August 2026 NEWSLETTER

Hey everyone.  I have written the past few months about my medical adventures, and so I thought I would share this update with you all, without going into detail in this space.  Feel free to read and share that article, and I welcome all responses and especially commisserations.   I will tell you that the short of it is that I'm having prostate laser surgery on Sept. 2, and that all is great otherwise.  

Now, I want to talk about discovering music on streaming platforms, and in particular how cool it is to find that a band that we loved 30 or 40 years ago is releasing new music. 

In many cases, the artist  decided to put their catalog on streaming networks, and in the age of social media and direct contact with fans, realized there is something of a demand for new music. Or sometimes a band is a hot commodity for a few years, then abruptly splits up or just takes time to get married, have kids, raise kids.  Then when they realize that they are empty nesters, there is no reason not to get the band back together, literally or marginally; to make music and release it.  It's never been easier for independent artists to do this.  

I was reminded of this on Friday when my Spotify Release Radar had a very notable example of this--a one hit wonder of sorts from the late '90's--New Radicals.  I will say that pound for pound, I think their only album, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too, is one of the greatest pop albums in history.  Mastermind Gregg Alexander has a unique approach to songwriting--and his collaborations with Danielle Brisbois are next level catchy.  It doesn't hurt that they both have incredible voices.  

So in that playlist I saw a song by New Radicals, the apparent title track to a movie soundtrack, "One Night Only" and it sounds like vintage New Radicals, taking me back in time to 1998.  I hope there is more on the horizon.  I can tell you that this has happened with countless other bands, but in particular from the '80's I discovered that Go West, and also China Crisis had "new" music out.  In the case of Go West, they released a series of three EP's called 3D, parts 1, 2 and 3 in 2013; their first release since 1992's Indian Summer (note: I need more, guys!)  And China Crisis released Autumn in the Neighborhood in 2018, their first since 1989.  

Another band I followed and loved in early 00's was The Sheila Divine.  They released albums in 1999 and 2001, and an EP in 2002 before taking a 13 year break to return in 2015 with The Morbs.  I didn't love that one but they have since released two more, and their 2026 album The Middle Ages, is their best in 25 years.  U2 has been together this whole time, but I wanted to say that to me, "Street of Dreams" is their best song since The Joshua Tree album.   

Then there is the case of Broken Arrow, a band I grew up loving and going to see every Friday night in the early-mid '80's.  They have one commercial release, 1984's EP Moment of Truth.  But I've kept in touch with bassist and lead singer Joey Perez, and he told me the band was finally releasing their music on streaming platforms.  And they've since released five singles, the latest of which was on Friday-- the fan-favorite ballad "Afraid to Love"......take a listen, and I dare you not to get goosebumps when hearing those harmonies.

I've been down rabbit holes and I've climbed out of rabbit holes with armfuls of new music.  But my arms weren't as sore as in the mid '80's when I would spend a third of my weekly salary on vinyl records.   Please let me know by responding about what rabbit holes you've gone down lately.  

Thanks for reading and for listening to what we have on tap below.  See you next month!  -- Mike @ MJM

Upcoming new releases
Brian Lisik--....presents The Slovak Club (Oct/Nov 2026)
website: www.brianlisik.com
Tour dates: www.brianlisik.com/shows

Previously announced upcoming releases
Ned Hill--Saw Jesus at the Park (September 18)
Website: www.facebook.com/NedHillUSA/

Recent releases
Josh Joplin Group--Useful Music (The Silver Anniversary Sessions)
Website: www.joshjoplingroup.com
Tour dates: www.joshjoplingroup.com/shows

Badfish--"Topanga" (featuring SunDub) (single)
Website: www.badfish.com
Tour dates: www.badfish.com/tour
The Wildwoods--"Grenadine Red" (single)
Website: www.thewildwoodsband.comTour dates: www.thewildwoodsband.com/shows
Stew Cutler and Friends--Undercover (Mostly)
Website: www.stewcutler.com
Tour dates: www.stewcutler.com/calendar
Companies we currently partner with:
Rounder/Concord Records—We are currently working tour press for Concord Records and Rounder Records --  including some of Rounder's rising stars such as I'm With Her, Ken Pomeroy, John R. Miller, and Bella White.  On the Concord side, we are working with Boney James, esperanza spalding, Hiromi, Butcher Brown, and Lindsey Stirling.  There are always recent releases that these artists are supporting, so we have hyperlinked their respective online media kits.  
All Eyes Media--We have partnered with Nashville based PR company All Eyes Media to work tour press for rising star in the Americana/country/bluegrass/jam band realm, guitarist, singer, songwriter and amazing performer Daniel Donato and his band/brand, Cosmic Country.  DDCC is releasing their first live album, Ryman to Roberts, in August--a performance that was recorded last August at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
www.alleyesmedia.com
On tour
Cowboy Mouth
www.cowboymouth.com/tour-dates.html

Cowboy Junkies
www.cowboyjunkies.com/tour

David Wilcox
www.davidwilcox.com/shows

Church of Cash
www.churchofcashmusic.com/shows

Chris Knight
www.chrisknight.net/tour

Pure Prairie League
www.pureprairieleague.com/tour-dates

Red Wanting Blue
www.redwantingblue.com/tour                                       

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