BENJAMIN KHENG TO DROP GLOOMY BOOGIE VOL 1,THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF HIS HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED TWO-PART DEBUT ALBUM, ON 25 AUGUST

Singapore, Aug 15, 2023 – Benjamin Kheng, the multi-talented artiste and singer-songwriter, is dropping the first part of his eagerly-awaited debut album, titled GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol 1. The release includes the previously released single, ‘Rock Bottom Blues (feat. James Reid)’, and also the follow-up single, ‘Break From The Party’.

The second single off of GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol 1 is the track ‘Break From The Party,’ a number penned by Kheng himself. The track exudes his signature style, blending poignant and sobering lyrics (I hate it here/my space is invaded/Everyone’s faded/They’re shiny and jaded) against a slick production and arrangement produced by Los Angeles-based rising producer Rence (Jonny Orlando, Sarah Barrios, Alex Porat). “‘Break From The Party’ was, hilariously, written entirely in a bathroom stall at a social event where I simply couldn’thuman anymore,” Benjamin recounts. “I wrote about 5 verses worth of feelings and had to really cull it down.”

“It was as honest as a journal entry or therapy session, and really easy to write to. I thought of the struggle of fighting for a genuine connection in a room of people all fighting their own insecurities. Also, the atmosphere of a party is so intriguing – the same night could be euphoric for one person and a nightmare for the next person. It was therapeutic to give voice to that,” he continues.

Directed by Barnabas Chua of Murk & Marrow Films, the accompanying music video for ‘Break From The Party’ takes an intriguing and slightly twisted approach, presenting the song as a 10-step guide on how to step away from the revelry, with the first step being to “hit rock bottom”. Kheng’s acting chops are on full display here, setting the emotional tone of the song. Barnabas' creative direction seamlessly blends Benjamin Kheng's performance with the narrative laid out in the lyrics, immersing viewers in Barnabas’ artistic exploration of the song's themes.

GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol 1 comprises four tracks that weave together a thematic narrative of introspection, vulnerability, and growth. On top of ‘Rock Bottom Blues (feat. James Reid)’ and ‘Break From The Party’, there are also the lullaby-esque sentimental little slow-burner ‘Little Spoon’ and the unapologetic and defiant ‘Too Far Gone’. ‘Little Spoon’ was worked on with producer Charlie Kurata and musician LEW, while ‘Too Far Gone’ emerged as a creative offspring sparked by Benjamin's personal struggle to seek assistance during moments of crisis, alongside co-writer Zev Troxler (“We wanted to go for something confronting and stubborn, but still groovy”). Together, the songs provide a glimpse into the spectrum of emotions that Kheng explores fearlessly in the record.

“Before writing any of the tracks, I had a good think about the past decade of my career, and was surprised at how many moments I was dishonest with myself and didn’t dare honour my feelings of hurt, loneliness and general fatigue,” shares Kheng on the album. “This album felt like that awful hike your friends asked you to go for; you knew it would suck in the middle, be awesome at the top, and you knew you’d have to do it.”

The project was a labour of love that spanned years. Kheng embarked on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, collaborating with friends and fellow artists who shared his vision. Many of the tracks were co-written, a departure from his previous work, as Benjamin sought to bring together individuals who had walked similar paths of emotional turmoil. The writing process spanned a writing camp in Los Angeles in January 2022, as well as virtual sessions that commenced in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The album was a culmination of emotions, with Benjamin's home studio serving as the backdrop for recording late into the night.

“GLOOMIE BOOGIE Vol 2 is still in the oven, but Vol 1 is ready and has some moments I’ll still bump for no reason other than to feel things again. It’s taken me a long time to be truly proud of my work but I’m finally close; I hope you guys love it as much as I do.”

OFFICIAL ‘GLOOMY BOOGIE VOL 1’ ARTWORK

GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol 1 featuring new single ‘Break From The Party ’ is available on all digital streaming platforms from Aug 25, 2023.
Link goes live upon release: HERE

Source: Sony Music Philippines

ADB, Deutsche Bank Sign Risk Sharing Agreement to Boost Supply Chain Financing in Asia

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (5 September 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Deutsche Bank have signed a risk participation agreement to enhance access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia and the Pacific. The agreement was signed between ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) and Deutsche Bank AG through its Singapore branch.

