Tag Archives: Cover Song

DRMAGDN Cyborg Drummer/DJ releases captivating The Beatles remix “Something” ft. The Voice singer Michelle Ray

New York, NY — Today, DRMAGDN announces the release of his official remix track “Something” – out now on YouTubeSpotifyApple Music, Amazon Music and all streaming services.

The DRMAGDN “Something” Beatles Remix (on BMG) is a heartfelt re-imagination of The Beatles classic #1 hit song from their iconic Abbey Road record. DRMAGDN takes the original track and adds lush orchestration along with intense & breathtaking drums while updating the underlying production to a modern EDM pop style similar to DJs like KygoAlan Walker or Marshmello.

DRMAGDN says, ‘Something’ by The Beatles is my favorite Beatles tune of all time. So I jumped at the chance to do a modern remix of the song when BMG acquired George Harrison’s catalog. These musical shoes are the literally biggest in the world to fill, so I had to completely pull out all the stops on this Beatles tribute including nods to the artwork and a truly epic music video.” 

DRMAGDN not only recreated the legendary Abbey Road album cover in NYC for the artwork for his remix, but he also traveled to all the New York spots The Beatles visited on their first trip to the US launching Beatlemania (JFK Airport, Carnegie Hall & The Ed Sullivan Theater) for his music video.

DRMAGDN’s eighth single “Something” Remix is a deeply layered arrangement and cinematic take on the classic hit. The single features Michelle Ray from Team Blake on Season 4 of The Voice on vocals, Dave Eggar on strings (Grammy Award winning track “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, The Who, Bon Jovi, Fall Out Boy), Daniel Flam on horns (Grammy Award winning work with Kanye West & Rihanna’s “All Of The Lights,” Jay-Z, Lil Nas X, John Legend), Oscar Albis-Rodriguez on guitar/bass (A Great Big World, Sarah McLachlan, YouTube Audio Library) and vinyl mastering by Andy Vandette (David Bowie, U2, The Prodigy, Cirque Du Soleil, Aerosmith, Rush).

DRMAGDN drops his new “Something” Remix track following up his massive sports anthem “Get Tough” that landed him on a live radio interview on The NFL Channel on Sirius/XM Radio. Previous DRMAGDN tracks include Folkronica EDM single “Not Alone” with Jeremy O’Shea from Velvet Revolver along with members of American Authors, Rob Thomas & Capital Cities (featured in American Songwriter Magazine) and his big festival Big Room EDM track called “Say Less Be More” featuring Allé Guercio from American Idol & The Voice (as both seen together in The New York Times).

As with all of DRMAGDN’s track launches, he made a $250 philanthropic contribution to charities that speak to the heart of the song. For “Something” he donated to The Carnegie Hall Foundation for consideration for the educational clips in his music video plus George Harrison’s own charity The Material World Foundation that supports social, artistic and cultural change worldwide.

About DRMAGDN

DRMAGDN is a persona of Charlie Zeleny, who lives in the West Village in New York City and is a Drummer / DJ, Live Electronic Music Performer, Producer & Music Director. He has played The Winter Olympics, Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Metlife Stadium, Bamboozle Fest, MTV’s TRL, AOL Sessions, The View, The Today Show & Royal Albert Hall. He has toured 31 Countries, 43 US States and can be heard on 250+ records. DRMAGDN has been seen on Times Square Billboards and on the side of NYC Buildings and his tracks have hit #1 on the SubmitHub charts. He is in the Sick Drummer Hall of Fame, on Blender Magazine’s “Best Drummers of All Time List” and AllMusic says that “Drummer Charlie Z / DRMAGDN must be heard to even be believed.”

DRMAGDN writes, records and produces all his own tracks & remixes. DRMAGDN currently 3M+ total views on his YouTube channels, 1M+ total plays on Spotify with 25k+ monthly listeners, 3M+ views and 350k+ followers on Instagram, 2M+ plays on SoundCloud & 12M+ total views on his own & all influencer’s profiles on TikTok (200k+ followers) where his livestreams hit 100k+ viewers per stream.

DRMAGDN’s grand total is now over 21M+ total plays/views and 700K+ verified followers across all social media platforms.

DRMAGN Tour Dates 2023
DRMAGN Tour Dates 2023

Joy Kills Sorrow‘s Bluegrass Cover of “Such Great Heights” Deserves Your Attention

If you’re a fan of The Postal Service’s iconic hit “Such Great Heights,” you’ve probably heard countless covers of the song over the years. But have you ever heard a cover of a song that completely transforms it into something new and exciting? That’s exactly the case with Joy Kills Sorrow’s bluegrass version of this hit. This rendition, which was released on their EP Wide Awake in 2013, deserves your attention if you haven’t heard it yet. 

What is particularly impressive about this cover is how effortlessly the band took an electronic indie-pop hit and made it their own, infusing it with their signature Americana sound that is a refreshing departure from the original. Fueled by Jacob Jolliff’s intricate mandolin playing and lead singer Emma Beaton’s soaring vocals, the song was transformed into a foot-stomping bluegrass number that’s impossible not to dance along to.

