Shaped by years of relentless dedication, coupled with the professional obstacles and recent health challenges she overcame, acclaimed Brooklyn-born country artist and songwriter Jessica Lynn has given everything to her upcoming album, All I Own — a deeply personal project that will be unveiled on January 17, 2025.
Jessica Lynn is not only a “powerhouse vocalist,” as Taste of Country described, but also an infectious songwriter with an undeniable, arena-ready stage presence. All combined, it has catapulted her into a well-seasoned touring machine, playing her songs to audiences around the world. Described as “country arena rock” by American Songwriter, Jessica is eager to challenge genre norms and carve out her own space in the industry. Just as her music career was taking flight, she nearly lost everything.
Following a routine sinus surgery that led to a battle with postoperative complications and muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), which threatened to derail both her voice and career, the 10-song All I Own stands as a testament to Jessica’s resilience. “I hid what I was going through from everyone because I was afraid we would lose tour dates, opportunities, and I didn’t really want to admit that it was real,” Jessica admitted. “I started singing as soon as I could talk and I started my first band when I was 13. Music is all I’ve ever known and the thought of potentially never being able to sing normally again was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words.”
Forced to record in short 10-minute intense bursts of vocal effort, Jessica channeled her struggles into the forthcoming album, each note carrying the weight of her recovery journey. She seamlessly wove double meanings into each track, inviting listeners to find their own stories within hers. Jessica has taken all of her blessings and hardships with grace, pouring her soul into every avenue she explores. This latest display of that can be heard on All I Own as she fought through her vocal injury — not even skipping a beat to ensure her music gets to be heard.
Whether it’s the heartwarming love story of “Something ‘Bout You,” inspired by her husband, or the industry critique hidden within “Bet On It,” Jessica’s music speaks to the complexity of life and love. Songs like “16 Miles” reflect her deeply personal path — written during a lonely tour stop on a ranch surrounded by 16 miles of nothing. Referring to the track as a “musician’s prayer,” she uses the metaphor of her surroundings to tell a story of holding on to faith in music even at the most lonely moments. Meanwhile, “You Save Me,” which features British Army veteran Liam Wakefield, is a tribute to music’s power to heal, blending themes of personal salvation and mental health support for veterans.
As many artists felt the blow of the pandemic, Jessica was hit heavily, with one of her biggest tours yet suddenly being cancelled and thousands of dollars lost. In 2022, her debut album, Lone Rider, renewed her faith, hitting the top of the charts on release weekend. She secured the #1 spot on Amazon Music in country music digitally in both the USA and UK, as well as Top 5 all genres. The album has since charted around the world in addition to reaching #41 on Billboard’s Top Current Country Albums Chart, securing Jessica’s spot as the only independent artist in the Top 45. “I almost quit before Lone Rider came out. I was in a very bad position financially, and I felt I had nowhere else to turn,” she admits. “On release day, I woke up feeling extremely upset and ashamed, as I had no money or means to promote the record I had worked so hard on. I’ll never forget breaking out in tears when I looked online, seeing surprisingly that we were skyrocketing to the top of the charts on multiple platforms. I really feel like it was a sign from above to keep going.”
Growing up with a love for country music fostered by her father — a retired NYPD officer — Jessica’s early memories are steeped in the storytelling tradition of legends like Glen Campbell and George Strait. Despite her New Yorker background, Jessica’s connection to country music could not be severed, blending raw emotion and intricate narratives that resonate with listeners worldwide. Her passion for combining music with philanthropy began at an early age, complete with performances at children’s hospitals and nursing homes. “It made me feel good inside to be able to use my talent to help others and that feeling never went away. Seeing the difference music can make is what inspires my music. It truly is magic,” she reflects. Eventually, Jessica took her talents to PBS, performing concert specials for the network alongside a relentless international touring schedule. Sharing stages with some of the most iconic names in the business (Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn, ZZ Top, Richard Marx, among others), her dynamic, high-energy performances showcasing her powerful voice and instrumental talents playing piano, guitar, harmonica, and drums have garnered rave reviews from critics worldwide while building a loyal global fan base.
The award-winning roots-rock octet Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado are back with their new single 'Climbed A Mountain.' The song combines energetic rock riffs, funky brass instruments and Thorbjørn Risager's characteristic vocals. At the same time, it gives a final taste of the powerful expression that will characterize the upcoming album 'House of Sticks', which will be released on 31 January via Provogue / Mascot Label Group.
