Month: December 2020

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Haulix Recommends: The Incredible Records That Saved 2020

Haulix Recommends Best New Music of 2020

In a year where nothing went as planned, music carried us through with unforgettable hooks and fiery riffs that we will be spinning well into 2021.

Ranting about the moments and experiences 2020 stole from us is effortless. There are trips never taken, concerts delayed, albums shelved, and potential life-changing opportunities that never came to fruition. At Haulix, we are trying hard to reflect on all the good that 2020 brought, especially with music. There are albums and artists we discovered this year that made the last twelve months more bearable. We heard songs that we will sing until our lungs give out, and we found a lot of emerging talent that we will see as soon as live music returns.

It is impossible to name all the artists and records that made this year worth surviving, but here are ten releases we believe saved 2020.

Laura Jane Grace – Stay Alive (Polyvinyl)

Punk icon and bestselling author Laura Jane Grace gave 2020 a much-needed dose of good news by surprising her fans earlier this week with Stay Alive, the singer/songwriter’s first solo album. Featuring fourteen tracks produced by Steve Albini in early July, the record perfectly depicts the swirling chaos of emotions that many have felt throughout 2020. It’s a record about wanting to be anywhere other than where you are, possibly in someone else’s skin, all while coming to terms with the ever-present need to love ourselves. It’s an album that is both aching for escape and basking in the often overlooked pleasures of being alone, which is to say, it’s a perfect summary of what most of us are dealing with right now. 

Spiritbox – Holy Roller 7” (Rise Records)

Spiritbox is the best new band of this and any other year in recent memory.  Formed in 2017 by husband and wife duo Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringe, Spiritbox recently signed with Rise Records as part of a partnership between the influential label and Pale Chord. The first product of that deal is this 7”, which packages the group’s breakout single with a remix featuring Crystal Lake vocalist Ryo Kinoshita. The new track doesn’t add length to the song, but it does help make an already brutal song hit a bit harder. That should be enough fans champing at the bit for the band’s next release, which we hope arrives sooner than later. Until then, “Holy Roller” remains a strong contender for song of the year

Bearings – Hello, It’s You (Pure Noise)

Canadian rock band Bearings deliver a large amount of heart and hooks with their latest full-length record. Hello, It’s You captures the epic highs of young love and our deep-rooted longing to belong in a manner that never ceases to captivate its audience. Do you wish you were anywhere else doing anything else right now? Have you found yourself yearning to find a way back to a simpler time? Are you embracing the endless possibilities of adulthood with wide-eyes and a cautious spirit? If one or more of these questions hit home, then there is at least one song on this record for you.

Run The Jewels – RTJ4

Some may say RTJ4 is more of the same, but that is an oversimplification of Run The Jewels’ latest offering. The elements that fans have come to expect are present, yes, but they are more refined. The beats are funkier, and there is more precision in the lyrics. The message of RTJ4 is never up for debate. Run The Jewels make groove-heavy rap for a working-class population that is more aware than ever of the oppression that they face and the need for immediate change. Though the duo cannot facilitate systemic upheaval on their own, they are doing their part and ask that we do the same.

Lamb Of God – Lamb of God (Epic)

Expecting Lamb of God to deliver a great album is like expecting grass to be green or water to be wet. The metal titans are one of the longest-running bands in the modern heavy music scene, and they never miss their mark. Lamb of God’s music speaks to the importance of maintaining forward momentum and how personal evolution is the key to a long and happy existence. That isn’t to say that progress is smooth or doesn’t require pain, but the group’s 2020 self-titled album tells us that endurance through hard times often produces the most significant art and understanding that humans can achieve.

Sharptooth – Transitional Forms (Pure Noise)

Transitional Forms is about more than music scenes and whatever stupid rules people try to enforce within it. Much like Sharptooth’s catalog, the album aims at numerous political and societal issues. It touches on economic strife, sexual assault, vulnerability, and how far too many people never practice what they preach. It captures the struggle and anger experienced by oppressed people from different walks of life and lays bare that things must change. It’s a call to action as much as it is a razor-sharp criticism of those who continue to walk through life, turning a blind eye to the realities of existence. Over the last decade, the group’s travels have shown them that most people want things to change, but few are willing to get off their asses and do the work necessary. Sharptooth is already doing their part, so why can’t you?

