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John Vento Honors Suicide Prevention Awareness Month With Latest Single
John Vento’s “Sweet Cheslie” tells the tragic story of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, while raising awareness about suicide prevention.
Music Veteran, John Vento is well-known for both his award-winning brand of rootsy rock and roll, as well as his work with multiple charitable causes. Not only is John the co-founder of non-profit, Band Together Pittsburgh, working with those on the autism spectrum, but he is also heavily involved with the Remember Me Rose Garden, in memory of the Flight 93 Heroes. Now, Vento is releasing a new song to bring awareness to Suicide Prevention Month, “Sweet Cheslie.”
“Sweet Cheslie” is dedicated to the life and memory of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. The recording brings together notable artists from the Pittsburgh area, including Shane McLaughlin (guitar/vocals), Bob Zigerelli (vocals), Cherylann Hawk (vocals) and David Granati (guitar/bass/vocals.) The song was written by Vento, McLaughlin and Granati, with lyrics by Matt Wohlfarth.
An accompanying music video for the song is in production.
John Vento said, “This track is dedicated to the memory of Cheslie Kryst, who was an American television correspondent, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2019. As Miss USA, she represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2019 competition and finished in the Top Ten. Kryst was also an attorney and had served as a correspondent for the TV program “Extra” from 2019 until her death.”
Vento continues, “On January 30. 2022, Cheslie jumped to her death from The Orion, a 60 story high rise apartment building in Midtown Manhattan. Though the world was shocked by her suicide, it once again highlighted the mental health crisis facing our society. After her death, Cheslie’s mother released a statement that her daughter had suffered from high- functioning depression.”
Living in a city of eight million
But you still somehow felt alone
Searchin’ for that rest and peaceful feelin’
May your light continue to shine
Oh sweet Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
Oh sweet Cheslie,
Why we’ll just never know
Ohhhhh Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
You could always come home
Deep beneath your beautiful brown eyes
There was a darkness that fooled us all
Wish we could have reached out and held your hand
Before you took that fall
Oh sweet Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
Oh sweet Cheslie,
Your mama wants to know
Ohhhhh Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
You could always come home
People have a need for love
That they can’t always show
Thirty seemed so old to you
With nothing else to do
Ohhhhhh Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
Ohhhh Cheslie,
Your daddy wants to know
Oh, sweet Cheslie,
Why didn’t you just come home
You could always come home
You could always come home
You could always come home
You could always come home
Come home
Through this song, the artists are doing their best to cherish the loving memory of Cheslie Kryst, while also hoping that they can somehow make an impact in someone’s life during a time of need. More details about John Vento can be seen at http://www.johnvento.com
For more information about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please visit https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-(SPAM)
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Eric Schroeder Releases Album
If you’ve ever heard the music of Eric Schroeder before, you already know that melodic sting is often the backbone of his heady rock sound, but in his latest release Turned on the Stereo, which was released this year everywhere quality indie-rock is sold and streamed, it plays as great a role as the lead vocal does. The guitar is the star in the title track of this LP, much as it guides the grooves of singles “Parting (No. 2)” and “Stayed the Same,” and whether you’re a six-string buff or not, it’s an element that will engage anyone who catches a glimpse of this album’s most powerful moments.
There’s a lot more to Turned on the Stereo than just gilded guitar tones; after all, when listening to songs like “Mother Said,” “The Kind of Wound That Never Heals,” “Plan For Me” and the juggernaut “Never Go Away,” everything from the percussion to the vocal harmony itself is presenting us with a different layer of emotion. There’s scarcely a juncture in this record where Schroeder doesn’t sound deeply invested in the narrative he’s trying to get across, which is something I could only wish to see among his mainstream competitors nowadays.
At the center of every song on this LP is the magnetizing melodicism of the leading man, which despite flexing some legit muscle in past releases bearing the Eric Schroeder name sounds much more relaxed and on-point in tracks like “Do Done Now,” “Claire’s Song” and “Easier Way to Go” than it ever did before. There’s no hesitation on the part of our leading man here; if anything, I’m not sure that he’s come across quite as confident in his performance as he does in a couple of this record’s most climactic fever pitches.
As far as the production quality is concerned, Turned on the Stereo is a superbly tight album that doesn’t leave us guessing how richly textured and full a song like the title track or “Never Go Away” might sound in a live capacity, which is undeniably a tough feat to pull off. It’s perhaps not as evenly mixed as The Crucifixion of Eric Schroeder was, but I don’t know that he was looking to go super-polished in this instance; there’s a certain authenticity that comes with filtering fresh material through a raw, unconventional sound, and that could be why this LP stings as hard as it does.
Though I just started exploring Eric Schroeder’s complete discography a little closer this April, I’ve come to appreciate his approach to songwriting all the more thanks to Turned on the Stereo, which I deem the most mature offering he has released thus far. Schroeder isn’t working with major label assets by any means here, but he’s nevertheless turning in something that feels wholly compelling and different from what his contemporaries are producing in this first half of 2024, and that alone makes it a worthwhile listen for anyone who demands organic quality in rock anymore. Top to bottom, this is a terrific listen for those who love indie riffs and smoldering lyrical emissions.
Sebastian Cole
Artist Spotlight
The Skinny Limbs Unveil Galactic Soundscape with ‘Mozart for Martians’ EP Premiere
The Skinny Limbs have unveiled their latest EP, “Mozart for Martians,” which consists of five stellar tracks that revolve around the complex universe of emotions accompanying a long-term relationship’s end. This EP’s celestial soundtrack for heartbreak, rejuvenation, and reflection seamlessly blends indie-pop with lo-fi vibes and Japanese pop influences, transcending musical genres.
This eclectic mix creates a vibrant tapestry of sound, drawing listeners into a realm that is both familiar and otherworldly. The raw vulnerability in each track reflects band member Max Knoth’s personal journey through love, loss, and life’s unpredictable twists.
Lead single “Too Little Too Late” is a gut-punching anthem that blends poignant lyrics with a sonic fusion of Japanese pop and indie elements, capturing the EP’s emotional core. Meanwhile, “To The Limit” offers a celestial blend of melodies and evocative lyrics, portraying the feelings of confusion and frustration that accompany life’s hurdles.
The EP’s sonic journey is completed by the unreleased gems, “Monday,” a jammy reflection of Max Knoth’s tumultuous breakup week, “I Know You Care,” an older track reborn, and “For So Long!,” a groovy exploration of confusion, patience, and the search for clarity.
Produced by Connor Robertson, Jake Rye, and The Skinny Limbs, and mastered by Mike Cervantes (known for his work with Dolly Parton and MisterWives), this EP is a masterful blend of heartfelt storytelling and musical innovation. The production quality is top-notch, and the EP’s 18-minute runtime provides a concise yet powerful journey that will leave listeners craving more.