Music Blurbs, Vol. 19

Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles
Tribute bands are a significant and visible part of today’s live music landscape. Bands dedicated to capturing the sounds, visual images and overall vibe of classic artists crisscross the country, performing to sellout crowds hungry to hear the music of their youth performed live. Some of the most popular acts being paid tribute include Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Eagles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. But far and away the most popular group in the tribute world is the act we’ve known for all these years: the Beatles. Back in 1975 when Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles got its start in Laguna Beach, California, the very concept of tribute bands was in its infancy. But today – more than a half-century since its inception – Rain continues its successful run. The lineup of musicians may change, but the concept remains constant: bringing the sights and sounds of Beatlemania to current-day audiences. A Rain show is part concert, part narrative, charting the Beatles’ origins, rise to success and breakup. But ultimately it’s about the music.

Dean Lewis
Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis began his professional musical career in 2014, and first appeared on the pop music landscape in 2017. His debut single “Waves” was a hit in Australia, and gained exposure in the U.S. thanks to sync licensing on Magnum P.I., Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale and several other popular shows. A 2018 singe, “Be Alright” was an even bigger success, gaining Lewis his first (and to date only) U.S. Top 40 hit. His 2019 debut album A Place We Knew earned Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum sales in eight countries, reaching no. 31 in the U.S. 2022’s The Hardest Love performed more modestly, but still earned Lewis a Gold record in three counties. His third and most recent album, The Epilogue was released in late 2024, reaching no. 2 in Australia and earning positive critical notices. He embarked upon a world tour to promote the release. Amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, in October 2025 Lewis announced a tour hiatus during which he would seek therapy. Lewis’ touring schedule resumed in January, continuing into February and throughout North America, with many dates selling out well in advance.

The Record Company
Choosing The Record Company for a band name is recipe for confusion: it implies a kind of generic-ness. But drawing equal amounts of inspiration from classic blues and protopunk artists like the Stooges, The Record Company makes music that’s much more creative than its band name might suggest. Founded in 2011, the Los Angeles-based trio (singer-guitarist Chris Vos, Alex Stiff on bass and drummer Marc Cazorla) burst on the scene with their 2016 debut album, the DIY Give it Back to You. That release climbed to the no. 5 spot on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. After a non-album single (“Baby, I’m Broken”) charted, The Record Company returned with 2018’s All of this Life; it was commercially successful as well. A 2021 EP playfully titled Side Project explored the band’s wide-ranging influences, with covers of songs by Cypress Hill, Big Mama Thornton and others. That same year saw the release of an original album, Play Loud. The 4^th Album followed in 2023.

Ana Popović
Serbian-born guitarist Ana Popović is attractive, and she makes no bones about leveraging her sexy, fashion-forward image. But looking past the arresting visuals, one finds a musician who truly knows how to shred, and to do it with feeling. Having long since proven her bona fides as a fiery blues guitarist par excellence, Popović has set out on a path of musical exploration. Deburiting as solo artist with 2001’s well-received Hush!, a record she made while studying at the Utrecht Conservatory of Music in the Netherlands. After a run of blues-focused albums, she added jazz textures to 2013’s Can You Stand the Heat; she dove into soul with 2015’s Blue Room. Her 2018 album Like it On Top was a concept album; 2023’s Power was funky. In 2025 Popović toured festivals in the U.S. and Europe with an 11-piece big band. Her latest, Dance to the Rhythm showcases r&b and Latin textures. But it’s all done with a rock-solid blues foundation.

Three Dog Night
During its 1970s heyday, Three Dog Night was a juggernaut in the pop music world. Three lead vocalists – Cory Wells, Chuck Negron and Danny Hutton – took turns in delivering the gorp’s seemingly nonstop barrage of hit songs. The differing ranges and timbres of the three singers have Three Dog Night a powerful versatility, allowing the group to tackle most any kind of song they wished. Almost always, they were catchy pop songs. And backed by a superb group of musicians, the formula worked brilliantly. Between 1968 and 1975, the band landed a staggering 21 consecutive singles on the U.S. Top 40 chart. The highly tuneful ensemble scored three number-one singles with Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” Hoyt Axton’s “Joy to the World” and a remake of a paean for racial harmony first cut by Pete Seeger, “Black and White.” Today just one of the original three singers – founding member Danny Hutton – remains, faithfully bringing the timeless hits to modern-day audiences.