New Music Weekend / 9/26-9/28/25

(New Music Weekend Intro)

Happy Weekend! There is so much goodness that’s been released – I’m just going to say:

“Go Subscribe, please”

And then who’s coming up for New Music Weekend: Robert Plant, Olivia Dean, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and a new release that I want for Christmas.

(Countdown Video)

New Music Weekend:

• Robert Plant released nine studio albums as a member of Led Zeppelin before it all came to an end on December 4th – 1980 (clip of “Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night”) Today, the Rock Legend just dropped his first album in nearly a decade – I mean, if you want to be specific – it’s been 8 years. (“Everybody’s Song” clip) Saving Grace is the 12th studio album with Plant playing the role of solo musician. However, Saving Grace was named after the band he had been performing with for over six years, which includes singer Suzi Dian (“As I Roved Out” clip) The album is a collection of ten cover songs that have been reinterpreted and reimagined, while digging into folk, blues, gospel, and alt-country. A deeper cut that I’ve enjoyed showcases the unique Saving Grace band chemistry and has Suzi Dian’s Lead Vocals – don’t worry, Robert Plant is still there. Here’s “Too Far From You” (“Too Far From You” clip)

• Back in August, I highlighted Olivia Dean on my Missed Music Monday – I wasn’t going to miss on her a 2nd time around with the arrival of the album – The Art of Loving (“Nice To Each Other”) My daughter loves belting out her own rendition of that one to the room whenever it’s played – “Nice To Each Other”, which was one of the early released singles. Here’s a newer one that I’ve been enjoying (“So Easy” clip) and yes with those warm and smoky vocals, it is “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” with Olivia Dean. Her sound is a genre-fluid mix of soul, jazz, and classic pop. (“Man I Need” clip) That’s the late-summer smash single, ‘Man I Need’ which has already made this record a huge success. However, let’s go even deeper. (“A Couple Minutes”) The track is “A Couple Minutes” and I feel it really showcases her smooth, classic pop side. If you haven’t already, get to know Olivia Dean or maybe I should say Olivia Lauryn Dean – her middle name is an homage to her parents’ favorite – Lauryn Hill. Let’s hear one more from the album: The Art of Loving and I really like these lyrics of hers stating that the silence is so loud (“Loud”)

• Just like Olivia Dean, here’s another band that I highlighted on a Missed Music Monday back in August. (“Dang”) “Dang” is the name of that song, which definitely gives you that signature, lyrical, RKS energy. RKS being Rainbow Kitten Surprise. (“bones”) That’s the album’s title track – “bones”. Now, the season is officially – Autumn – but I’m still enjoying that 2nd release off of bones called “100 Summers” (“100 Summers”) To go a little deeper on the album – by the way – 10 tracks in all. And – we’re going to go to track #10 which is also the longest song on the album. For this – you have Rainbow Kitten Surprise showing a moodier, more expansive sound. This is “Tropics” (“Tropics”)

• Several quick hits of new music: Tate McRae released a surprise single called “Tit For Tat.” Does she have a video of that one yet? // Five albums to drive around and listen to this weekend – I always love doing that with every album: Amanda Shires, Doja Cat, Geese, Jeff Tweedy, and Mariah Carey (Christmas clip) Sorry – I know it’s still September, but it’s getting closer. // The 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway was released (clip). That’s old time Genesis with Phil Collins still on drums and Peter Gabriel at the mic. Available as 4CDs or 5LPs – Christmas wish has officially been placed. (more Christmas clip)

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that! Anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #271

(A high-energy clip of the intro to the St. Vincent track “Big Time Nothing”)

Today, we celebrate the 43rd birthday of the one and only Annie Clark . . . better known as St. Vincent.

(more “Big Time Nothing”)

Her music is a masterclass in creative evolution—she’s constantly changing, constantly pushing boundaries, but always being true to her artistic vision.

(“Big Time Nothing” hook)

That commitment to a unique vision is key to this 5K streak. Running isn’t always glamorous, but it is my daily creative act. So, just like yesterday and just like tomorrow – today, I ran.

