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This Week’s Best New Songs: Kacey Musgraves, Halsey, Men I Trust, Spirits Having Fun, 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 segment.

O this week’s list, we have Kacey Musgraves’ ‘star-crossed’, which serves as a stirring introduction to the singer-songwriter’s upcoming album of the same name; ‘Girl Is a Gun’, a dynamic and catchy highlight from Halsey’s new Nine Inch Nails-produced record; ‘Die/Cry’, one of the most strikingly vulnerable cuts off Indigo De Souza’s sophomore LP; Ada Lea’s ‘partner’, another evocative single from her forthcoming second album; Hand Habits’ gorgeous ‘No Difference’, featuring vocals from Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius; Men I Trust’s ‘Shoulders’, the mesmerizing penultimate track from the Montreal band’s Untourable Album; and Spirits Having Fun’s ‘See a Sky’, the adventurous, colourful final single from the group’s soon-to-be-released album Two.

Best New Songs: August 30, 2021

Kacey Musgraves, ‘star-crossed’

Song of the Week: Halsey, ‘Girl is a Gun’

Indigo De Souza, ‘Die/Cry’

Ada Lea, ‘partner’

Hand Habits, ‘No Difference’

Men I Trust, ‘Shoulders’

Spirits Having Fun, ‘See a Sky’

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Iron Butterfly Drummer Ron Bushy Dies at 79

Ron Bushy, the drummer for hard rock group Iron Butterfly, has died at the age of 79. “Ron Bushy, our beloved legendary drummer of Iron Butterfly, has passed away peacefully, with his wife Nancy by his side, at 12:05am on August 29th at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital,” the band wrote in a statement. “All three of his daughters were also with him. He was a real fighter … He will be deeply missed!” A cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born in 1945, Bushy joined Iron Butterfly back in 1966 and was the only original member to appear on all six of the band’s studio albums, from 1968’s Heavy to 1975’s Sun and Steel. The follow-up to their debut LP, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, also released in 1968, was best known for its 17-minute title track, which featured a drum solo from Bushy and reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. In an interview with It’s Psychedelic Baby magazine last year, Bushy said of the song, “‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ was written as a slow country ballad, about one-and-a-half minutes long. I came home late one night and Doug [Ingle] had been drinking a whole gallon of Red Mountain wine. I asked him what he had done, while he has been playing a slow ballad on his Vox keyboard. It was hard to understand him because he was so drunk … so I wrote it down on a napkin exactly how it sounded phonetically to me: ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.’ It was supposed to be ‘In the Garden of Eden.’”

“After our tour, we went straight into Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, L.I. Don Caselle was the engineer,” Bushy told Vinyl Writer earlier this year. “We set up our equipment and Don says, Guys, why don’t you just start playing and let me get some mic levels.’ We decided let’s do ‘Vida’… we played the entire song without stopping. To make a long story short, when we finished, he said, Guys, come into the control room.’ We listened to it and were blown away.”

Iron Butterfly first broke up in 1971, but was reformed later in the same decade by Bushy and guitarist and guitarist Erik Braunn. Bushy continued to drum for the band throughout various breakups and member changes, before retiring from playing full-time in the mid-2010s due to health concerns.

Kanye West Claims ‘Donda’ Was Released by Label Without His Approval

Earlier today (August 29), Kanye West‘s much-delayed album Donda finally arrived on streaming services, a couple of days after his third listening party at Soldier Field in Chicago. But now, West says the album was released without his permission, writing in a post on his Instagram account: “UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL AND THEY BLOCKED JAIL 2 FROM BEING ON THE ALBUM.” Though representatives for the label offered no comment to Variety, the publication cited unnamed sources calling West’s claim “preposterous.”

 

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Lee “Scratch” Perry Dead at 85

Lee “Scratch” Perry, the Jamaican dub and reggae legend, has died at the age of 85, as the Jamaica Observer and The Guardian report. He passed away at Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica on Sunday morning. No cause of death has been revealed.