Right from the beginning, the mandolin and banjo (played by Wes Corbett) take over, providing a lively and instantly engaging introduction. While staying true to the melody and lyrics, the band injects their signature style, adding instrumental breakdowns and harmonies that showcase their musical prowess. Beaton’s vocals add a touch of sweetness and vulnerability to the already poignant lyrics. As the song progresses, each instrument takes its turn to shine, from the rhythm of Matthew Arcara flatpicking the guitar, to the harmonies of Zoe Guigueno and her upright bass. You can feel the energy building up, culminating in a triumphant ending that will leave you with chills. The result is a cover that’s just as catchy and memorable as the original, but with a new energy and vibrancy that’s impossible to resist. 

What makes this cover so successful is that it doesn’t try to imitate the original, but rather reinvents it completely. It manages to capture the essence and emotion of the song while putting a new spin on it. Overall, Joy Kills Sorrow’s bluegrass cover of “Such Great Heights” is a testament to the power of musical creativity and innovation. It proves that good music can transcend genres and styles, and that sometimes the most unexpected artist can surprise you. So, if you haven’t given it a listen yet, it’s high time that changes. 

Even die-hard The Postal Service fans will find themselves tapping their feet along to this bluegrass rendition. If you haven’t heard Joy Kills Sorrow’s cover of “Such Great Heights” yet, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. Although Joy Kills Sorrow disbanded after performing their last show in 2014, their legacy includes a stunning example of how a great cover can take a beloved song and elevate it to new heights.

Ben Gibbard Returns with a “Double Feature” Performance 

Speaking of The Postal Service… lead vocalist Ben Gibbard is making a comeback to Arizona and other cities (listed below) with a “double feature” show that is sure to delight. As part of the “Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Tour,” The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie will be co-headlining, and Gibbard will be at the forefront of it all.

The tour runs in September and October of this year. Arizona Financial Theatre, one of the iconic spots to host this show, is set to witness an unforgettable night of music that showcases the evolution of the creative genius of Gibbard and his bandmates. (Fun fact: Jenny Lewis of The Postal Service is also a solo artist, actress, and was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley.) It goes without saying that Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service carry energies that leave fans yearning for more. But, to have both bands share the stage on a joint tour is something else entirely. 

Back in 2003, The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie became musical sensations that rocked the world with Gibbard at the helm. The Postal Service’s debut album, Give Up, and Death Cab for Cutie’s fourth studio album, Transatlanticism, showcased the range of Gibbard’s vocal and songwriting abilities. It’s been twenty years since those albums’ releases, and that is all the more reason to celebrate. The “Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Tour” is, therefore, more than just a tour. As each band performs their respective albums in their entirety, it’s a trip down memory lane accompanied by heart-thumping instrumentals and performances that leave concertgoers reveling in nostalgia. 

With Gibbard headlining, The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie: Give Up & Transatlanticism promises to be a night to remember.
Get your tickets now!

The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie 2023 Tour Dates

      
  • September 8 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
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  • September 9 – Kingston, RI – The Ryan Center
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  • September 10 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl
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  • September 12 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall
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  • September 13 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall
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  • September 14 – Washington, DC – Merriweather Post Pavilion
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  • September 17 – Detroit, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheater
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  • September 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
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  • September 21 – Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center
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  • September 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory
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  • September 26 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
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  • September 27 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
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  • October 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
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  • October 4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea Ballroom at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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  • October 7 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
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  • October 10 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre – UC Berkeley
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  • October 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

Featured photo (top) courtesy of Mongrel Music

REVIEW: Arshenic’s Brooding “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” Music Video

Arshenic

Arshenic’s new single and music video for “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” was released on April 12th and can be enjoyed on any listening format. It is a beautifully haunting cover of the classic Lead Belly song. Arshenic is a melodic metal band from Poland, formed in 2007 by the vocalist and songwriter, Oliwia “Ofilia” Bartuś-Staszak. The other current members of the band include electric guitarist Włodzimierz “Vlad” Czuba and drummer Bartosz Staszak.

The name of the band is a reference to arsenic, which is generally thought of as a poison, however it can also be a cure. The duality between the strong female vocals, both singing and screaming, matched with clean and distorted guitars, powerful bass, and zestful drums, with a pinch of cellos, electronics, and orchestral sounds rounding out the background can be heard throughout the group’s catalogue of songs.

The music was produced by Dawid Gorgolewski, Studio Osso. The music video’s script was written by Ofilia, and Creo Official was the video producer.

As the video begins, the camera focuses on the coastline near a wooded cliff. It briefly transitions to Ofilia facing the camera wearing a gas mask — a perfect reference to the meaning of the band name — while cradling a black and white cat in her arms.

Returning to the coastline, the camera follows Ofilia as she sings and walks along an empty coastline wearing a black dress, a crystal necklace, a belt with three pentagrams, skeleton tights, and black combat boots as waves crash near her feet. The instruments, her voice, and the beach give the video a nostalgic vibe. Interspersed slow-motion footage of her footsteps lends itself to an ominous atmosphere in the video, paired with the brooding tone of the song.

