Latest news with #GoodLife
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Harris J finds solace in faith and music
British singer-songwriter Harris J has returned with a new EP, 'Revival', and a renewed sense of purpose. During a recent promotional event, the 28-year-old Muslim artiste shared his hope that his uplifting music would resonate in regions facing humanitarian crises, such as Palestine and Sudan. He confessed to having a profound struggle with the world's injustices. "I feel that music alone isn't strong enough to fight the evil that exists. To me, that's why there's heaven and hell." Harris, whose real name is Alharith Jung, said his trust in a higher power and divine justice kept him grounded. "If there were no heaven and hell, I would lose my mind." He said if not for his belief that there would be ultimate accountability, he would not be able to cope with the suffering of innocent people. "How can you wake up every day and know what happens to innocent children in this world and not believe that there will be justice?" Harris, the voice behind hits like 'Salam Alaikum', 'Good Life' and 'I Promise', finds peace in his faith, believing God is the ultimate judge. "God is the most just judge and evil people will receive the punishment they deserve. That's what has allowed me to survive." Produced by Awakening Music, the six-track EP, which features a collaboration with Maher Zain on a re-imagined version of 'Qalbi Fil Madinah', marks his comeback after a hiatus.
The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Sticky, sweaty and heaving: rapper Illy kicks off tour in regional Australia
Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick. Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick. Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick.
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Pop is not a dirty word': Illy's living the Good-er Life on tour
The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either."
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
These 10 books will remind you to be kind to yourself
We often talk about self-care like it's a face mask or a weekend getaway, but at its core, self-care is something quieter, deeper. It's how you speak to yourself when you're feeling tired or defeated. It's how you remind yourself you're enough, even on the days that feel like too much. And while no book can solve everything, some of them feel like a friend gently taking your hand and saying, 'Let's slow down.' Here are ten such books, honest, comforting, and gently transformative, that remind you how to be kind to yourself and the world around you. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim Written by a Korean Buddhist monk, this book is like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. It teaches that sometimes doing nothing is also a form of care. The short reflections paired with soft illustrations invite you to pause and look inward without judgment. Untamed by Glennon Doyle This is not just a memoir; it's a roar of honesty. Glennon writes about breaking free from expectations and loving yourself as you are. You don't need to fix yourself maybe you were never broken in the first place. Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff Dr. Kristin Neff explains self-care not as indulgence but as survival. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vet Warns Cincinnati: "If Your Dog Licks Its Paws, Watch This Immediately" Ultimate Pet Nutrition Undo She shows how self-compassion is more powerful than self-esteem, especially during failure or heartbreak. Think of it as therapy in book form. Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King This book isn't preachy, it's practical. Vex King, once homeless, now a wellness guide to many, writes about gratitude, mindset, boundaries, and how to raise your emotional vibration without burning yourself out. The Comfort Book by Matt Haig These pages don't try to fix you. They just sit with you, reminding you that you're not alone. Written in small, digestible pieces, it's perfect for moments when you're overwhelmed but still want something gentle to hold on to. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed Pulled from her advice column 'Dear Sugar,' these letters are raw, real, and fiercely loving. Cheryl's voice is unfiltered yet kind, like a wise friend who gives you a hug and also the truth. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach Tara Brach blends psychology with mindfulness and Buddhist wisdom, gently reminding us that accepting ourselves exactly as we are is the starting point to any healing. A slower read, but deeply powerful. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay An old-school classic in the self-care realm. Louise Hay speaks about how our thoughts affect our health and energy. Whether or not you believe in affirmations, her writing is rooted in hope and gentle reminders to love yourself fiercely. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May This one is a quiet gem. It talks about how sometimes we need to hibernate emotionally, to rest, to step back, and let life move at its own pace. Especially comforting during hard seasons of life. Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown Brené is beloved for a reason. In this book, she talks about belonging, not to a group or community, but belonging to yourself. When the world feels noisy and you feel lost, her words help you find your way back to your own voice. Reading these books won't magically fix life's messiness. But they will offer kindness where the world forgets to. They'll remind you that self-care is not selfish and that gentleness toward yourself and others is a quiet kind of strength. Maybe, just maybe, one of them is the small turning point you didn't know you needed.
Boston Globe
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Outreach teams race to protect Boston's vulnerable in heatwave
Pine Street Inn is Boston's 'If we see someone on the street, absolutely we're helping them,' Reading said. 'Whether they're our client or not.' Advertisement Sitting in a wheelchair in the shade outside the West End Library, Rob Snyder, 56, graciously accepted two 8 oz. Good Life water bottles and Nutri-Grain bars del Valle produced from her backpack. Snyder said his main priority that day was avoiding a repeat of last weekend's incident. Del Valle and Reading spoke to Rob Snyder in Cambridge Street in Boston. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff 'Saturday, I had a heat stroke right over by the Copley Library. That was my third one,' he recalled. 'It's tough. It just takes a toll on you. You can't always predict when it's going to hit, but I've learned to stay in the shade whenever I can.' Advertisement Sitting just a few yards away, 61-year-old David Bard wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand after accepting water and Nutri-Grain bars from the outreach workers. 'Brutal,' he said of the heat. 'But I've got nowhere to go.' Bard said he's been living on the streets for 24 years and is currently battling multiple forms of cancer, including pancreatic and lung. The extreme heat, he said, only exacerbates his symptoms. 'It makes me nauseous, exhausted,' he said. 'Too much. Too much.' He said he tried to find shelter to ride out the heat wave, but capacity limits kept him on the street. 'Everyone is already booked up,' Bard said. 'There's never no place for us to go.' As del Valle and Reading spoke with Bard, sharing suggestions for other places he might seek shelter, two residents of nearby Beacon Hill, Anna Schoenfeld and Deborah Bennett, approached with a tote bag full of water bottles they had just purchased from the Target a block away, which they handed to the outreach workers to distribute to more people on the street. Reading and del Valle walked under the Longfellow Bridge in Boston. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff 'We were hot, they were hot,' Schoenfeld said. 'We walk by here all the time and saw people out in the sun. We just wanted to make sure they had enough water.' Later, sitting in a shaded concrete walkway outside North Station, 39-year-old Joe Joe, who chose not to disclose his last name, distributed wet wipes, sunscreen, and other toiletries handed out by the outreach workers to several of his fellow homeless friends gathered around his wheelchair. Advertisement 'You've just got to find a cool place,' said Joe Joe, who's spent 23 years — more than half his life — living on the streets. 'I got a bunch of 'em, but I can't tell you — then other people find them.' There are worse things to deal with than the heat, in his opinion. 'Summer's easier than winter,' he said. 'But it all depends if we got somewhere to go.' Moments later, an MBTA employee emerged from the nearby North Station entrance and informed the small gathering they couldn't remain in the area. Joe Joe and his friends dispersed back into the sunlight, searching for another shady refuge. Meanwhile, del Valle and Reading began the trek back to their office, their once-heavy backpacks now nearly empty. Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