Best Ex – Good At Feeling Bad (No Sleep)

Not one to fall into the tropes of Bukowski or Salinger that entangle many of her musical peers, Mariel Loveland’s style of storytelling is one of wide-eyed optimism presented in the face of uncertainty with unabashed honesty. She’s neither the hero nor the villain in her journey. Her perspective is that of a world traveler that has felt the overwhelming joy of mass acceptance and the cold chill of failure. Good At Feeling Bad, the latest work from Best Ex, is about what comes after all that, where the real adventure begins. Loveland knows anything is possible, and she’s open to whatever the next chapter entails. [Full review]

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – Reunions (Southeastern)

Reunions examines the role we play in the world around us. Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, leave no rock unturned in their search for answers to life’s biggest questions regarding purpose and grief. The album provides few solutions on either front but finds comfort in acknowledging that we are on this journey through the chaos of existence. If we can learn to love one another and shed the weight of stress and mistakes from our past, Isbell believes we can find a lasting sense of peace amidst the turmoil of our daily lives. It’s a big idea that some will think impossible, and he understands that. Rather than giving listeners an optimistic ear-beating, he focuses on crafting undeniably soulful songs in hopes people will reconsider our limitless potential for change. [Full review]

Trivium – What The Dead Men Say (Roadrunner)

What The Dead Men Say, Trivium’s ninth studio album, reflects on the past in hopes of saving the future. The band – Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu, Paolo Gregoletto, and Alex Bent – pull from everything they’ve done to deliver an album that serves as a thesis statement for Trivium’s career. It’s a relentlessly heavy yet undeniably melodic exploration of existence that pulls from philosophy and mythology in equal measure to paint an elaborately-detailed portrait of what makes us human. Fans will hear hints of the youthful confidence that fueled Ember To Inferno and  Ascendency, alongside the grit of In Waves and melancholy of Silence In The Snow. How Trivium combines these seemingly conflicting ideas gel is one of the record’s many wonders. That said, the real mastery lies in their ability to do so while also creating incredibly accessible music for new listeners. [Full review]

Fit For A King – The Path (Solid State)

Growing up is never easy. Fit For A King has been the go-to breakdown band of modern metalcore fans for the last decade, but The Path marked a clear attempt at evolution unlike anything found on the group’s previous releases. The band didn’t abandon their roots as much as they continued to develop their signature combination of riffs, thunderous drums, emotional catharsis, and high-gloss production. The result is The Path, an undeniable sonic leap forward that is as catchy as it is empowering. It’s the kind of record that makes you believe anything is possible while motivating you to work harder toward becoming your best self. It’s what all great music you should be, and we cannot wait to hear where the band goes from here.

The records highlighted here represent a tiny fraction of the many great releases promoted through Haulix in 2020. We want to thank all of our clients for their continuing effort to bring great music to the masses. Let’s work together to make 2021 the best it can become.

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News

YouTube Lessons From 2020 and Our Big Plans for 2021 [VIDEO]

Despite everything that happened this year, 2020 taught us a lot about building a brand and audience on YouTube, the world’s premier video platform.

You can fill blog after blog with details about 2020 and all that went wrong in it, from the spread of the Coronavirus to the ensuing shutdown of practically everything related to entertainment that followed. You can write about the live music drought and how no one can agree on when the shows we bought tickets for way back in 2019 may actually happen. You can complain about the stars who left completed albums on shelves because they feared what might happen if they released music during a pandemic. Unfortunately, you can find countless examples of artists using their platform to spread misformation about everything from COVID-19 to the 2020 presidential election. This year is as messy as any year on record, and we are happy to be leaving it behind later this week.

But before we leave 2020 behind us, we think it is important also to recognize the good. We saw record client growth, despite a lack of releases from major labels. We spoke with and learned from people in dozens of countries at all hours of the day. We shared our problems with others, and more often than not, they shared theirs right back. We grew closer as an industry because, for once, everyone was going through the same thing at the same time.

As a company, Haulix spreads its message of hope and music business education through various channels. We have two podcasts, a blog, a live panel series, and a YouTube channel. That last one, which we call Music Biz, grew in leaps and bounds throughout 2020. Our audience swelled to more than 2,000 subscribers, which marks a 300% growth compared to 2019. We shared more than a hundred videos on topics such as music business education, finding careers in music, marketing on social media, and what scams are most likely to trick young artists. We did all of this to help people and build a community. Hopefully, we did both well.