“Partnering with Deutsche Bank will allow companies, particularly SMEs, to access the global supply chain which can spur economic growth and contribute to job creation,” said ADB’s Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “Partnerships like this one allow ADB to catalyze the private sector and mobilize capital for trade transactions that support development across the region.”

Supply chain finance is critical to increasing trade by providing working capital to suppliers by leveraging their relationships with larger corporates. With short-term revolving facilities for supply chain finance transactions, this partnership has the potential to support more than $200 million in additional trade in Asia and the Pacific each year.

The agreement will enhance Deutsche Bank’s ability to support SMEs and other corporate clients by releasing more capital for use in key economic sectors in the region, like pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

“We are proud to partner with ADB on this important initiative. Together, we will help smaller companies achieve growth through better access to supply chain financing. We believe this is important, as we are seeing increasing demand for this in the trade sector,” said Deutsche Bank Head of Trade Finance and Lending for Asia Pacific Matthew Moodey. 

TSCFP is helping banks in Asia and the Pacific improve their ability to provide supply chain finance, particularly to SMEs. ADB estimates the gap between the demand for trade finance and the money available for it is at least $2.5 trillion, with SMEs the worst affected.

Backed by ADB's AAA credit rating and working with more than 250 partner banks, TSCFP is growing trade and supply chains with loans and guarantees that underpin economic growth. TSCFP is working to make global trade and supply chains green, resilient, inclusive, transparent, and socially responsible. 

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB; photo by ADB

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Global Trade Finance Gap Expands to $2.5 Trillion in 2022

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (5 September 2023) — The global trade finance gap grew to a record $2.5 trillion in 2022 from $1.7 trillion two years earlier, as rising interest rates, flagging economic prospects, inflation, and geopolitical volatility reduced the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing, according to the 2023 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

The trade finance gap is the difference between requests and approvals for financing to support imports and exports. Rebounding strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic, global goods exports grew in 2021 and 2022 at 26.6% and 11.5%, respectively. Demand for trade finance surged on the back of this sharp recovery but heightened economic risks made finance more difficult to secure than before, the survey indicates. Following a zero-growth rate during the last quarter of 2022, as of April 2023, global trade exports in value slowed year-to-date, showing a decline of around 3%.

The survey is the world’s leading barometer of trade finance health. It includes data from 137 banks and 185 companies from around 50 countries. Respondents said they faced continued constraints in 2022 due to rising interest rates and financial market uncertainties, set against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, and geopolitical instability.

“The global trade finance funding gap has now widened to well over $2 trillion, as the global economy still struggles to rebound from the pandemic,” said ADB's Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “That growing gap strangles the potential of trade to deliver critical human and economic development through jobs and growth."

Around 60% of responding banks reported that the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted their trade finance portfolios due to growing geopolitical uncertainty and increased commodity prices.

For the first time, the 2023 trade gaps survey focuses on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, along with digitalization, in a bid to assess their impact on relevant supply chains and the trade finance gap. The majority of banks and companies that took part in the survey believe that ESG alignment could potentially help reduce the trade financing gap.

The top supply chain challenge cited by firms surveyed was insufficient financing. They identified access to adequate financing, reliable logistics, and the use of digital technology as the three most important components of resilient supply chains.

Backed by ADB's AAA credit rating, the TSCFP provides loans and guarantees to more than 200 partner banks to support trade, boosting imports and exports that foster growth. Since 2009, the TSCFP has supported $57 billion in trade across 45,510 transactions in markets where the private sector finds it challenging to operate. TSCFP is working to make global trade and supply chains green, resilient, inclusive, and socially responsible.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB: photo by ADB

Echoes of Diversity: A Global Musical Journey through 2023 World Music Festival@Taiwan

The four-day event is touted as Taiwan’s biggest outdoor festival dedicated to world music, and will feature a variety of music shows, cross-artform performances, international showcase events, exotic bazaars and more!