Perry was born in the village of Kendal in Jamaica in 1936. He began working in music in the 1950s, selling records with Clement Coxsone Dodd and later working at Dodd’s recording studio, Studio One. He went on to form his own label, Upsetter Records, and in 1968 released his first single, the highly influential ‘People Funny Boy’. Known for his innovative approach to production, he become an early adopter of dub music, which led to him opening his own studio, Black Ark. It was there that he produced records for the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Byles, and Junior Murvin, as well as several of his own successful albums with his band The Upsetters, including 1973’s Blackboard Jungle, 1976’s Super Ape, and 1978’s Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread. “I see the studio must be like a living thing, a life itself,” he once said. “The machine must be live and intelligent. Then I put my mind into the machine and the machine perform reality.”

After relocating to the UK, Perry’s music reached new audiences following his work with British producers Adrian Sherwood and Neil Fraser, a.k.a. Mad Professor. Perry would go on to collaborate with the likes of the Beastie Boys, the Orb, Brian Eno, Andrew WK, and many others. He released over 80 albums throughout the course of his seven-decade career, winning the 2013 Grammy for Best Reggae Album for his record Jamaican E.T.

Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s prime minister, wrote in a statement about Perry’s passing: “My deep condolences to the family, friends, and fans of legendary record producer and singer, Rainford Hugh Perry OD, affectionately known as ‘Lee Scratch’ Perry,” he wrote. “Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s’ development of dub music with his early adoption of studio effects to create new instrumentals of existing reggae tracks.”

“He has worked with and produced for various artistes, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, the Congos, Adrian Sherwood, the Beastie Boys, and many others,” Holness added. “Undoubtedly, Lee Scratch Perry will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music fraternity. May his soul Rest In Peace.”

The Start of a Multi-Platinum Music Producer

Kyle Stemberger was born and raised outside Atlanta, Georgia when he began his love affair with music at an early age. His earliest memory of being interested in creating it took place when he was just six years old and went to see Christmas lights during the holiday season with his family. He came home that night and played the piano by ear without hesitation – well before most kids can even read!

Kyle’s interest in music production began when he was just a kid in Middle School. He had grown tired of listening to the same old songs that other people were making, so he thought it would be cool if he made his own for once!

That’s when Kyle downloaded FL Studio and started teaching himself how to use it by reading articles online about different aspects such as mixing & mastering techniques. At the time, hip-hop seemed very interesting but not too complex; this is why Future, Drake, Young Thug & Metro Boomin quickly became some major influences early on for him alongside Zaytoven (who greatly inspired 128 BPM trap).

Check out Kyle’s Genius page to see more of his credits:

https://genius.com/artists/Kyle-stemberger

In the years that followed, Kyle would spend most of his time improving his production skills and learning everything he could about creating modern hip-hop music.

With rising popularity for guitar, piano, or more melodic elements in hip hop & pop songs at the time; “samples” created from recordings of instruments such as these were beginning to be used by producers like himself who had an advantage over other people not targeted towards this sound.

Kyle was experimenting with music production in his spare time before it became a full-time gig and said he learned everything by watching instructional videos on the internet.

So a few years ago, Kyle started posting tutorials to YouTube for other aspiring producers looking to get their start just like him – teaching them how to create beats from scratch as well as giving advice about getting your first credits!

One fateful day, Kyle discovered that he could turn his music compositions into a business. He began selling packs of them on the side so other producers would have access to these incredible instrumentals they might not know about otherwise.

This gave him enough income to support himself and focus all his time on making great music without having to worry about preparing for college as others did at his age!

Kyle never took YouTube that seriously. He thought it would be a fun way to make some extra money, but he was too busy focusing on his true passion for music! However, the videos Kyle uploaded became massive hits with tens of thousands subscribing and hundreds of thousand views in no time at all, so now youtube has become more than just an afterthought for him.

Follow Kyle Stemberger on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/kylestemberger

After his exposure from the viral video, Kyle Harris was contacted by music executive Peter Ashley and Stephen Orso of Loyalty Records (a company founded in part by Charlie Walk). Once these two had taken note of what they saw in this video post, they reached out to Kyle about working with them.