In this Music Biz update, James Shotwell shares lessons we’ve learned about establishing a YouTube brand. He also looks to the future, outlining goals and hopes for 2021. We have a lot of work ahead, and we sincerely hope you’ll join us for the journey.

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Industry News News Podcasts

Good Bison’s Pablo Alvarez appears on the Inside Music Podcast

In the midst of a massive press push for Scattered Storms, Good Bison’s Pablo Alvarez stops by Inside Music to discuss his tireless work ethic.

Pablo Alvarez has a problem, and he believes it has hurt his career. Despite releasing a steady stream of music that fans and critics alike praise, he fears he never pushes his work as wee as he can. Like many artists, Pablo is obsessed with his craft. He pours himself into each song and project, pushing every ounce of creativity he has within himself to the absolute limit. It’s an exhausting effort of self-expression that has built a healthy following, but he believes he’s capable of more. If he can find the drive to promote himself as much as he works to create, Pablo is confident that he will excel in ways that have previously felt out of reach.

Good Bison’s new EP, Scattered Storms, is Pablo’s chance to live differently. For the first time in his career, Pablo is determined to make this release as big and inescapable as possible. He’s working hard on promotional materials, press opportunities, and fan engagement. He’s doing everything artists are taught to do if they wish to succeed, and he’s finding a lot of joy in the process. What comes of it remains to be seen, but Pablo can rest knowing he’s fully committed to doing the work.

On this episode of Inside Music, one of Pablo’s many interviews ahead Scattered Storms, host James Shotwell asks about the creative process behind the first EP of 2021 that everyone needs to hear. Pablo shares how his family and life experiences inform the material on the record, as well as stories behind some of the EP’s most notable tracks. Check it out!

Inside Music is brought to you by Haulix.com, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Join thousands of musicians, including Slipknot, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, I Prevail, and more, in promoting your new music with the world’s most trusted service. Learn more and started your free, 30-day trial by visiting http://haulix.com/signup today!

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Industry News News

New COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Makes Illegal Streaming A Felony

The latest pandemic relief bill from Congress does more than help boost a declining economy, and we have the details.

The United States Congress has finally agreed on a second pandemic relief bill that will pump billions of dollars into the nation’s economy. These stimulus efforts include $600 checks to every citizen and billions to help independent venues. The package also includes a bevy of new laws and acts, including one plan to make illegal streaming a felony in the US.

Among the various proposal included in the latest relief deal is a proposal from Senator Thom Tillis (a Republican from North Carolina) that would make illegal streaming a felony, with penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment.

When Tillis released a draft of his proposal earlier this month, the open internet/intellectual property nonprofit Public Knowledge released a statement arguing that there’s no need “for further criminal penalties for copyright infringement,” but also saying that the bill is “narrowly tailored and avoids criminalizing users” and “does not criminalize streamers who may include unlicensed works as part of their streams” — instead, it focuses on those who pirate for commercial gain.

In short, the bill proposes to amend US copyright law by adding a section that allows streaming piracy services to be targeted. It is tailored towards services that exploit streaming piracy for commercial gain, leaving individual streamers out of the crosshairs.

Commenting on the bill, Senator Tillis notes that pirate streaming services are costing the US economy billions of dollars every year. The new legislation should help to change this without criminalizing regular streamers.

“This commonsense legislation was drafted with the input of creators, user groups, and technology companies and is narrowly targeted so that only criminal organizations are punished and that no individual streamer has to worry about the fear of prosecution,” Tillis said.

Lawmakers received input from rightsholders as well as the CCIA, which includes prominent members such as Amazon, Cloudflare, Facebook, and Google. The CCIA has previously been critical of streaming felony bills, but it will now remain neutral.

The same applies to the civil rights group Public Knowledge, which also helped in shaping the new bill. While Public Knowledge isn’t in favor of adding criminal penalties for copyright infringement, it sees the new proposal as a reasonable solution.

“[T]his bill is narrowly tailored and avoids criminalizing users, who may do nothing more than click on a link, or upload a file. It also does not criminalize streamers who may include unlicensed works as part of their streams,” says Meredith Rose, Public Knowledge’s Senior Policy Counsel.

Senator Tillis’ bill will likely be a hot topic of conversation in the months ahead. Stay tuned for more.

