Ashnikko delivered a cover of Gwen Stefani’s 2004 solo single “What You Waiting For?” for her debut appearance on triple j’s Like A Version series.
The artist said the track was the one that first inspired her to pursue music, citing it as a formative influence on her career.
Read the full story at Billboard.
Sony Music disclosed that it has taken down roughly 260,000 AI-generated deepfakes impersonating its artists, underscoring the scale of unauthorized synthetic content labels are now policing. The figure headlines Music Business Worldwide’s latest weekly round-up of industry news.
The same digest notes AI music platform Suno is expanding into live music, a move that signals growing ambitions beyond generative audio tools and into areas traditionally occupied by touring and performance businesses.
Read the full story at Music Business Worldwide.
The Shapeshifters has released “Everything’s Changing” via Glitterbox Recordings, a disco-leaning single featuring vocalist Sharlene Hector and backing vocals from the Harlem Gospel Choir. The track follows October single “On The Way Up” featuring NYC band 79.5, and marks the second release from what the artist’s camp describes as a rejuvenated creative period.
The Shapeshifters, the project of UK DJ and producer Simon Marlin, has been a fixture of the house and disco scene for more than two decades, with a discography the announcement says has reached the top of the UK charts. The new material was recorded at Marlin’s recently opened Earthworks Studio as well as Renaissance studio in Manhattan, with the team emphasizing the use of live instrumentation rather than AI or samples.
Hector, known as a live vocalist for Basement Jaxx, makes her Glitterbox Records debut with the track. The single features the project’s signature strings and basslines, and the label says it offers a preview of further new music still to come.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Simon Tillotson, neighbourhoodpr.com.
Fort Erie, Ontario blues and roots artist René Huard has released the single “Tail Waggin’,” the latest preview of his upcoming album ‘Gently Used’, due November 5. The song was inspired by an anecdote attributed to jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery about touring musicians and their instruments, and arrives with a video produced by Jim Casson.
‘Gently Used’ is an 11-track album written and performed by Huard on vocals, guitar and harmonica, produced by longtime collaborator Rick Taylor. The single follows two earlier tracks from the record, “Brand New Low,” released October 5, and the title track “Gently Used,” set for release alongside the album on November 5. Huard’s touring band, the Project, includes Taylor on guitar and vocals, Jeff Muir on bass and Peter Griffin on drums, with guest contributions from Chris Airyes, Thomas Nelson, Alistair Robertson and Ed Roth.
Huard’s career dates back roughly four decades to his time fronting the Meteors, a band that opened for blues artists including James Cotton, Long John Baldry and the Downchild Blues Band. His previous album, ‘Blues Calling’, produced by Jack de Keyzer, reached the top 20 on the Roots Music Report, according to the announcement, with its single “Hard Times” featured on CBC’s Holger Petersen Blues Radio Show.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.
Scandinavian action rock band The Feral Kids have released their third single, “Shine On Your Role,” out now across streaming platforms. The track was written by Matti Junell, an original vocalist from an early version of the band, with music composed by guitarist Mikko Renko.
According to the band, the song addresses themes of superficial living and maintaining appearances, drawing a visual comparison to the contrast between an outwardly glamorous lifestyle and underlying financial and personal struggles. The track was recorded, mixed and produced by Mika Haapasalo and mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers.
“Shine On Your Role” follows the band’s previous singles “No Wall” and “Soul Too Good.”
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Juha Juoni, presshopper.fi.
Vancouver blues musician Al “Wailin'” Walker has reached number one on the Roots Music Report Canada chart with his eighth album, ‘Bluesman,’ according to the announcement. The album also debuted at number 13 on the Canadian Big Blues Chart and reached number six on the US Roots Music Chart, with airplay on 57 stations worldwide, the announcement says. Walker wrote, produced, engineered and mixed the record himself, as he has done on each of his albums dating back to his 1978 debut with his band the Houserockers.
