Stereokiller.com Launches Fully Customizeable Band Profile Pages, Challenges Myspace Music

Myspace Music has had a stranglehold on the music hosting game for quite some time, but according to Chris Brickhouse, owner and operator of Stereokiller.com, their media player is outdated, their profiles are littered with Myspace navigation, and their pages take too long to load.

"The Myspace media player downgrades the bitrate of the music, making it sound 'fuzzy' and play at a lower volume, whereas our media player doesn't require flash... The music is exactly the same quality as uploaded," said Brickhouse. "They degrade the songs to save disk space... We won't sacrifice the music quality for a few bytes of space."

Stereokiller.com's fully customizable band profile pages are just the latest change in an ongoing effort to foster band development and promotion. Within five minutes a band could have their page up and running. The site allows users to do live previews of the site's appearance before committing to the design, and the number of tracks a user can upload is unlimited.

In addition to visual customization, users have the ability to sell merchandise (without paying a fee) on their page. The interface allows them to manually add items, then facilitates a transaction (single or multiple) via PayPal. There is also the option to connect to display Twitter activity, list upcoming shows, embed videos, and update fans with news, etc.

Stereokiller.com started in 1998 as a forum for Hardcore, Metal, Punk, Hip Hop, Emo, and Indie fans. It has since become a free music hosting site and community with over 250,000 members and 40,000 bands.

Images Of Eden Release Progressive Metal Masterpiece 'Rebuilding The Ruins'

Possibly one of the best known purveyors of the Prog-Metal genre is Baltimore based group Images of Eden. Much to the elation of the band's fans as well as followers of the music trend, Images of Eden will be releasing their third album 'Rebuilding The Ruins' on March 1, 2011.

Known for their own unique breed of universal, uplifting progressive metal, Images of Eden is a passion-based, melodic metal band originating from the Baltimore, MD/ York, PA-USA region. IOE combines a very dynamic sound with a wide range of metal/ hard rock styles, ranging anywhere from progressive rock to power metal. They combine thought-provoking, inspirational lyrics, stellar musicianship with complex compositions and an honest and powerful vocal delivery, keeping the technical and unpredictable aspect of prog-metal but with very accessible hooks and melodies. Images of Eden is unique in that each CD release is a chapter of a story, portraying an ongoing journey through life, with each release picking up where the previous one has left off.

Images of Eden's 'Rebuilding the Ruins', is a 74-minute concept CD, mastered by Grammy-nominated producer, Eric Zimmermann (Fates Warning, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, Buckcherry, Suicidal Tendencies, etc.) who adds top notch production to the release. The title track, "Rebuilding The Ruins", was also selected by an indie film company to be used as a soundtrack for an upcoming short film to debut at Cannes/ Tribeca Film Festivals later next year.

Inspired by bands such as Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Symphony-X, as well as other progressive metal bands, Images of Eden's songwriting walks the line between accessibility and unpredictability, thus appealing to more than just a prog-metal audience “I would say that most of my influences are more prog-metal or 'old school' British Metal rather than new,” says vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, Gordon Tittsworth. “However, I actually have some old thrash influences as well. They range from Fates Warning (all, but more specifically the John Arch era), Queensryche, Badlands, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Type O Negative to Slayer, Running Wild, Motorhead and various European Metal, among many others. I'm sure you can imagine that my writing should be a bit heavier than it is, but the influences of the rest of the band are more on the prog-rock side - bands like Rush, Kansas, ELP, Genesis, Marillion, Porcupine Tree, etc. These influences added more dimension and melody to an initial heavier sound, but the chemistry really worked well, I think."  

Images of Eden is a melodic, progressive hard rock/ heavy metal "concept" project that pushed the boundaries outside the "normal" progressive metal formula. Founded in 1999 in the Baltimore, MD/ York, PA-USA region by vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, Gordon Tittsworth, Images of Eden is a very unique band in that each CD (album, release) is an ongoing story, portraying the journey through life, told in a very positive/ uplifting way. The beginning of each release picks up exactly where the previous have left off. The inspiration behind the lyrical content stems from isolation from the negativity and atrocities of the world. The only way to do so is by creating an imaginary "Eden" that lies within our own mind, body and soul, because it certainly does not exist in a man made society.

 With the release of 2 full length CDs- "Chapter I" (Independent- 2001) & "Sunlight of the Spirit" (Nightmare Records- 2006), and playing live since 2001, Images of Eden has gained notoriety locally and globally. Images of Eden will be releasing their 3rd full length CD, 'Rebuilding The Ruins', on March 1, 2011. 

DEVOTIONALS PREMIERE NEW "MISERCORDIA" VIDEO ON MAGNET!

Devotionals is the new solo project by Tyson Vogel of Two Gallants, with additional help from Anton Patzner (Judgement Day / Bright Eyes) on violin and his brother Lewis Patzner (also from Judgement Day) on cello. Their new video for "Misericordia" was filmed on and around the decay and expanse of the shores of the Salton Sea, CA by directors Alexander Safdie and Ronald Schnetke of Commonwealth Pictures.