(Video Slide of Day #271)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The only way to fail is to stop creating.” – by St. Vincent (Annie Clark)

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #270

(A high-energy clip of the intro to “Ants Marching”)

On this date back in 1994 – the Dave Matthews Band released their first major-label album, Under The Table and Dreaming.

(More “Ants Marching” clip)

The band was road-tested for many years—but they kept on grinding it out before success finally hit. It’s not a sudden hit; it’s a long haul, day after day.

(“What Would You Say” clip)

What would I say? Every time, I lace up my shoes for a run, I’m building my own reality. This morning – I ran.

(Video Slide of 5K Day #270)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The world is what you make of it.” – by Dave Matthews

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #269

(A high-energy clip of the intro to “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar)

Today, we are celebrating the birthday of one of the greatest athletes of our generation – Serena Williams.

(More “Not Like Us” clip)

Her story is one of sheer endurance, showing up every day, and never letting the journey defeat the dream.

(One more “Not Like Us” clip)

You’re doing the work others won’t. You have to believe in the dream of making it to the full year of 5K Every Day – okay, that’s mine. Serena brought a racket everywhere. What’s yours because you’ve got to be different to reach the end goal.

(Video Slide of 5K Day #269)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Everyone’s dream can come true if you just stick to it and work hard.” – by Serena Williams

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #268

(A clip of the intro to “Lose Control”)

Today is the birthday of Jaten Dimsdale, who despite being 5′ 7″, was pushed by his parents to play football. Thankfully, he tackled what he’s really good at – singing in the name of Teddy Swims.

(More of “Lose Control”)

So, despite being told to play football, he had a dream to make music. AND – he released a ton of singles that went unnoticed, but you know what – he never gave up.

(“Always comes back around to simple things” lyric from “Simple Things”)

The simple things – try your best, keep getting back at it, don’t give up – and for me, the 5K Every Day streak continues on

(Video Slide of Day #268)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“My purpose in life is to be myself.” – by Teddy Swims

He may be Teddy Swims, but today, I’m simply Brent Runs. And that’s the simple truth.”

Happy 33rd Birthday, Teddy!

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #267

(A clip of the intro to “Smells Like Teen Spirit”)

On this day in 1991, there was a lot of good music released. New albums dropped from The Pixes, A Tribe Called Quest, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bryan Adams – hey, I like Bryan Adams – and, of course, the record that changed music forever: Nirvana’s Nevermind

(Hook from “Smells Like Teen Spirit”)

Yes, the record with the album cover of the baby and its (shake my pinky) hanging out while chasing a dollar bill was nothing but honest and raw goodness that defined the grunge era. 13 tracks in all My favorite was #11 “On A Plain”

(clip from “On A Plain”)

While running today – I took part in my Nirvana and enjoyed Kurt’s wailing in my ears.

(Video Slide of 5K Day #267)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – by Kurt Cobain

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #266

(A clip of the intro to “Glory Days”)

Today is the 76th birthday of the one and only Bruce Springsteen, who sang about the long road and the spirit of a working-class hero.

(“Born to Run” clip)

You know, the road of my 5K Every Day streak is a long one – I realize that daily it’s only 5K, but I’m going for the full year. And as The Boss taught us all, you just have to show up and do the work. This morning – I ran.

(Video Slide of Day #266)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The first thing I learned was that you can’t be afraid to fail.” – by Bruce Springsteen

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #265

(Musical Intro to “Can’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me”)

Happy first day of Autumn … or Fall that’s just how cool this season is that it has 2 different options for names. Also, it’s officially OK to have your pumpkin spice and drink it too.

(Hook from “Can’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me”)

That’s Weezer with their song – “Can’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me” which is off their Autumn album – released 3 years ago today.

(“Run, Raven, Run”)

And that’s the last track “Run, Raven, Run” which is how I transition to I ran this morning.

(Video Slide of Day #264)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The only thing I’m really good at is being myself.” – by Rivers Cuomo

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #264

(“Jesus of Suburbia” clip)

On this date, back in 2004 – Green Day released one of their most aggressive and controvesial albums

(“I don’t care” clip from “Jesus of Suburbia”)

Besides their Dookie album, this is probably my favorite – American Idiot

(“American Idiot” clip)

The album is a rock opera about a long, confusing, and sometimes frustrating journey. Sort of sounds like my 5K Every Day streak and what travels through my head – today, I ran.

