BandFreaks Music News for Today: August 22, 2005
Today's Indie Music Headlines
+++ Rockview Records Announces Official Launch
+++ Recording Artist Gives Away His New Single "Song for Free"
+++ Reef The Lost Cauze Revitalizes Philly Hip Hop with New Album, Single
+++ Minneapolis Punk Rock Band ANGRY ATOM Records New Album
+++ Urban Network Talent Search
+++ Popular LA Hip Hop artist Cleva taps his jazz, classical, and Flamenco training
Today in the Music Scene
+++ India.Arie and Ashley Judd Explore The Worldwide Struggle Against HIV/AIDS
+++ 30th Anniversary of Patti Smith's Proto-Punk Masterpiece, 'Horses,' Celebrated With Release of 'Horses Horses' on Arista/Columbia/Legacy
+++ J Records Signs Singer Mario Vazquez
Today on the Indie Music Scene ...
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Rockview Records Announces Official Launch
Indie-label debuts with releases from Foghat, Blue Cheer, J-Henry and Sean Chambers
Los Angeles (PRWEB) -– Music industry veteran Jeff Grabow announces today the formation of Rockview Records. The Beverly Hills-based label is nationally distributed through Fontana/Universal.
With approximately 20 annual releases scheduled, Rockview’s focus is on offering CD and DVD releases from established acts that spend up to half the year on the road. A key part of the marketing pie, the label plans to leverage their acts’ heavy touring schedules with a mix of traditional and non-traditional marketing efforts including micro-marketing to specific regions and cities. In addition to well-known acts, the label will also support up-and-coming artists on a more limited basis.
As Grabow, Rockview’s President and CEO points out, “The heart and soul of a band’s survival is live performances. We believe that we’ve got a winning formula based on targeted marketing and promotion in the places where our acts perform.”
Rockview’s roster currently includes long-time fan favorites and touring dynamos, Foghat and Blue Cheer, as well as up-and-coming artists, J-Henry and Sean Chambers. Releases coinciding with the label launch include Foghat DVD Official Bootleg #1 (2002 – 2004), Blue Cheer Live Bootleg (London-Hamburg), Sean Chambers Humble Spirits, and J-Henry Another Long Day. Additional releases are forthcoming from Ten Years After, Colin John, Scott Holt, Stereocell, and Michael Shapiro.
http://www.rockviewrecords.com/
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Recording Artist Gives Away His New Single "Song for Free"
Readers can download, keep and share the full version of the free song at www.SongForFree.com -- there's no catch.
(PRWEB) -- Download, keep and share the full version of the free song at www.SongForFree.com -- there's no catch.
Todd Lerner has worked for Rolling Stone, Spin, and Blender magazines, while quietly taking years to write and record his debut CD of original pop/rock songs.
Todd is simply giving away his single "Song For Free" which is a free song that's also about being a free song. From the controversial lyrics:
"Take this song for free. Share the song but don't steal the CD..."
Today's changed music marketplace calls for a new kind of artist. In the past, readers often had to buy a CD full of second-rate songs just to get the hit single. But Todd has always felt that every song released by an artist should carry its own weight.
"Song for Free" is the first track on the new CD "If Right Now Played Guitar," which contains ten other tightly-arranged melodic songs.The CD package has a distinctive transparent design and a minimal look.
The website where you get the free song, www.SongForFree.com , is highly interactive and features a fun custom music player where lyric panels slide down while you sample other songs. The unique flash site is loaded with other interactive treats as well.
Todd does vocals and plays guitar, keyboards and other instruments. Plus he's fully involved with the studio production of his songs. He's doing no live shows at this time; he is focused on his studio work.
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Reef The Lost Cauze Revitalizes Philly Hip Hop with New Album, Single
Reef The Lost Cauze brings raw Philadelphia style to the Masses! New single "Fair One" features Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik. New "Feast Or Famine" album is in stores September 20.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) -- Reef The Lost Cauze is bringing his raw lyrical abilities into the ranks of Hip Hop's elite with his new album Feast Or Famine. The album will be released on September 20, 2005, on Good Hands Records, distributed through Eastern Conference.
