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“The first time I heard Pat Benatar’s version of ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot,’ I was almost arrested for loitering,” laughs internationally lauded Canadian songwriter, producer, performer, and rights advocate Eddie Schwartz about the song he penned that became Benatar’s first Top Ten single in 1980. “I was walking down Yonge Street in Toronto when I heard it blasting out of a renowned hair salon and stopped dead in my tracks. I even think I started to drool [laughs]. As I stood there in a state of shock, a salon stylist called the police because of my strange behavior. When they arrived, they ordered me to move or face arrest. When I tried to explain to them that I just heard my song on the radio for the first time, they said, 'Sure, buddy. Move along."

Stepping out from behind the curtain and into the spotlight, Schwartz will be physically releasing his full-length studio release on CD, FILM SCHOOL, on November 12, 2025. His songs have been recorded by an astonishing roster: Carly Simon, Joe Cocker, America, Donna Summer, Rita Coolidge, Rascal Flatts, and Mountain, among many others. As a producer, his credits include the Doobie Brothers’ Cycles, Carrack’s Groove Approved, and his own albums, all resonating with an unmistakable blend of craftsmanship and soul. This six-song EP finds the storied songwriter who authored such classics as Paul Carrack’s "Don't Shed a Tear" (1987), The Doobie Brothers’ "The Doctor" (1989), the aforementioned “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (among hundreds of others) on the other side of the studio glass.

“It’s a difficult time right now and I freely admit to struggling with how to cope with the daily insanity,” says Eddie about the current political and socio-economic climate. Instead of subjecting himself to the barrage of news, he opted instead to return to the studio and write songs. “The moment of writing ‘We Win’ was profound for me because I found a way to a more hopeful place that helped with anger, sadness and bewilderment at how we got here,” he explains. “I felt the message of ‘We Win’ offered some sanity that I needed to cling to, that I needed to find for myself. And I wanted to share it in the hope it might work for others as well.”

Born in Iran, raised in India, and now based in Los Angeles, Azam can’t help but be vocally in tune with the events unfolding in the U.S. as well as the Middle East. “Society often expects artists to remain silent on politics, as though our only duty were to create beauty untouched by the world’s wounds,” she says. “Yet history shows otherwise. Artists have always stood at the frontlines of social and political transformation. My own life has been shaped by war, displacement, and the relentless weight of politics, realities that cannot be separated from my art. How could such experiences not weave themselves into my music, when the essence of art is honesty of expression?”

Described by Billboard as “enchanting,” Azam is a storied musician who has received two Canadian JUNO Award nominations and one HMMA (Hollywood Music in Media Award) for her bold artistry, She has collaborated either in-studio or on stage with Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, The Crystal Method, Mickey Hart, among many others. She’s contributed to film and television soundtracks, working with some of Hollywood’s most renowned composers. Some select film titles in her resume include John Wick: Chapter 4, John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabelum, Thor-The Dark World, Sandman, Matrix- Revolutions, 300, John Carter, Fight Club, Dawn of the Dead, True Blood, Alias, The Agency, and Prison Break. She is also a well-known musical force in the videogame world. A cross section of titles she’s contributed to include Uncharted 3, Call of Duty, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Darksiders, and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow for which she won “Best Original Song” at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2007.

My love for reading began at a young age—curled up with a book, a fluffy blanket, a warm candle flickering nearby, and a cup of London Fog tea from Harney & Sons in hand. There’s nothing quite like escaping into another world, especially a good dystopian novel (bonus points if it’s by Tahereh Mafi, my favorite author).

When I moved to Yuma, Arizona, in 2023, I was surprised to find how limited the local bookstore scene was. Aside from a small, soon-to-close shop downtown and the ever-reliable Barnes & Noble, there weren’t many spaces for readers to gather, connect, or simply exist in the cozy, book-loving atmosphere I’d always craved.

That’s what inspired me to create Sage and Story—a place that’s more than just a bookstore. I wanted to offer the community a true literary haven: a welcoming, peaceful space to read, chat over tea, join a book club, or just browse without the pressure of big-name retail.

I started small, selling used books from home with a dream of one day opening a storefront. For now, it’s all about small steps and shared stories. By this time next year, I hope to be running Sage and Story from a cozy, shared space—turning a passion into a full-time purpose.

