Ballou

Nat King Cole Returns to the Charts With 'Live at the Blue Note Chicago'
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 13, 2024

Nat King Cole has earned the #1 album on the Luminate Current Traditional Jazz Album chart with Nat King Cole Live at the Blue Note Chicago. Released May 31, the album also landed on several Billboard charts, including #4 Jazz Album, #6 Vinyl Album Sales, #3 Indie Store Album Sales, and more. This marks multiple times the velvety-voiced entertainer has appeared on the charts in the last six months, nearly 60 years since his passing.

NAAP To Present One Night Only Benefit Presentation of HOW TO SUCCEED... at New World Stages
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 7, 2024

National Asian Artists Project in partnership with PS 124 Yung Wing Elementary School in Chinatown, NY and PS 48in Brooklyn, NY, will present a one night only performance of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Spire Center For Performing Arts To Present Premier Of Project: Sidney's THE CHILDREN OF HINNOM
by A.A. Cristi - May 29, 2024

The Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth will present Project: Sidney's jazz symphony, 'The Children of Hinnom', on June 6.

Umbra Vitae Share 'Anti-Spirit Machine'
by Josh Sharpe - May 21, 2024

Umbra Vitae, which features Jacob Bannon (Converge), Sean Martin (Twitching Tongues, ex-Hatebreed), Mike McKenzie (The Red Chord), Jon Rice (Uncle Acid, Tsjuder) and Greg Weeks (The Red Chord) are gearing up for the release of their colossal sophomore album, Light Of Death on June 7. They've released another album track— the hook-laden, thrashy D-beat banger titled 'Anti-Spirit Machine.' Listen to the single now!

Gatecreeper Release New Album 'Dark Superstition'
by Josh Sharpe - May 17, 2024

Gatecreeper is leading a new wave of American death metal. Their sprawling third full-length, Dark Superstition, and label debut for Nuclear Blast, has just been released. It’s more concise, melodic, and memorable than anything they’ve ever done. The album shapeshifts from one brutal soundscape to the next as each sonic structure rouses its own emotion and landscape. Listen to the album now!

Umbra Vitae Reveal 'Velvet Black' From Their Sophomore LP
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 30, 2024

The album's darkly captivating second single 'Velvet Black' arrives with a music video directed by John Bradburn.  Umbra Vitae vocalist/lyricst Jacob Bannon comments, 'Lyrically this song is about pressure and how it forces actions that aren't in line with who we want to be. It breaks and changes people; making monsters and the meek. These cycles of dysfunction indiscriminately harm everything around us.' Watch the video here!

Video: The Hope Conspiracy Share Music Video for 'The West Is Dead'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2024

The Hope Conspiracy will release their long-awaited new full-length album, Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception on May 31st. Ahead of its release, the group has shared the record's dystopian, hook-laden second single, 'The West Is Dead.' Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception is an ominous soundtrack to the steady decline of our modern age. Watch the music video for the single here!

Gatecreeper Release 'Masterpiece of Chaos' Single From Forthcoming Album
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 17, 2024

Gatecreeper has released their searing new single Masterpiece of Chaos, which evokes their tried and true, singular death metal style. Vocalist Chase Mason tells, “Masterpiece of Chaos is a nightmarish vision of a broken mirror with an ominous creature that lives within the fragmented web of glass. It sonically contrasts and compliments the more melodic approach we took to some of the other songs.' Listen to the song here!

Umbra Vitae Will Release Sophomore LP, 'Light Of Death'
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2024

Umbra Vitae, the powerhouse which features Jacob Bannon (Converge), Sean Martin (Twitching Tongues, ex-Hatebreed), Mike McKenzie (The Red Chord), Jon Rice (Uncle Acid, Tsjuder) and Greg Weeks (The Red Chord) have announced their sophomore album, Light Of Death. 

Gatecreeper Sets Tour With Undeath, Final Gasp & More
by Michael Major - Mar 26, 2024

GATECREEPER gears up for a new tour with UNDEATH and FINAL GASP. Anticipate the release of their new album DARK SUPERSTITION on May 17 via Nuclear Blast. Undeath, Jarhead Fertilizer and Final Gasp will support each night. The run follows their extensive North American support tour with In Flames this Spring.

