigne took over the company following her father’s death. The savvy businesswoman oversaw the significant resort renovations for the Group. She became very well-known for starting a successful partnership with decorator Jacques Garcia and for making the “Barrière” style a household name.

When Diane was hurt in a terrible plane crash in 1995, her life drastically changed and Dominique Desseigne, Diane’s husband, began helping her with the business in 1997.

Developments in the Twenty-First Century

In the twenty-first century, the Group owes its success to Diane and Dominique. Diane passed away in 2001, leaving her husband in charge of the Group. Dominique expanded the business internationally. In 2003, he launched the first gambling establishment outside France in Montreux, Switzerland. He then went on to open the hotel Le Fouquet’s Paris on the Champs-Élysées in 2006.

The Casino Barrière Toulouse, which has the broadest selection of games in the South-West of France, was also launched by the Group in 2007. In addition to having a casino, it also has a 5-star hotel, a theater, a wellness center, and conference rooms. It also marked the debut of the first hotel outside of the country, the Hôtel & Ryads Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech.

The Group also bought a 48.59% stake in Moma Group, an event management company, and opened the first luxury hotel in the mountains, the Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges Courchevel. By 2017, the Group was broadening its horizons in the casino industry by planning the opening of two new casinos, one in Cairo and one in Abidjan.

In Conclusion

The Barrier Group has without a doubt exceeded its founder’s expectations in every way. Today, the Barrier group is at the forefront of high-quality European hospitality and is continuing with the high-standard, Luxury Resorts that François André pioneered.

Ozzy Osbourne Releases New Single ‘Nothing Feels Right’ Featuring Zakk Wylde

Konstantinos Pappis
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Ozzy Osbourne Releases New Single ‘Nothing Feels Right’ Featuring Zakk Wylde

Ozzy Osbourne has shared a new single called ‘Nothing Feels Right’, which features his longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde. It’s taken from his upcoming album, Patient Number 9, and follows the previously released singles ‘Degradation Rules’ and the title track. Check it out below.

Patient Number 9 is set to arrive this Friday, September 9. Last week, it was announced that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne will return to television in a new series called Home to Roost, which will document their move back to England. It’s scheduled to premiere next year.

Album Review: Oliver Sim, ‘Hideous Bastard’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Oliver Sim, ‘Hideous Bastard’

For some, the radical honesty that defines Oliver Sim’s solo debut might feel a bit startling. A certain amount of vulnerability is almost to be expected when a musician begins to carve their own path, particularly when they’re best known as one of the singers of a band like the xx, which has long developed, and slowly broken away from, a reputation for moodiness and quiet restraint. The release of 2017’s I See You marked not only a turning point for the group’s distinct sonic palette, but also a lyrical shift towards openness. Still, the most striking aspect of Hideous Bastard is how Sim chooses to package that kind of intimacy; he isn’t interested in just stripping things back further or making a profound, empowering statement as many artists would. From the start, it’s the unusual yet refreshingly genuine presentation that sets him apart.

The record’s opening track, ‘Hideous’, begins with a devastating stream of thoughts that culminate in the revelation that Sim has been living with HIV for the past 15 years. Yet as the song builds, it sounds less and less like a confessional monologue and more like a strange kind of horror film – an atmosphere that becomes apparent even if you’re not watching its accompanying video – which is how Sim envisioned the entire project. His bandmate Jamie xx’s production grows more ominous, Sim’s introspective lyrics more slyly allusive. By the time Jimmy Somerville’s voice enters the frame, offering a haunting invitation, it’s clear the effect is meant to be somewhat unsettling; there’s a line about trapping yourself indoors that harbous loneliness but doubles as an eerie premonition. In a recent interview, Sim has said that being in the xx still feels like his home: “The band kind of gives me everything I need.” Yet exploring one’s self often necessitates venturing outside of that familial environment, and Hideous Bastard finds him doing just that – even if those first steps feel a bit tentative.

Across ten songs, Sim shows a campier, more playful side of himself that never contradicts the sincerity that grounds his work. Much like when Romy released her first solo single in 2020, it also provides a queer space that hasn’t yet materialized in the xx’s discography. ‘Romance With a Memory’, which served as the first preview of the LP, is its cheekiest and most upbeat cut; his sense of humour is reflected in the colourful production, warping the phrase “my taste for disinterest” like a little self-directed joke. Though his lyricism hews towards vagueness, he has a way of concentrating on a single subject – a memory – and letting it unravel, as in the evocative ‘Never Here’, but he also opts for direct over poetic language when necessary. On ‘Confident Man’, the simple repetition of the title makes it sound like a potential source of comfort rather than insecurity, but the wormy synths, mirroring the singer’s self-doubt, quickly underline the fear that’s projected onto it.

Occasionally, the writing can feel underdeveloped. As he expresses in ‘Unreliable Narrator’, Sim appears to always be conscious of how much he’s willing to reveal, and in what form. “Under, over kind of sharer/ Kind of act that’s second nature,” he sings. Yet that conflict is never fully explored and leaves the song feeling like a half-interlude rather than its own journey. ‘Sensitive Child’ also comes off more like a sketch of a song than one that propels the narrative, prioritizing aesthetics in a way that the stronger tracks don’t. Yet the production and Sim’s performance remain engaging, particularly when he sings what sounds like a few feet away from the microphone; a jarring choice, but one that adds a raw physicality to themes of emotional distance.

