Posts made in July 2020

Brakence – sauceintherough

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The “self-care punk” artist and producer Brakence releases his new song “sauceintherough” today via Columbia Records. Listen to the lively track here.

The 18-year-old Columbus, OH native self-released his debut full length album punk2 earlier this year. With Brakence’s unique brand of pop music blends elements of punk, alternative and trap, the album is filled with infectious songs like today’s “sauceintherough.” The new song is included in the rerelease of his debut album punk2, which features breakout tracks “fuckboy” as well as “fwb” and “dropout.”

Listen to punk2 here.

FOLLOW BRAKENCE: Instagram | Twitter

Blacc Zacc New Video

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Today, rapper Blacc Zacc drops the music video for “What I Did Today” and it’s the perfect bop for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life

A lot of us could use any kind of good news these days to lift our spirits and today that good news comes in the form of motivation to hustle. For rapper Blacc Zacc, of South Coast Music Group/Interscope Records, his hard work has afforded him the comfortable lifestyle of buying what he wants, when he wants. In his new video for “What I Did Today,” he walks you through his daily schedule of expensive errands. Director FoolWithTheCamera follows Blacc Zacc as he picks up a flooded out chain and other jewelry before heading to the studio. It’s all in a day’s work for the “Carolina Narco.”

Watch the video for “What I Did Today” here.

Known as “The Richest Rapper in the State,” the Columbia, SC native has now also successfully branded “Carolina Narco” through the release of his debut album, a title single and short film. Listen to Carolina Narco here. In a Billboard interview, Blacc Zacc explained his goals: “I want to get a Grammy, platinum records and get other artists from my city or other places on too. But I really want to show people in South Carolina that it can happen for any one of us. It’s our turn now.” The interview continued to describe the project: “With his lyrical agility and impressive storytelling skills, Zacc brings to life the tales of the gritty street life he lived firsthand in his hometown.”

The 11-track debut album featured appearances from Moneybagg Yo, Yo Gotti, Stunna 4 Vegas, and DaBaby. Heavily influenced by the street life, each track rings of authenticity while also showcasing Blacc Zacc’s superior emcee skills. The latest single, “Plain Jane,” separated himself from the average person’s life choices and the upgrades he’s able to afford. Before that, “Make a Sale” featuring Moneybagg Yo gave fans a taste of what to expect on stage when Blacc Zacc was invited to join Moneybagg Yo’s recently-postponed Time Served Tour. The album features production by Young Kio, OG Parker, Romano and more.

Independence Day D’USSE Cocktails

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D’USSE Cognac should be top-of-mind for the Fourth of July holiday. Below is the cocktail recipe for a refreshing summer sipper that’s perfect to make this Independence Day weekend, called the D’USSE Watermelon Spritz.

Ingredients

1.5 parts D’USSE VSOP
0.5 part Aperol
2 parts fresh watermelon juice
0.5 part simple syrup
0.5 part fresh lemon juice
1 part Sparkling Wine

Garnish

Watermelon ball skewer & orange peel

Method

Add D’USSE, Aperol, watermelon juice, simple syrup and lemon juice into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice filled wine glass. Top with Sparkling Wine. Garnish with a watermelon ball skewer and orange peel.

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Heckfield Place Reopens

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England’s Heckfield Place Reopens July Fourth

Heckfield Place, the country-house hotel less than an hour from London, will reopen on July 4. Set in its own 438-acre estate of ancient woods, lakes, working farmland and gardens, the 18th-century Georgian House will once again welcome guests. “We’ve obviously had to make some changes to address the coronavirus era,” says General Manager, Olivia Richli, “and the closure and required protocols have challenged us to come up with some lovely creative concepts.”

There are many safety protocols enforced as the beautiful hotel reopens. One development is that guests can choose to enjoy Culinary Director Skye Gyngell’s delicious cuisine not only at socially-distanced tables in the Marle and Hearth restaurants, but with picnics and BBQs out and about the grounds. In addition, the hotel staff will be wearing chic masks as they greet and serve guests. Luggage will be brought to guests’ rooms and then sanitized as the guests watch. One small change is that guests will be asked to bring their own Wellington Boots if they plan to tramp through the woods – as Heckfield Place’s boot supply is off-limits during the pandemic. Another change is that exercise classes will be held in the open air instead of indoors.

Fortunately, many of the exciting events hosted at the hotel will continue. “The hotel’s elegant cinema will be open for guests on July 4, and our curated series of lectures, talks, performances and demonstrations, known as ‘The Assembly,’ will resume in September,” Richli continued; “our team will be leading guided runs and bike rides and even I will also be leading an idle bike ride once a week to enable guests to explore the lovely extent of the countryside surrounding the estate.”