The Hope Conspiracy to Release 'Tools Of Oppression / Rule By Deception' Album
by Michael Major - Mar 26, 2024

Discover the latest album by THE HOPE CONSPIRACY, 'Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception', featuring the first single 'Those Who Gave Us Yesterday'. Stay tuned for more music updates.

Nat King Cole 'Live At The Blue Note Chicago' Set For Record Store Day First
by Michael Major - Feb 15, 2024

The week of August 28, 1953, riding high on the charts, acclaimed pianist and singer Nat King Cole took to the stage at the Blue Note Chicago, Chi-town's first integrated venue in his beloved Bronzeville neighborhood. Nearly five years had passed since Cole's last appearance at the club. Upon returning to the city.

Modern Life Is War Share 'Tribulation Worksongs'
by Michael Major - Jan 16, 2024

Modern Life Is War has released their new album 'Tribulation Worksongs'. This release combines all 7'EPs with 'End Times Dub', a dub version of 'Feels Like End Times', reimagined by Urian Hackney (Rough Francis, Iggy Pop, The Armed, etc). The packaging of the release is a combination of visual work from Jeffrey Eaton, Thomas Hooper, and J. Bannon.

The Hope Conspiracy Make Long-Awaited Return With 'Confusion/Chaos/Misery'
by Michael Major - Nov 22, 2023

After nearly 14 years, The Hope Conspiracy have emerged from their bunker to a reality entangled by this unwavering truth. Since their last release (True Nihilist [2009]), members of The Hope Conspiracy have been active in a multitude of bands: All Pigs Must Die, Hesitation Wounds, Lies, Paint It Black, Spiral Heads, Ways Away and more.

Leslie Epstein's KING OF THE JEWS Starring Richard Topol Begins Performances TONIGHT at HERE Arts Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2023

Don't miss the Off Broadway debut of LESLIE EPSTEIN'S - KING OF THE JEWS at HERE Arts Center. The controversial adaptation of Epstein's novel is set in Poland, 1939, and follows a group of Jews forced to govern their own lives during the German occupation.

Jay Armstrong Johnson's I PUT A SPELL ON YOU: THE WITCHES ERA Will Stream on Broadway on Demand
by Stephi Wild - Oct 18, 2023

Jay Armstrong Johnson welcomes a new cast of characters for this year’s Halloween concert-meets-dance-part I Put a Spell on You: The Witches ERA. The show returns to New York City’s Sony Hall on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 8 pm. The concert will also be available to stream on Broadway on Demand.

Jay Armstrong Johnson, Robyn Hurder, Taylor Iman Jones, and More Will Bring I PUT A SPELL ON YOU to Sony Hall
by Stephi Wild - Oct 10, 2023

Jay Armstrong Johnson welcomes a new cast of characters for this year’s Halloween concert-meets-dance-part I Put a Spell on You: The Witches ERA. Learn more about this upcoming concert performance and find out how to get tickets here!

Cast Set For A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Northern Stage
by Stephi Wild - Oct 4, 2023

 Northern Stage has announced casting for a newly reimagined production of the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, with performances this holiday season from November 21 to December 31, 2023 in the Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts. Learn more about who is starring in the show here!

Richard Topol & More to Star in KING OF THE JEWS Off-Broadway Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 28, 2023

Discover the Off-Broadway debut of 'KING OF THE JEWS,' a compelling stage adaptation of Leslie Epstein's controversial novel. Immerse yourself in this thought-provoking production that confronts themes of identity, religion, and power. Don't miss your chance to experience this powerful theatrical event.

Video: CABARET at the Kit Kat Club Celebrates John Kander and Joel Grey's Lifetime Achievement Tony Awards
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2023

An all new video has been released featuring the Emcees of London’s Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club celebrating John Kander and Joel Grey’s Tony Lifetime Achievement Awards!