The 2023 World Music Festival @ Taiwan has officially announced its stellar lineup for this year’s edition.

The music-focused, multi-format event features headlining acts from Taiwan and the rest of the world, including Outlet Drift and Joanna Wang, South Korea’s ADG7, Japan’s Hitoto Yo from Japan, and more.

In its bid to broaden the horizons of Taiwanese audiences in terms of global music, the World Music Festival @ Taiwanis committed to expand their global perspective through the pulse of music. It seeks to increase the population of global music enthusiasts from various backgrounds, together weaving the unforgettable experiences and memories of a music festival that belongs to Taiwan.

This year’s event will be held at the Taipei Music Center on October 12-15, 2023, and will be divided ito two parts: Going Global Trade Fair on October 12-13, and the Our World Music Festival on October 14-15.

The highly acclaimed world music festival will feature twoco-productions that emphasizes global collaborations and cross-cultural exchanges: Ohelen (SK) and Leaf Yeh (TW) will team up together live, and Hitoto Yo (JP) will also step up their game with a special performance featuringTaiwan’s Sangpuy and Tzu-lung Hung.

For the first time ever, the multicultural festival held an open call for international musicians to participate in its global showcase. The result yielded submissions from more than a hundred artists from 31 different countries expressing interest in participating in the festival, including six from America, fourteen from Asia, seven from Europe, three from Africa, and one from Oceania.

From the entries collated, the largest global music festival in Taiwan is set to announce the 13 finalists who will be performing live on October 11-12 and will be watched by 11 international delegates.

Aside from its beefed up music programming, the World Music Festival @ Taiwan will feature a range of peripheral activities, such as interactive drumming shows, music and dance workshops, and nearly 100 exotic stalls showcasingcrafts and cuisines from around the world.

The festival ambiance will be reminiscent of a grandcarnival, featuring an assortment of world-class music and parties.

At World Music Festival @ Taiwan, cultures unite and take center stage. It’s a splendid celebration of music, where categories cease to exist and where people from all nations come together in shared joy.

Important links:

Official Website: https://wmftaiwan.com/en/2023en

Ticket booking: https://reurl.cc/aVovOG

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldmusicfestivaltaiwan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WmfTaiwan

Image Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYrhYPTzQ18

Review on Songlines: https://reurl.cc/015olb

Aftermovie (Link with thumbnail): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy4GaUrq46M

Source: Nyou

Charlie Lim, Linying & Katz release new single ‘Definitely’

Official Pre-Save Link HERE

A lilting, melancholic opus for the season, ‘Definitely’ is a three-way collaboration from London-based Singaporean singer-songwriter/producer Charlie Lim, Melbourne producer and electronic artist Katz, and L.A. based Singaporean singer-songwriter Linying. The idea for the song germinated from an impromptu jam when Charlie was visiting his family in Australia and caught up with Katz, an old friend and frequent collaborator.
 
“We were just improvising with me on guitar and Adam (Katz) on piano and we left the camera running –and I’m so glad we did,” says Charlie. “Linying and I have also collaborated on a number of occasions before and I’m proud of the work we’ve done, but this was a whole different level. We all knew we were sitting on something really special after she sent her first take over.”
 
“I saw the video on Charlie’s Instagram of him and Adam jamming out an instrumental that sounded so pretty,” says Linying. “I impulsively ripped the audio with a free online converter and wrote a verse and a chorus within an hour. It was instinctive, immediate, and so enjoyable. To me, it’s about that sour, envious feeling watching someone suddenly be so sure about everything they were unsure of when it came to you.”
 
“I like writing chord progressions that feel like they’re folding in on themselves. The main chords in ‘Definitely’ never really resolve, which I think adds an air of tension in keeping with the subject matter of the lyrics,” says Katz about the process of arranging the song. “The contrasting intro/outro bookends the song, with a single, echoing piano note conjuring a sense of distance befitting the song’s themes.”
 
“This was also my first time getting to work with Lin; I was stunned when she sent through such a thoughtful and fully-formed topline so quickly after we posted the clip online,” says Katz, about how the spontaneity and trusting nature between the three of them drove its narrative. “Charlie and I have been friends for over a decade, and have been making music together for just as long; there’s a level of trust that comes from playing together for so many years which allows us to be really honest and productive as collaborators.”
 