Emerging from behind Two Gallants' drum kit Tyson is now front-and-center with his acoustic guitar for this project based around his guitar compositions... and it's quite a beautiful and thought-provoking sea-change from his previous work. The result is a unique combination of simplicity and raw emotion that will delight new and old fans of Two Gallants, a kind of street music with nods to Rachmaninov and John Fahey.

Devotionals self-titled full-length debut is out now on CD, digital and limited edition vinyl formats through Alive Records.

Santana / Journey Legend Gregg Rolie Releases New Solo EP

Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gregg Rolie, co-founder of two multi-platinum super groups, Santana and Journey, and the voice of such timeless classics as “Black Magic Woman” and 'Evil Ways', has released new solo EP, 'Five Days'. A personal and intimate reworking of Santana and Journey classics as well as Gregg's own compositions through solo voice and piano, 'Five Days' was recorded in the living room of his Central Texas home on the piano given to him by his father in the early days of Santana. “It's from my house to yours,” says Gregg, whose new EP includes the songs “Black Magic Woman”, “Anytime”, “Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore”, “If I Went Home”, “Trouble In Mind” and “Cool Little Mama”.

Gregg Rolie makes his first-ever solo appearance, Saturday March 5th at 9:00 pm on the grand piano in the lobby bar of The Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. This special performance is in celebration of his new solo EP, “Five Days”. Gregg, along with his special guest, blues guitarist Alan Haynes, will be playing selections from the new EP along with many old favorites. He’ll share stores from his 40-plus year career and answer questions from the audience during the show. Afterwards, Gregg will be on hand for pictures and autographs. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

Gregg Rolie is responsible for co-founding two phenomenally popular, multi-platinum super groups - Santana and Journey. In 1998, the world class keyboardist/vocalist/producer was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as part of the original Santana band. Formed in San Francisco in 1969, the multi-cultural ensemble produced three groundbreaking hit albums which yeilded several FM staples. You've heard Gregg's voice and keyboards on such classic Santana hits as "Black Magic Woman", "Evil Ways", "No One To Depend On", "Everybody's Everything" and "Oye Como Va". "There's one unique ability of the band," Gregg told music critic Ben Fong-Torres, "and that was that it created music that there is no name for... Santana's music is such a jell of different material that there just is no name for it."

Departing after the pioneering jazz fusion offering 'Caravansarai' in 1972, both band members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon went on to form quintessential 1980s hit-makers Journey. After co-writing and producing the band's first 7 albums, along with constant touring, Gregg decided to leave Journey once the hugely successful 1981 live double LP 'Captured' was issued. During the '80s Rolie wrote, produced and played on the Santana albums 'Shango' and 'Freedom', and released his debut, self-titled 1985 solo album and its 1987 follow-up 'Gringo', before co-founding the all-new Journey-esque rock group The Storm at the tail end of the decade. The Storm released two albums: ‘92’s eponymous disc that yielded the #13 Billboard Hot 100 hit “I’ve Got A Lot To Learn About Love” and ‘96’s 'Eye Of the Storm'. That same year, Rolie, along with five other original Santana members, formed Abraxas Pool, a spirited collaboration that resulted in the 1997 critically acclaimed album of the same name.

Thirty-five years after Gregg and Carlos met in San Francisco, 2001 marked the release of Rolie's third solo album 'Roots'. The first-ever release on Bay-Area based Tower Records' new proprietary label 33rd Street, 'Roots' finds Gregg revisiting the incredible brew of sounds he helped conjure up in the late 60's. Rolie calls Roots' twelve original selections "Latin rock plus"; the instrumentation is Latin percussion, with organ, guitar, horns, and lots of great solo work and songwriting", adding that "I really wanted to go all the way back to my Santana roots".

Formed in 2006, the Gregg Rolie Band consists of Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (who was also in The Storm), Rocket Ritchotte on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist Gary Brown, percussionist Elliot “Toby” Borrero and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko. Last year, Gregg caused a flurry of excitement amongst the music press with the release of his latest CD 'Rain Dance". This live CD captures Gregg and his all-star band performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2007. The music press and fans alike have been raving about the new CD and have even compared Rolie's band to that of the original Santana group, in which Rolie was a founding member.

Gregg Rolie's 'Five Days' EP can be purchased at http://www.bitvibe.com/products/gregg-rolie-five-days-cd

James Apollo Releases New Album 'Born Lucky' and UK Tour Dates plus a FREE Mp3

US troubadour James Apollo arrived on UK shores late last week for a nine date UK tour in the run up to the release of his new album ‘Born Lucky’ on 11th April 2011 through Marterry Music. He plays London's Bull & Gate tomorrow night. 

 

In the summer of 2010, James Apollo released his British debut ‘Til Your Feet Bleed’ and he now follows that with ‘Born Lucky’, a career-spanning compilation that ducks and weaves through his extensive back catalogue, stretching back over six prolific years. ‘Born Lucky’ is a record that sweeps through the emotions, both fleeting and fundamental, that document the bittersweet, cinematic legacy of both Apollo’s past, and his ongoing journey  - Americana at its most romantically sunset-strewn and desolate.

Hailing from Libertyville, Arkansas, but yet to fully establish where home really is, James Apollo is one of life’s romantic, true journeymen. Rolling up the Mississippi before he could register his first emotion, it is a life drawn out upon a well-worn, coffee-stained map of the States. 

