RELEASE DISC 2 OF THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 21-TRACK CONCEPT ALBUM ESCAPE ARTIST TODAY

FOCUS TRACK  “FOUR IN THE MORNING”

HEADLINING SHOW DATES FOR 2025 ON SALE NOW

NASHVILLE, TN (November 29, 2024) — Today, Yacht Rock Revue, dubbed the “world’s premier soft-rock party band” by Rolling Stone, delivered Disc 2 of their ambitious 21-track concept album Escape Artist. Now fully released across four sides of vinyl, the project highlights Yacht Rock Revue’s evolution into something far greater than a tribute act.

Disc 1 of the project was released on September 6, providing a glimpse into the pioneering collection that blends the band’s distinct style with the classic yacht rock vibe, capturing waves of emotion and paying homage to the vinyl era. It’s a sun-soaked journey back to the anthems of the ‘70s and ‘80s. 
Escape Artist captures the desire to escape modern society, using music as a primary tool to break away from the worries of daily life. “Look out in the crowd and imagine what each person is escaping from. They’re escaping the modern condition to the idea of a less complicated time,” Yacht Rock Revue’s lead vocalist Nicholas Niespodziani explains. “We see it every night on the road — an audience transported somewhere else. We are Escape Artists. That’s our magic trick.” 

“Of course, there’s the literal layer — I want to escape the confines of what our band is supposed to be,” Nicholas continues. “Are we allowed to be artists, or are we trapped by a genre? We’ve always been pushing the envelope, going where no band like ours has gone before. I want it to be OK for us to express optimism and sadness and fear and vulnerability. I want to escape the caricature that defines us. The ‘Escape Artist’ song lyrics tell that story.” 

Jed Gottlieb with The Boston Herald praised, “Yacht Rock Revue excels at escapism. If you want to steal away into the night or are in need of a cool change, Yacht Rock Revue is your band. But the members of the group aren’t just the world’s greatest AM gold and Top 40 band, they are artists… the album’s song titles evoke classic yacht themes… the lyrics have an introspection, an existentialism… the arrangements and production have as much in common with indie acts Animal Collective and the Flaming Lips as Boz Scaggs (so dreamy, so shimmery)…that incongruous mix of pop and angst, pushes Escape Artist to be a great album.”

Above: Yacht Rock Revue; Credit: Perry Julien PhotographyThe latest release from Yacht Rock Revue features a rich collection of singles showcasing their signature yacht rock sound. Previous single “Bad Decisions” (released November 1) kicks off with a slinky bassline dripping in groove, tight and rhythmic, locking in with crisp snare hits and a punchy guitar riff. As the groove unfolds, it starts to shimmer with David Bowie-esque glam, weaving in spacey synths and a haunting, atmospheric vocal delivery. Preceding “Bad Decisions,” the band delivered the groovy “San Junipero (Every Night Like Tonight)” on October 4. 

The August 9 release included the double single featuring “Waves” and “Sail On.” “Waves,” with its gentle synthesizers and steady bassline, features ethereal vocals from Kourtney Jackson that navigate lyrics about life’s ebbs and flows. Meanwhile, “Sail On” offers a Caribbean-inspired melody and island ambiance, with Peter Olson delivering reflective lyrics about simple life lessons. Prior to this, the band released “Lost In The Meantime” and “Steal Away” on July 12. Nicholas describes “Lost In The Meantime” as a tribute to the understated yet profound moments in relationships, while “Steal Away,” a cover of Robbie Dupree’s 1980 hit, has been praised by Dupree himself for its fresh and delightful take. The album also features the lead singles “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers,”which debuted on May 24, landing them the cover of Spotify’s Yacht Rock Revival playlist. “Tropical Illusion,” co-written by Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass and Nicholas Niespodziani, pays homage to Looking Glass’s classic “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).”

ESCAPE ARTIST TRACK LISTING:

DISC 1:

• Escape Artist
• Make You Miss Me
• Separate Grooves
• Waves
• Reverse Sunset
• Lost In The Meantime
• Sail On
• Steal Away (Robbie Dupree Cover)
• Tropical Illusion (feat. Elliot Lurie)
• Passenger

Disc 2:

• Triangle of Combustion
• Lonely For You
• Inverse Sunrise
• San Junipero (Every Night Like Tonight)
• Things Look Different
• Monkeys Always Swinging
• Bad Decisions
• Worse Decisions
• Here For the Feeling
• Four in the Morning
• What A Year

The band spent the summer redefining the limits of what a cover band can achieve on the 45-city tourwith Train and REO Speedwagon as direct support on the Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour. In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Yacht Rock Revue’s Nicholas Niespodziani and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin shared their enthusiasm for the tour. Additionally, Yacht Rock Revue offered an exclusive peek into life on the road with a candid tour diary for V13, while Music Connectionfeatured the band with tips on “How to Be Original in a Cover Band.”
Sarah Bahr of The New York Times reported her first-hand experience of Yacht Rock Revue’s liberating on-stage energy, observing fans who “danced for two hours to tunes from the 1970s and ’80s,” while Entertainment Weekly noted that “the shows tend to be unabashedly joyous affairs.” 
Looking on the horizon, Yacht Rock Revue is gearing up for a handful of headlining shows after wrapping up the 2024 tour with Train and REO Speedwagon. The group will join Train once again on the high seas in 2025, performing aboard the sold-out “Sail Across the Sun” cruise from February 13-17 — marking their latest return to this beloved lineup.