Włodzimierz “Vlad” Czuba (Guitars), Arshenic

The instrumentalists are slowly revealed during the music’s buildup. Closeups zoom in on black-gloved hands sliding on the guitar with a skeleton head on the frets. The drummer plays while wearing a white gas mask with the eyes covered in black Xs. The electric guitarist wears a black mask with silver studs covering all but his eyes with a backward baseball cap on his head. The band members wearing masks stare deadpan at the camera.

Bartosz Staszak (Drums), Arshenic

As the melody sways, Ofilia walks down a dirt path in the woods wearing another gas mask, the hood of her black dress up, with scenes cutting between the woods and the beach. The transitions of water breaking over the sand and clips of rocks with the soft music are soothing. 

As the song explodes, Oflilia walks through a graffiti-covered hallway of an abandoned building. These clips are entangled with footage of a forbidden romance, lit by a red-hued light.

The scenes cut back and forth with fluidity. The musicians flicker with high-speed cuts as they play with intensity — a duality of pacing between this point and the beginning, matching the vocals and instrumentals. The video concludes as it began, pulling away from the deserted coastline.

Many elements of this video can certainly speak to viewers that are currently practicing social distancing during the pandemic. Whether that was the intention or not, the video is an emotionally evocative, powerful watch that rolls out slowly and leaves the viewer impacted.

Arshenic’s latest album, Final Collison, released by Sliptrick Records, came out in August of 2019. With their new single out now, hopefully, there’s a new album coming out sometime in 2020. Until then, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” will be playing on repeat.

Fans can find out more information about upcoming shows and announcements through the band’s website, Instagram, and Facebook page.

Arshenic Online

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter



Evanescence Releases “The Chain” (from “Gears 5”) – Their First New Rock Recording in Eight Years

Los Angeles, CA — Transcendent, two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rock band, Evanescence, has returned with their first new rock recording in eight years, “The Chain (From Gears 5).” Listen HERE.

The band recorded their signature-rock version of the Fleetwood Mac classic following lead singer Amy Lee having lent her vocals to the launch trailer for Xbox Game Studios’ Gears 5 for Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam, from the massively popular Gears of War series. The spot aired as part of a multi-million-dollar ad campaign this fall in conjunction with the launch of the game. Watch it HERE

Gears 5 was Microsoft’s most successful video game launch since Halo 4 in 2012. 

Amy Lee firmly re-establishes herself as one of rock’s pre-eminent vocalists, exhibiting an impressive range that still packs a wallop” –Variety

“The Chain” is the first release in what is expected to be a very active period for Evanescence. Following their critically acclaimed foray into symphonic music with 2017’s Synthesis album and world tour, the five-piece has reemerged by embracing a heavier sound, albeit with their trademark style that has made Evanescence integral in establishing a global, critical mass in rock, and among the most unique artists of the millennium. The band is currently working on new original music, which will start rolling out in 2020 in advance of their next studio album. Stay tuned for more details to come. 

“This cover was so fun to make. We love Fleetwood Mac and wanted to paint a dark and epic picture with our take on ‘The Chain,’” says Amy Lee. “The lyrics make me feel the power of standing together against great forces trying to pull us apart, perhaps even from the inside. I really wanted to drive that home in our version, and even made everyone in the band sing by the end of it! We’re beyond excited to share this with our fans and I’m really looking forward to playing it live.” 

At the end of the month, Evanescence will be heading to Mexico City to play Knotfest, followed by an appearance at Download Festival in Tokyo on March 29, 2020. After a short break, the group will be heading out on a massive co-headline tour of Europe and the U.K. with Within Temptation. The new batch of dates kicks off on April 4 in Brussels, Belgium and concludes in Birmingham, U.K. on May 1. Evanescence will also return to the U.S. shortly thereafter for a headline show at The Fillmore in Minneapolis, MN on May 14. All tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the band’s official website HERE.

“Haunting, powerful, and packed with poetic truth, Lee’s voice is one of the strongest in the game—recognizable and unparalleled.” –Nylon

Evanescence 2019-2020 Tour Dates:

  • 11/30/19 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Knotfest 
  • 3/29/20 – Tokyo, Japan @ Download Festival 

  • 4/4/20 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *
  • 4/5/20 – Paris, France @ Accor Hotel Arena *
  • 4/7/20 – London, U.K. @ The O2 *
  • 4/9/20 – Berlin, Germany @ Velodrome *
  • 4/11/20 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle *
  • 4/12/20 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion *
  • 4/14/20 – Milan, Italy @ Mediolanum Forum *
  • 4/15/20 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith *
  • 4/17/20 – Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle *
  • 4/18/20 – Leipzig, Germany @ Leipzig Arena *
  • 4/20/20 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Hall *
  • 4/21/20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *
  • 4/22/20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *
  • 4/24/20 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *
  • 4/26/20 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal Main Hall *
  • 4/28/20 – Glasgow, U.K. @ The SSE Hyrdo *
  • 4/30/20 – Leeds, U.K. @ First Direct Arena * 

  • 5/1/20 – Birmingham, U.K. @ Arena Birmingham *
  • 5/14/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore 

* w/ Within Temptation

Follow Evanescence:

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube

Featured photo (top) by P.R. Brown