James Apollo remaining dates:

18th February – The Bull & Gate, London (Club Fandango)

19th February – The Emperor, Cambridge

20th February – Hamptons Bar, Southampton

21st February – Freud, Oxford

  James Apollo - The Violins by Stayloose

The Quiet Arrangement with Chuck D coming to DVD on March 22

HWIC Filmworks announces the company's first feature-length motion picture, The Quiet Arrangement. Written and directed by award winning short filmmaker and music video director David C. Snyder,  

The Quiet Arrangement features a cast of up and coming talent including singer/actor Kyle Jason (City Teacher, Dirty Shield), Rob Stone (End Game), Kevin M. Hayes, Christina Simkovich, Julian Hicks, and Joseph D. Lane. The film also features a guest appearance by legendary Hip Hop icon Chuck D of Public Enemy. 

 

The Quiet Arrangement was filmed entirely in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas (including Youngstown, Cleveland, and Canton, Ohio).

Available from See of Sound

Electronic Music Mastermind Robert Miles Th1rt3en Available Now

After garnering international critical acclaim and selling over 14 million records worldwide, experimental electronic music artist Robert Miles has returned with his new album Th1rt3en, scheduled for US release in February 2011 through his own indie label, S:alt Records. Implementing a progressive blend of electronica, alternative rock, and jazz compositions the album’s reflective experimentations break new ground and are a sonic leap forward from Miles’s previously critically acclaimed predecessors, Organik and Miles_Gurtu.  Guest artists on Th1rt3en include Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Dave Okumu (The Invisible), Mike Patto and John Thorne (Lamb).

 

Th1rt3en weaves keyboard atmospherics and percussive polyrhythm’s into a full length guaranteed to rub shoulders with the ambient considerations of past greats like Vangelis, Pink Floyd and Aphrodite’s Child.

 

His career was enhanced by a deal with BMG and the release of his debut Dreamland, an album that racked up 16 platinum and 12 gold discs in 21 countries around the world. Robert Miles is best known for his global 1996 dance hit “Children”, which shifted over 5 million units and charted in 19 countries.

 

With success came exposure, however, and Miles quickly became uneasy with the trappings of fame, feeling it detracted from the music, so much so that he requested to be represented on his releases as a black silhouette only, “to suggest the insignificance of image - music above everything else”. Not one to sell out then, Miles’s subsequent careers found him gradually redefining his artistic freedom, traveling the globe working with like minded artists - including early influence Bill Laswell, as well as contemporary composers such as Nitin Sawhney, Trilok Gurtu and Robert Fripp - winning a Brit Award and a World Music Award, having videos banned from MTV for being ’potentially disturbing’, sculpting sounds for over 100 TV and Film pieces as well as releasing a further three albums.

 

Th1rt3en, then, is the logical conclusion to Miles’s prior experience, a relentless combination of his unerring attitude to work and constantly progressive output. “I have been working hard since 1996 to define my sound, and learnt a great deal about life, music and the World. Now I feel ready to move to a new phase of my creative life” he says, and that phase coalesces on Th1rt3en into an album that evokes Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew, Squarepusher’s skits and John Carpenter’s lucid dreams, but, like any Miles release, rarely sounds exactly like anything else. Never one to shy away from taking chances, Miles's latest one looks set to be his most rewarding one yet.

 

Robert Miles will be DJing on Select dates through out 2011.

 

Boston-Based Folk-Pop Chanteuse & Songwriter JILL GOLDBERG Readies GIRL, POLITE for April Release

Evocative folk/pop chanteuse Jill Goldberg is set to release her sophomore release, GIRL, POLITE in April 2011. Produced by Mark Turrigiano (Ingrid Michaelson, Lissy Trullie), the 6-track EP is a musical exploration of identity, transition, and empowerment, drawing inspiration from personal experience and the world around her. Armed with a sound that reflects Sheryl Crow’s pop/rock sensibility, Sara Barielles’ vocal prowess, Basia Bulat’s poignant poetry, and Sarah McLachlan’s graceful delivery, GIRL, POLITE provides a solid testament to Jill’s burgeoning musicianship and undeniable spirit. Featured tracks include the driving lead single “Not Worth It” and the candidly cathartic title-track.

 

Over the course of her career, Jill’s music has been featured prominently on the Martha Stewart Show and Ralph Lauren’s Big Pony Collection campaign. Additionally, she is the founder of her own Louar Music, a licensing firm that allows indie musicians to obtain song placement in high-profile television, film, and advertising projects. With her assistance, Jill’s clients have secured synchronization licenses with leading media outlets including MTV, PBS, and Bunim Murray Productions.

 

In support of GIRL POLITE, Jill is currently booking tour dates for select performances along the East Coast. Stay tuned for more announcements regarding additional dates.