“There’s really nothing like working with people you trust and respect, and with friends you can openly disagree with but still come to a happy medium that ticks all everyone’s boxes,” says Charlie, who oversaw the production of the track. “The track itself is quite deceptive –one might think that there’s only a couple of instruments and two voices, but it’s actually dozens of vocal layers and unorthodox harmonies that are stacked on top of each other and carefully placed in the mix,”says Charlie. “It gives this blurry, depth of field effect which I thought suited the song’s sentiment. I think we managed to capture something very personal and universal at the same time.”

Listen to ‘Definitely’ now, HERE.

Source: Blackstar

The Rain in España: Perfect for the Rainy Weather

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My Book Signing on September 17!

Thank you FEU Publications for including my book, Finally Loving Forward, as one of your bestselling titles for the Manila International Book Fair 2023! 💚 Join me as I hold my book signing at the FEU Publications booth on Sunday, September 17, from 3-4PM. ✍🏼 SEE YOU! 🤍 And please continue buying my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and via this link ✍🏼 @ukiyotopublishinghouse @feu_publications @manilabookfair #finallylovingforward #authorlife #selfhelpbook #selfhelpauthor Photo by FEU

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Book Signing at MIBF 2023!

PLEASE SUPPORT ME. BUY MY BOOKS AND ATTEND MY BOOK SIGNINGS! ✍🏼 My second book signing at this year’s Manila International Book Fair will be at the FEU Publications Booth, on 17th September, 3-4PM. PLEASE BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON AND VIA THIS LINK 📕 Your support means a lot to me. See you! 📖

My Book Signing for Central Books at MIBF2023!

I will be having my book signing for @centralbooksph @publishondemand on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, at the Manila International Book Fair 2023! Details are in the photo. PLEASE SUPPORT ME. BUY MY BOOKS SPEAK WRITE LIVE HERE and SPEAK BLOG LIVE HERE 📖 @manilabookfair #authorlife #speakbloglive #speakwritelive

Måneskin releases new single “Honey (are u coming)”

The Italian rock band will be performing the song at the MTV VMA this month!

Måneskin has dropped their electrifying new single “Honey (are u coming?).” Erupting with new offerings shortly after the release of the latest, chart-topping album RUSH!, the song is tight with musical vibrancy, showcasing a mighty guitar riff and roaringly persuasive chorus. The band held a livestreamed event at Gazometro, Rome, where they performed three tracks live, including “Honey (are u coming?).”

Fans can hear the single live as Måneskin kick off their highly anticipated RUSH! World Tour this weekend, and will be performing it live at the MTV VMA’s later this month where they are also nominated in the ‘Best Rock’ category for their single “The Loneliest.”

Bassist Victoria De Angelis explained, “We wrote thesong right after the tour, we still had a lot of energy from the touring and the travelling. We wrote it in betweenLondon and LA. We're really happy with the result and we think it’s something quite new for us.”

Frontman Damiano David adds, “It’s the story of someone who has no gender or anything, you decide whoever it is. Find someone else and they can see in their eyes that there’s some sadness that they feel out of place and it’s an invitation from one person to another to join them into this new adventure without knowing what they’re actually going to find, but just enjoy the adventure.”

Måneskin’s  “Honey (are u coming?)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via  Sony Music Entertainment.

About Mäneskin

Rarely does a band come along like Mäneskin. The four-piece, formed of Damiano David, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi and Ethan Torchio, began busking on the streets of their beloved hometown of Rome, Italy, as teenagers. Fast forward just a few years and the razor-tight, critically-acclaimed, globally-dominating rock sensations are widely hailed for being the driving force behind the worldwide resurgence of rock music.

Their latest album RUSH! saw the band reach headynew heights, topping the charts at #1 in 15 countries, Top5 in 20 countries, #1 on the U.S. BIllboard Alternative Albums Chart and more, with over 1.3 billion streams and counting. Produced by Max Martin and Fabrizio Ferraguzzo, it features both English and Italian tracks,including singles ‘Supermodel’, ‘Mammamia’ and ‘The Loneliest’.