Living Between the Lines is the debut solo LP from Frank Meyer. A long time coming,

Meyer’s been hinting at it for a while now with Bandcamp exclusive tracks, covers on

tribute albums, acoustic solo shows, and his acclaimed collaboration album with Eddie

Spaghetti of the Supersuckers. Like the Eddie collab, LBTL is out on Kitten Robot

Records. The 11-song album adds touches of blues and soul to Meyer’s expected high-

energy rock ‘n ’roll, revealing a more mature voice. He is joined for duets by longtime

friend and collaborator Lisa Kekaula of the Bellrays on the title track, Runaways icon

Cherie Currie on “Piece of Me” and Spaghetti himself on “Partners In Crime.”

An award-winning musician, filmmaker and author, Meyer has a track record that covers

rock ‘n ’roll, punk, heavy metal, blues, and country. Known for his work with everyone

from Rock ‘n ’Roll Hall of Famers James Williamson (Iggy & the Stooges) and Wayne

Kramer (MC5) to legendary punk act FEAR, Meyer has carved out a career full of

unlikely collaborations, hard work, searing guitar playing, and ace songwriting skills.

“It meant a lot to have these particular vocalists join me on my solo debut,” says Meyer.

“Lisa and I go way back to my earliest days of the music scene in L.A.. Eddie is also an

old friend and touring buddy, and was a big inspiration in making this album. Cherie saw

the Streewalkin’ Cheetahs early on and helped us get signed. So all of them are dear to

me and have been integral in my career.”

Releasing on the heels of Triptides’ June 2025 album Shapeshifter, the six-song EP Night Shift arrives as the band lands in Europe for a two-week tour.  Comprised of four songs recorded during the Shapeshifter sessions and two newly recorded covers, the EP is classic Triptides.  From the dreamy fuzz ‘n’ faze of the opener “Pendulum,” to the bouncy groove of “Lonely Planet” and the interplanetary funk closer “Nuvens,” Triptides seems to be dimming the lights for an intimate late-night party, the Night Shift.  The EP comes out on Halloween, which is also the date of the first show on the European tour.  Leading up to the October 31 release, two singles will prime fans for the full EP: “Pendulum,” out on September 26, and “Spooky,” (a cover of the Halloween favorite originally recorded by Classics IV) out on October 17.  Like Shapeshifter, the EP is on Label 51 records worldwide, also home to Mojave Phone Booth, the Rain Parade and Dream Syndicate.

Over the last fourteen years and dozens of albums and singles, Triptides have traversed a hyper color musical landscape of psychedelic rock, Laurel Canyon folk and spaced-out jazz pop. Each track can be traced back to group leader Glenn Brigman’s unique ability to craft and explore a seemingly infinite number of dimensional melodies and harmonies.  With every line of Brigman’s airy vocals that dance across the tape and into the speakers, stoners, trippers and lovers alike are transported to a sweet and familiar place, lifted by chiming guitars, hypnotic drums, glittering pianos and hallucinogenic fuzz.  On stage in Europe, Brigman will be joined by long-time collaborator (and current resident of Copenhagen) Stephen Burns on guitar and the rhythm section of Tyler English on bass and Craig Jacobs on drums.

Formed in 2008 in Nashville by vocalists/guitarists Dexy and Chris Valentine but now based in Los Angeles, Magic Wands are known for a shimmering, dreamy sound that melds elements of shoegaze, dreampop, postpunk, and goth. Their music utilzes heavily-textured guitars, synth drones, and ethereal vocals to conjure an otherworldly atmosphere, with emotionally engaging lyrics.

They first cast their spell with the 2012 debut album Aloha Moon, an introduction to their world of glowing guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and lyrical mysticism. That vision deepened and expanded with Jupiter (2016), Abrakadabra (2018), and Illuminate (2020), each release charting new constellations in their evolving sound. After further experimentation and exploration on Switch 2023, the band continues evolving their journey with Cascades. Sharing melodic hooks of their debut album Aloha Moon and the deconstructed foundation of the last album Switch. Cascades evoke a sense of romance and nostalgia, sweeping you into an introspective and dreamlike landscape of castles, gardens, rivers, and forests. With dark post-punk overtones built on the alchemy of dark dreampop, goth-tinged postpunk, and a touch of cosmic romance. 

Excited to finally release their album into the world, Dexy says, "We’re happy that it’s completed and coming out the right time of year. It feels like a perfect fall/winter album," Chris adds, "We spent months getting the album all together.. so I'm happy now it's getting out there."