 

Jill Goldberg Tour Dates:

March 25 – Cape May, NJ @ Singer-Songwriter Showcase

April 8 – Arlington, VA @ The Apple Store

April 9 – Bryn Mawr, PA @ Milkboy Coffee

April 15 – Boston, MA @ The Apple Store

1ST ANNUAL POWER POP-A-LICIOUS! MUSIC FEST KICKS-OFF IN ASBURY PARK 4/30 & 5/01

The first Power Pop-A-Licious Music Festival will take place on Saturday April 30th & Sunday May 1st at the legendary rock club Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ. Conceived and curated by power pop legend Paul Collins (cofounder of THE NERVES, THE BREAKAWAYS and THE BEAT) the fest will bring together some of the finest young guitar-driven power pop, garage rock and punk-pop bands from across the U.S. and Canada. Power Pop-A-Licious is a unifying rally cry for this thriving rock-n-roll subculture, and is a means for power pop fans of all ages to discover a wealth of talented new music acts in one power-packed weekend.

Collins explains the concept behind the festival, "I was touring all over the country with my Beat Army Tours, when it hit me, I gotta bring all these great bands I'm playing with together for one crazy weekend!"

This all-ages event is ground zero for a burgeoning DIY power pop scene that's been fueled by the immediacy of the Internet, the devotion of its fans, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.  Each day will feature bands from different regions of the country, with local DJs spinning sets to create an all-day dance party atmosphere.  Similar in approach to “happenings” in 1960's London, Power Pop-A-Licious is no mere rock n’ roll concert, it’s an event.  DJs, performance artist’s video projections, and, of course, the spirited, high-energy live rock-n-roll performances from all these great new bands will provide the entertainment. The world-famous Asbury Lanes, where the two day fest will take place, is a vintage bowling alley, bar and live music venue with a capacity of 300, and is located in the heart of beautiful Asbury Park.

 PAUL COLLINS may just be Power Pop's greatest champion and spokesperson. Through extensive worldwide touring, and connecting to like-minded bands, artists and fans through social networking sites, Paul has created THE BEAT ARMY, a DIY network of people connected by their love of power pop, punk, new wave and rock-n-roll to help ensure its success at the club level - where rock-n-roll lives and breathes. While THE BEAT ARMY only began last March, Collins has already amassed over 2,700 members. In addition, he's been touring heavily in support of both THE BEAT ARMY and his new album KING OF POWER POP! (on Alive Records). "Since forming THE BEAT ARMY we've done 50-plus shows throughout the South, Canada, East Coast, Midwest and the West Coast involving over 60 bands from around the country," Collins states. "The shows all have low ticket prices (averaging from $8 to $10) and we book them ourselves. 'By the people, for the people'... that's our motto."

Communion Records Announce BUSHSTOCK - Saturday, 7th May

Communion Records is proud to present Bushstock, a brand new one-day festival in Shepherd's Bush on Saturday, 7th May 2011.

Taking over 4 of the best Shepherd's Bush venues and featuring over 30 of Communion's favourite bands, Bushstock will showcase the best in new talent alongside established artists from London, UK and beyond.
Communion (run by Mumford & Sons' Ben Lovett, producer Ian Grimble and former Cherbourg bassist Kevin Jones) started promoting club nights in 2006 with monthly shows in London. Four years on and with a reputation for championing the most exciting new music around, the Communion family has grown to include 9 monthly club nights on 3 continents and a record label which has released numerous EPs and albums.

2011 promises to be a busy and exciting year for Communion with the release of its Flowerpot album, new label signings, the curation of nights at SxSW, the Camden Crawl and for HMVs Next Big Thing alongside the launch of Bushstock.

Artists will be announced over the coming few weeks. 

Tickets are on sale now!  

Soulive "Bowlive" Coming to DVD - March 22

In March of 2010, the members of Soulive hauled their instruments through the doors of a newly-opened warehouse-turned-music venue in Brooklyn that they would call home for the next two weeks. Eric Krasno, Alan Evans and Neal Evans called on a multitude of their closest friends and musical conspirators to join them over the next fortnight - creating an incredibly broad guest lineup that included some of the pre-eminent guitar virtuosos of our generation (Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes), some of the biggest names in hip-hop (Questlove, Rahzel), and some of the most inventive improvisational players in modern rock n' roll (Robert Randolph, Marco Benevento, Oteil & Kofi Burbridge).

The Brooklyn Bowl quickly became the mecca for these very distinct yet like-minded musicians, where they returned night after night, donning the dress code for good times (bowling shoes) and sharing famous Blue Ribbon fried chicken. The common thread that tied together all these disparate ingredients quickly became palpable -- from the transcendental heartfelt improvisations onstage to the homey & playful atmosphere provided by the bowling alley, the Soulive residency was like nothing that had come before it because all of those diverse elements fused to ultimately bring the Soul to Brooklyn Bowl.

Soulive is heading back to Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Avenue - Brooklyn) for Bowlive 2. The veteran soul groove outfit's acclaimed residency  is set for another ten funk-infused evenings -- March 1-5 and 8-12 -- glittered with special guests every night. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 9pm, and admission is $15 (21+). The "Bowlive" DVD will be available (for early purchase) to all who attend.