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Industry News News

Congress Allocates $15 Billion To Help #SaveOurStages [VIDEO]

After nine months without concerts or assistance, independent concert venues across the US may soon receive a much-needed helping hand.

Congress is (hopefully) hours away from passing a long-awaited second COVID-19 relief package to boost the economy and help citizens nationwide. Much of the coverage around the package has focused on the $600 stimulus checks Americans will receive, but there is another piece of the package that has the music industry crying tears of joy. It turns out, Congress may #SaveOurStages after all.

According to USA Today’s Nicholas Wu, the relief package incorporates the  Save Our Stages Act (#SaveOurStages). First introduced by Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota over the summer, the act calls for six months of financial support to “keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector for communities across America.” Under the original proposal, venues would be provided grants accounting for either 45% of a business’ operation costs from the previous year or $12 million in total — whichever is the lesser amount. Venues would then be allowed to use that money to pay off “costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic” as well as rent, utilities, mortgages, personal protective equipment, maintenance, administrative costs, taxes, and expenses to meet local and federal social distancing guidelines.

“We’re thrilled that Congress has heard the call of shuttered independent venues across the country and provided us a crucial lifeline by including the Save Our Stages Act in the COVID-19 Relief Bill,” said Dayna Frank, owner & CEO of First Avenue Productions and Board president of NIVA.

“We’re also incredibly grateful that this bill provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which will help the millions of people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own during this economic crisis. We urge swift passage of this legislation, which will assist those in the greatest need and ensure the music lives on for generations to come.” 

Congress is expected to pass the latest COVID-19 relief bill before Christmas. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the legislation as soon as it is presented to him. Follow Haulix for more updates on the #SaveOurStages movement while the industry waits for live music to return in 2021.

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Industry News News

Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Your Fans! [Video]

It’s not too late to give a gift to the fans who spent 2020 supporting you despite a global pandemic and unprecedented levels of economic struggle.

2020 is a year we will all discuss for the rest of our lives. Where we were, what we experienced, and who we lost will be topics of conversation for as long as we have air in our lungs. In many ways, this awful year has brought us together in a way that no other can. We’re surviving something together, which is why it’s important that this year — more than any other — end with each of us giving thanks to those that have given us their support.

Let’s face it: Nobody had the mental or emotional capacity to endure 2020 alone. We’ve gone through the various stages of grief several times over by this point, and we’ll continue mourning the things that never happened, at least until some ‘normalcy’ returns. People are leaning on one another a lot, and that includes musicians. We all know an artist is nothing without fans, but that was proven undeniable this year, as a lack of live performances cratered musicians’ earning potential everywhere. The performers who continue to create now do so because their audience has given them an unprecedented amount of support, and today, we’re going to help you give back.

You probably cannot afford to send every fan a gift, but that’s okay. Fans don’t need nicely wrapped presents from their favorite musicians to feel specials. All any fan really wants is to know the musicians they love know they exist and that they appreciate their support. Christmas is a time to show this kind of recognition and appreciation, which is why we’re giving you four last-minute gift ideas in our latest Music Biz 101 update:

First and foremost, everyone loves free stuff, and your fans would go crazy for new music. If you have the time, record your take on a holiday classic and offer it to listeners. You can also share b-sides, demo recordings, or alternate versions of previously released material. Got a live recording? That works too! Give your fans something new without asking for anything in return, and your appreciation will be clear.

Don’t have any rare or unreleased music to share? No problem! Most or possibly all of your fans have not seen you live this year. Your audience craves face to face interaction, and one way to do that in the age of COVID is through sharing a video update. Tell your fans about your life amid the pandemic. What have you been up to? Are you recordings, or are you focusing on your families? Did you fall in love, have a child, or start a side hustle? Let your fans into your lives, and that will help maintain their connection to your work.

Third, and somewhat similar to the second option, is to host a digital hangout with fans. You can do that through Zoom and Google Hangouts, among other services. You can use these events to do anything you want, from talking with fans to performing new music. No matter what you choose to do, these digital events provide an opportunity for your fan community to come together, strengthening the bond between fans and between listeners and your music.

Finally, if none of those options work, consider giving your fans a discount. Use coupon codes to offer fans a final chance to pick up some merch before the year ends. 

More ideas can be found in the video above. If we missed anything, let us know! Suggestions can be sent to james@haulix.com.

