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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Haken & Leprous release video teaser for upcoming North American tour starting this month

HAKEN & LEPROUS, two of the most exciting bands in progressive rock today, will be kicking off their North American co-headline tour later this month, with InsideOut label-mates BENT KNEE as special guests. These will be the first dates in support of Haken’s recently completed, forthcoming fifth studio album due out later this year. The bands are pleased to share this teaser video for the upcoming tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOZE5DX_ZoM
HAKEN will be touring in support of their upcoming fifth studio album titled ‘Vector’, due for release on October 26th, 2018. The album was produced by the band themselves, and recorded & mixed by Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood (Periphery, Devin Townsend Project), with the artwork once again being handled by Blacklake.

The band recently launched a video for the album’s first single, titled ‘The Good Doctor’. Watch it now here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3v8w57_lU

The full list of dates can be found below, tickets go on sale this Friday, July 13th.

Haken & Leprous with Bent Knee:

October 30th – The Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
October 31st – Opera House, Toronto, ON
November 1st – Astral, Montreal, QC
November 2nd – Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA
November 3rd – Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
November 4th – The Sinclair, Boston, MA
November 6th – Soundstage, Baltimore, MD
November 7th – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
November 8th – The Orpheum, Tampa, FL
November9th – Revolution, Fort Lauderdale, FL
November 10th – The Plaza Live, Orlando, FL
November 11th – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
November 13th – Gas Monkey, Dallas, TX
November 14th – Barracuda, Austin, TX
November 16th – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
November 17th – Glasshouse, Pomona, CA
November 18th – August Hall, San Francisco, CA
November 19th – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
November 20th – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
November 21st – Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, BC
November 23rd – Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City, UT
November 24th – Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO
November 25th – Granada Theater, Lawrence, KS
November 26th – Delmar Hall, St Louis, MO
November 27th – Exit/In, Nashville, TN
November 29th – Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
November 30th – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
December 1st – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL



Friday, August 31, 2018

MICK ROCK Gallery Show October 20th-21st Plainview, NY

Iconic Rock & Roll Photographer
Mick Rock, 
Known as “The Man Who Shot the Seventies” Holding Gallery Show
At The Jewelry Studio in Plainview
October 20th-21st
The “Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show” Will Feature Some of the Photographers Best Works For Sale Along with Custom Jewelry Art By Studio Founder And Artist Robert Pepkin 