Brooklyn Bowl is a LEED certified, 16-lane, 600-capacity bowling, concert and dining destination. It occupies a former ironworks factory built in 1882 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and seamlessly blends exciting new technologies (including a custom-designed JBL Vertec sound system, stage lighting, and a nine-screen, high-definition digital video projection system) into the beautifully restored old structure.  The venue features a full restaurant and menu by Blue Ribbon, the acclaimed NYC-based 

Swedish Prog Legends Pär Lindh Project Featuring Starcastle Vocalist Release New CD

For those in the progressive rock community Pär Lindh is considered a keyboard wizard – so much so that he was chosen to play keys for the reunion of the legendary Nice (a prestigious position only held by keyboard visionary Keith Emerson) With the release of several highly acclaimed albums, the Pär Lindh Project band has garnered worldwide acclaim. After original lead vocalist Magdalena Hagberg sadly passed away in 2007, and a subsequent hiatus by the band, Pär felt the time was right to record and release his next album and recruited the exquisite vocalist Alan Lewis, former Alaska member, who is the most recent vocalist with American prog legends Starcastle. Lewis also adds his tasty solid drum work to the mix. Also added to the line-up is bass virtuoso William Kopecky. The new CD 'Time Mirrors' is a true masterpiece in progressive rock and has been garnering critical acclaim across the planet. The album has recently been nominated for the 'Best CD of 2010' by the Italian Prog Awards.

PLP today is a classical rock trio with the focus on keyboard-based music. The influences of European classical music is an important part of their sound. This sets them apart from perhaps all other bands in the rock, pop and progressive music world of today. Their classic album GOTHIC IMPRESSIONS was elected in 1997 as one of the top ten progressive rock albums of all time along with groups like YES, GENESIS, ELP, MARILLION, PINK FLOYD and others. The Pär Lindh Project was the most successful Swedish progressive rock band of the 1990s.

The reason for the long process to make the new 'Time Mirror' album was according to composer Pär Lindh, "I was determined to make an album that would make a real difference in the world of music today both as far as in using innovative new sound combinations but also to develop new composition ideas and the creation of a new musical direction."

At the dawn of the new wave of Swedish progressive rock The Swedish Art Rock Society was founded in 1991 with Pär Lindh as chairman. This movement helped to launch the Swedish progressive rock wonder of the nineties with bands like Änglagård, Galleon, Anekdoten, The Flower Kings, and of course The Pär Lindh Project (PLP). The first record to emerge from the Crimsonic Label is Pär Lindh´s innovative album 'Gothic Impressions', which has influences from renaissance music, early baroque, Bach, post-romanticism, avant-garde, impressionism and from the symphonic rock bands of the early seventies.
PLP´s first ever live performance was at the Gothenburg Art-Rock Festival on the 4:th of May 1996. Concerts in Sweden and Norway then followed. 1997 PLP received awards from Argentina for their CDs and Bilbo (feat. Magdalena) was voted as record of the year. Because of this PLP were invited to come and play concerts in Argentina and several TV appearances plus other media hype. After this offers to play concerts all over the world started coming in. PLP headlined the 1997 Rio Art Rock Festival and played other dates in Brazil and Argentina again. Late 1997 saw the release of 'Mundus Incompertus', featuring Lindh's superb keyboard playing, Hagbergs stunning vocals, and impressive contributions from the other band members.

Pär Lindh Projects first live concerts in the USA took place in September 1998, most notably a headline performance at ProgDay 98 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. PLP again toured the U.S. the following spring, including performances at Progfest 99 in San Francisco, the House of Blues in Chicago, and a cathedral concert in St. Louis. Largely recorded at the ProgDay 98 festival, the two-CD set 'Live in America' was released in summer 1999.

After the extended tour in the USA and Europe 1999. At the NEARfest festival USA in June of 2000 William Kopecky was introduced as the new bass player for PLP. Tours then followed in Europe, USA and Mexico the following years. After the summer 2000 tour PLP continued as the trio Magdalena, Nisse and Pär to record PLP´s third album 'Veni Vidi Vici' with Flower Kings bass player Jonas Reingold and guitarist John Hermansen. 'Veni Vidi Vici' also included a string orchestra as well as a choir and several other guest musicians. The album was voted as ¨Best Progressive Rock Album of the Year¨ by Norway's number #1 rock mag Monster Magazine 2001.

 
In the fall 2001 PLP played concerts in Europe and Iceland; these gigs were very successful and a live album was released from the Iceland concert called 'Live in Iceland' spring 2002. Pär Lindh toured the US and Mexico again in spring 2002 as a guest artist with progressive trio Kopecky playing a mixture of 50/50 Kopecky and Lindh material in new arrangements. In August 2002 terrible news hit the band of Magdalena Hagbergs severe illness with cancer. The band was in a state of shock.

The year 2003 however saw an (short lived) instrumental trio version of PLP going back to Mexico for a couple of well-received gigs including co-headlining with legendary Dutch band FOCUS at the BAJA International Festival! Due to the serious illness of former PLP vocalist Magdalena Hagberg the band took timeout from late 2003 onwards to wait for her recovery. February that year also saw the release of Björn Johanssons and Pär Lindhs second duo album the critically accliamed 'Dreamsongs from Middle Earth'.
 

November 2004 saw the re-release of 'Gothic Impressions' with new vocals from Los Angeles based singer DIVAD on two tracks, as well as added keyboards, improved drums on one song and a lot of new extraordinary choir parts throughout the album. In September 2005 Magdalena returned to sing for PLP one concert in Sweden which sadly was to be her last performance with the band. Magdalena Berg passed away in 2007. In May 2008 the first ever PLP concert DVD 'Pär Lindh Project - Live in Poland' saw the light of
day showing an instrumental version of the band. The release of this first class production filmed by seven cameras and with superb lighting behind the band was accompanied by many fine reviews of the band's hot performance that November evening in Poland. 