From there on, things began to get better for him as he got more opportunities at work. Eventually, one thing led to another; first, a publishing deal came along, which led to signing a lucrative record contract that allowed both himself and close friend KBeaZy to move their lives out west where all the action is – Los Angeles, California!

What to know what Kyle’s been up to lately?

Well then, see for yourself on his Instagram page!

https://www.instagram.com/kylestemberger/

Netflix Unveils Teaser Trailer for The Guilty

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The Guilty takes place throughout a single morning in a 911 dispatch call centre. Call operator Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) tries to save a caller in grave danger — but he soon learns that nothing is as it seems, and facing the truth is the only way out.

Netflix (NFLX) is currently trading at $558.92 on NASDAQ.

The Guilty will be available on Netflix from the 1st of October.

Watch the trailer for The Guilty below.

Kanye West Releases New Album ‘Donda’: Listen

Kanye West has finally released his much-delayed album Donda. The record was unveiled today following the rapper’s third listening party in Chicago this Thursday, which featured appearances from Marilyn Manson and DaBaby, who also replaced a previous guest verse from Jay-Z. Donda also includes guest spots from the Weeknd, Jay Electronica, the Lox, Young Thug, the late Pop Smoke, Pusha T, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Kid Cudi. Stream Kanye West’s new album Donda below.

Named after West’s late mother, the follow-up to 2019’s Jesus Is King was originally slated for release after the first livestream event at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 23, but the album never materialized. West reportedly ended up staying in the venue to finish the album and launched a second livestream event at the stadium on August 5. Earlier this week, West launched a device called the Donda Stem Player that will be accompany the release of the album.

Need A Boudoir Makeover? Here’s Ten Tips To Get You There

The one place in your home that should give you the feeling of relaxation is your bedroom. Sure, your lounge is going to have a similar effect, but you sleep in the bedroom and that’s where you should feel safest and most comfortable. With a safe and beautiful bedroom, you will be able to sit or lie down, totally relax and be able to feel calm. It’s your sanctuary and if you’re sharing a house with other people, it’s your getaway zone to be able to take a moment to breathe. For this all to work, however, you need your bedroom to be that place for you, which means that you need to figure out what your bedroom needs to make it look and feel good. 

From the furniture to the WallpaperBoulevard.com wallpaper on the walls, your bedroom needs to inspire sleep, confidence and calm. You should be able to walk in and feel your feet sink into comfortable carpets. You should be able to smell scents that relax you and you should be able to smile as you walk into the space. Ideally, you’ll have more than just a bed in there, but that’ll depend on the size of the bedroom you’re working with. Some people have bedrooms that are literally just a sleep space, with a bed to sleep in and not much beyond that. Others have huge, airy bedrooms with minimal furniture and a ton of space. You can customize your bedroom based on the space you have, or you can maximize the space and get totally creative with how you use it. 

This is your bedroom and if you’re tired of how it looks, making it over is the smartest decision that you can make this year. We may be coming into the final part of 2021, but that doesn’t mean that you have to wait for the new year to have a new room. So, with this in mind, we’ve put together ten excellent tips to get your room looking the exact way that you want it to! Let’s go!