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Editorials Industry News News Recommendations

Haulix New Music Recommendations for December 18, 2020

Offering something for everyone, the latest new music Friday features Swedish metal legends and Australian pop-punk newcomers.

Life will probably never be the same as it was before the COVID pandemic took the world by storm. Mourning the loss of the world we knew is normal, but it’s important to recognize all the good that continues to exist. Each new week brings us music that has the potential to change countless lives, and this week’s batch of new releases is no exception. There are too many good records for us to mention, but here are four we believe everyone should experience. This is the best new music of the week.

grabyourface – Sea
(Negative Gain)

The new face of modern goth, grabyourface explores the depths of their soul by crafting lush, expansive songs about the human condition. Sea is a six-song collection focusing on mental health. The record addresses how anxiety and depression can inform our worldview while also tackling abuse, PTSD, and more violence in a manner that only they can. If that sounds heavy, it’s because Sea is exactly that, but it’s also one of our favorite EPs of the year. Allow yourself to become lost in the melodies of this record. You never know what you may discover.

American Dream Machine – Deadhearts

For many people, 2020 has felt like an ending, but American Dream Machine might disagree. The modern rock band is releasing its debut album, Deadhearts, this week. The record takes all the uncertainty, stress, and frustrations that many of us feel right now and channel those elements into hard-hitting songs with soaring hooks you won’t soon forget. These 10 tracks flow seamlessly together, and the production from  Kile Odell (Motionless in White, Awake At Last) will no doubt keep you coming back for more.

Stuck Out –
Lie Through Your Teeth (Sharptone Records)

Australians are handling COVID-19 better than most Americans, and now they’re bringing that same skill level to pop-punk. Stuck Out’s four-song Sharptone Records debut brings the energy of Warped Tour and pairs it with a grounded sense of realism. This is about as close to pop-punk for adults as any band can hope to create. It’s a fresh bit of harsh reality set to anthemic song structures that leave you feeling hopeful, even if the world is still falling apart.

WOMBBATH –
Tales of Madness (Transcending Obscurity)

It’s no secret that Europe knows metal. Every other continent may believe they’ve gotten a handle on the medium, but European musicians are heavier, more prolific, and more interesting than any other group on the planet. With that in mind, Sweden’s WOMBBATH delivers a devastatingly brutal epic with Tales Of Madness, an eight-track record that is not for the faint of heart. The release reimagines some of the group’s earliest work, which may be new to fans outside the group’s home country, and takes listeners on an unforgettable journey. Make sure you wear a seatbelt and a helmet when embarking on this ride. 

New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.

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Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

Music Streaming Is Stalling. Should We Worry?

After bouncing back from historic lows in March, music streaming is beginning to stall, but is it time for the industry to panic?

In the decade since its rise to industry dominance began, music streaming has consistently grown, adding more songs and subscribers with each passing day. The tech has evolved as well, allowing for offline streaming, engaging looping videos, unique artist-specific promotional opportunities, and more. Streaming is an incredible sector of the music industry, which in many ways is still in its infancy, but that doesn’t mean the good times will last forever.

There’s good and bad news, so let’s start with the good. Streaming services have continued to add U.S. subscribers this year, according to MIDiA Research, growing by 11 million paying users from January to September, to 117.9 million. Global growth has continued as well.

Now for the bad news. Despite the rising number of subscribers, the total number of streams has remained the same for the last four months. According to Billboard, audio music streams have averaged 17.5 billion a week since September. That’s up slightly from the early March pre-pandemic peak, before the lockdown cut music listening down by 13% to a year low of fewer than 15 billion streams, as consumers stopped commuting and obsessed over the news. Streaming gradually rebounded, increasing 15% by the end of June — but has plateaued since.

Streaming music consumption in 2020

These numbers do not include podcast streams, which may be a good thing for streaming services. Spotify and other streaming companies have invested hundreds of millions into podcasting over the last two years. These services don’t share as much revenue with podcasts — many of which they now own — as they do musicians. A rise in podcast consumption means more money stays with the streaming service, which is bound to make investors happy, even if it means hurting the music business.

Let’s talk about the music business because that is what matters here. There are possible explanations for stagnant consumption, and most appear to be temporary. For starters, the vast majority of consumers no longer have a commute for work. The time between leaving home and arriving at a job is when many adult listeners consume the majority of their music content. A similar event is happening with young listeners and school. No bus rides, field trips, or walks to and from class equates to a lot less time when consumers are likely to put on headphones and turn on music.