Reef The Lost Cauze made a name for himself with the 2003 independent Invisible Empire project, and has made impact this year with his Philadelphia crew, the JuJu Mob, on their critically acclaimed Black Candles LP. In addition to making several guest appearances with various artists over the past two years, he established himself in the MC battle circuit, dominating New York’s End Of The Weak MC Challenge and other competitions.
Feast Or Famine encompasses Reef’s creative growth, and showcases his formidable lyrical abilities. The first official single, “Fair One”, features veteran Bootcamp Clik emcee Sean Price, and production from DJ Mighty Mi of the popular underground crew High & Mighty. You can hear the track at www.tygereye.net/reef
Fellow JuJu Mob member Charon Don joins Reef on the street banger “I’m Rich”, while Chief Kamachi, also of JuJu Mob, appears on “Already Dead” - both laced with club-savvy production from E. Dan and DJ Huggy. Newcomers Eyego Direct, Emynd and Snuff round out the production with powerful backdrops for Reef’s wide array of lyrical topics. Additionally, a video for the track "Commander In Chief" will be available for video shows nationwide.
www.tygereye.net/reef
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Minneapolis Punk Rock Band ANGRY ATOM Records New Album
Popular Minneapolis band records new album in preparation for energetic national tour.
Minneapolis, Minn, (PRWEB) -- Minneapolis punk rock band ANGRY ATOM has left the studio. The band spent several months recording their new album “REPLAY” and finished the songs in mid-August.
All songs are written by the band. The hard-driving title track, REPLAY, is a powerful song about lost love; the acoustic ballad FEELINGS is about a lost friend. Other songs are new creations for the album or completely re-worked fan favorites.
Angry Atom, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in June, 2005, is now preparing the album for duplication and distribution and expects to release it to the public by October 1st. REPLAY will be distributed by the band at its website http://www.angryatom.com and various indie music websites. The first single from the album, the title song REPLAY, will be released with the band’s first music video.
Angry Atom’s first album, “Four Years to Nowhere,” was released in 2001. In 2003, the band released “The EP.”
Angry Atom is made up of band mates B.J. Lother, his brother Micah Lewis Lother, and life-long buddy Phil Marston Pearson. All of their songs are written by the band.
B.J., born in Minneapolis on February 16, 1979, plays guitar, sings, and formed the band.
"I just decided to learn how to play the guitar so I could start a band," says B.J. "I didn't have any music books, so I taught myself to play using mathematics!"
The idea of starting Angry Atom hit him in the middle of the night five years ago. "I wanted to be able to help people who had issues like me, to do something positive, to make the world a better place." It makes sense when you learn that one person he admires is his wife's grandfather, a man who was only 18 when he enlisted in the army the day after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. B.J. admires the courage and bravery it takes to stand up for what is right.
He has strong feelings about the fans of Angry Atom. "I would say 'friends' not 'fans'…in fact, everyone who likes our music is officially my friend." He is always amazed that people appreciate his music, and it makes him feel good. One of the best experiences of his life was an Angry Atom concert at the world-famous Knitting Factory in New York City, a concert full of fans far from the band's home base of Minneapolis. Even a thousand miles away, Angry Atom fans were excited and supportive.
Micah, born in Minneapolis on April 13, 1983, sings, plays bass, and writes the lyrics.
This Minneapolis-born and bred boy exudes talent and energy. He's the kind of talent who simply hears an instrument and then decides to play it…and play it well. Since his pre-teen years, he has picked up guitar, bass, Irish whistles, keyboards, and other instruments.
"Music," says this accomplished musician, "is a rudder that helps us guide our hearts and minds to the things that really matter in life."
Micah's talent and skill has made him a sought-after player for other musicians and he has traveled throughout the world backing up other groups.
What does Micah want out of life? "To write music that inspires people to desire love rather than hate, light rather than darkness, hope rather than despair, victory over defeat," he says.
He believes in the fans of Angry Atom. They are his inspiration. They are the reason he works hard at building his talent and skill. Micah and his band-mates have a close-knit friendship. To Micah, Angry Atom is a recipe for creativity, energy, and good times.