From July 4 through December 19, 2020, Heckfield Place will be offering a new Safe Haven package for guests who want to escape to nature for an extended stay and enjoy the solitude of the estate’s sprawling grounds, which even when the hotel is at full occupancy, affords all guests a minimum of 4.8 acres to themselves. The offer includes seven nights in a Chamber Room (or any higher room category) for the price of only five nights. And for families and large groups interested in renting out the entire house for a week or more, there is also a new exclusive-use offer that can be booked by contacting the Heckfield Place reservations department directly. For more information about Heckfield Place, visit: www.heckfieldplace.com

About Heckfield Place:

A Georgian family home dating to the 1700s, Heckfield Place has been lovingly restored to its classic origins and rewoven into its surrounding 400 acres of farmland, ancient heather and woodlands. The estate’s farm, two walled gardens and orchards nourish renowned chef Skye Gyngell’s epicurean cuisine, bringing the outside gloriously into the property’s three restaurants–Marle, with its outdoor balcony overlooking the property, the Sun House, a unique space for up to 30 guests in the Upper Walled Garden, and the open-flamed Hearth. Aiming to be as sustainable as possible, the estate has a biomass energy center to power hotel water and central heating; an aerobic digester to process all recyclable waste and provide compost for the garden and pellets for the biomass energy center; harvests rainwater and captures spring water. As part of the Assembly, the hotel’s event rooms can host up to 120 guests and the new state-of-the-art, Dolby Atmos surround sound cinema can accommodate 67 viewers. There is also an extensive wine cellar and tasting room, as well as the full service Little Bothy Spa.

Rayshard Brooks Killer Bailed Out

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By Eamonn Burke

Garrett Rolfe, the former Atlanta police officer who murdered Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy’s parking lot on June 12, was released on $500,000 bond. Rolfe faced a felony murder charge among 10 others after a deadly altercation in which Brooks was shot in the back while running away carrying the officer’s taser.

Tomika Miller, Brook’s widow, was emotional at the hearing. She remembered Rayshard Brooks as a loving man and father, and described Rolfe as a threat while pleading the judge not to grant him bail.

“My husband did not deserve to die, and I should not live in fear while waiting for the man who killed my husband to be tried in court,” said Miller. “My life is completely turned upside down since this has happened. I’ve been unable to sleep, eat, or even console my children.”

Rolfe’s lawyers suggested that he had to use deadly force because it was Brooks’ who escalated the altercation and asked for a $50,000 bond initially. They even denied the fact that Rolfe kicked the defenseless Brooks after he was shot, which is shown on video. The prosecutors, on the other hand, wanted at least a $1 million dollar bond and argued that Brooks was not a threat to the officer as he was running away without the taser pointed at Rolfe.

The killing re-ignited protests in the Atlanta area, and has brought policing changes to the Atlanta police department, as it will for the entire nation.

Terrell Hines – Wu Dirt

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Today, Terrell Hines releases the song and video for “Wu Dirt.” He will release additional tracks in the next weeks, leading up to the August 7 release Portal One: The Mixtape. There will be a visual component for all tracks included on the mixtape. While in quarantine, he is shooting his own videos with a combination of green screen and ingenuity.

Listen to “Wu Dirt” here and watch the video here.

Terrell Hines will release his debut mixtape, via Capitol Records, on August 7. He is incredible, an artists’ artist, featured on the title track of Beck’s latest “Hyperspace,” and a songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with influences as broad as Outkast, Joy Division, Four Tet, Migos, Kendrick and more. The Berklee College of Music gave Hines a full ride, and people’s first exposure to his music was when it was chosen to be used in the 2019 Apple keynote. Without releasing an album or touring in the U.S. yet, he has amassed more than 2 million streams.

The concept that drives his music — an even split of postmodern and post-apocalyptic — is how he funnels all his obsessions into what he does best. He’s a renaissance man who can be found devouring books on linguistics, synesthesia, or evolutionary psychology in his downtime. Or considering which metals one would want to gather following a catastrophe, then actually sampling those metals in the studio.

“I’m trying to engineer the future,” says Hines.

FOLLOW TERRELL HINES: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Sofia Carson × R3HAB

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Sofia Carson and R3HAB premiered their new video for “Miss U More Than U Know” today. The video, directed by miles & AJ, brings R3HAB’s hypnotic beats to life and tells the story of heartbreak while following Sofia through the picturesque streets of Paris during Fashion Week. The video made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live and MTVU, and is now streaming on VEVO as well.

Listen to “Miss U More Than U Know” here and watch the video here.

The single was instantly added to dozens of playlists worldwide, and quickly became one of the Top 10 most added songs in the world, already amassing over 2M streams in its first week. “Miss U More Than U Know” tells the story of a broken heart wrapped around a hypnotic beat highlighting Sofia’s gorgeous vocals. The universal theme of having to let go of someone you love, and the ensuing emotions of loss and missing that person, more than they’ll ever know, is resonating with hearts around the world.

