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“Good luck resisting Harper Bloom’s storytelling nous”
– Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Unearthed
“Bloom’s immersive works easily portray some of the finest songwriting in this country right now” – Tonedeaf
“Against a backdrop of acoustic guitars, electronic flourishes and energetic percussion, Bloom’s sincere vocals paint an intimate, expressive portrait” – Music Feeds
Following the April release of her heartening debut single ‘Mary’, Perth-bred, Melbourne-based indie-folkster Harper Bloom has today released ‘Walk My Way’ – a charming and playful take on the sense of self-doubt that tends to accompany a one-sided crush.
A delightful acoustic-driven vignette, ‘Walk My Way’ is the second single taken from Bloom’s forthcoming EP, Faith, Sex and Skin, where she teamed up with prolific Australian producer Benjamin McCarthy (Gordi, Thelma Plum, G-Flip, Alex The Astronaut), who enhanced Bloom’s pared-back acoustic songs with electro-pop flourishes.
According to Bloom, ‘Walk My Way’ is a light-hearted spin on overcoming feelings of self-doubt when negotiating hierarchical differences in a budding relationship.
“I think ’Walk My Way’ applies to anyone who feels like they’re not good enough for someone, whether that’s due to wealth, looks, gender, etc.,” says Bloom.
“As the song unfolds, it reveals that learning to overcome self-doubt is important, because there are beautiful people in this world who see through all those superficial things and choose to love you, despite the judgement of others.”
Going hand-in-hand with the single is the video for ‘Walk My Way’, featuring Bloom and her real-life girlfriend in their Brunswick home. Once again, Bloom has enlisted the talent of director and cinematographer David Hansen, who in the midst of stage three restrictions, brought ‘Walk My Way’ to life.
Stay tuned for more news about Bloom’s upcoming EP, Faith, Sex and Skin.
Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Manchester, UK
How did you first start playing music?
It was a natural progression which stemmed from just loving music, to then going out to clubs, buying a set of turntables, then CDjs and I’ve not looked back since.
How has your COVID19 experience been so far?
It’s been up and down really, I’ve kept myself really busy doing things I’ve been meaning to do for ages but I’m slowly running out of those jobs now. We recently moved into a new home at the start of the year so we’ve been doing lots on the house.
What have you been working on recently?
Lately in the studio, I’ve been working on a new sound, something a bit darker with more of an old school feeling. I don’t have any definitive dates for when the new stuff I’ve been working on in lockdown will be released, but I’ve been enjoying making it.
Your single ‘Deeper Expectancy’ is coming out on Umek’s 1605 Label on May 29th, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track?
I wanted to make something deeper and darker than my previous work. I knew that I wanted a hypnotic sequenced bassline with fast-rolling drums, something for the darker sides of sets and late nights.
Where and when did you record/produce?
In my studio in Manchester, which is above my music school. It was done around February time before all of this started. I was playing shows and had some longer sets that needed records for transitioning into darker and deeper sounds.
What programs/equipment do you use to record/produce?
D16 Punchbox, Trillian for Bass, Rob Papen Preditor 2, Rozzer Sequencer, Soundtoys, Breeze 2 rebverb, UAD mastering plugs.
You have another release coming out soon on Terminal M, please tell us more:
It’s a 4 track EP, which ranges from Acid to melodic, to trancey rave stuff – bit of something for everyone on that release.
You’ve just launched your monthly radio show ‘Moments In Time Radio’ how did the radio show come about and how has the experience been so far?
I’m really enjoying it, especially with having a lack of shows at the moment. It’s nice to plan it out and record something.
What do you have planned for ‘Moments In Time Radio’?
To start with it’ll be one per month but once we have it established, I plan for it to go weekly and feature a lot more guests and people who are releasing on the label, as well as some friends from the industry.
Please tell us about your new sample pack:
The first sample pack of the series has been done as a Rudosa style sample pack, with signature sounds and loops, even vocals done by myself for people to use in records. It’s perfect for beginners straight through to established producers.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Im listening to more music than ever at the moment. I’m buying more in lockdown than I would be if I were touring as usual – it’s crazy. I’ve been getting vinyl records delivered as I’ve had more time to get on discogs and dig around on YouTube – I’ve almost completed Bandcamp haha.