August, 2018 (Plainview, NY) – This October, one of the world’s most influential Rock n’ Roll photographers who was instrumental in creating some of the most widely known iconic images in rock history, Mick Rock, will join forces with highly respected jewelry artist Robert Pepkin for a unique retrospective on Rock’s astounding career. The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show will be held Saturday, October 20th (6-10PM) through Sunday, October 21st (1-6PM) at The Jewelry Studio (1107 Old Country Rd, Plainview, NY 11803)!
This unique gallery experience is set to include a collection of limited edition photographic pieces--on sale to the public--with wearable jewelry art designed by Pepkin and Rock, book signings, meet-and-greet red carpet opportunities, and more. With exhibits ranging from classic portrait pieces of LI natives like Joan Jett and Lou Reed to Mick Rock’s quintessential album covers from the late 60’s through today including Lou Reed’s “Transformer”, Iggy Pop’s “Raw Power”, The Ramones “End of the Century”, and works from his incredible creative partnership with David Bowie - attendee’s can view and purchase copies of some of the most legendary images in music history. And with the upcoming release of Queen’s biopic Bohemian Rhapsody in theatres this November, the collection will include some of Mick’s timeless works with the band including their “Queen II” and “Sheer Heart Attack” album covers! The Gallery Show is set to run through January.
More About Mick Rock:
Legendary rock photographer Mick Rock is often referred to as ‘The Man Who Shot the Seventies’, for his iconic images of Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd), David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Blondie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and so much more. London born, he has resided in New York for the past 35 years. He has shot over 100 album covers.
But he in reality never shopped photographing and image making. His recent subjects include Snoop Dogg, Father John Misty, Lenny Kravitz , Janelle Monae, Jimmy Fallon, The Black Keys, Karen O, Ellie Goulding, Alicia Keys, Michael Buble, Daft Punk, Perry Farrell, Motley Crue, TV On The Radio, Pharrell, Josh Groban, Flaming Lips, Nas, Rufus Wainwright, Kings of Leon, R. Kelly, The Black Lips , Queens of The Stone Age, and the list goes on. 
Mick Rock was instrumental in creating many key rock ‘n’ roll images, such as album covers for Syd Barrett’s “Madcap Laughs”, Lou Reed’s “Transformer” and “Coney Island Baby”, Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, among many others. He was the chief photographer on the films “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and “Shortbus”. He recently shot special stills for the new TV version of Rocky Horror, featuring the transgender actress Laverne Cox as Frank N. Furter. He also produced and directed the seminal music videos for Bowie: “John, I’m Only Dancing”, “Jean Genie”, “Space Oddity”, and “Life On Mars”. 
His latest publication “The Rise of David Bowie 1972-1973” (with David Bowie), (Taschen Books, published September 2015): a spectacular limited edition co-signed with Bowie, sold out just before David’s death. It was Taschen’s fastest-ever selling limited edition publication. He is currently promoting Bowie’s trade edition (which will be signed on site by Mick). A documentary about his career, produced by Vice Films and Straight Up Films, called ‘SHOT!’, was launched at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2016. The doc is being distributed by Magnolia Pictures and was released theatrically in Spring 2017. A classic quote from Mick in the London Times, who dubbed him ‘the music world’s top snapper’: “I’ve never felt like a voyeur, although I’ve certainly done plenty of looking! I work from the inside out. Like a cook I gather all the ingredients and keep mixing and stirring and tasting until the kind of effluvia starts to rise, then I’m off to the races. It’s an addictive kind of a feeling that I need a regular shot of otherwise I don’t feel right.”
He recently shot a major fashion campaign for the Gucci brand in Rome, which was published worldwide in the spring of 2018. Alessandro Michele, the groundbreaking designer for Gucci, said: “I love my collaboration with Mick. We made beautiful images together. I respect him as a great fellow artist and imagemaker.”

More About The Jewelry Studio’s Robert Pepkin:
A Long Island native, Robert Pepkin attended the Pratt Institute for Fine Art before working with fine jewelry artist Marla Mencher for extra income. He found inspiration in a new kind of art that people could wear.
After a chance meeting with Francis Ford Coppola’s father Carmine, he was hired to work on the set design of their production of “Opera on the Sound.” Additionally, Robert’s bold illustrations have graced pages from Penthouse to Reader’s Digest.
Pepkin continued to get more involved in the design and creation of jewelry and eventually opened “The Jewelry Studio.” During his 40 year career as an artist and jeweler, he has been inspired by countless artists both inside and outside his field. Yet, he gets his greatest inspiration from working with his client’s sentimental items and other designers’ creation of timeless pieces. From redesigning family heirlooms to creating one-of-a-kind pieces, Pepkin enjoys the process as well as the close bonds and relationships he has with his clients.
He finds equal inspiration in the work of Mick Rock, who he met over 30 years ago. Pepkin is extremely excited to collaborate with Rock in their upcoming gallery show. “The attraction to Mick’s work for me comes from the many theatrical undertones, from the drama behind the legendary black and white Queen II album cover to capturing the dramatic poses of Iggy Pop on stage — all of his shots capture the spirit of the artist or band he works with. The same has gone for me when trying to create something that someone will wear. You have to capture their spirit because the pieces become part of them and part of their own history.”
Through David Glicker, a mutual friend and promoter, the two artists have reconnected to collaborate on this very special event. 
On Saturday, October 20th (6-10PM) through Sunday, October 21st (1-6PM) the two artistic greats will come together to premiere The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show at Robert Pepkin’s The Jewelry Studio in Plainview, NY - an experience not to be missed for music, art, and jewelry fans alike!
For More Information on Mick Rock, VISIT:  www.MickRock.com
For More Information on Robert Pepkin and The Jewelry Studio/Gallery, Call 516-933-4166 or VISIT: Facebook.com/The-Jewelry-Studio
Regular Jewelry Studio/Gallery Hours:
Mon - CLOSED
Tues - 10AM-3PM
Wed - 10AM-6PM
Thurs - 10AM-7PM
Fri - 10AM-6PM
Sat - 10AM - 6PM
Sun - CLOSED

Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly announce new album ‘Friendship’






Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly are pleased to announce ‘Friendship’, their brand new studio album, due out on November 9th, 2018. Following the release of 2017’s ‘On Her Journey To The Sun’, as well as 2018’s retrospective 5CD collection ‘Rumbling Box’, the band masterminded by former Beardfish frontman & current Big Big Train member Rikard Sjöblom, are happy to reveal their fourth full-length release.

