LP at Drive-In OC
After nearly a year without performing to a live crowd, singer-songwriter Laura Pergolizzi, aka LP, headlined two shows at City National Grove of Anaheim’s Drive-In OC in California. Audio at Drive-In OC is played through a traditional PA system and available in attendees’ car stereos. Drive-In OC is a predominately contactless experience, including entry, ticketing, concessions and restrooms. All tickets must be purchased in advance and there is no on-site box office. Vehicles are spaced 10 feet apart and staggered to provide distancing. Masks are required.
Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition
Pharrell Williams has announced Black Ambition, a non-profit that aims to encourage Black and Latino entrepreneurs in tech, design, healthcare and consumer services. At the organization’s launch, Williams said he was inspired to give a voice to underserved communities. In partnership with historically Black colleges and universities, The Black Ambition HBCU Prize will offer mentorship and up to $250,000 to current and former students as they develop early-stage ideas and launch their companies. A grand prize winner will receive up to $1 million. Other partners include Adidas, Chanel, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Ziggy Marley Meets the Gibson Generation Group
The eight-time Grammy-winning musician and philanthropist, Ziggy Marley, teamed up with Gibson for a livestream Q&A, speaking with music students from across the globe. Young guitar players in the Gibson Generation Group, as well as from music schools in the U.K., Netherlands, France, Spain and Australia, were selected to ask Marley questions about his influences and how he is creating and surviving in the pandemic. The interview ended with a special performance from the students, jamming on a new song from Marley’s More Family Time album.
Armand Shaubroeck Spins Vinyl Underground Radio Show
The Armand Shaubroeck Spins Vinyl Underground Radio Show has been on air for over four years, exclusively playing vinyl records without repeating a song by the same artist. The volunteer staff includes: Armand Shaubroeck as host, Aric Shaubroeck as DJ and Eric Pinales as recording engineer. Broadcasting from the basement of The House of Guitars music store in Rochester, NY, the two-hour all-music show is aired weekly on WRFZ 106.3 FM, Rochester Free Radio. Over 230 shows are available anytime on mixcloud.com, with complete playlists of rare international ‘50s, ‘60s, soul, blues, funk, punk, reggae, alternative, local Upstate NY music, rap and rockabilly.
Dua Lipa Breaks Records at Studio 2054
Dua Lipa’s livestream concert experience, “Studio 2054,” has broken streaming records with over five million views and counting. Due to high-demand, the concert was made available to watch for an additional week after the live event. Filmed in a renovated London warehouse, the performance follows Dua Lipa singing, dancing, acting and interacting on custom-built stages, with designs that range from an ’80s TV sitcom set to a roller disco rink to a modern rave, all carefully choreographed and coinciding with past hits and selections from her latest, Future Nostalgia.
Buffalo Rock City — KISS Tribute
John Jeffrey, founder and guitarist of the tribute band, KISS This!, assembled a cover album that features significant people in “KISStory.” Proceeds from album sales will aid Compass House Foundation, an organization that provides shelter and resources to homeless youth in Buffalo, NY. Buffalo Rock City features the "best of the best" musicians from Western New York. In addition to KISS This!, the album has contributions from DoDriver, Robby Takac, Tommy Henriksen, Deen Castronovo, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Mitch Weissman, who have all performed with KISS, recorded together or designed album art. Jay Messina mastered Buffalo Rock City, and has been working with KISS since 1976, having engineered the band's breakout album, Destroyer.
Recording Professor Creates Virtual Studio for Remote Classroom
For some teachers, the COVID-19 pandemic meant facilitating lectures via Zoom virtual meetings. For Professor and M.F.A Director Bill Crabtree, of the Middle Tennessee State University Audio Production program, remote-teaching meant creating a multi-camera audio classroom on the MTSU campus. Crabtree designed a multi-iPhone camera, high-definition audio/video classroom experience within four of MTSU’s recording studio control rooms. “Most of what I teach is hands-on,” Crabtree says. “Our students have to learn how all the equipment in the room works, and how to collaborate with musicians during a recording session."