I’ve really gotten into some faster-paced music the past few months, old school sounds, Alignment, Blicz, Airod, Hadone, Inhalt Der Nacht just to name a few.
What do you like to do away from music?
I play golf, go for walks, bike rides (when I don’t fall off and break my bike). I spend a lot of time catching up with friends so looking forward to doing that again when lockdown is lifted.
What’s planned for 2020?
I think we will start by planning a UK tour as I feel this will be the first place, venue wise, to open up to me, then start looking to rebuild things in Europe and worldwide.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
There are so many great places just in Manchester alone to try, and as soon as they reopen I’ll be going to many of my favorite places to support them. If I had to pick one I’d say Cottonoplois in the Northern Quarter, but I will be doing a food and booze crawl asap haha. I’m also really starting to miss Ibiza and with no trips planned it’s quite depressing, so I will be heading over there as soon as possible.
https://www.facebook.com/Rudosa/
https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/rudosa
Lovefest 2020. – Seems like not all ships have sunk for music lovers and there is one tiny beacon of hope. Its name is Lovefest in Serbia. Serbia is the only country to have big open-air music festivals this year and first ever to be held, after coronavirus pandemic started, is Lovefest. Lovefest will be held from 6th till 8th of August this summer in a dreamy green location of a small town called Vrnjacka Banja. The well-known city park lake will host artists such as Michael Bibi, currently one of the most wanted DJs in the world, Patrick Topping, Loco Dice, as well as the trio of Paris underground’s hottest producers – Apollonia. This year, Lovefest could be a good substitute for Berlin’s Panorama Bar because of the artist such as Jamie Tiller and Tama Sumo, Lakuti, Call Super, who will definitely bring that Berghain vibe. But that’s not all, more famous artists and headliners are yet to come in the days ahead, so stay tuned.
Ticket sale
Since just today the Serbian government announced that there are no restrictions on the number of people present at the gatherings, Lovefest will be able to welcome every music lover from Europe. Another great news also is that there is no quarantine required in Serbia so this could be your destination to go this summer. Also, from Monday, June 8th, it will be possible to buy three days tickets – regular ticket package costs 34 euros, and the VIP ticket for all three days is 69 euros. That will be possible via www.lovefest.rs, tibbaa.com, and Resident Advisor.
“Play it right”
In accordance with the situation in the world, Lovefest has decided to “Play it right” this year, and fitted the slogan of this year’s edition properly. In that way, they invite visitors to behave responsibly and in accordance with the measures.
Fast facts about Lovefest
Lovefest is an electronic music festival that hosts more than 75.000 people in three days each year, and this year will be its 14th edition. The festival has five music stages and more than 150 artists hosting every summer. Only last year, the festival hosted huge names such as Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers, Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Seth Troxler, Joseph Capriati, and many upcomers such as Enrico Sangiuliano.
In case you have not yet chosen your summer destination, a substitute for sunny beaches, and warm sea could definitely be Lovefest and of course Serbia’s capital that never ever sleeps Belgrade.
Ivy Flindt – Give It A Break
Give It A Break is a stunning release from duo Ivy Flindt, made up of Cate Martin and Micha Holland. The release is reminiscent of Dido, The National and Lucy Dacus, whilst still retaining it’s individuality. The video is an open invitation to escape the world we are currently living in, with a wealth of nostalgic nature shots, parting clouds and soaring birds. The single initially opens as an easy going ballad before developing into altogether darker endeavour, and it’s narrative fits neatly into today’s climate.
Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L – Ballerina & Blackbird
Breon S.Y.N.D.E.L is navigating through his own universe. The Brooklyn born hip-hop artist began writing as a form of self-recognition, but the floaty ambivalence of his music paired with his gymnastic lyrical abilities immediately caught the ears of the people around him. Producer WhatsHisName, and member of Free Creation Label, provides the interplanetary vibe that rides underneath all of his. This time around, it’s in the form of Ballerina & Blackbird.