  1. Choose your colors wisely. You don’t have to go bold if you don’t want to, but if you do and you’re putting bolder colors in the bedroom, make sure that it’s not the ENTIRE room. Bold colors are great but in a bedroom you want to lean toward the calm colors as these just emanate restfulness. Choose colors that are calming, like powder blues and gentle hues of purple. You can have bold splashes in your cushion covers or inspirational quotes on the walls, but try to stick with the pale colors and you’ll feel the difference pretty quickly. A beautiful grey flooring will complement the feel of your room. They are extremely popular at the moment. Stories Flooring have a great selection.
  2. Don’t just focus on wall color. The ceiling above you is often left untouched aside from a lick of pale paint. You could switch this up by painting the ceiling a paler shade of the color on the walls to create a more intimate setting. You could also choose to stencil the ceiling and you’ll see how good it looks. Let’s not forget, when you’re lying in bed at night, it can often be better to have something pretty to look at. You could choose to add a beautiful lighting structure or even things like crown moldings. A delicate chandelier, for example, can help the space to truly exude luxury. 
  3. Don’t overdo it. Your bedroom is supposed to inspire relaxation, but there is no room in the house for that if you plan to clutter up the space. Your bedroom needs adequate storage for any of your personal clutter, but we’re talking furniture clutter. There is nothing worse than stacked furniture that crowds the bed and the floor space. You shouldn’t have to walk sideways out of your room because a dresser is in the way, for example. Think about the way that the furniture is laid out and make sure that you have enough space around the bed to move around. You should try to keep the bedroom simple, and the furniture low!
  4. Choose what you need for your furniture. Furnishing your bedroom can be easy. If you have built-in wardrobes, you wont need to buy a dresser or a set of robes, for example. The furniture should also be the right size. If your bedroom is on the small side, it’s actually a ridiculous idea to choose a king-sized bed. You should also consider that your furniture has to fit the room, which is why you need to get handy with a measuring tape. Don’t buy any furniture or accessories that won’t fit in the space. We don’t mean that you should take up every single bit of floor space, either. You should fit what you need to fit without taking every square inch of flooring. It’s true if your bedroom is a larger one, too. Tiny dressers don’t really work in a big bedroom, so choose to add a little more, such as an armchair or a desk.
  5. Don’t forget your storage. Your clothing, shoes, your makeup and your accessories all need somewhere to live, so you need to make sure that you are buying storage to suit everything, and you want to make sure that your storage is going to keep things out of sight! Your storage can be in the form of a drawer under your bed, the extra little boxes you buy for your perfumes and your toiletries, and it can even be a trunk at the foot of the bed for books and sheets. Your storage is all about what works for your bedroom decor, so don’t be afraid to check it all out and see what kind of storage systems will work for your bedroom. 
  6. Create a reading corner. It’s a sure thing that you’re going to be reading in other areas of the house, but if you want the chance to get away from the other occupants and you just want a little space to read privately, try out making your own reading nook. Think oversized, chunky armchairs, a hanging lamp and a table for a drink or your book to sit on. You should also consider your armchair being one that allows you to lay down or put your feet up! You need a private space to sit and unplug from technology and a reading corner is generally the perfect area. You should try to put all this together near a window. Even though you’ll have a hanging light, natural light is going to make a big difference in how this space makes you feel.
  7. Indulge a little! Your bedroom has to feel luxurious for you to want to spend time in there. It should be comfortable, too, and one of the best ways to make that happen is not to skimp on the linens. Your bedroom fabrics should all be luxurious enough that you feel content the moment you sink into them. Think 100% cotton sheets and high thread counts. You want them to have that crispy hotel feel to them. You can even send your sheets to a dry cleaner to make them feel like you’re actually in a hotel. It doesn’t have to cost much to do this and it’s so worth it! Luxury can also be added to the window dressings, rugs, cushions and other fabrics. Cashmere is the perfect fabric for the blanket thrown over the chair, too!
  8. Dress your windows. A bedroom is not a finished room if you don’t have the right window dressings. Consider your windows, the eyes of the room, and the decor of the eyeshadow! The texture that is added to your windows adds a softness to the space and it can make your room feel far more welcoming and inviting. Think about how curtains or blinds will make you feel and test them both. Some people don’t just invest in one type of window treatment: they get both curtains and blinds. They do this for extra darkness and privacy and they do it for those longer summer mornings where the sun rises earlier.
  9. Don’t forget your lighting. From bedside lamps to reading lamps, chandeliers and sconces, you need to make sure that you are including all of your lighting options when you are putting together a bedroom makeover. Lamps can offer far more ambience than ceiling lights, but if the ceiling light is a chandelier, it may be nicer to have a chandelier in the room. Your natural lighting also needs to be considered to make your bedroom airy and bright. If it’s a possibility, consider expanding the windows on the walls. You can then pull in more light and it’ll make the space a beautiful place to be!
  10. Make it an escape. No matter what you do for your bedroom makeover, you need to ensure that it’s an escape compared to the other rooms in the house. If you can create a space that you can cherish, you’ll be in the position to enjoy a beautiful and calming place to relax.