There’s also an argument to be made that stagnation is due, at least in part, to a slow release schedule. While many indie artists pushed forward with release plans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, labels with significant investments in their talent may choose to hold releases until the imminent return of live music. Labels and major talent — many of whom entered 2020 with plans and promises to release music — need the revenue from touring to recouped production and promotion costs, so until touring is feasible, most choose to hold records that may otherwise be ready to go. We’ve spoken to several labels sitting on anywhere from one to twelve releases that are completed but still have no release date because of the uncertainties surrounding live music in 2021.

These factors, plus the rising popularity of podcasts, have put the music in a unique position. While video streaming services such as HBO Max are doubling their release efforts to consumers engaging with their product, many in the music industry are trying to wait out the pandemic. They’re giving fans just enough to let them know they’re still active. Unlike most video platforms, music streaming services do not directly produce music content on their platforms. Spotify doesn’t necessarily need a new Drake release to make money. Drake and his team need that release. Apple Music doesn’t need a new Lizzo album. Lizzo and her fans need a new Lizzo album.

But should we worry? I don’t believe so. As we enter 2021 with the promise of vaccines and the potential for some level of normalcy, the industry is the most hopeful and enthusiastic it has been since March. By the time we hit the first anniversary of lockdown in three months, music’s role in the remainder of the year will be clear. If live music returns, many office jobs and schools will as well. Commutes will return, prominent artists will release big records, and live events will remind everyone what makes music special. Human beings have turned to music in the darkest times and the best moments throughout our history. The majority of consumers may be distracted by more pressing matters at the moment, but that passion has not gone away. No film or streaming series can compare to the way hearing the right song at the right time can make you feel, and that is something consumers will always want.

Be patient. The future is bright.

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Industry News News Podcasts

VRSTY’s Joey Varela Appears on the Latest Inside Music Podcast

Riding high on a wave of critical and fan acclaim, VRSTY’s Joey Varela stops by Inside Music to discuss his debut EP for Spinefarm Records.

The rockstars of tomorrow don’t need bands to be successful. They need band members to tour, of course, but there is a new breed of musicians creating elaborate records entirely on their own. These swiss army knife artists carve a relationship with followers that allow fans to experience the full extent of their talents. It’s a type of career made possible in large part by the internet, and Joey Varela is one of the artists leading the way.

Joey Varela is the mastermind behind VRSTY, a genre-bending rock project that recently released its debut EP, Cloud City, through Spinefarm Records. He uses his time on Inside Music to discuss songwriting, finding bandmates and maintaining creative momentum amid a global pandemic. It’s a must-hear conversation for DIY artists everywhere, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you today.

Inside Music is brought to you by Haulix.com, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Join thousands of musicians, including Slipknot, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, I Prevail, and more, in promoting your new music with the world’s most trusted service. Learn more and started your free, 30-day trial by visiting http://haulix.com/signup today! 

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Haulix Industry News News Podcasts

High Notes Podcast Season Two Debuts Online

The world’s first recovery podcast set in the music business, High Notes, returns with ten new episodes available today worldwide.

Today – Tuesday, December 15th – Haulix.com, in partnership with heartsupport and the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, has released HIGH NOTES, a podcast about addiction and recovery in the music industry. The full 10-episode second season debuts today on all podcast platforms.  Listen and subscribe https://linktr.ee/highnotes.

“At Haulix, in addition to taking care of our customers, we take pride in using our industry reach to educate and shine a light on topics less heard about, like addiction and recovery,” says company founder and CEO Matt Brown. “Our High Notes series lets us tap into real-world experiences spoken by the artists themselves.”

The second season of HIGH NOTES features exclusive, in-depth conversations with rock and alternative musicians in various recovery stages. Guests include Shannon Larkin of Godsmack, Craig Mabbitt of Escape The Fate, Eric Christopher of Hospital Bracelet, Ben Liebsch of You, Me, And Everyone We Know, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire, Donovan Melero of Hail The Sun, singer/songwriter Janet Devlin, Trevor Hedges of Sundressed, and indie newcomer Kat Hamilton. Each episode delves into a different guest’s journey to sobriety and the role the music business played in helping (or hurting) their recovery.