(Video Slide of Day #264)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Music is the last true voice of the free spirit.” – by Billie Joe Armstrong

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New Music Weekend / 9/19-9/21/25

(New Music Weekend Intro)

Happy Weekend! I’m going to hit you all up with some of my blue cards before we get to the fun. First – “Smile More” – seriously, it feels good. Second – “Go Subscribe” – everywhere. Instagram, YouTube, Newsletter – please and thank you. Finally – “New Music Weekend”

Who’s coming up! Wednesday – which is sorta funny to say for a “New Music Weekend” video, also zoey808, Lyell, and The Paradox

(Countdown Video)

New Music Weekend:

• If you mention “Wednesday” around me, unfortunately I do NOT think of this band – mainly because I have a little girl who’s 9 (“Wednesday Main Titles” clip from Danny Elfman) Therefore, the “Wednesday” show on Netflix is top of mind here in my household, but this band called Wednesday, I actually already had saved to my Spotify library their 2023 album: Rat Saw God (“Bull Believer” clip) I really wish Spotify had a section where you could add personal notes, because I want to know why I had added that album, did someone suggest it? Did I highlight a song before and maybe my memory is really going this time? (“Reality TV Argument Bleeds” clip) Regardless, the band Wednesday has a new album out called Bleeds and we just heard a clip of the opening song – “Reality TV Argument Bleeds” which sets the tone for the entire album. (“Elderberry Wine” clip) However – that “Elderberry Wine” song – FYI, not an Elton John cover, but an original. Critics are quick to point out that there was less noise and distortion on that song – so you get a softer side of Wednesday (“Wasp” clip) But then there’s songs like “Wasp”, so you can still enjoy the furious blast of noise that Wednesday is known for. The next single being pushed off the Bleeds album is “Townies” – it also conveniently has a video to go along with it (“Townies” clip)

• I’ve been a fan of BBNO$ since – well, didn’t we all like the song “edamame”? (“Edamame” clip) Next month, he has a new album dropping on the 17th, but just last week, I heard a new single that he collaborated on with Zoey808 (“Fight or Flight” clip) Which then led me to – who’s Zoey808? (“Oscillator” clip) I read and don’t believe everything you read, but in Brent world – this made sense – “zoey808” is likely a way of combining the artist name “Zoey” with a direct reference to the legendary drum machine which heavily influences his music – the Roland TR-808 (“Collect” clip) That song “Collect” has been described as an “adrenaline shot of bass-driven chaos.” Zoey808 delivers a unique blend of UK garage rhythms and heavy basslines. I typically don’t go near the water of Electronic music, but I am having fun with this new album called: WHOISZOEY? – didn’t I just answer that? – Another song to enjoy from this album – it was actually released end of May, but it’s a good one to get a sense of Zoey808’s signature sound – “LeftRight” (“LeftRight” clip)

• Several quick hits of new music: Over the past so many months, Lyell has given us 5 singles. Today, we a 6th and it’s been packaged up with the other 5 for a 6-pack EP titled: Pushing Up Daisies (“A Christmas Story” clip of Ralphie saying the “Pushing Up Daisies” line) I couldn’t help myself – I thought of “A Christmas Story” – Nevertheless, go listen to the new Lyell EP // Five albums available at your listening pleasure this weekend: Cardi B, Lola Young, Nine Inch Nails, Young Thug, and possibly Brent Faiyaz – the ICON album should be released soon // Just like Lyell, The Paradox dropped a 6-pack EP today. I had locked in on these guys ever since they released their song “Do Me Like That” (“Do Me Like That” clip) Since that tune, they gave us 3 more singles – one of which included Blink-182’s Travis Barker (“Bender” clip) The EP title uses the acronym Not Safe Work For Work: NSFW. Two of the six songs we haven’t heard before – I’m enjoying “No Strings Attached” (“No Strings Attached” clip)

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that! Anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the word wherever you can