A weekly update on all things music, advertising, and technology coming straight to you from Anthony Vanger at MassiveMusic. #TWIM
ARTIST OF THE WEEK: JOEL CULPEPPER
It’s that time. The time when an artist can see the crack in the door, with the light beyond, the light that leads to stardom. South-East London soul man Joel Culpepper is at that inflection point. His latest track, Tears of a Crown, was just given the Abbey Road treatment on Later…with Jools Holland. Imagine a muscle-bound, half-naked version of Al Green mixed with Horace Andy (Massive Attack) and you get a sense of Culpepper’s image. His music is contemporary soul, with elements of funk, grime, and punk. But it is his falsetto that defines the singer and launches his sound onto a different level. Up until now, Culpepper has been balancing his music career with a full-time job as a learning mentor, supporting vulnerable children. Will he now step through the door towards the light and what will be waiting for him on the other side? @joelculpepper
#joelculpper #soul #neosoul #abbeyroad #massiveattack #horaceandy#joolsholland #laterwithjoolsholland #tearsofacrown #algreen
AD OF THE WEEK: GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL
The unsettling drone of Radiohead’s Everything In Its Right Place and Thom Yorke’s nasal incantations set the mood in this dystopian ad from Greenpeace International. We have been warned over and over again, but still, we continue on our path, hurtling towards the cliff edge. This ad takes a fresh look at what global disaster looks like. The innocence of the polar bear creates the sense of tragedy because she is so clearly the victim of our carelessness and when she lies down next to the tree, it is as if she too has finally given up. Jude Law’s clipped mockney voiceover adds gravitas. What do you have to say to those who want to destroy the Arctic? http://www.savethearctic.org
@greenpeaceinternational #greenpeace #radiohead #thomyorke #judelaw
NIGHTCLUBS CAN OPEN AT FULL CAPACITY IN THE NETHERLANDS THIS WEEKEND
As the clock strikes midnight in The Netherlands this Friday night into Saturday morning, nightclubs and venues are allowed to reopen at full capacity.
On June 25, Dutch residents will find themselves facing the freedom of a night of partying, which was initially supposed to go ahead on June 30. The unexpected push forward means club owners are now gearing up for a big weekend.
Yesterday, the government in the Netherlands decided to go ahead with the fourth phase of reopening the country. Phase three went ahead just over two weeks ago, which saw cafes, bars, and restaurants open for service indoors, as well as home visitor numbers increase.
Just three weeks after these restrictions lifted, The Netherlands will resume to almost normal levels of operation.
DR. DRE IS OPENING A NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN LA
A new high school in Los Angeles is being worked on by Dr Dre and Interscope founder Jimmy Iovine.
The pair have struck a deal with the Los Angeles Unified School District – and the school, called ‘Regional High School #1’ until officially named, is the first project that the new partnership will yield.
124 Students will be able to attend the school at opening in autumn 2022 – with capacity hoping to be increased with time.
The Press release reads “The school’s curriculum will build on USC Iovine and Young Academy’s groundbreaking approach that combines design, business, and technology with hands-on, real-world learning to help develop young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”
ROLAND LAUNCHES NEW PORTABLE MIXER FOR LIVESTREAMING FROM YOUR PHONE
Roland has introduced a new mixer for livestreaming, recording podcasts, music videos and more – the GO:MIXER PRO-X. The original GO:MIXER was a popular choice for DJs and musicians throughout 2020 who wanted to live stream their sets and performances as it connects straight to your iOS and Android device.
The PRO-X offers expanded support for Android devices, as well as a guitar and bass pad switch and the ability to use headset and in-ear mics like Airpods as an input.
The PRO-X also has the same features as the PRO including AAA battery-power, seven total inputs including an XLR input for mics, physical controls for each input and master volume and direct-to-device USB-C and Lightning cables included. The mixer is supported by all the major streaming platforms and apps like Garageband for recording.
It costs $149 and will be available from August. Find out more here.
Written by Anthony Vanger
Additional reporting by Adam “Badger” Woolf
Artwork by Gustav Balderdash
To join This Week In Music please send me an email: anthonyvanger@gmail.com