3 Tips for Taking Your Service Dog to the Movie Theater

If you enjoy watching your movies on big screens, the only thing better than catching a blockbuster at your favorite movie theatre is doing it with your dog. Fortunately, hundreds of modern movie theaters are pet-friendly. They are happy to let your service dog in. 

Service dogs are allowed into almost all public spaces, including movie theatres, churches, and hotels. 

Emotional Support Animals vs. Psychiatric Service Dogs

Emotional support animals are different from service animals. They are vital for people living with mental health issues. Although they act as service animals, they don’t get any form of training. The main role of emotional support animals is in their presence. They offer emotional support and make life easier for their owners. They may ease the symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. These animals may not be allowed in some public spaces. 

Psychiatric service dogs are different. They are trained to help people with various mental health disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The roles of service dogs include:

  • Offering deep pressure therapy which can soothe the pet owner
  • Detecting the signs of anxiety before an attack happens
  • Reminding their owners to take their medication
  • Offering companionship
  • Calming their owners down when they have anxiety attacks
  • Stopping strangers from approaching the owner when in distress
  • Helping the owner retrieve their phone in case of an anxiety attack
  • They ease the feeling of claustrophobia. 
  • Turning on the lights and conducting safety checks for people with PTSD

If you are curious about psychiatric service dogs and whether you need them, find more information in this article. Learn about their federally protected rights, how to get them, and how to train them. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when taking your service dog to the movies. 

Arrive Early and Position Yourself Well

Most drive-in theatres will open over 90 minutes before the start of the movie. Arrive as early as possible to find a good spot, walk your service dog, and get something to eat. It also ensures that you don’t miss a ticket. 

Ensure that your service dog isn’t disrupting anyone’s experience at the movie theatre. It shouldn’t be blocking their views. If you are going to a drive-through theatre, you may need to position your truck or SUV depending on its height. 

Groom

You don’t want your service dog attracting the wrong attention when you are out. People can be judgmental of service dogs and it is even worse when they aren’t properly groomed.  You’ll have a better time at the movies when you are not worrying about the dog’s looks. Proper grooming is the secret to making a good first impression. You will receive a much warmer welcome at the movies when your dog looks good. 

Ensure that It is Well-Mannered

All service dogs must be housebroken. They shouldn’t demonstrate any aggressive tendencies. Your dog may be excluded from the movies if its manners still need some work. No one wants to have a dog pooping and urinating inappropriately at the movie theatre. It shouldn’t be making unnecessary noise. Service dogs should only bark, growl, or whine when they need to get your attention. Before heading out to the movie theatre, ensure that you can keep your dog in control. 

 The benefits of service dogs are endless. They can ease the lives of people with different disabilities. If you already have a service dog, you can take it to the movie theatre and other public areas. Ensure that your service dog is well trained. Since service dogs are allowed into places that regular dogs aren’t, they are expected to act much better.

Courtney Barnett Covers the Velvet Underground’s ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’

Courtney Barnett has shared a cover of the Velvet Underground’s ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’, her contribution to the forthcoming The Velvet Underground & Nico tribute album of the same name. Give it a listen below.

The compilation, set for release on September 24, was announced in July with Kurt Vile’s rendition of ‘Run Run Run’. Last month, The National’s Matt Berninger shared his take on ‘I’m Waiting for the Man’. I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico also features contributions from Iggy Pop, Sharon Van Etten, Michael Stipe, St. Vincent and more.

Courtney Barnett is releasing a new album, Things Take Time, Take Time, on November 12. She’s already shared the singles ‘Rae Street’ and ‘Before You Gotta Go’.