John Dhali – Thought Train
John Dhali hails from the North West of England, but is currently somewhere in Cheshire on his once London-bound narrowboat. The change in journey is down to the change in all of our circumstances, and the artist has a new musical offering which carries a message for all those in isolation. The track, titled Thought Train, is all about staying connected in these darkened times. The release has been written in aid of the Shiva Trust and you can support their work via John’s go fund me linked here. Check out ‘Thought Train’
The Beamish Brothers – Nature
The Beamish Brothers, (comprised of Ben and Jeremy Beamish) bring their usual songwriting flair with their first release of 2020, and it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. All eyes are on them after they teased their new anthemic and environmentally conscious single “Nature” on national TV during the Eurovision Australia Decides broadcast, for which they were runner-ups.
SilverCoast – Try
SilverCoast are a rock outfit hailing from Scotland, whose influences stretch from Feeder, You Me At Six and Neck Deep. Formed back in 2012, the Inverness 5-piece’s newest single Try is a hard-hitting punkish single, with pop elements in its core. With sing-along chorus and hooky guitar riffs, the band look set to make their mark this year. Listen to the single.
Perfectparachutepicture – They Only Want
Perfectparachutepicture, or PPP, formed back in 2013 and the duo is made up of Kyle Ernest (Drums, Vocals) and Edward James (Bass). Despite their less than familiar set-up, the pair lose nothing in sheer power, with each riff proving more anthemic than the last. This comes to the fore in They Only Want, which is the bands first release since their self-released album ‘No Modern Desire’ towards the tail-end of 2019.
Stock Footage – You And Me
Formed in Chicago back in 2014, Stock Footage are reeling from their triumphant single ‘Broken Together’, which has received notable acclaim within the blog community and success on DSPs. Their latest offering, You and Me, is a cut from a similar cloth and is a culmination of pop flair and noughties indie charm.
Lachie A’rden – Into The Night
Australian born producer, Lachie A’rden, is set to release his uplifting EDM single Into The Night. The release follows ‘Sacred’, Lachie’s stunning debut which drew acclaim from The Noise Gate, The release is primarily guided by an inspiring vocal, perfectly placed above driving percussion and a carefully crafted bed of strings and synths. Packed with driving rhythms and relentless bass grooves make this track the perfect pre-summer anthem.
R3HAB explores uncharted sonic territory on “Bésame (I Need You),” his sultry new collaboration with singer/actress TINI and Latin GRAMMY-winning Latin Pop trio Reik. We quickly find out what happens when three powerhouses of this magnitude come together, as the track subtly fuses exquisite elements of each one’s signature sound. R3HAB delivers his deep, driving drum bass lines that serve as the backbone of the song, asking listeners to get up and dance, while Reik‘s influence plays with Latin-infused melodies that give “Bésame (I Need You)” exotic appeal. Platinum-certified TINI and Reik come together for a female/male vocal group, evoking images of a balmy and enthralling night out dancing. The single is out now on Hollywood Records and follows R3HAB‘s releases “Feel Alive” for “SCOOB!” movie’s soundtrack as well as “Be Okay” with HRVY.
“Right after we started working on the song, it was clear what the sound of the track will be like. Tini & Reik brought the perfect energy, which you can hear throughout the entire song. “Besame (I Need You)” is being released right in time to provide these necessary summer vibes to our fans.” – R3HAB
“I am so excited to work with Reik and Rehab. I find it very interesting to explore new musical styles, and Bésame definitely has a special sound, distinctive from other songs. I feel very honored to collaborate with these two great artists.” – TINI
“We love the song. It’s super energetic, it makes one dance and have fun all the time. It’s one of those songs that you really just wanna jump to. Looking back, we remember meeting TINI at a concert in Argentina when she was 15, or so. It’s crazy now having the song together with her. About R3HAB, we just recently met him, and we love what he does. He already remixed our earlier single “Si Me Dices Que Si,” and it blew our mind, as he took the song to another dimension. Collaborating with R3HAB again is awesome” – Reik
Over the last eight years, the Dutch/Moroccan artist Fadil El Ghoul – better known as R3HAB – has established himself as a leader at the forefront of modern electronic music. His talent has been called the “future of the craft” by the likes of Forbes and Billboard, and he’s circuited the globe’s best clubs and festivals, all without the backing of a formal record label. In 2017, R3HAB independently released his debut album “Trouble” through his imprint CYB3RPVNK, which amassed over a half-billion streams globally and officially placed R3HAB among electronic music’s heavy hitters. He made number 14 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 list in 2019, topping the charts with tracks like “Lullaby” and “Hold On Tight,” while his sophomore album “The Wave,” revealing more complex, emotional and experimental layers of himself, has amassed over 250 million streams on Spotify alone. In 2019 R3HAB‘s “All Around The World”’ with A Touch of Class quickly became his biggest ever record already topping 200M streams across platforms and achieving gold & platinum status in 8 countries. It was followed by “Flames,” R3HAB‘s collaboration with ZAYN.