 

After an audition in 2009, vocalist and drummer Al Lewis from the USA (best known for his vocal work with Starcastle and Alaska) was invited to join the ranks of PLP. "Pär was fun and easy to work with," says Al, "and I think he really started to like a lot of my ideas." 

 
William Kopecky once again plays outstanding bass. The band was thrilled with the idea of becoming a trio which will once again include splendid vocals! The comeback PLP album 'Time Mirror' with this new lineup of the band was just released December 2010.

Pär Lindh Project 'Time Mirror' is available from www.parlindh.com

John Lennon Signature Box EPK

Gaymers Camden Crawl 2011- 30th April - 1st May Bank Holiday Weekend

Swift on the heels of selling out its early bird weekend tickets, the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2011 is pleased to reveal the first stage of its line up announcements for 2011. Over the past four years, the festival’s daytime fringe programme of cutting edge arts and music has continued to flourish on a par with its legendary rock & roll evening extravaganza. During the daylight hours the main thoroughfares of Camden will literally burst at the seams with a vast array of comedic talent, visual art and crafts exhibitions, spoken word and performance theatre, interactive events & games and, of course, live music.

Sprawling across more than twenty venues, the Crawl daytime schedule of events kicks off from midday on both days of the weekend and runs until 6:00 pm when the evening live music scramble begins. 

Here is a selection of the key daytime events:

DAYDREAMING MASS at ST MICHAEL'S WITH JAMES LAVELLE (SAT & SUN)

Following on from the success of the four day collaborative exhibition in 2010, Daydreaming with James Lavelle... have partnered with the Camden Crawl for the first time to create a multi-sensory experience unlike any other. Showcasing a selection of work by some of today’s leading artists working in a variety of disciplines including film, sculpture and scent, each work of art will respond to the extraordinary setting of St Michael's Church, and will be created in collaboration with James Lavelle in response to new music conceived specifically for the exhibition.. 

www.daydreamingwith.com

ISLAND RECORDS ANNOUNCE CC2011 SHOWCASE/ SURPRISE GUESTS (Sat afternoon @ The Enterprise)

Founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Island Records has one of the most enviable back catalogues of any label. The home of such legends as Bob Marley,  U2,  Fairport Convention,  Robert Palmer,  Pulp,  Tricky,  PJ Harvey,  Paul Weller,  and DJ Shadow and,  in recent years,  Amy Winehouse,  Keane,  Florence And The Machine and Mumford and Sons,  Island has always had a unique vision and passion which still informs the label’s approach to this day.  At the Crawl,  Island will be showcasing some of its newest and brightest artists (and some surprise guests) in an intimate surrounding. 

www.islandrecords.co.uk 

RED BULL BEDROOM JAM LIVE ARENA (Sat & Sun @ Hawley Crescent Outdoor Arena)

Following its successful debut last year, the RBBJ Arena returns for its second year at the Crawl. Located at the main festival entrance point in the street closure of Hawley Crescent,  this 2,500 capacity venue is the only outdoor element of the Crawl. With a street party atmosphere in the most central point in Camden, the RBBJ Arena features a main live and DJ stage, 2 bars and a whole host of surprises. 

www.redbullbedroomjam.com

SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKEND Special Edition (Sat & Sun @ The Roundhouse Patio & BBC)

Summer Sundae Weekender, now in its 11th year,  has grown from a modest one-day affair into an award winning three day festival boasting over a hundred acts. Annually set in Leicester’s DeMontfort Hall and Gardens each August,  Summer Sundae Weekender travels to Gaymers Camden Crawl for the weekend to host a very special event hosting some of the finest acts in the intimate surrounds of The Roundhouse’s outdoor terrace.

ANDY ROSS PRESENTS… (Sat & Sun @ The Spread Eagle)

Expect the unexpected. Andy Ross of Food Records fame (the man who signed Blur), hosts two afternoons of idiosyncratic and somewhat acoustic performances. Previous participants have included Graham Coxon,  Noah and The Whale and Mumford & Sons. Two afternoons not to be missed in the intimate surroundings of The Spread Eagle.

The full fringe programme and evening curators is as follows: 

COMEDY PROMOTERS & STAGES

Best Medicine (Sat & Sun @ The Wheelbarrow) • Fat Tuesday (Sat & Sun @ Belushi’s) •  Get Comedy (Sat & Sun @ Lock 17) • Phil McIntyre Entertainments & Gag Reflex (Sat & Sun @ Lyttleton Arms) • Really Lovely Comedy (Sat & Sun @ Camden Head)

SPOKEN WORD & PERFORMANCE

Bang Said The Gun (Sun @ The Bucks Head) • In Conversation With… (Sat @ Bucks Head) • LitroLive! (Sat @ Abbey Tavern) • Magic Night (Sun @ The Enterprise)