Rikard comments: “The idea for ‘Friendship’ came to me because of an old photo of me as a child. I found this old photo at my parents’ house, depicting me standing on top of this really tall treehouse in a glade near our house. Although I of course remembered it as being really high up in the tree tops as a child, this picture proved that it really was! As I reminisced about the treehouse I started thinking about my childhood friends with whom I built it. We were the best of friends and we spent so much time together in this little village where I used to live. This of course made me think about all the friends I used to have, these relationships where you hung out all the time, went through childhood together, grew up and knew everything about each other and then all of a sudden, for some reason, disappeared from each other’s lives. This phenomenon of falling out with someone is still a mystery to me, but I’ve learned to accept it, much like the separation of death it’s just a part of life and the nature of our course of life, I guess. So this is a collection of songs about and for all of my friends, dead or alive, past and present. I chose to base the stories around the treehouse in the glade, not because all of my memories are from there, but rather that it’s the place that made me think back on all of this.”
The album will be available as a limited CD Digipak & gatefold 2LP + CD (both including 3 bonus tracks) as well as digital download. Pre-order now here: https://Gungfly.lnk.to/Friendship

The full track-listing is as follows:
1.Ghost of Vanity
2.Friendship
3.They Fade
4.A Treehouse in a Glade
5.Stone Cold
6.If You Fall, Pt. 2
7.Crown of Leaves
8.Slow Dancer (Bonus Track)
9.Past Generation (Bonus Track)
10.Friendship (Utopian Radio Edit) (Bonus Track)
Rikard comments of the musical direction: “Musically, what can I say? This is prog rock, but I want to be free to move in whatever direction the music wants to go and I happily go exploring where it wants to take me. Even though there are a few softer songs and sections, most of the album turned out to be a rocker; a collection of hard rock songs with lots of tricky parts, some heavier moments and some downright jazzy elements too!”

Rikard Sjöblom is perhaps best known as the multi-instrumentalist frontman of Beardfish, who established themselves as one of the most consistently brilliant modern-day progressive rock bands over the course of eight studio albums. In recent years, he has also become known for his work with English progressive collective Big Big Train, playing live with them as well as performing on their most recent studio album ‘The Second Brightest Star’ as well as the new live album ‘Merchants of Light’.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

HAKEN announce European & Latin American tour dates in support of ‘Vector’



HAKEN announce European & Latin American tour dates in support of ‘Vector’

HAKEN, one of progressive music’s most exciting bands, recently announced details of their much-anticipated fifth studio album titled ‘Vector’, due for release on October 26th, 2018. The album was produced by the band themselves, and recorded & mixed by Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood (Periphery, Devin Townsend Project), with the artwork once again being handled by Blacklake.
Following the announcement of North American tour dates this Autumn, the band are pleased to reveal European & Latin American live dates in support of the new album for 2019. The band comments: “We’re thrilled to be bringing our ‘Vector Studies’ tour to Europe. We had immense fun celebrating our 10 year anniversary across Europe in 2017 with incredible turnouts and warm receptions. This time around we will be focusing on performing tracks from our new album ‘Vector’ along with some live favourites of ours. For your health and wellbeing, the good doctor prescribes you some live Haken. ”
The band add on the Latin America shows: "A visit to South America has been long overdue. Many of our dedicated South American fans have made epic trips around the world to experience our shows in Europe and North America and now we're ecstatic to reveal we will finally be returning the favour! See you in January! As for Mexico City and Cruise To The Edge, well... we cannot wait to return!"
The full list of dates is as follows:
Latin America 2019
26th January – Teatro Teleton, Santiago, Chile
27th January – Groove, Buenos Aires, Argentina
29th January – Caricoa Club, Sao Paolo, Brazil
30th January – Auditorio Centro De La Amistad Peruano China, Lima, Peru
1st February – Lunar, Mexico City, Mexico
Europe 2019
15th February – Academy 3, Manchester, UK
16th February – St Luke’s, Glasgow, UK
17th February – The Fleece, Bristol, UK
19th February – Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
20th February – Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany
21st February – Ãœbel & Gefährlich, Hamburg, Germany
22nd February – Lille Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
23rd February – John Dee, Oslo, Norway
24th February – Debaser Strand, Stockholm, Sweden
26th February – Columbia Theater, Berlin, Germany
27th February – Kwadrat, Krakow, Poland
28th February – A38, Budapest, Hungary
2nd March – Szene, Vienna, Austria
3rd March – Futurum, Prague, Czech Republic
4th March – Conne Island, Leipzig, Germany
6th March – Im Wizemann, Stuttgart, Germany
7th March – Backstage Halle, Munich, Germany
8th March – Kiff, Aarau, Switzerland
9th March – Magazzini Generali, Milan, Italy
10th March – Transbordeur, Lyon, France
12th March – Mon Live, Madrid, Spain
13th March – Kafe Antzokia, Bilbao, Spain
14th March – La Maroquinerie, Paris, France
15th March – De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
16th March – Islington Assembly Hall, London, UK
23rd March – Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland

Full ticket details as well as all upcoming dates can be found here: https://www.hakenmusic.com/tour

‘Vector’ will be available as Limited edition 2CD Mediabook (including instrumental versions), Gatefold vinyl 2LP + CD, Standard CD Jewelcase & as digital download. Pre-order now here: https://haken.lnk.to/Vector
You can find the track-listing below:
1.     Clear
2.     The Good Doctor
3.     Puzzle Box
4.     Veil
5.     Nil By Mouth
6.     Host
7.     A Cell Divides


To celebrate the announcement of the new album, the band ran a competition for one lucky fan’s artwork to be etched into the fourth side of the vinyl version of the record. They invited people to submit their own version of the Rorshach test ink-blot which graces the album cover, and the winner was revealed as Shakoor Bukhuth aka SHAUN BEYOND.

Since their inception in 2007, Haken have shown over four previous studio albums, one EP and a live release that they never stand still, merely satisfied to rely on past triumphs. Rather, Haken always look for ways to challenge themselves as musicians and artists, and also to keep the listeners on their collective toes. “We don't like to make simple music,” laughs vocalist Ross Jennings. “We always aim to defy expectations, and I believe we've surpassed what we aimed to achieve with our new album.”

Their fifth studio record sees the band going in a heavier direction with the music. “We’ve always had a heavy influence”, explains guitarist Charlie Griffiths, “but it was obvious from the riffs that were naturally coming out of us early in the writing process that this would be a more metal album. These are some of the most riff driven songs we’ve ever written.” As is usual, Haken produced the album themselves, but for the first time they have enlisted Adam 'Nolly' Getgood during the recording and mixing stages. Formerly bassist with Periphery, in the last couple of years he has built a reputation as a fine producer. “We produced the album ourselves, as we always do,” insists Jennings. “But we're fans of what Adam has done with Periphery, Sikth and Devin Townsend. He has a great reputation for the heavier end of our genre”.

But if this album is musically heavy, then there's an underlying theme running through the seven songs which is certainly esoteric and fascinating. “The scene is set with the track The Good Doctor, which was a really fun song. Musically it feels like a logical step from 'Affinity', but lyrically it’s a bit more theatrical and about as ‘rock opera’ as Haken has ever got”, explains Griffiths. “It’s about a Doctor with an intriguing, perhaps sinister interest in a particular patient. From there the story enters the point-of-view of the patient - who appears to be catatonic, but his mind is sparking with what could be memories, or delusions brought on by the treatment he’s receiving - we leave this up to the listeners to decide. Although we don’t want to give too much away, people who are familiar with our back catalogue will have fun discovering further clues we’ve planted throughout the album. And that's the challenge for the fans – to find out for themselves their own meaning for 'Vector' as an album”. 