Mäneskin continue their global domination through their unbeatable live show - a raucous, thrilling, cutting-edge and career-affirming gig like no other - proving theirworthy status as leaders of the rock revival. In May 2023the band culminated their LOUD KIDS World Tour that spanned across 2022 and 2023 and saw them play to a staggering 450,000 people around the world. They also travelled to Rome for an extra special sold out show at the historic Circo Massimo with 70,000 tickets sold. All this between stand-out performances at some of the world’s best festivals including Coachella, Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza, Summer Sonic (Japan) and more.

Mäneskin recently announced their RUSH! World Tour and will see the band headline arenas in North America, South America, Japan, Europe, UK & Ireland, and embark on their first ever shows in Australia.

With 9 billion streams to their name and 324 global certifications including 56 Gold, 251 Platinum and 17 Diamond, Mäneskin were recently nominated at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards and Best Rock at the MTV VMA’s, won Best Alternative Video at the VMAs and Best Rock at the MTV EMA’s, Top Rock Song at Billboard Music Awards, Best New Alternative Artist at iHeart Radio Music Awards, various wins at National award shows in Japan, Spain, Poland, Hungary, and Finland, as well asmultiple nominations globally including the BRIT Awards, NME Awards, Kerrang Awards and more.

Source: Nyou

JASMINE YEN UNVEILS DYNAMIC DEBUT ALBUM'tbh'

LISTEN HERE

The 19-year-old daughter of the prolific Donnie Yen and Cecilia Wang has signed to RCA Records Greater China

1 September, 2023 – 19-year-old singer-songwriter, Jasmine Yen unveils her debut album 'tbh' which consists of 8 songs, written in part or entirely by Jasmine. Among these songs, four are fully in English. The album release follows the announcement of her signing to RCA Records Greater China, a division of Sony Music Entertainment (SME) in late July, along with the release of her first single "idk".

Jasmine's debut album 'tbh' is a kaleidoscope of pop versatility. From the enthralling ballad "it's not u it's me", to the sensual "tempo" to the upbeat dance numbers "idk" and "tbh", her vocals effortlessly float over impeccable production and ear-wormy melodies. One of the crowning moments of the album is the English focus track "what the !", an energetic, pop-punk-inspired song that is equal parts cheeky and witty.

"I’ve always considered myself a shy person, and at times, I do feel like it can be challenging to express myself with words. Since childhood, I've found music and songwriting to be my favourite method of self-expression. This album is my way of showcasing my confidence and highlights my coming-of-age journey of not being afraid to hold back on sharing my thoughts and emotions. There’s definitely a running theme of empowerment through this album. Since I was really young, I’ve always been drawn to 'girl power' anthems because I’ve consistently been surrounded by such strong, inspiring and independent women (my mom, my grandma, and my aunt)."

– Jasmine Yen

Jasmine Yen - "tbh" (Official Dance Video)

The bilingual focus track "tbh"  is accompanied by a dance video which could very well be considered an athletic feat. Just ask Jasmine who filmed non-stop for 10 hours with her crew of dancers. She shares, “I had an amazing dance crew in Shanghai, and we learned and practiced the entire choreography together for two weeks leading up to the filming date. The whole process was unforgettable and I’ve learned so much. I’m so glad that everything worked out great and the video looks so effortless!”

Raised in Hong Kong, Jasmine began nurturing her talent at a young age, starting to compose when she was only seven years old. To date, she has written over 70 original songs, including 30 during the pandemic. Through her music, she hopes to inspire a generation of bold and confident girls.  

Source: Blackstar

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NEW ALBUM ‘PLEASURES’ OUT NOW

LISTEN HERE

 Photo Credit: Dongjoo Son

Top 10 streaming countries in worldwide include:
 Philippines 🇵🇭, Indonesia 🇮🇩, Thailand 🇹🇭 and Malaysia 🇲🇾

Aug 31st, 2023 – After two years since the release of 'her', the Korea-based romantic indie pop band ADOY has finally returned with their highly anticipated album, 'PLEASURES', featuring the title single "Love Is". Listen here: https://orcd.co/adoy_pleasures

'PLEASURES', which comprises songs about various pleasures and beautiful moments in life, along with the longing and fear felt afterward, features a total of 8 different tracks.