YACHT ROCK REVUE TOUR DATES:

ABOUT YACHT ROCK REVUE:

Founded in 2007 by two enthusiastic fans in a basement, Yacht Rock Revue has evolved into a formidable force, transforming yacht rock from a guilty pleasure into a respected art form. This dynamic 10-piece ensemble from Atlanta, GA, features Nicholas Niespodziani (vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion), Peter Olson (vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion), Greg Lee (bass, vocals), Mark Dannells (guitars, vocals), Mark Bencuya (keyboards, vocals), David B. Freeman (saxophones, keyboards, flute, piccolo, percussion, vocals), Keisha Jackson (vocals, percussion), Kourtney Jackson(vocals, percussion), Jason Nackers (drums), and Ganesh Giri Jaya (drums). Living the yacht rock dream, the band has shared stages with legends like Kenny Loggins, REO Speedwagon, Train, Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie, Matthew Wilder, John Oates, and Eddie Money. Their energetic performances, whether in intimate bars or arenas, set them apart, making their concerts immersive experiences that leave audiences yearning for more and solidifying their place in the illustrious history of yacht rock.

YACHT ROCK REVUE ONLINE:

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music singer-songwriter Makenzie Phipps brings the holiday spirit to life with her latest Christmas single, a modern twist on the classic “O Holy Night.” Opening with the warm tones of a dobro, the song blends timeless country charm with a fresh, heartfelt style that breathes new life into the beloved carol. Now available on all streaming platforms, this enchanting rendition captures the heart of the season and is set to become a holiday favorite for fans of all generations. “O Holy Night” was premiered by Country Evolution.

“I love the holidays, and Christmas music is some of my all-time favorites,” shares Phipps. “As someone who is drawn to the classics, “O Holy Night” kept coming to mind and settling in my heart. I hope you enjoy this version as much as I enjoyed recording it!”

Purchase/stream “O Holy Night”.

Phipps’ previous single “Pink Whitney,” seamlessly combines the nostalgic sounds of 90s country with a modern twist, offering a fresh take on the genre’s tradition of drink-themed anthems. Joining the ranks of classics that mention Jack Daniels and Jim Beam, the song tells the story of a woman seeking solace at a bar. Rather than opting for the usual choices, she turns to a lesser-known spirit—Pink Whitney. With its cutting-edge sound, Pink Whitney blends heartbreak and sass, celebrating the emotional highs and lows of letting loose and finding comfort in something unexpected. “Pink Whitney” was premiered by M Music & Musicians Magazine and featured by Whiskey Riff. With fresh merchandise and new music on the horizon, be sure to check out Makenzie Phipps today.

Makenzie participated in her second CMA Music Festival this year with performances throughout the week and autograph signings inside at Fan Fair X. She has been featured by Whiskey Riff, M Music & Musicians Magazine, Forbes, RFD-TV, Country Rebel, I Love Country Music, Heartland, Addicted 2 Country Music, The Country Network, Center Stage Magazine, People.com, Newsmax, LifeMinuteTV, American Songwriter, Jesus Calling, Voice Of America, Taste Of Country, and soon to come Nashville Rocks. With a constant connection to her fans that is stronger than ever, Phipps continues to thrive on social media, releasing acoustic covers throughout the week. Her beautiful renditions of “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You,” “Amazing Grace” and “Travelin’ Soldier” have nearly 4 million combined views on Facebook and continue to grow daily.

Visit HERE for more additional information and to keep up with everything Makenzie Phipps.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

About Makenzie Phipps:
Makenzie Phipps has become a fixture throughout the southeast from singing the National Anthem at sporting events to fairs, festivals, and honky tonks, where she has delighted fans with her true country voice. It was Phipps’ cover of “Amazing Grace” that heightened her popularity, with a video posted on Country Rebel quickly tallying nearly a million views on Facebook. Now, with the traditional sounds of country songstresses such as Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette held safe within her heart, Phipps has officially begun her trek to country music stardom, bringing a whole new generation a sound that they might not be accustomed to, but a sound that seems especially apropos for the turbulent times we find ourselves living within

She has been featured by Forbes, Jesus Calling, Taste of Country, RFD-TV, Country Rebel, I Love Country Music, Classic Country Music, Addicted 2 Country Music, The Country Network, Center Stage Magazine, People.com, Newsmax, LifeMinuteTV, American Songwriter, Heartland, and more. Her connection to her fans is stronger than ever, and she constantly interacts with them on social media and her streams have reached nearly fifteen thousand monthly listeners. She has received awards such as “Female Country Song of the Year” at the 2021 Josie Music Awards and a Songwriter Achievement Award in 2022. She was named “Future Star of Tomorrow” by the North American Country Music Association International as well. Her beautiful renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Travelin’ Soldier” have over 2 million combined views on Facebook and only continue to grow daily. Phipps’ acoustic version of Alan Jackson’s “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You” went viral in 48 hours with over 1 million views and currently approaching 2 million. Her new single “Pink Whitney” is available now.