In The Spotlight: Rock Group Tom Devil and The Wizard

Another new feature for you all!

Our latest artist spotlight features Dallas rock group, Tom Devil and The Wizard, which is led by lead guitarist and vocalist Matt Nestor. I caught up with Matt to discuss the group’s inspirations and plans the group has for the second half of 2016!

Matt said his love for music came after he got a head injury in a bike accident at ten years old. He was unable to play contact sports for a year and, during that year, his dad showed him how to play the guitar and introduced him to bands and artists like Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. That had him instantly hooked, especially after going to his first concert when at 11 years old at the Bronco Bowl to see Grand Funk Railroad.

Matt revealed that the idea of forming a group came after he moved back home to Dallas, TX and met up for a jam session with an old high school friend, Jake. After a couple members left the group, the “power trio” was formed with Matt on vocals and guitar, Joey Pirro on bass, and Jake Malan on drums. “The name came about through a friend and myself in college when we spoke of starting a delta blues band,” Matt stated. “We created a fictional legend behind this band with the characters of Tom Devil and the Wizard.” The group is inspired by acts such as Phish, Neil Young, and Clutch and is essentially a straight up rock group with elements of funk, blues and jazz.

After recently playing the Balcony T.V. event in Austin, and all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, as well as recently releasing their debut, self-titled EP last year, Tom Devil and the Wizard are currently preparing to release their second EP as well as go on tour all over the East Coast. A few songs that Matt encouraged listeners to check out include “Don’t Make Me Cry” and “Smelly Train” (one of my favorites), as well as “Blindsided”, “Tonto”, and “One Lane Highway” from the upcoming EP!

Be sure to support the group’s album on iTunes! Also, follow them on their social media handles below! 

Social Media:
Website:www.tomdevilandthewizard.com 
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/tomdevilandthewizard
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tomdevilandthewizard 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomDevil_Wizard
Instagram: tomdevilandthewizard

Kehlani Opens Up About Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention

During a recent concert in her hometown of of The Bay Area, singer Kehlani took the time to speak about her recent suicide attempt back in March. 

Read more below! 

Being very forthcoming to the audience, she pleaded to them, “Please don’t try it. Don’t do it.” The singer also mentioned that  she is working on doing some work with a suicide prevention organization very soon. 

As a fan of her music, I’m glad to hear her speak openly about these type of issues because her words could help save someone else’s life. While we wait for more music from Ms. Kehlani, check out her new track “24/7” where she also opens up candidly about her issues.

Image via Vogue

NEW MUSIC: Hip Hop Artist SIR Releases Four Brand New Tracks

Hip hop artist SIR has been busy in the studio lately coming up with some heat, creating four new thought-provoking tracks: “Pyramids“, “Deep Thinking” feat. Mr. Hill, “The Letter” and “Thank God! (The SIRimony)“
SIR had this to say about the last track, “Thank God!”: “I grew up in the Hip-Hop era of lyricism. When cats used to start cyphers at any given moment and use the lunch tables as beat machines. I always wanted to keep my blade sharp, because I never knew when I would need to “snap” lol….I Thank GOD, for my art… I had to “snap” on this one to make sure my blade was still sharp.” 

With this high caliber music, we here at The Spotlight are really looking forward to his next project. Check out the tracks below! 


Pyramids

Deep Thinking

The Letter

Thank God! (The SIRimony)

MUSIC VIDEO: "Koolin’ " – K. James

Chicago neo-soul artist and personal friend of mine, K. James, has just released his video for his track, “Koolin.'” The laid back song is off his upcoming debut mixtape, Cuffin’ Season.

Check out the video below!

You can check out more of the artist’s music on SoundCloud and ReverbNation. You can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram! 

NEW MUSIC: "I Need More" – Mario

After a few hits and misses with his singles since 2013, Mario will finally be releasing  his new album “Paradise Cove” soon. The singer has released his latest single, “I Need More” for listeners!

Check out the track below and let us know how you feel about it!

Mario and I

Stay tuned to The Spotlight for more Mario news and music!

NEW MUSIC: "Tru"- Lloyd

The former Murder Inc. crooner, Lloyd returns with a new tune, “Tru!”
On the track, the singer speaks on everything that’s been going on in his life since we last heard from him. As a fan of his, I’m really excited to hear more new music!

Check out the track below and stay tuned to The Spotlight for more!

NEW MUSIC: "Grass Ain’t Greener" – Chris Brown

To celebrate his birthday today, Chris Brown unveils his new single “Grass Ain’t Greener” off of his upcoming album, Heartbreak On A Full Moon!

Check out the track below! 

Wishing Chris a happy birthday and can’t wait to hear more of what he has in the works. Stay tuned into The Spotlight for more Breezy news and music!

NEW MUSIC: "24/7" – Kehlani

After being out of the spotlight the last couple of months because of an Instagram post made by PettyNext…err I mean PartyNextDoor and a suicide attempt that followed, Kehlani has
blessed us with her new song “24/7!” The Tsunami Mob Queen delivers a heartfelt and honest track about her own situation, letting listeners know, “It’s OK to not be OK, to dive in your pain.”

Check out the song below! 

Marvel Unveils ‘Doctor Strange’ Trailer

This week on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jimmy Kimmel and the folks at Marvel teased us with our first look at Benedict Cumberbatch in his new lead role in upcoming film Doctor Strange, a mystical superhero from the Marvel catalog!

Doctor Strange‘s original plot is about Stephen Vincent Strange, a neurosurgeon who becomes charged with being the Earth’s newest protector against all things mystical.

Variety mentioned that “Tilda Swinton will play Strange’s mentor, the Ancient One, with Chiwetel Ejiofor appearing as Baron Mordo, who studies magic under the Ancient One in the comic-books before becoming Doctor Strange’s nemesis.”

Check out the first look below!

‘Creed’ Star Tessa Thompson Joining ‘Thor 3’

Creed star Tessa Thompson will be joining the Marvel world in the new Thor 3: Ragnarok movie!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, no information on Tessa’s role in the film has been released, but it’s possible that she could be the female lead since Natalie Portman, who played Dr. Jane Foster in the previous two Thor installments, will not be not returning.

Of course, Chris Hemsworth is returning as Thor, and the film will also feature Mark Ruffalo, as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and Cate Blanchett in an unknown role.

Will you be going to see Thor 3?

Image via The Hollywood Reporter