From the title track "In Love", which calmly confesses the moment of falling in love, to "Avenue" which retraces memories of youth, and "Touch", a dreamy portrayal of a beautiful place like heaven, the album offers a wide range of emotions. Other tracks on the album include "Hack", a love song sung under the Milky Way, and "Model", a sweet single about being in love with an imaginary cartoon character, while "Long Distance Call" and "One Last Song" depict the affection of love. The album's final track, "Jet", manages to capture the never-ending adventure of life.

While the previous ADOY works resemble floating clouds, ‘PLEASURES’ reminisces a beach that connects the land and sky with more lush and fuller sounds. Every single track on the current album showcases ADOY's skillful craftsmanship in storytelling, conveyed through a diverse spectrum of tempos and atmospheres. 

In addition, the collaboration with drummer Chuck Sabo, who worked with Elton John and Pet Shop Boys and sound engineers Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone of Sterling Sound in the US, contributes to the album's mature sound.

With the release of 'PLEASURES', ADOY is set to perform in festivals across Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Hamburg. This will be followed by their debut performances in Paris and London, culminating in a prestigious SXSW showcase in Sydney. ADOY's top 10 streaming markets in Southeast Asia include the Philippines 🇵🇭, Indonesia 🇮🇩, Thailand 🇹🇭 and Malaysia 🇲🇾.

'PLEASURES' Tracklist:
1. Love Is
2. Avenue
3. Touch
4. Hack
5. Model
6. Long Distance Call
7. One Last Song
8. Jet

Stream 'PLEASURES' here: https://orcd.co/adoy_pleasures

Source: Blackstar

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ISOXO SHARES NEW SINGLE'SHYPOP' WITH NINAJIRACHI

TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM KIDSGONEMAD! 

Photo by Gina Joy Chong @ HARD Summer

Hotly-tipped San Diego DJ / producer and Dancing Astronaut’s “Breakout Artist of the Year 2022” ISOxo returns with his thumping new single ‘SHYPOP’ co-produced with Ninajirachi, out now via 88rising and available on all streaming platforms. LISTEN TO 'SHYPOP' HERE. 

First debuted in ISOxo’s recent set at HARD Summer Festival, the full-throttle single captures the raw energy and emotion of his legendary live shows. Building from Ninajirachi's saccharine vocal intro, the single launches headfirst into fast breakbeats, sirens and a pounding mosh-worthy bass. Speaking about the release ISOxo says “Creating SHYPOP came from a sentimental place that’s been driving the meaning behind some of my music. It touches on the insecurities I’ve felt both as an artist and in life, wanting to push myself to be better.”

The track is another taster of ISOxo’s long-awaited debut album, kidsgonemad!. The album – "one of the most anticipated electronic debut albums in recent memory” (EDM.com) – was first announced via a theatrical curtain drop following back-to-back sold-out nights at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Breaking a months-long dormant period, ISOxo recently announced that the album is finally completed.

Since breaking onto the electronic music scene at 19 years old ISOxo has been re-shaping dance music with a rebellious rockstar energy and paving the way for a new generation of DJs and producers. ISOxo's 2023 kicked off with a surprise back-to-back set with the legendary Skrillex in ISOxo’s hometown of San Diego. The two artists have rapidly become friends and close collaborators ever since the 2022 debut EP NIGHTREALM (which caught the attention not only of Skrillex, but Porter Robinson, DJ Snake, RL Grime, Alison Wonderland, and many more + was followed by a sold out headldine tour). ISOxo also made his debut festival appearances at Ultra Music Festival, The Do Lab at Coachella, HARD Summer, 88rising’s Head in the Clouds Festival New York, and Electric Forest – all of which were hailed by attendees as among the Top 3 festival performances.

'SHYPOP with Ninajirachi' by ISOxo is out now, buy/stream it here.