Phil, born in Minneapolis on November 21, 1981, is the drummer extraordinaire.
When Phil was 10 years old, his dad bought him a guitar and Phil's life suddenly revolved around practicing music. "I realized then what I was going to do with my life," he says. He wanted to be able to play Jimi Hendrix songs. "I love the way music can change your mood or make you relax or whatever," he says. "I love music because of the way it makes me feel." He admires Johnny Cash for the way he could tell stories with his songs, and Frank Sinatra for his presence on stage.
Phil joined Angry Atom as the band's drummer. Before that, he played guitar all day and worked in the family café. He feels that Vinnie Calleuta and Dave Weckl are the best drummers to ever live.
One of Phil's favorite experiences with the fans of Angry Atom was the first time the fans sang along with the music. "That was really awesome," he says. As for Angry Atom, Phil says, "There is a close friendship that we all have that is very unique; I don't think I've ever met a band that is as close as we are."
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Urban Network Talent Search
Urban music's premier industry trade magazine announces new on-line talent competition.
(PRWEB) -- Urban Network is proud to present its first URBAN NETWORK TALENT SEARCH. This innovative and exciting on-line contest will give unsigned artists the opportunity to advance their careers through worldwide exposure and a chance to win a prize package worth over $25,000 in recording, distribution, and promotional services.
This on-line competition gives fans from around the world the opportunity to listen and help decide on who should be the 1st URBAN NETWORK TALENT SEARCH GRAND PRIZE WINNER. The Mix, Urban Network’s internet radio station, will broadcast the competition to listeners in over 20 countries.
Open to contestants from the Hip Hop, Gospel and R&B categories, 1 finalist from each category will win the chance to perform in front of a panel of judges at the 16th Annual Urban Network and Marketing Conference in Palm Springs, Ca April 2006 to compete for the Grand Prize.
Urban Network has teamed up with companies such as SonicBids, Genre Records, 1-Stop Graphics and Distribution, Live 365, and Black Gospel Promo, to deliver a first-class competition designed to provide a golden key to ignite the career of urban music’s next star.
Arthur Mitchell, director of the Urban Network Business Development department, says “This is a very exciting time for Urban Network, its partners, and artists alike. Urban Network is in a great position now to give Independent artists the exposure they need to really jumpstart their careers. “
Urban Network, in existence since 1988, is the premier entertainment industry publication, online portal and multi-media company bridging the urban entertainment community—its lifestyle, the consumer, the film, radio, retail and record industries.
Urban Network is dedicated to connecting artists and their fans worldwide and will continue to support the independent music industry by offering programs both nationally and globally.
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Popular LA Hip Hop artist Cleva taps his jazz, classical, and Flamenco training
Musician, producer, writer and arranger Cleva melds musical styles in “The Game of Life,” critically-acclaimed debut EP
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) -- If Hip Hop gets a bad rap it's because the genre remains largely within the narrow confines of its original definitions.
Along comes Cleva (www.cleva.info), a musician, composer, producer, and arranger who draws on his unconventional musical training to cultivate Hip Hop with licks borrowed from jazz, classical and Flamenco – all while remaining firmly planted on Hip Hop's soil.
Cleva's new album, “The Game of Life,” is 16 tracks of Hip Hop performed with uncompromising originality – the usual driving funk accompanied by subtle lyrics and original arrangements that draw on surprising musical styles.
“I truly hate it when I hear people say Hip Hop is not music. That's what I want to change. I want people to have a musical experience either through the instrumentation or harmonies that they haven't had with Hip Hop before,” says the 26-year-old singer who composed, arranged, and produced the album as well.
And it's not just the music that explores new territories; it's the lyrics as well – gritty yet positive, unflinching yet hopeful. “I was raised in neighborhoods that invested everything in gang violence. While that's true of most rappers, they rap their experience; I rap what I've learned from my experience.”
Cleva began developing his gift in music at the early age of five years old, training in classical piano for three years before moving on to guitar. At 12, Cleva began developing as a lyricist, heavily influenced by Dr. Dre, Dj Quik, Tupac, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Ant Banks, Notorious Big, and Outkast just to name a few.