VISUAL ARTS & CRAFTS

Craftacular (Sat @ The Black Heart) • Craft Guerilla (Sun @ The Black Heart) • Daydreaming With…James Lavelle (Sat & Sun @ St. Michael’s Church) • East End Film Festival (Sat & Sun @ The Forge) • Poster Roast (Sat & Sun @ Camden Arms)

LIVE MUSIC

Andy Ross Presents (Sat & Sun @ Spread Eagle) • Harp For Hangovers (Sun @ Edinboro Castle) • Hawley Arms Presents (Sat & Sun @ Hawley Arms) • Island Records Showcase  (Sat @ The Enterprise) • The Magpie’s Nest (Sun @ Abbey Tavern) • Reggae Roast (Sun @ Edinboro Castle) • Red Bull Bedroom Jam Arena (Sat & Sun @ Hawley Crescent Outdoor Arena) • Rough Trade Pop Up Shop & Sessions (Sat & Sun @ Lock Tavern) • Summer Sundae Weekender (Sat & Sun @ The Roundhouse)

INTERACTIVE EVENTS & GAMES

Hip Hop Karaoke (Sat @ The Ice Wharf) • Moshi Moshi Pop Quiz (Sat @ Grand Union) • Pop Bitch Pop Quiz (Sun @ Grand Union) • Rockaoke (Sun @ The Ice Wharf) • Rough Trade Pop Quiz (Sat @ Grand Union) • Sounds Familiar Pop Quiz (Sun @ Grand Union)

For full fringe listings & event details visit www.thecamdencrawl.com/line-up

The Crawl daytime schedule of events programme kicks off from midday on both Saturday 30^th April and Sunday 1^st May and runs until 6:00 pm when the evening live music Crawl extravaganza embarks. Upon arrival at the festival each ticket holder will be presented with an all-access wristband, programme guide, timetable and free download album to help plot his/her day’s adventure. ‘Crawlers’ will be granted unlimited access to all official daytime and evening venues and parties capacity permitting. 

EVENING LIVE MUSIC LINE UP INFORMATION

The evening line-ups are selected and curated by an eclectic committee of tastemakers, including radio DJs, club promoters, journalists and record labels representing a vast range of alternative & specialist music genres.

2011 evening line-up panel of venue curators:

1234 • ARTROCKER • BACKSTREET • BUGBEAR • CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE • CITY SLANG • CLUB FANDANGO • COMMUNION • FEAR & RECORDS • FLOWERPOT • GRECO-ROMAN • LES INROCKUPTIBLES • JOHN KENNEDY XPOSURE • LANTERN SOCIETY • LAST FM • LEAF LABEL • THE MAGPIE’S NEST • MOSHI MOSHI • ROCK A ROLLA • ROCKFEEDBACK • ROUGH TRADE SHOPS • RWD MAGAZINE • SCHMOOZE • STEVE LAMACQ’S GOING DEAF FOR A LIVING • SUPERCHARGED • 2RYPE • URBAN NERDS • XFM

The evening artist line up will begin being announced in late January. Weekend tickets for the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2011 are on sale now at www.thecamdencrawl.com.

NEeMA’s “Escape” Video on MTV’s The Freshman

Highly acclaimed songstress and Leonard Cohen’s protégé, NEeMA and the video for her lead single “Escape” were selected for this week’s installment of MTVu’s The Freshman. Visit the official site to cast your vote for NEeMA now! 

The Montreal-based songstress recently announced the US release date of March 1, 2011 for her radiant sophomore album ‘WATCHING YOU THINK’. Produced by NEeMA herself in association with Leonard Cohen and Pierre Marchard (Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith), the US version will boast 13 tracks including the lead single “Escape”, a haunting re-imagining of the Dire Straits classic “Romeo and Juliet”, and a new version of her deeply moving musical prayer, “Masi 2011”. NEeMA’s extensive background translates seamlessly into a rich storytelling style, as showcased throughout WATCHING YOU THINK and is further complemented by world-class musicians including Tim Kingsbury (of Arcade Fire fame) and Tom Mennier  (Martha and Rufus Wainwright).

 

In support of the album’s US rollout, NEeMA will embark on a series of select tour dates across the US including a performance at the National Folk Alliance on February 17th, a stint at the annual SXSW Festival on March 17th, and an official release party at the New York hot spot Joe’s Pub on March 30th.

 

Born of Egyptian and Lebanese descent, NEeMA’s presence on and off stage is as powerful and charismatic, as her voice is honest and distinct. She has traveled extensively, having shared time with the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa, having worked with street children in Egypt, as well as having had the privilege of working with the Tribal Elders of Wekweti, an isolated First Nation community in northern Canada. No doubt these experiences helped her develop the ability to communicate her stories through poetry and song, focusing on those themes that are dear to the human heart.

 

NEeMA Tour Dates:

2/17 – Memphis, TN @ Folk Alliance Showcase

2/19 – Carlsbad, CA @ Sunset Sessions

3/16-3/19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW

3/30 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub

4/9 – Traverse City, MI @ Traverse City Opera House (with Jesse Winchester)

4/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Tin Angel (with Jesse Winchester)

4/13 – Washington, DC @ Jammin Java (with Jesse Winchester)

4/15 – Shelburne Falls, MA @ Mocha Maya’s (with Jesse Winchester)

4/16 – Boston, MA @ Red Room / Café 939

 

 

Sarah Darling Set To Release New Album, Angels & Devils on February 15th, 2011

Already recognized as one of the country music's most expressive vocalists, Sarah Darling emerges as an equally eloquent songwriter in Angels & Devils, her second album from Black River Entertainment.  Angels & Devils will be released February 15^th, 2011.