An energetic journey through life's struggles with a captivating rock riff, small funky brass instruments and Thorbjørn Risager's characteristic, 'smoky' vocals, 'Climbed A Mountain' provides a powerful insight into the challenges we all face as humans.
Thorbjørn himself describes the song as follows: “The song revolves around themes such as the difficult circumstances of being human. It is about common feelings that we all know – melancholy, sadness or anxiety. Life is a struggle. We all have to climb a mountain, but hopefully we will also be allowed to enjoy the view once in a while.”
A unique blues-rock universe Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado are known for uniting the soul of the blues with the energy of rock and the rhythm of funk. 'Climbed A Mountain' builds on the band's ability to deliver music that both makes the floor shake and touches listeners with its deep, existential themes.
The song is the final foretaste of the album ‘House of Sticks’, which has already created expectations with the singles ‘ Long Time Ago’, ‘Already Gone’ and ‘Inner Light’. The album was recorded at Medley Studios and MillFactory NuVenue Studios in Copenhagen with Thorbjørn Risager, bassist Søren Bøjgaard and guitarist Joachim Svensmark as producers.
An unforgettable live experience over the past two decades, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado have played their way through more than 20 countries and countless stages – from intimate jazz clubs to large festivals. Along the way, they have won four Danish Music Awards, ‘Best Band’ at the European Blues Awards and the prestigious German Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Jahrespreis. The band’s explosive live shows and Thorbjørn Risager’s signature vocals have made them one of Scandinavia’s most prominent roots rock bands.
Today, Welsh metallers KING KRAKEN have released a brand new music video for their raucous new single 'Berserker'. The track, a slow-burning anthem that captures the raw power of Norse mythology, is the second to be released from their upcoming second album March Of The Gods, due for self-release on 18th April. Pre-save the album here and pre-order here.
In Norse mythology, a Berserker is a member of a class of ancient warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before battle, fighting with abnormal fury and courage. KING KRAKEN channel that into this thunderous single, vividly capturing the Viking valour with monolithic riffage, razor-sharp hooks and frontman Mark Donoghue's haunting vocals.
On the new single, the band comment:
"Our latest single is a Viking massacre packed with hooks and melody. The picturesque Norse imagery is prevalent throughout the track evoking a foot stomping assault on your senses, and as the second release from our forthcoming album March of the Gods, this track shows that we mean business. Think of beer swigging, fur covered, horned brutes shouting "Valhalla calls!" and you're almost there! 'Berserker' marks a proud moment for us as a band. It's a stomper of a track that sets the stage for the next chapter in our journey, and we can’t wait to unleash it upon the world."
King Kraken - Berserker
The band's new album March of the Gods is the eagerly awaited follow up to MCLXXX (2023). Rife with newfound musical depth, layers of texture and sublime dynamics, the album packs a hefty sonic punch that retains the power their debut established. From every slather of mythical grandeur and galloping triplet juggernaut to the pared back, heart on the sleeve, torch in the air moments, the band have found a masterful balance between light and shade. If 1180 was the year that the Kraken was first sighted, then 2025 should be the year that it’s well and truly heard.
"March of the Gods marks a bold new chapter for us - a high-energy, emotionally charged album that’s unapologetically packed with hooks, guitar-driven intensity, and larger- than-life storytelling," the band shares. "From zombies and Vikings to gods, destruction, and even the big red-horned one himself, this is our proudest, most electrifying work yet. With the album and our full UK tour kicking off in April, we can’t wait for you to hear it!"
2025 is already shaping up to be a busy year for The Kraken. With tours and standalone shows across the country and a special album launch party in the band's home town of Swansea, there's no better opportunity to exercise your neck muscles.
March Of The Gods 2025 UK Tour Dates:
19/04 - Hanger 18, Swansea
25/04 - The Cobblestones, Bridgwater
26/04 - Waterbear Venue, Brighton
02/05 - The Dev, Camden
03/05 - Roxoff Festival, Norwich
09/05 - Nightrain, Bradford
10/05 - Firebug, Leicester
17/05 - Quarantune Rocks, Coalville
23/05 - Breaking Bands Festival, Bromsgrove
24/05 - Rock for Llamau, The Patriot, Crumlin
06/06 - The Tin Music and Art, Coventry
07/06 - Bannermans, Edinburgh
08/06 - Audio, Glasgow
20/06 - Love Rocks Festival, Dorset
23/08 - Stonedead Festival, Nottingham
Tickets available here: https://www.kingkraken.co.uk/
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