At 16, Cleva began to hang out in different studios and became a student in the art of production. He fell in love with composing tracks but realized that one of the weaknesses in the game was the lack of musical originality. So he refused to sample any compositions and decided to write everything himself.
At 18 he returned to his musical roots with intense training for three years in jazz theory on both piano and guitar.
There's a rare maturity found on “The Game of Life.” It's the maturity of an accomplished artist, yes, but also the maturity of a genre on its way to growing up.
For more information, visit www.cleva.info.
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Today in the World of Music ...
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India.Arie and Ashley Judd Explore The Worldwide Struggle Against HIV/AIDS
'VH1 News Presents: Tracking The Monster: Ashley Judd and India.Arie Confront AIDS in Africa'
A Special Highlighting VH1's Partnership With The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Premiering Tuesday, August 23 at 8PM*
NEW YORK, /PRNewswire/ -- AIDS: this health crisis has already taken the lives of over 20 million. Approximately 40 million people are living with HIV today. As part of its continuing public affairs initiative, VH1 invited India.Arie and Ashley Judd to take a first-hand look at the health emergency and how it is affecting communities in Nairobi, Kenya and Antanarivo, Madagascar. Though Ashley and India.Arie encountered sadness and suffering in these communities, they also found hope. Those who care for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS expressed this hope on a daily basis, through their remarkable courage and stamina in the face of the crisis. Watch India.Arie and Ashley Judd's emotional journeys on "VH1 News Presents: Tracking the Monster: Ashley Judd and India.Arie Confront AIDS in Africa."
Premiering Tuesday, August 23 at 8:00 p.m., "VH1 News Presents: Tracking the Monster: Ashley Judd and India.Arie Confront AIDS in Africa" is an intimate look at the global emergency of HIV/AIDS. The documentary follows India.Arie and Ashley Judd in Africa as they volunteer with two HIV/AIDS projects funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund). Working alongside local staff for a week, Ashley and India.Arie learned about the objectives of Global Fund projects as well as how to bring comfort and consolation to those who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Each day they journeyed into neighborhoods, hospices and HIV testing centers where they formed friendships with African people battling this disease. India.Arie and Ashley fed, hugged and listened to patients as they worked to ease their suffering and help to diminish the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
In the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, many families and communities have already been ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. The documentary follows India.Arie's visit with KENWA (the Kenya Network of Women with AIDS), a grassroots, community-based organization founded in 1993 by five women living with HIV/AIDS, and now supported mainly by the Global Fund. Accompanied by her mother Simpson, India.Arie joined community health workers in their daily rounds to care for AIDS orphans, and to offer comfort, physical care and counseling to individuals living with the disease. Together they met face to face with those who are HIV positive and live daily under dire circumstances.
In Madagascar, the incidence of HIV/AIDS is still low, and AIDS workers hope to seize opportunities to prevent an epidemic on a scale like that of Kenya. Together with the Global Fund, YouthAIDS has established testing centers in Madagascar for commercial sex workers, and for youth within local high schools.
As YouthAIDS Global Ambassador, Ashley Judd, joined local YouthAIDS staff as a peer educator, helping sex workers and adolescents understand the importance of being tested for HIV, and of modifying their behavior to best protect themselves. In Antananarivo, where AIDS still carries a heavy stigma, Ashley and her friend, Moyra Mulholland, experienced the tough street life of many young women who are most at risk of HIV infection.
"VH1's unprecedented commitment to tell the story of the Global Fund's life saving work means that millions of Americans will be awakened to the global catastrophe caused by these curable and preventable scourges," said Jack Valenti, President of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, a Washington, D.C. based organization that works to increase support for the Global Fund in the United States.
VH1's public affairs efforts also extends to its VH1.com web site, which will stream all of the network's PSAs and will highlight the network's campaign in collaboration with The Global Fund and feature HIV awareness information. Viewers can log onto http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/93916/episode.jhtml for more information. For more information on The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, viewers can log onto The Global Fund site http://www.theglobalfund.org/ or http://www.vh1.com/aids.
