Music News and New Music For August 12th, 2013

So of course, when running your own blog solo it can be tough to keep up with the s**tload of stuff that comes across our ears over a weekend!  Some good, some bad, some not even worth mentioning.  I guess that's how I use AFGM in general.  These articles that I go through everyday from various sites (Blabbermouth,. CBC, National Post, AV Club, Exclaim, Music News, Rolling Stone, etc.) and sort of "filter" some of the nonsense news such as the latest fashion design, who's got beef with who and who ISN'T doing music...still.

These articles brought forth are for a few different reasons:

1. It is relevant music information that pertains to you as a reader, no matter the level of intent or the genre.

2. They are relevant to the music I would be currently listening to or a genre I have put some attention and focus on.

3. I am somewhat patriotic about my Canadian music, so that always comes as a first for me.  I enjoy music from all parts of the world respectively, but I still have to promote local if I can.  Canadian music rocks!

4. Because it's humourous and we can ALWAYS use a good laugh.  Rarely will it be at someone's expense...but then again I am just the guy talking about it.  They're the ones causing the comments.

So in closing, I trust you all will not read EVERY single article posted here.  But I hope you find something of use here and keep the conversation going by forwarding it onto someone else.  Click on each article heading for redirection to the full article.  Cheers!

Dream Theater unveils "The Enemy Inside" lyric video:




SMILE EMPTY SOUL Reveals 'Chemicals' Cover Art, Track Listing:

1. Black And Blue
2. False Alarm
3. Chemicals
4. Balance
5. Swim
6. New Low
7. Real
8. Sitting Ducks
9. Mechanical Rationality
10. Landslide

Their 6th studio album, "Chemicals" is due out October 1st, 2013 on the band's new imprint, Two Disciples Entertainment.


Megadeth's Gigantour 2013 wrapping up in Toronto:

(Photo courtesy of Tom Pandi/Examiner)


TD Festival of Friends (Hamilton, ON):

"Attendance was strong on Saturday and the field in front of the main stage was packed with people, particularly for performances by Australian rockers Airbourne and Theory of a Deadman from B.C. The crowds gradually grew on Sunday and people of all ages danced and grooved to Canadian hip-hop icon Maestro Fresh Wes as he performed on the main stage."


SOIL release their lyric video for "Amalgamation":




New Research Sharply Questions Digital Music 'Penetration Rates':

Kanye, Diddy and more: Hip-hop heavyweights surprise crowd at Drake’s OVO Fest:

"Far from playing second fiddle to his famous friends, Drake enjoyed baiting the crowd as he danced, quipped and teased them about who else could be waiting in the wings."


Steven Van Zandt says bands should learn from the Rascals breakup/makeup:

"You have a relationship with an audience, which is a miracle, an absolute miracle, OK. It only happens in one out of a million people. Don't take that for granted — ever. Nourish that, evolve it, support it, feed it.  You can put it aside if you want to for a year, maybe two occasionally if you want to explore other things, but always come back."


Asking Alexandria - The Death of Me (Official Music Video):




Chris Cornell Announces Dates For Fall Acoustic Tour:

10/15 San Diego, CA – Balboa Theatre
10/16 Napa, CA – The Uptown Theatre
10/18 San Francisco, CA – Nob Hill Masonic Center
10/19 Eugene, OR – Jaqua Concert Hall
10/20 Seattle WA – Benaroya Hall
10/22 Victoria, BC – University of Victoria – Farquhar Auditorium
10/23 Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre
10/25 Medicine Hat, AB – Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
10/26 Calgary, AB – Jubilee Auditorium
10/27 Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place
10/29 Winnipeg, MB – Pantages Playhouse Theatre
10/30 Saint Paul, MN – O’Shaughnessy Auditorium
11/01 Chicago, IL – Cadillac Palace Theatre
11/02 Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
11/03 Lakewood, OH – Lakewood Civic Auditorium
11/05 Buffalo, NY – Center for the Arts
11/06 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
11/13 Kingston, NY – Ulster PAC
11/15 Boston, MA – Shubert Theatre
11/16 New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
11/17 Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre & PAC
11/19 Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
11/20 New Haven, CT – Shubert Theater
11/22 Reading, PA – Sovereign Performing Arts Center
11/23 Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
11/24 Collingswood, NJ – Scottish Rite Auditorium
11/26 Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
11/27 Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
11/29 Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Casino & Spa – Music Box
11/30 Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Casino & Spa – Music Box


Made-in-Canada music app Groove takes on big players in bid to win music lovers’ loyalty:

“Right now, Groove is helping fans rediscover their music. The next step is to reconnect them with artists they love.” -Eduard Lucic (software developer)


Asking Alexandria - Run Free (Official Music Video):




Google Play Music All Access vs Spotify:

"With over 24 million users around the world, Spotify is the current leader in the streaming music race. Google Music All Access may be entering late, but its competitive pricing and already large library make it a capable challenger.

So which should you buy into? Should you make the switch from Spotify to Google Music? Or wait until Apple gets its own streaming service into gear?"


CITY IN THE SEA - Below The Noise (Album Preview):




Former ROADRUNNER President JONAS NACHSIN Appointed General Manager Of SPINEFARM:

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build Spinefarm Records into a world-class destination for rock and metal artists. There is an energetic and dedicated group of people at the label already, and we'll be expanding our staff as we reach out to the artist community to begin new partnerships, as well as working hard on the roster we now have. I'm looking forward to working with Andrew Kronfeld, an executive whom I greatly admire, and the new Caroline set-up to drive this company forward." -Jonas Nachsin


Canadian Music More Popular Than Ever Overseas, According to SOCAN Report:

"The growth in international royalties underscores the increasing popularity of Canadian music, where we continue to formulate relationships and introduce policies beyond our borders to improve fair licensing of music for use in business. Some of Canada's strongest opportunities lie abroad and SOCAN continues to foster international collective management relationships that benefit our members, the music industry, and the Canadian economy overall." -Eric Baptiste (SOCAN CEO)


Born of Osiris - Divergency (Lyric Video):