TOUR DATES
Sep 14 - KIDSGONEMAD! Takeover @ Imagine Festival - Atlanta GA
Oct 26 - Hulaween - Live Oak FL

About ISOxo

Since breaking onto the electronic music scene at 19 years old, San Diego native Julian Isorena, better known as “ISOxo”, has been re-shaping dance music with a rebellious rockstar energy and paving the way for a new generation of DJs and producers. In 2022, ISOxo released his debut EP, NIGHTREALM, which was met with widespread acclaim and garnered support from the likes of Skrillex, Porter Robinson, DJ Snake, RL Grime, Alison Wonderland, and many more. ISOxo then sold out each date on his debut headlining NIGHTREALM Tour, which closed with 2 back-to-back shows at the legendary Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Additionally, ISOxo made his festival debuts at iconic events like HARD Summer, Ultra Music Festival, Head in the Clouds Festival New York,, and The Do Lab at Coachella Music Festival.

About 88rising

88rising is a pioneering global music and media company representing the best of Asian talent. Since its inception, 88rising has paved the way for many music industry firsts: the first to have an Asian artist top the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts, Spotify’s Weekly Global Albums chart and enter the top 10 on Mediabase’s Top 40 chart, the first to launch an all-Asian radio channel in North America, and the first and only record label to have a main stage slot at Coachella. 88rising is also most notably the first company to launch an Asian-centric music festival in the United States, Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival, in partnership with powerhouse promoter Goldenvoice. The 5th annual flagship festival sold-out before a lineup was even announced and expanded globally to Jakarta and Manila in December 2022. In 2021, 88rising executive produced and curated the soundtrack to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Marvel Studios’ first Asian-American superhero. 88rising continues its film endeavors with Jamojaya,  which stars multi-hyphenate Rich Brian and is executive produced by 88rising founder & CEO Sean Miyashiro. The film will premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Previously, in 2019, 88rising was awarded Label of the Year by NetEase, one of the largest music streaming platforms in China. With over 160 million followers across global social media platforms and over 40 billion total streams and views, 88rising’s global influence is undeniable.

CONNECT WITH ISOxo

Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Source: Blackstar

ADB, Fourth Partner Energy to Build Solar Power Plant in India, Supplying Commercial and Industrial Sector

NEW DELHI, INDIA (28 August 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fourth Partner Energy Private Limited (Fourth Partner) signed a long-term loan of up to 1.2 billion Indian rupees (about $14.7 million) to construct and operate a 25-megawatt solar photovoltaic-based power plant to increase clean and low-cost energy supply to commercial and industrial customers.

The power plant, located in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India, is expected to generate about 50.7 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and will directly sell power to commercial and industrial users. India’s progressive open access renewable energy policy allows a group of consumers to purchase electricity directly from an Independent Power Producer (IPP).

“Open access energy procurement can play an important role in businesses achieving their net zero emissions targets,” said ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department Director General Suzanne Gaboury. “Solutions like this are being spearheaded by ADB to promote renewable energy across the region. This is ADB’s first direct financing to a renewable energy plant of this nature and is expected to crowd in international commercial financing to further decarbonize the commercial and industrial sector”.

Nearly 41,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year will be avoided through the plant, which would otherwise have been generated by conventional fossil fuel plants.

“We are excited to add ADB to our esteemed list of green financiers as we move closer to our 3.5 GW renewable energy target by 2025.  Fourth Partner is also constructing solar and wind parks across Ottapidaram, Tuticorin, and Nandikundu in Tamil Nadu,” said Fourth Partner Energy Co-Founder and Executive Director Vivek Subramanian. “We see this project as the beginning of our long-standing partnership with ADB to deliver cleaner, affordable power to India’s commercial and industrial sector,”

ADB has supported the development of renewable energy in India since 2007 when it financed the first set of wind projects under the IPP model. ADB has subsequently financed solar IPPs by assisting projects under the National Solar Mission and various state policies.

Fourth Partner is India’s leading renewable energy solutions platform, focused on building and financing renewable energy projects for commercial and industrial consumers. It offers end-to-end capabilities including evaluation, design, planning, procurement, construction, operation, maintenance, and financing of critical solar, wind, and battery storage infrastructure.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB; photo by ADB