Since her 2016 debut album, TINI has become a global phenomenon, with a social following of 24 million and 3 billion combined audio and video streams. TINI toured Europe and Latin America on her headline “Quiero Volver” tour in 2019/2020, including 9 sold-out Luna Park shows in Buenos Aires. TINI‘s most recent releases include “Recuerdo” (99 million combined streams), “Oye” (301 million combined streams), Gold-certified “Fresa” (379 million streams), and Platinum-certified “22” (365 million combined streams.) TINI has had numerous collaborations with fellow A-list artists, including Sebastian Yatra, Karol G, Morat, Greeicy, Cali y El Dandee, Mau & Ricky, Alesso, Jonas Blue, Alvaro Soler, Ovy on the Drums, Nacho and The Vamps. TINI will also be joining Alejandro Sanz as a judge on the upcoming season of THE VOICE (La Voz) in Spain, airing later this year.
Multi-platinum and award-winning group Reik is made up of band members Jesus Navarro (vocals), Julio Ramirez (acoustic guitar), and Bibi Marin (electric guitar). With a career spanning over 15 years, Reik are the most listened to Mexican band in the world. Reik’s top singles include “Aleluya” (110 + million audio streams), “Indeciso” (145 + million audio streams), “Me Niego” (575 + million audio streams), “Duele” (52 + million audio streams), “Amigos con Derechos” (337 + million audio streams), “Creo En Ti” (187 + million audio streams) and “Ya Me Entere” (421 + million audio streams.) Reik has a social following of over 45 million and appear courtesy of Sony Music Mexico.
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SUPPORT FOR ‘NERVOUS BREAKDOWN’
“It’s timely and brilliant, and with plenty more on the way, we can’t help but feel this is going to be another decade lush with the charm and excitement of one of Australia’s best bands, ten years after their journey all started.”
– Pilerats (AUS)
Aussie indie legends Philadelphia Grand Jury have returned with their endearing new single ‘Nervous Breakdown’ – produced and mixed by frontman Simon Berckelman (The Internet, Lime Cordiale, Dune Rats) and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Lana Del Ray).
Dripping with their trademark charm, ‘Nervous Breakdown’ is two minutes and thirty seconds of soaring feel-good indie-rock. Opening with bouncing vocoder and driving bass, punctured by the captivating vocals of Berckelman, the track playfully weaves intricate guitar riffs and vibrant percussion, before the bridge hastens the track towards its satisfying conclusion.
Simon talks about the meaning behind ‘Nervous Breakdown’:
“Just to be clear, we wrote this song about a year ago, right when the world was heading full charge into oblivion without even realising it. Of course, it seems perfect for it to be coming out right now and I’m cool with that. I guess the song is a combo of that anxiety only being in love can really create and how that gets mixed up with everything else into a big old crazy blender. At the same time as getting it all off my chest, I can’t help but ask myself if it’s valid and if anyone else even has any interest in hearing about it? Am I simply lucky to have the time to be preoccupied with my own inner most feelings? Other people have to dig holes, drive buses, that kind of thing”.
The band’s debut album ‘Hope Is For Hopers’ reached No. 34 on the ARIA Album Charts and was nominated for a J Award. Single ‘Going to the Casino’ won an AIR award for ‘Best Independent Single or EP’, with triple j Unearthed awarding them a slot in 2009’s Big Day Out. This support continued with single ‘The Good News’ also coming in at No. 57 in the that year’s triple j’s Hottest 100, and a performance on the station’s iconic segment Like a Version.