The album’s lead single, “Too Many Bills,” reached number one on the Roots Music Report Top 50 chart in the US and internationally, according to the release, and received coverage from Blues Blast Magazine. Walker recorded it with longtime collaborators Bruce O’Neill on bass, Marko Ibarra on drums, Darryl Havers on keyboards and Jerry Cook on saxophone.
‘Bluesman’ includes covers of Otis Rush, Little Richard and Eddie Miller alongside original material. The Eddie Miller cover, “Drink Muddy Water,” features what the announcement describes as the final recorded guitar performance by the late Jerry Doucette, with whom Walker played for twelve years. The closing track, “Never Getting Old,” was co-written with the late Evan Johns. Walker’s band will mark the release with an album release show on November 14.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.
Nashville alt-indie duo Chapel has released “White Lie,” the first single from their upcoming album Everything Loud, due November 13. The track features driving guitars and a pop-leaning vocal melody, with the band citing Bloc Party and Foals as influences.
Chapel, composed of Carter and Kortney, is currently touring in support of Michigander on a 17-date run through October 24, with stops including the Troubadour in Los Angeles and Antone’s in Austin. The duo has previously toured with acts including Waterparks, Sum 41, Good Charlotte, 3OH!3 and Against the Current.
Everything Loud follows the band’s 2025 album Modern Nature, which was produced with Nashville-based collaborator Michael Guillot. The duo’s catalog also includes the Room Service EP and debut album Sunday Brunch.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Sarah (faccipr.com).
Stylophone has released the Stylophone Mini, a miniature version of its stylus-played synthesizer designed to be carried on a keychain or bag. The product is available in three colors and combines a small metal keyboard, a functional stylus and a built-in speaker, according to the announcement.
The original Stylophone debuted in 1968 and has been used by artists including David Bowie and Kraftwerk, according to the company. Stylophone currently sells a broader range of instruments for home and studio use, and positions the Mini as a compact, playable addition to that lineup rather than a novelty item.
The company says the device is aimed at music fans of all ages who want a portable way to experiment with melodies and sound.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Starscream Communications, starscreamcommunications.com.
Country artist Jet Jurgensmeyer has released a music video for his single “Sane To My Crazy,” filmed at Seventh Story Nashville by videographer Randy Shaffer. The song, written with David Seger and Ericca Latza, was inspired by a story Seger shared about his marriage, framing a relationship dynamic of a dreamer balanced by a grounded partner. It was recorded at Farmland Studio and produced by Jurgensmeyer and Dan Frizsell.
The release follows Jurgensmeyer’s duet “Drink Alone” with The Voice alum Kayleigh Clark, which the artist’s team says has reached more than 700,000 streams, and his single “Nothing On You,” currently at radio. Earlier this year he released “RED,” which according to the announcement has surpassed one million streams worldwide.
Jurgensmeyer released his sophomore album THE RIDE: phase 2 in 2024. Alongside his music career, he has acting credits including a series regular role on Fox’s Last Man Standing and voice work on Disney’s T.O.T.S.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Christy Walker-Watkins, 3on.e2ma.net.
Country singer-songwriter John PayCheck has released “Texan One Day,” the fourth single from his upcoming third studio album, Better Plan, due November 27 via HorseBite Entertainment. The track, available digitally starting October 9, is a fiddle-and-steel country song celebrating Texas, written as PayCheck prepares to relocate to the state.
The song follows three previously released tracks from the album: title track “Better Plan,” released August 14; “Battles You Never Knew,” released September 11; and an earlier single. PayCheck, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, wrote “Battles You Never Knew” to question how military sacrifice is portrayed by artists without firsthand combat experience.
Better Plan was recorded at Gnome Studios in Nashville and produced by Bill McDermott, whose credits include George Strait, Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley. PayCheck, son of country artist Johnny PayCheck, previously earned Grammy consideration in the Best Traditional Country Album category for his album More Days Behind. He has remaining 2026 tour dates in the Carolinas, Alabama and Texas in support of the new record.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Jason W. Ashcraft / JWA Media, jwamedia.com.