KRUNK Movement students release original album with Earth Day theme
Climate change and the environment are issues that students of Hazelwood’s KRUNK Movement aim to help with, one song at a time. “Su(Stained) Reality,” an album created by the students, is an examination of social and environmental justice, climate change and health. Featuring 10 original songs, the album was released...
Singer Mýa opens up ahead of her performance at August Wilson Center
Mýa, a multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, actress and philanthropist, will bare her soul at the August Wilson African American Culture Center’s “Soul Sessions” on Friday night. The singer, who’s had hit songs with “Case of the Ex,” “My Love is Like … Wo” and “Lady Marmalade,” has also found...
Pitbull’s Party After Dark tour hits Pittsburgh in SeptemberVideo
Rapper Pitbull is bringing his Party After Dark tour to the Pittsburgh area later this year. Pitbull, known for songs like “Timber,” “Rain Over Me” and “Give Me Everything,” will play at the Pavilion at Star Lake on Sept. 18. He’ll be joined by rapper T-Pain. Related • We reviewed...
We reviewed every song on Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’
Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was released Friday. But, surprise, it wasn’t just one album. She released a double album. Swifties, who thought they were getting 17 new songs, actually received 31. No torture at all to Taylor Swift fans. But did we need 31 songs?...
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest and Foreigner get into Rock Hall
NEW YORK — Mary J. Blige,Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang and Ozzy Osbourne have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a class that also includes folk-rockers Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton. Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton...
Pittsburgh’s Eyewash continues evolution with heavy new single ‘Bound’
The evolution of Pittsburgh band Eyewash continues with its latest single, “Bound,” which came out earlier this month. Conceived during the pandemic, Eyewash formed in late 2021, started playing shows in 2022 and released its self-titled debut EP in March 2023. Bassist Rachel Hines founded the band with guitarist Alex...
Former Pittsburgh radio host Larry O’Brien, known via ‘O’Brien & Garry’ show, dies at 81
Pittsburgh radio host Larry O’Brien, who comprised half of the popular morning duo “O’Brien & Garry” for 20 years, has died. “He was a funny, bright man, and he kept up on Pittsburgh sports until the very end,” his wife, Winkie O’Brien, said from their home in Hilton Head, S.C....
Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album ‘Overcomer’, has died. She was 47. A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday....
Blues guitarist Coco Montoya discusses new album ‘Writing on the Wall,’ making move from drumsVideo
At 72, touring isn’t getting any easier for blues guitarist Coco Montoya, but it’s still rewarding. “It’s definitely not gonna make me a millionaire,” he said Tuesday in a phone call from Charlotte, N.C., “but it is something that I definitely love what I’m doing.” That love for the road...
Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard on ‘Dark Matter’ album, upcoming tourVideo
SEATTLE — In some ways, it’s hard to believe it’s been six years since Pearl Jam last played Seattle, when their ballyhooed Home Shows drummed up more than $11 million for local homelessness organizations. Between a barrage of side projects and lead singer Eddie Vedder’s and guitarist Mike McCready’s penchants...
Review: Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ is great sad pop, meditative theater
Who knew what Taylor Swift’s latest era would bring? Or even what it would sound like? Would it build off the moodiness of “Midnights” or the folk of “evermore”? The country or the ’80s pop of her latest re-records? Or its two predecessors in black-and-white covers: the revenge-pop of “Reputation”...
Pittsburgh Swifties excited for ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ album release
Katlyn Lenz-Zanis has been a Swiftie since the very beginning — when Taylor Swift released her debut country-inspired album. “Her music isn’t just music,” she said. “It’s absolute art, it’s poetry, it’s beautiful … something for everyone to enjoy.” Now, Swift has risen to superstardom. With her 11th studio album...
Minor Moon’s Sam Cantor discusses new album ‘The Light Up Waltz’ ahead of Pittsburgh show
The new album from Minor Moon, a Chicago-based alt country/rock band, comes amid a period of personal stability for the band’s mastermind, Sam Cantor. “The Light Up Waltz,” released April 12 by Ruination Record Co., balances the positives in his life while also examining what’s happening in the outside world....
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80Video
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for...
Fans anticipate Taylor Swift’s new album as rumors of online leaks persist
The countdown is almost over — there’s mere hours until the release of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” But Swifites are in an uproar, as there’s been an alleged online album leak. Songs and lyrics that social media users are claiming are from the new album...
Country star Cole Swindell to headline Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s summer concert series
“You Should Be Here” is what the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. might be saying to country music fans as it announces its third concert for the summer. Country music star Cole Swindell will take the stage Sept. 1 at the brewery’s amphitheater in the Creighton neighborhood of East Deer. Brewery spokeswoman...
Pittsburgh has a vibrant Black female DJ scene
Mary Dee Dudley was a pioneer of Pittsburgh and America’s music scene, breaking barriers in 1948 as the country’s first Black woman to become a DJ. The Homestead native established Studio Dee in the Hill District and debuted “Movin’ Around with Mary Dee” on WAOB Radio. Her impact echoes through...
ABBA, Blondie, Notorious B.I.G. enter National Recording Registry
LOS ANGELES — ABBA, Biggie, Blondie and Rudolph are entering America’s audio canon. New inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress include ABBA’s 1976 album “Visitors,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 album “Ready to Die,” Blondie’s 1978 breakthrough “Parallel Lines” and Gene Autry’s 1949 version of “Rudolph...
Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival lineup includes SZA, The Killers, Wiz KhalifaVideo
A new music festival from the organizers of internationally known events like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo will be rocking Pittsburgh later this year, and they just announced their lineup. Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival will be held on Sept. 7 and 8 at Hazelwood Green. The event will be headlined Saturday...
Family celebrates Henry Mancini’s legacy on what would have been his 100th birthday
Update: The video for “Pink Panther,” the second single from “The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions — Henry Has Company,” featuring Lizzo and Sir James Galway both on flute, dropped on May 31. When famed composer Henry Mancini discussed his childhood with his family, he made sure to stress exactly where...
TV Talk: CBS starts a fire of controversy cutting off Billy Joel, reschedules show
After promoting “Billy Joel: The 100th at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time” for weeks, CBS blundered nationally by cutting off the program mid-“Piano Man” to go to late local newscasts. CBS released a statement saying, “A network programming timing error ended last night’s Billy...
‘Rock ‘N Remember Live!’ struck a sweet, nostalgic chord at the Benedum Center
Saturday was a perfect day to enjoy some golden oldies at the Benedum Center, and “Rock ‘N Remember Live!” delivered with a jukebox’s worth of classic artists. “Rock ‘N Remember Live!” presented by Spotlight Productions featured six bands and singers from the ’50s and ’60s in two and a half...
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra fascinates with celebration of George Gershwin
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as part of their 2023-2024 PNC Pops season, brought a heavy dose of “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” to Heinz Hall on Friday night with their Gershwin celebration. This selection comes in what would be the 125th year of George Gershwin’s life. Gershwin, in some ways the quintessential 20th...
The Garment District’s Jennifer Baron on physical media, vintage instruments, new releasesVideo
For Jennifer Baron, the multi-instrumentalist behind Pittsburgh band The Garment District, physical media is important. The thousands of albums — from vinyl (45s, 12-inchers and 78s) and eight tracks to cassettes and CDs — spread throughout her home are proof enough, alongside turntables on two different floors. “I would say...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust taps Penn Township native as new CEO
Twenty-one years ago, Penn-
Trafford High School student Benjamin Luczak stood on the stage of The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, performing for an audience in the musical “Brigadoon.” In a few weeks, Luczak, 37, will have the responsibility of overseeing operations of The Palace, now that the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has...