“We believe in the power of conversation,” says host James Shotwell. “The second season of our show looks at addiction and recovery from a variety of fresh perspectives. The discussions we have can be tough to hear at times, but we always emphasize hope. We want everyone listening to know that there are always people who love and believe in them no matter how bad things appear. Our team and our guests want to cheer on our audience the same way they cheer for their favorite musicians.”

The first season of HIGH NOTES premiered in July of 2020. The 8-episode season featured Brian “Head” Welch of KoRn, Tommy Vext of Bad Wolves, Bert McCracken of The Used, Anthony Green of Circa Survive, Haley Butters of Absinthe Father, Nick Martin of Sleeping With Sirens, Ronnie Winter of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October.

HIGH NOTES’ entire second season is available starting today, July 28. https://linktr.ee/highnotes.

Episode descriptions:

2.1 Eric Christopher (Hospital Bracelet)

A recent star of the indie punk scene, Eric Christopher of Hospital Bracelet, discusses the relapse that led them to reconnect with music and launch their career. They also share the importance of mantras, finding a supportive community, and sharing your journey. 

Hospital Bracelet’s debut album, South Loop Summer, arrives in 2021 through Counter Intuitive Records.

2.2 Ben Liebsch (You, Me, And Everyone We Know)

For Ben Liebsch, a lifetime spent trying to outrun childhood traumas inevitably led to years of drug and alcohol abuse. His problems reached a boiling point in the spring of 2011 when every member of his band quit, leaving Ben to sift through the things he’d worked so hard to avoid. Ben tells us how confronting his past allows him to live in the present and how processing his experiences ultimately led him back to making music. 

2.3 Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire)

Amanda Lyberg has known the destructive power of addiction her entire life. Raised by addicts, Amanda spent years trying to understand their struggles, which eventually led to a career in clinical psychology. In this episode, Amanda shares her pivotal life experiences and how she works to make the world a better, more understanding place both in and out of music. 

2.4. Clint Lowery (Sevendust)

Clint Lowery is a modern rock icon. He’s done everything a rockstar can, but he realized many years ago that the version of stardom found in movies and television shows is no way to live. Here, Clint recounts the day he chose to change his life and details how the Serenity Prayer’s lessons changed him for the better.

2.5. Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun)

Once a shy teen with dreams of making a living in entertainment, Donovan Melero saw drugs and alcohol as a way to escape his insecurities. Over time, however, he realized that running away from your problems never leads to peace. Here, Donovan tells us how opening up about his difficulties helped him find a community that supported him on the path to recovery.

2.6 Trevor Hedges (Sundressed)

Sundressed vocalist and founding member Trevor Hedges knew he had to make a change after a run-in with law enforcement nearly derailed his life. Thankfully, he found purpose in making music to help others, and his devotion to developing his talent has kept Trevor on the path to recovery for over a decade.

2.7 Janet Devlin

Fame is difficult for anyone to handle, but it’s perhaps hardest on young people. After gaining international attention through reality TV at the age of 16, Janet Devlin fell into addictive behaviors while feeling isolated from the outside world. She uses her time on High Notes to tell us how a combination of recovery groups and therapy saved her life on more than one occasion. It’s a darkly funny look at the work involved in getting betting, but it’s as honest as any conversation we’ve shared.

2.8 Craig Mabbitt (Escape The Fate)

When Craig Mabbitt joined Escape The Fate, his image was a hard-partying rockstar with a look and attitude similar to Motley Crue in their prime. That lifestyle was fun for a while, but deep down, Craig knew it could never last. Fast-forward to 2020, and Craig is in his first year of sobriety, which has unfolded amid a global pandemic.

2.9 Shannon Larkin (Godsmack, Apocalypse Blues Revival)

Shannon Larkin is music royalty. Best known as the drummer of Godsmack and The Apocalypse Blues Revival, Larkin has contributed to some of the most influential rock records of all-time. He’s been everywhere and done everything that musicians dream of achieving, but his most significant accomplishment happened just four years ago when a motorcycle accident pushed him to get sober. 

2.10 Kat Hamilton

Kat Hamilton is a fast-rising musician who channels the years she spent dealing with intense addiction and trauma into her songwriting. Kat uses her time on the show to discuss the therapeutic qualities of sharing your truth and lessons learned in recovery.

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