In the live arena the trio have sold out multiple national headline tours and performed with contemporaries Franz Ferdinand, Manchester Orchestra, Megan Washington and Art vs Science, as well as playing world renowned festivals The Great Escape (UK), Live At Leeds (UK), Splendour in the Grass, Laneway Festival, Big Day Out and Falls Festival.
The trio’s releases have been widely embraced by Apple Music, NME (UK), Clash (UK), Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The Age, Channel V, Music Feeds, The Music and a host of others. They’ve also seen extensive support from Australian radio stations triple j, Double J, triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio and community radio.
In the coming weeks Philadelphia Grand Jury will announce new tour dates and reveal an accompanying music video for ‘Nervous Breakdown’.
‘Nervous Breakdown’ is available worldwide now through Normal People Making Hits
Click to stream ‘Nervous Breakdown’
FOLLOW PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY
Western Australian singer songwriter Paige Valentine reveals her first single of 2020 with the stunning new track ‘Pure’ + live hometown launch
Paige Valentine is back with a stunning new single ‘Pure’, her first release for 2020. Co-written with renowned songwriter Matt Gresham and produced by The Money War’s Dylan Ollivierre, the song is a hauntingly soulful track that perfectly showcases Paige’s exquisite vocal range. “I think the real key has been writing from the heart,” says Paige of the single. “Letting my voice go where it wants to.”
Out today, ‘Pure’ marks an exciting new direction and style for the newly Fremantle-based musician, following a move away from her hometown of Margaret River. Opening with a sparsity that allows Paige’s exquisite vocals to take the floor, ‘Pure’ unfolds in gradual layers of synths, keys, and delicate harmonies, soundtracking an intimate and personal journey back to love.
“Pure was written on a winter’s afternoon while visiting my friend and fellow writer, Matt Gresham. I was beginning to witness a number of friends’ long term relationships being tested and drew a bit on personal experience, when two people who love each other seem to drift apart chasing different dreams, or going through hardships, or just generally changing as people. Matt already had the chords ready to go, I ad-libbed the first verse and chorus while he was playing guitar. We both knew we were onto something really special and something that really hit a nerve, Matt even asked if I wanted to continue writing it – it was intense. We finished the song half an hour later…vulnerable, personal, challenging songwriting. I went to Sydney and did some pre-production with Billy Otto, before returning to Fremantle and finishing the single with Dylan Ollivierre (The Money War). Pure is about trying to remember why you love someone and wanting to get back to that innocence of when you fell in love.” – Paige Valentine
Though still early in her career, accolades have started piling up for Paige, who is already a five-time WAM Award nominee and Vanda & Young International Song Competition finalist. Flattering as this may be, Valentine’s motivation is purely her music. To write the best songs she can, and deliver them with honesty and tenacity. Paige Valentine shows no signs of slowing down in 2020, with another single already in the works and hints of an EP on the way. To launch the release of ‘Pure’, Paige will be celebrating with a special intimate live hometown show at Feld & Co. A Tiny Spaces Event on Thursday 11 June.
Paige Valentine ‘Pure’ Single Launch
Thursday 11 June
Feld & Co. A Tiny Spaces Event
7.00-8.00pm AWST
Limited capacity of 40
Tickets $25 +BF
‘Pure’ is out now via AWAL
Spotify / iTunes / Apple Music
Bandcamp
‘Pure’ Credits
Recorded / Produced by Dylan Ollivierre
Mixed by Andy Lawson (Debaser)
Mastered by William Bowden
Today is the day. A red letter day. A red hot letter day. It is the day that Melbourne rockers, The Casanovas, release their new single ‘Red Hot’ and announce their forthcoming album ‘Reptilian Overlord’ – out August 28.
Last year, with a set of great new material, the re-tooled Casanovas hit the studio with iconic Oz rock producer Mark Opitz (AC/DC, The Angels, Cold Chisel, The Divinyls) to record a new album. The Casanovas provided the first taste from the upcoming album late last year when they released their first new music in over four years with popular single ‘Hollywood Riot’.
