There is so much tuneage and so little time to consume it all.
You barely know the major news headlines in your city, let alone what music news you can look forward to enjoying.
Not to fear, music lovers.Lucky for us all, I overload my brain with music news 25/8, so I’m here to condense it into a pretty package for you.
Come to me every month for the top news tips, perfectly tailored for audiophiles: the albums to buy, the concerts to attend and, every so often, the music gossip you just can’t believe.
Here’s what’s happening this month:
Bob Dylan
The artist who almost needs no introduction, Bob Dylan, is bringing us his 35th studio album this month.
On Sept. 11, Dylan will release “Tempest,” and the first single from the highly anticipated release, “Duquesne Whistle,” is out now.
Let us not forget a huge highlight in American music and culture either: Earlier this year, Dylan received a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoring his profound impact as an artist and his extensive body of work as a singer-songwriter. Bow down to the Dylan.
Alanis Morissette
You Oughtta Know about a new Alanis Morissette album. (Jeez, that was awful. I’m sorry, but I had to.)
“Havoc and Bright Lights” dropped Aug. 28 and reflects a different side of Morissette. While her past efforts were inflammatory, albeit still perfect responses, to tumultuous relationships and pent-up confrontations, her latest release showcases her new roles as a wife and mother and, in my opinion, a veteran musician who’s paid her dues. The new approach is refreshing.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Morissette comments about how the `90s grunge-pop queen is now just another version of herself.
DeLuna Fest
Florida got itself a (real) music festival! Now in its third year, DeLuna Fest brings Pensacola Beach, Fla. a jam-packed, well-rounded lineup of artists, including Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Zac Brown Band headlining a list of more than 60 genre-spanning bands that are booked to rock.
Single-day and full-weekend passes are still available for three days of sun and sweet tunes from Sept. 21 to 23. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a festival that’s dubbing itself “America’s Original Beach Party”?
Of Montreal
Of Montreal. On campus. For free. As provided by RUB Entertainment, on Sept. 25, you can enjoy a full set from the indie rockers hailing from Athens, Ga., and opener, Gainesville’s own Xylitone.
Get to the Rion Ballroom of the Reitz Union early to save a spot in line, as wristbands will be given out at 6 p.m., doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is back, y’all! The trio comprised of Ben Folds, Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee, will release Sept. 18 its first album in 13 years titled “The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind.”
“Do It Anyway” is the first single and is characteristically BFF, proving the group has picked up exactly where it left off since “The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner.”
According to the band’s official website, the trio has teamed up with PledgeMusic, which coordinates artists and fan collaborations for charities and other projects. This means a portion of album and merchandise sales purchased through PledgeMusic will be donated to music education and music therapy. Listening to Ben Folds Five does us all a lot of good.