The band also recently announced North American co-headline dates alongside Norway’s LEPROUS, and label-mates BENT KNEE, in what is an all InsideOutMusic bill. These will be the first live shows in support of Vector, and you can find the full list of dates below:

Haken & Leprous with Bent Knee:
October 30th – The Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
October 31st– Opera House, Toronto, ON
November 1st – Astral, Montreal, QC
November 2nd– Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA
November 3rd – Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
November 4th – The Sinclair, Boston, MA
November 6th – Soundstage, Baltimore, MD
November 7th – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
November 8th – The Orpheum, Tampa, FL
November – 9th Revolution, Fort Lauderdale, FL
November 10th – The Plaza Live, Orlando, FL
November 11th – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
November 13th – Gas Monkey, Dallas, TX
November 14th – Barracuda, Austin, TX
November 16th -  Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
November 17th – Glasshouse, Pomona, CA
November 18th – August Hall, San Francisco, CA
November 19th – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
November 20th – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
November 21st – Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, BC
November 23rd – Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City, UT
November 24th – Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO
November 25th – Granada Theater, Lawrence, KS
November 26th – Delmar Hall, St Louis, MO
November 27th – Exit/In, Nashville, TN
November 29th – Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
November 30th – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
December 1st – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL

Tickets available from: https://hakenmusic.com/tour
Photo by Will Ireland.

HAKEN are:
Ross Jennings
Richard Henshall
Charlie Griffiths
Diego Tejeida
Conner Green
Ray Hearne

The Tangent announce new studio album ‘Proxy’


The Tangent announce new studio album ‘Proxy’



The Tangent, the progressive rock group led by Andy Tillison, will release their 10th studio album ‘Proxy’ on November 16th,  2018. Recorded during the band's tour with Karmakanic in 2017/18, which saw them with more chances than normal to work together on the record - hotel writing sessions, van discussions, soundcheck ideas - all of which have allowed the band to make an album that is as organic as they have achieved since their formation 15 years ago.

 Andy Tillison comments: "Our belief is that Progressive Rock music is still a valid and viable musical form in 2018 and will continue to be so. Our band has always sought to take on board things from the present and add them to that magical mix. We don't claim to be offering the FUTURE. We just claim to be offering one set of possibilities. Ours. Now."

 ‘Proxy’ is a riot of juxtaposing styles, presented in a really direct manner and despite being firmly rooted in the stylistic traits of the Progressive Rock Genre takes some unexpected turnoffs and a major swerve. The albums kicks off with a trademark Tangent prog fantasia based around growling Hammonds, shrieking Synths, whirling guitars and sharp percussive bass  - influences of ELP, Egg, Hatfield & the North, Caravan and Camel proudly worn on their sleeves.  This 16-minute title track eventually becomes a protest song about the continuing wars that share their name with the song.

But this album features no overall concept. The second track is a sun-drenched Mediterranean fusion instrumental, more Chick Corea than Che Guevara.  And the third track is referred to by the band as an attempt to find the missing link between Porcupine Tree and Jamiroquai.  By the time we reach the centrepiece epic track ‘The Adulthood Lie’, the rulebook has been left behind and the band are trying to fix the car with whatever is at hand.
The Tangent came of age some time ago now. After 15 years with a constant presence on the periphery of the scene, this album is the next step on the road from a band who have painstakingly revered and recreated the past, with one eye on the future.


The album will be available as a limited CD digipak, Vinyl LP + CD & as digital download. The full track-listing is as follows:
1.Proxy
2.The Melting Andalusian Skies
3.A Case of Misplaced Optimism
4.The Adulthood Lie
5.Supper’s Off
6.Excerpt From “Exo-Oceans” (Bonus Track)
The album features the following players:
Andy Tillison – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards, Composer
Jonas Reingold (The Sea Within, Steve Hackett Band) – Bass Guitar
Theo Travis (Soft Machine, Travis-Fripp) – Sax & Flute
Luke Machin (Maschine, Francis Dunnery Band) – Guitar
Steve Roberts (ex Magenta, Godsticks) – Drums
With special guest: Goran Edman (Karmakanic) - Vocals

‘Proxy’ follows the release of 2017’s ‘The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery’ which received fantastic reviews upon release:

"Eloquent, far-reaching prog" - Prog Magazine
“sophisticated and spot on” – Classic Rock
“This is essential listening” – Powerplay