“Miss U More Than U Know” is Sofia’s third collaboration with R3HAB, following “Rumors,” and their most recent hit “I LUV U,” which was the #1 Most Added song worldwide on New Music Friday playlists on Spotify with 39 countries, plus Top 20 placement in 26 countries and over 28M streams. Earlier this year, she performed “I LUV U” on the #1 morning show ABC’s Good Morning America. Sofia has also collaborated with Alan Walker, Galantis, and Grey.

In addition to releasing new music, Sofia, a Global Ambassador for Revlon, unveiled the Revlon x Sofia Carson Collection this week, an exclusive collection of her favorite Revlon lip products and nail polish, all in her signature shades. But that’s not all- Sofia also recently starred in the feature film “Feel The Beat,” available to stream now on Netflix.

GLOBAL STAR SOFIA CARSON’S NEW SINGLE “HE LOVES ME, BUT”AVAILABLE NOW

LISTEN HERE

Singer, songwriter, actress, and activist Sofia Carson released today her latest single “He Loves Me, But.” “I had the immense privilege of writing this song with the extraordinary Justin Tranter, Oak Felder and Carol Ades. We wrote, recorded and produced this record in one day; it was magical,” said Carson. “He Loves Me, But…” is the next chapter of my story. The story of what happens after you’ve fallen into a deceivingly beautiful love, that breaks your heart. So to anyone who’s ever been told “I love you, but…”this song is for you.”

Get “He Loves Me, But ” HERE via Hollywood Records.

About Sofia Carson:

No matter what Sofia Carson does, she writes her own story. She has carved out a singular path in music, film, television, and philanthropy. As an award-nominated singer and songwriter, she’s garnered nearly 1 billion streams and 2 billion-plus views, reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200, and launched a dynamic catalog, including two gold-selling albums and four gold-selling singles thus far. As an actress, she has starred in NETFLIX’s Feel The Beat, Michael Bay’s Songbird, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, and the upcoming Purple Hearts. As a philanthropist, she stands out as UNICEF’s newest US Ambassador, the first global ambassador of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and a member of the first-ever Ambassadors Council for The House of Blues Music Forward Foundation. Sofia is an honorary board member of WE DO IT TOGETHER, a nonprofit production company created to produce films, tv and new media content dedicated to the empowerment of women. As a style icon, Sofia is Global Brand Ambassador for beauty leader REVLON and has launched her own makeup collection. A Teen Vogue cover story by Priyanka Chopra Jonas summed her up best, “Sofia Carson has the grace of a pro.” In 2021, she continues to define herself with the fiery and fierce new single “Fool’s Gold” produced by Stargate [Rihanna, Beyonce and Jeff Jones, a story that hints at more to come from Sofia in 2021.

Take a Trip with CruiseCompete!

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River cruise ships offer a more private and intimate ambiance, along with personalized service and the advantage of being able to port almost anywhere. Passengers get a feel for the water and experience destinations in a very up-close and personal way onboard and in the towns and areas visited with CruiseCompete.

Overall, cruise ship sizes range from megaships (almost 7,000 passengers) to very small vessels and luxury yachts whose passengers number in mere dozens (as small as 16). Knowing the differences is key to planning your best cruise vacation.

CruiseCompete has divided today’s ships into categories and provides information on the benefits each provides, from the very small and intimate, to medium and up to the very large, mega ships.

For River Cruise Ship Size, from Extra Small to Small with guest capacity from just 18 to almost 260, and only a couple over that number, see details here.

From Avalon Waterways Treasure of Galapagos with 18 guests, to the American Queen Steamboat Company American Queen river ship that sails USA rivers with 417 guests , there is a ship size for everyone.

CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning a future cruise or a cruisetour, please visit CruiseCompete and try the Virtual Cruise Advisor™ or Live Help.

CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers come to CruiseCompete to research and book cruise vacations. More than 1.5 million users have generated close to 4 million requests from consumers, and agents have delivered 17.5 million quotes since 2003. They can compare offers from trusted travel agents, see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises. CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, the leading authority and resource for family travel information and is home to the Sea Tales 2020 Family Cruise Travel Planner at Travel Resources.

CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations. CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure’s “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal,” and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”

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Ed Foster-Simeon x Racial Inequity

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Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation Ed Foster-Simeon is committed to leveling the playing field for people of color and those living in underserved communities. As the former editor at USA Today who has been the President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation for 12 years, Foster-Simeon has unmatched insight into the challenges facing people of color, the history of how we got where we are today, and innovative solutions being implemented to create a more just America. Foster-Simeon can speak to issues of racism; racial inequalities; or systemic social, economic, legal or medical disparities in underserved communities.