The progression Hideous Bastard undergoes can be felt even if it could be expanded upon. Some of the more satisfying songs are placed towards the end: ‘Fruit’ is as lyrically cutting as it is musically sweet, and standout ‘GMT’ is intimate in the truest sense – letting in warmth and sentimentality but reserving some meaning that can only be deciphered by the addressed party. As for the listener, the album leaves something to be desired, but Sim brings in enough of himself – and the friends and collaborators that allow him to be express that – to make you want a second feature. Especially when the first one has such a cryptic ending: “Even Romeo dies in the final scene,” he sings resolutely on ‘Run the Credits’. You wonder not so much what this death means, but who Romeo was in the first place – and how he might return.

This Week’s Best New Songs: Special Interest, Plains, Knifeplay, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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This Week’s Best New Songs: Special Interest, Plains, Knifeplay, and More

Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this best new music segment.

On this week’s list, we have the first single from Arctic Monkeys’ new album, the languidly beautiful ‘There’d Better Be a Mirrorball’; Special Interest’s captivating, ebullient ‘Midnight Legends’ featuring Mykki Blanco, lifted from their upcoming third album; Jess Williamson and Katie Crutchfield’s gorgeous new Plains track ‘Abilene’, a nostalgic song about yearning for a new start; ’Rose Eater’, the wonderfully cinematic new preview of Young Jesus’ forthcoming LP; ‘Promise’, the ethereal, astonishing lead single from Knifeplay’s new album Animal Drowning; ‘Middle Name’, an introspective highlight off Living Hour’s new LP; Cryalot’s expansive Icarus EP ballad ‘Labyrinth’; and Mount Kimbie’s thrilling slowthai/Danny Brown collaboration ‘in your eyes’.

Best New Songs: September 5, 2022

Arctic Monkeys, ‘There’d Better Be a Mirrorball’

Special Interest, ‘Midnight Legends’

Song of the Week: Plains, ‘Abilene’

Young Jesus, ‘Rose Eater’

Living Hour, ‘Middle Name’

Cryalot, ‘Labyrinth’

Mount Kimbie feat. slowthai and Danny Brown, ‘in your eyes’

Watch: Human Playground Official Trailer

Abbie Wilson
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Watch: Human Playground Official Trailer

Watch the trailer for Human Playground below. The series will be released on Netflix from the 30th of September.

‘Nevermind’ Baby Loses Lawsuit Against Nirvana as Judge Dismisses Case for Final Time

Konstantinos Pappis
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‘Nevermind’ Baby Loses Lawsuit Against Nirvana as Judge Dismisses Case for Final Time

Nirvana has won the “child pornography” suit filed by Spencer Elden, the baby seen in the Nevermind cover art. In an eight-page ruling, Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed the case on the grounds that Elden waited too long to file the lawsuit, based on a 10-year statute of limitations. “In short, because it is undisputed that [Elden] did not file his complaint within ten years after he discovered a violation… the court concludes that his claim is untimely,” Olguin wrote.

“Because plaintiff had an opportunity to address the deficiencies in his complaint regarding the statute of limitations, the court is persuaded that it would be futile to afford plaintiff a fourth opportunity to file an amended complaint,” the jugde continued.

A lawyer for Nirvana told Reuters: “We are pleased that this meritless case has been brought to a speedy final conclusion.”

Nirvana first filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in August 2021, arguing that Elden had willingly associated himself with the Nevermind cover over the years and that too much time had passed for him to sue. Elden revived the lawsuit in January, removing the claim that that the defendants, which also listed Kurt Cobain’s estate, photographer Kirk Weddle, and various labels, “knowingly benefit from participation in what they know or should know is a sex trafficking venture.” The judge’s dismissal will prevent Elden from re-filing the suit, but he can still submit an appeal.

Livestream Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London

Konstantinos Pappis
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Livestream Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London

The first of two Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts is taking place today at London’s Wembley Stadium. The event, which kicks off at 11:30 am ET/4:30 pm BST, will stream live on Paramount+ in the US, Pluto TV internationally, and on MTV’s YouTube channels. Watch it below.

The tribute features performances by Travis Barker, Nandi Bushell, Martin Chambers, Chevy Metal, Violet Grohl, Justin Hawkins, Shane Hawkins, Brian May, Krist Novoselic, Joshua Homme, Chris Chaney, Nile Rodgers, Stewart Copeland, Liam Gallagher, Mark Ronson, Kesha, Luke Spiller, Brian Johnson, Josh Freese, and many others. It will also include special appearances by Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock.

“Music is a powerful connector, and we are honored to commemorate Taylor Hawkins’ enduring legacy by bringing together Paramount’s portfolio of brands and assets to build even deeper connections with his global fan base,” Bob Bakish, Paramount’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

“Taylor was not only an incredible drummer and musician but truly one of the most passionate super fans of music the world has seen. His infectious energy and unique talent will continue to live on through his vast body of work,” added Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, at Paramount+. “Together with Foo Fighters and the Hawkins family, we look forward to leveraging Paramount’s global scale to mirror Taylor’s worldwide impact through this special tribute concert for audiences everywhere.”

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