This new single ‘Red Hot’ proves to live up to its name, with James “The Hound Dog” Young, owner of the iconic Cherry Bar in the boys’ hometown calling ‘Red Hot’ “another scorcher”. “It’s like they’ve captured all my favourite rock acts – Cheap Trick, Stones, Kiss, ZZ Top & AC/DC, and crammed them all into their own jar of Vegemite” he proclaims.
The Casanovas will launch the single this Saturday Night at 8PM (AEST), with a live-streamed performance from Melbourne venue Musicland. Details here.
‘Red Hot’ revels in everything that fans have come to know and love about The Casanovas, and it shows the impact of Opitz, who was involved in many of the band’s favourite albums like Powerage and Face To Face. As Casanovas bassist Damo Campbell says, “Mark is the master at miking for great guitar tones. He definitely brought some of those techniques into our sessions… It was also pretty inspiring to be in the studio hearing some of Mark’s stories of some of the great rock bands he has worked with over his career.”
Singer/guitarist Tommy Boyce credits legendary Brit blues rockers Free as an influence on ‘Red Hot’. Free’s rock-solid, soulful groove had a huge influence on Tommy during the writing of this song. “I was enjoying those big riffs that have heaps of space in between chords,” says Tommy. “That kind of tough, unhurried swagger.”
Swagger is something that these guys have in spades. Although they got caught up in the early 21st-century rock mania, The Casanovas always had deeper roots and a natural ease. Hailing from the Live Rock’n’Roll Capital of the Universe – Melbourne – The Casanovas were a merging of two great local traditions –punk rock’n’roll and Oz Rock – and they had a twinkle in their eye and brought a youthful freshness to both when they appeared at the start of the century.
‘Red Hot’ is available on all platforms now, along with its B-Side, ‘St Kilda is Fucked’, a heartfelt (albeit cheeky) denunciation of the one-time jewel of Melbourne’s South; once a rock’n’roll haven, now gentrified. It’s not going to win them any new fans in their old stomping ground but might raise a smile amongst some of their old ones.
‘Red Hot’ is out today and available here:
The Casanovas’ 5th studio album Reptilian Overlord is out August 28 and is now available to pre-order on all formats including limited edition reptilian green vinyl and CD here.
The Casanovas launch ‘Red Hot’ this Saturday Night, June 6 at 8PM (AEST), with a live-streamed performance from Melbourne venue Musicland. Details here.
www.facebook.com/thecasanovas.
This is it, folks – The Angels 2020. 44 years after their first release, The Angels have released their new EP, Under The Stone. Their first new material in six years, this is a band that’s still raging with the energy and intensity of an act that’s just starting out.
Under The Stone is classic Angels, the band that Jimmy Barnes said “changed Australian music forever”. There are few more glorious sounds in Australian music than the blistering guitar attack of the Brewster brothers.
The title track ‘Under The Stone’ came to The Angels’ Rick Brewster in a dream, “I’d been messing around with a number of slower tunes and felt the urge to write a full-on riff-based track,” he explains. “It was one of those ‘wake up in the middle of the night, I’ve got to record this riff before I forget it’ episodes.”
Under The Stone shows many sides to The Angels, it’s not all about their classic guitar sound. Drummer Nick Norton assumes lead vocal duties on two tracks – ‘Escape’ and ‘Leaders of Men’ – and ‘Heart to Heart’ is “an unashamed nod to Pink Floyd”. With a powerful vocal by Dave Gleeson, it’s a moving song about child sexual abuse and the innocent victims that are left behind.
‘Escape’ resonates with the crazy times we find ourselves in. “I wrote ‘Escape’ years ago, not as a pandemic lament but as a tale of world weariness,” Nick explains. He imagined the song would be classic Angels: riff-driven hard rock. But it took a surprising left turn with John responsible for the music and became “perhaps more Bob Dylan than Angels”.
Then there’s the epic celebration of the history of blues and rock, ‘Blue Blood’, which the Brewster Brothers wrote with former Guns N’ Roses manager Alan Niven. It’s no surprise that Niven is a fan, with Axl Rose on record as saying, “one of the main reasons this band [Guns N’ Roses] got together was a song called ‘Take A Long Line’”.
Under The Stone shows that The Angels remain a potent force. Live on stage. And on record. Under the glitter. Under the Stone.
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