As the head of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Foster-Simeon has made the organization a leader in improving social and health outcomes for children in communities that are often forgotten and ignored—an issue that has been even further exposed as the COVID-19 crisis and Black Lives Matter movement have had an undeniable influence on the future of our country.

Foster-Simeon – a former journalist who served as Deputy Managing Editor at USA Today where he was responsible for Washington, political, and foreign news operations – grew up in Brooklyn, New York. There and while serving in the U.S. Navy, he saw firsthand how systemic inequalities affected individuals and communities of color. Today, he leads the U.S. Soccer Foundation to use youth sports—specifically soccer—as a catalyst for long-term, systemic social change. The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s work was recognized with the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health of and health care for all Americans. The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s work has also earned a prestigious Social Innovation Fund award in the Healthy Futures portfolio and a Justice Department Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Multi-State Mentoring award.

“We know that our communities are suffering. Suffering from systemic racism and racial inequities. Suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic that is disproportionately affecting underserved communities due to decades of health disparities. Suffering from the economic crisis and from other systemic inequities, such as lack of recreational opportunities and safe places to play,” Foster-Simeon, a Trustee of the NAACP Foundation, said recently. “While statements of support confirm that people’s eyes are open, the next step is even harder – doing the work in our communities to fix these injustices.”

The Go-Go’s Are Back!

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The Go-Go’s, the iconic all female L.A. punk band, will release their first new recording in nearly 20 years, “Club Zero,” on July 31st on UMe. The band can be seen working on an early version of the song in their new documentary The Go-Go’s, directed by Alison Ellwood (Laurel Canyon, History of the Eagles) which premieres August 1st at 9 pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME. View the official trailer HERE and music HERE.

Propelled by the spirited, melodic punch we’ve come to expect from the Southern California band, as well as a catchy, call-to-action chorus, “Club Zero” will certainly join the ranks among an esteemed catalog of Go-Go’s classics.

The self-produced track was created via email exchanges amongst band members and recorded at Lucky Recording in S.F. with Co-Producer/Mixer/Engineer Travis Kasperbauer and in Los Angeles with Lead Vocal Recording/Producer Gabe Lopez. As the band’s stance has always been fervent when it comes to relevant issues, the anthemic, punk-infused paean arrives just in time for a world in desperate need of a voice of optimism and change:

“HEY WE’VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY

‘GONNA MAKE THE WORLD SHAKE’

READY OR NOT HERE WE ARE”

A live version of “Club Zero” featured in The Go Go’s documentary shows the evolution of the track as the band writes and works out the melody in preparation for their performance at their early stomping grounds The Whisky a Go Go on The Sunset Strip. The documentary directed by Alison Ellwood (Eagles, Laurel Canyon) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January to standing ovations and critical acclaim. With full access to The Go-Go’s, both past and present, this candid archive-rich documentary assesses the group’s place in music history as it focuses on their roots as a formidable contender in L.A.’s late ‘70s punk scene, detailing their rise to the top as they become one of the decade’s most beloved acts as well as an unstoppable force. It also examines the personalities and dynamics behind their rise, fall, and numerous reincarnations. Until this definitive film, there has never been a serious appraisal of and showcase for The Go-Go’s’ talents or achievements – as musicians, groundbreakers, but even more so, as survivors.

To date, The Go-Go’s have the notable distinction of being the only all-female band to write their own songs and play their own instruments on a #1 album. Formed in 1978, they were a vital part of the early Los Angeles punk scene. Following the release of their debut album in 1981, the landmark multi-platinum Beauty And The Beat, they topped the Billboard 200 chart for six consecutive weeks and received a nomination for Best New Artist at The 24th Annual Grammy® Awards. Their 1982 follow-up, Vacation, hit Top Ten on the Billboard 200 and featured the Top Ten title track “Vacation.” Overall, they have sold over 7 million records worldwide and continue to tour with the “classic lineup” from 1981 – Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar), Charlotte Caffey (guitar), Kathy Valentine (bass) and Gina Schock (drums). More recently, Head Over Heels, a musical featuring the songs of The Go-Go’s, had a successful run on Broadway in July of 2018.

The Go-Go’s is fully financed by Polygram Entertainment, the film and television division of Universal Music Group, and presented and produced by Polygram, Universal Music Publishing Group, Interscope Films, Fine Point Films and Fadoo Productions. Alison Ellwood (History of The Eagles, American Jihad) directs the film with Trevor Birney, Corey Russell and Eimhear O’Neill producing. Polygram Entertainment’s David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles are executive producing; the creative team also includes editor Brett Banks and executive producers Brendan J. Byrne. Wally Eltawashy & Arturo Cisneros serve as co-executive producers.

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