From the eleven songs in this new collection, Sarah Darling co-wrote nine, including the irresistibly catchy first single, "Something To Do With Your Hands."  Due out February 20^th, the song is shaping up to be the friskiest and frankest come-on tune since Mel Tillis' bawdy "I Got The Hoss" in 1977.  

2010 was a particularly high-profile year for Darling, who made her album debut the year before with Every Monday Morning. Her music video for "Jack Of Hearts" went Top 10 on GAC its first week out and earned her a spot hosting the network's "Top 20 Countdown."  "Being artist-of-the-month on GAC [Great American Country television] was a big highlight for me," Sarah notes.

In September, propelled by heavy airplay of the song on XM Satellite Radio, Darling joined with Amazon.com to offer a free download of her cover version of the U2 classic, "With Or Without You."  The promotion yielded 40,000 downloads within the month.  Darling includes "With Or Without You" in Angel & Devils, as well as her distinctive rendition of Elton John's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word."

Darling reveals herself as a master lyricist on Angels & Devils, conjuring up love-drenched emotions that range from longing to despair to serene contentment.  The incomparable Vince Gill sings with her on "Bad Habit," a bold declaration of intent that starts with the riveting line, "I want to be your cigarette."  Elsewhere, Darling summons up vivid memories of the boy who first breaks a young girl's heart: "He's the first taste of something you shouldn't have / He's the first lie you tell to your mom and dad."  The album overflows with such observational gems.

Jimmy Nichols, produced Angels & Devils, with an assist on two of the cuts from Darling's frequent co-writer, Adam Shoenfeld. Angels & Devils samples Sarah's songwriting from her earliest days in Nashville onward. The plaintive "Stop The Bleeding" is her oldest song on the album and the one that earned her the record deal with Black River. "My writing has definitely changed over the past few years," she asserts. "I call what I do now 'Sarah Darling 2.0.' It has a lot more character to it. My first album was very much about a lost love. Since then, my writing has become more broad and venturous. I write about things that are relevant to everybody."

Project/Object Returns to the South with Legendary Zappa Band Members

Project/Object continues their mission of performing Frank Zappa’s music with a rotating lineup of Zappa’s most beloved band members. On this tour the band will be joined by alumni Ike Willis and Ray White, and at selected gigs, Denny Walley, Don Preston and Bunk Gardner. Project/Object’s collaboration with these legends is a testament to the bands desire to present Zappa’s music as it was recorded and performed live, while also developing creativity in live performance.

Ike Willis is the legendary Zappa vocalist and guitarist whose career with Frank began in the role of “Joe” on the quintessential Zappa album Joe’s Garage, and continued for over a decade. He toured with Zappa’s band in 1978 and appeared on every Zappa tour thereafter, as well as almost 30 Zappa albums. Ike also played an integral role in Zappa’s legendary final tour in 1988. Ray White is a vocalist and guitarist who was drafted into Zappa’s band in the fall of 1976, forming a memorable vocal harmony partnership with Ike Willis on later tours in 1980 and 1984. He participated on the albums Zappa in New York, Joe’s Garage, Tinsel Town Rebellion, You Are What You Is, and many more. Denny Walley, who also recorded and toured with the late Captain Beefheart, toured with Zappa playing slide guitar in the mid 70s, and guested on records in the early 80s as well. Don Preston and Bunk Gardner, appearing at the tour closer in NJ, are part of the original lineups of Zappa’s “Mothers Of Invention”, touring and recording the late 60s classics beloved by most of Zappa’s fan base.

Frank Zappa is one of the Twentieth Century’s most important composers. His effect on the modern music landscape is undeniable. Formed in the early 90’s, Project/Object is on a mission to bring this music to the masses by faithfully recreating the live Zappa experience – with the people who were integral to Zappa’s classic sound. In every new market they visit, Project/Object pleases the Zappa connoisseurs and converts the curious into dedicated fans.

The confirmed dates and alumni appearances for the 2011 fall tour are below. Information on the band, specific dates, and where to buy tickets at www.projectobject.com.

February 9 Jammin’ Java Vienna, VA Ike Willis

February 10 Visulite Charlotte , NC Willis, Walley

February 11 Stella Blue Asheville, NC Willis, Walley

February 12 Smith’s Old Bar Atlanta, GA Willis, Walley

February 14 The Pour House Charleston, SC Willis, White

February 16 Ram’s Head Annapolis, MD Willis, White

February 17 Pour House Raleigh, NC Willis, White

February 18 Kirk Ave Music Hall Roanoke, VA Willis, White

February 19 8x10 Baltimore, MD Willis, White

February 20 Sellersville Theatre Sellersville, PA Willis, White

February 22 Mexicali Teaneck, NJ Willis, White, Preston, Gardner

Here Come the Belle Brigade - Debut Album April 19th

Download Sweet Louise  - The Belle Brigade