"VH1 News Presents: Tracking the Monster: Ashley Judd and India.Arie Confront AIDS in Africa" was produced by Boom Pictures. Co-executive producers for Boom are Matthew Ginsburg and David Leepson. Warren Cohen was Senior Producer for VH1. Brad Abramson is the Executive Producer for VH1. Michael Hirschhorn and Shelly Tatro are Executive Producers for VH1.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created in 2002 to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. The Global Fund attracts, manages and disburses resources to developing nations in their fight against AIDS. The Fund works closely with the 129 countries providing assistance during development and implementation of prevention, treatment, and training programs. Out of every dollar donated, 98 cents goes directly to the cause.
YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS education and prevention initiative of the global health organization Population Service International, targets young people between the ages of 15-24 with positive, upbeat messages of abstinence, delayed sexual debut and protected safer-sex. YouthAIDS uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sport to reach 600 million young people in 60 countries with life-saving messages, products and services. http://www.youthaids.org/.
VH1, available in 87 million households in the U.S., connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/. VH1 is a unit of Viacom International Inc.
* all times ET/PT
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30th Anniversary of Patti Smith's Proto-Punk Masterpiece, 'Horses,' Celebrated With Release of 'Horses Horses' on Arista/Columbia/Legacy
Two-Disc Legacy Special Edition Features Newly Remastered 'Horses' Album + 'Horses' 30th Anniversary Performance Recorded Live at 2005 Meltdown Festival
'Horses Horses' In Stores November 8
NEW YORK, /PRNewswire/ -- November 2005 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Patti Smith's debut album, Horses, a groundbreaking rock & roll masterpiece which continues its unparalleled influence on rock music, style and culture. Arista/Columbia/Legacy Recordings will celebrate this musical milestone with the release of Horses Horses, a two-disc Legacy Special Edition of Patti Smith's debut album, on Tuesday, November 8.
Disc One of Horses Horses features the original album, in its entirety, along with the bonus track, Patti's interpretation of the Who's classic "My Generation." Initially released as the B-side to "Gloria," the first single from Horses, in 1975, "My Generation" features John Cale, the album's producer, on bass. The Legacy Special Edition of Horses has been remastered by Greg Calbi producing superior sound to previous editions of the album.
The second disc of Horses Horses showcases Patti Smith and her Band -- Lenny Kaye (guitar), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums), Tony Shanahan (bass), Tom Verlaine (guitar) and featuring Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers -- performing the complete Horses album live, with a "My Generation" encore, at the Royal Festival Hall in London on June 25, 2005. This historic performance of Horses was the culminating concert at the 2005 Meltdown Festival, which was curated by Patti Smith. (Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty were both members of the ensemble that played on the original Horses while Tom Verlaine was a guest artist on the 1975 album).
Horses Horses comes packaged with a deluxe booklet featuring rare archival photographs, ephemera, lyrics and documentation of the 2005 concert as well as Paul Williams' provocative essay on "Gloria."
http://www.pattismith.net/
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J Records Signs Singer Mario Vazquez
NEW YORK, /PRNewswire/ -- J Records announced today the signing of Mario Vazquez, known to many from his brief time on American Idol before withdrawing for personal reasons from the competition. This signing is a departure from J Records' previous experience with Idol contestants as the label has never signed an artist who was not a winner or runner up.
"Mario Vazquez is a multi-talented, young American born Hispanic singer with the voice and charisma that we've been trying to find for a long time. His live audition for us was truly special," says Clive Davis, Chairman of BMG U.S.
Vazquez auditioned for Davis after the last American Idol season was over and has just begun work on his debut album, which is expected to be released in the spring of 2006.
"All I've ever wanted to do is sing and I've always dreamed about having a career in music. There's no better label to achieve that goal with than J Records," says Vazquez.
Vazquez was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. His musical journey began with his mother's encouragement and listening to Doo Wop and Motown classics as a young boy. He eventually enrolled in the La Guardia High School of Performing Arts were he began to hone his art. He was also involved in the City Kids Repertoire Company in New York, which enabled him to travel the country and perform in front of the President and at major charitable functions and shelters.
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