Ready and eager to soar through air waves across the globe with her infectious new single “Dare Ya”, Ashley J brings a fascinatingly diverse background, artistically, musically and otherwise, to her emergence into the pop-world.
Growing up in Orlando, the multi-talented singer/songwriter held her own with her four brothers and friends by achieving a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 5, and First and Second Degree Black Belts not long after. When she wasn’t training with her brothers and father, she was off with her mom to ballet classes. In her spare time, she was found writing song lyrics on her bathroom wall that her parents had to continuously repaint. Later attending the Dr. Phillips High School of Performing Arts in Orlando, she scored leading roles in theatre, dance and musical productions – while also active in shows at the First Baptist Church.
Influence-wise, Ashley J gravitated to pop greats like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson – but she also loved Johnny Cash and cites her all time musical hero as Dolly Parton. So when it came time to pursue her career as a writer performer, she gravitated first towards country music. She and her parents Googled music producers and knocked on their doors in Nashville. Ashley, whose family spends time vacationing near Pigeon, also visited Music City frequently and attended ASCAP conventions where she learned from and hooked up with prominent songwriters and producers.
While enrolled at the University of Tulsa to pursue a Bachelor’s in Business Law, she wrote, recorded and produced several pop and country songs in Oklahoma and Nashville including a duet titled “This Love’s Forever” which was created for a well known country music couple and was recorded and produced at the Blackbird Studios in Nashville.
Ashley J, who ultimately realized that her vocal gifts were more suited to being a pop singer, brought this constantly in motion whirlwind of talent, energy and tenacity to her exciting transition to the pop-world. Already with two billboard charting hits (her first single “One and One” charted in Billboard’s Top 20 Dance and second single “Cali” hitting into the sweet spot of Billboard’s Top 10 Dance) Ashley J is hitting the charts hard and is ready to release her third single, “Dare Ya”.
“”Dare Ya” is such a special song for me. I tend to write all of my music based off of current or past experiences in my life, and this song really tackled some feelings. Lyrically, I wrote the song based off of a compilation of text messages and letters I have received that really hit home for me, and motivated me to be the person that I am and want to be. So putting these feelings and words of wisdom into this song really gives homage to those I have it dedicated to. It has that “pick me-up edge” that makes you want to move and feel free. It’s a song that can be relatable or inspire anyone.”
Ashley J made the definitive switch from country to pop, after a trip with her parents to Los Angeles, where she met with President of Electra Star Group, Michael Blakey. Falling in love instantly with her music, Michael decided to bring her on board. As she says, she “landed in the best hands the music business has to offer” and signed her first recording contract.
In December of 2015, Ashley J graduated form the University of North Texas with her Bachelors Degree. With her musical dreams coming true every day as a recording and performing artist, she is also setting her sights on someday owning and running her own record label.
“In regard to my decision to stay at the University and finish my degree while all of this is going on,” she says, “I like to say that those who have the backup plan won’t need it and those who don’t, will. I am grateful to be working with so many talented industry professionals who are helping me in my career, but I also think it’s important for artists to understand every aspect of the business. Life throws you curveballs all the time so you have to be prepared for anything.
“I’m really having a great time, and I’ve never felt more a part of the industry than I am right now,” Ashley J adds. “I feel that I’m in complete control of who I am and what my music and message is. ‘Dare Ya’ is all about taking chances, and being free with love. Pushing yourself past your limits and out of your comfort zone. It’s the perfect way for me to let people know that I am here and excited to relate to them and touch them emotionally on many different levels.”
Born in Upstate NY in a small town called Potsdam in what many refer to as the North Country, singer-songwriter Angie Bruyere spent her childhood running through the backwoods and roaming the train tracks, living the simple life that inspires imaginations of which lyrics and melodies are made. Settling in Southern California at a young age, Bruyere began a modeling career that took her on a journey around the world...experiences that can be felt throughout many of her songs. Pen and paper always in hand, she began writing poetry and playing her guitar, lending itself naturally to combining her two passions into what has become a body of musical work that she continues grow daily.
Drawing much of her inspiration and influence from such bands as Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones, it wasn't until she discovered her deep love for artists such as Gram Parsons and Willie Nelson that her country, Americana rock style was born. Her unique sound and soul sets her apart from many other artists of her kind as her mesmerizing vocals full of rasp and roughness make her a force to be reckoned with, revealing the authenticity and edge of her Americana / outlaw country ways.
In 2014 Angie released West of The Night featuring singles such as "Mason Jar" and "Goodbyes." Soon after the album's release, Fender highlighted her as Artist of The Month and brought her in to re record both singles in their Fender Sessions Live Jams. "Bruyere's sultry voice stood out, as she possesses a distinctive purr that is both sweet and dangerous at the same time".
Armed with her brand new single entitled "Country Radio", the upbeat track showcases her Americana/Outlaw roots and is the first single off of her forthcoming EP, Blood Like Wine, produced by Jeff Hutchins ( Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Shania Twain). It is a song of lust and longing, an affair of the soul, if you will. Written about a love affair between a girl and a country singer that she's only heard on the radio, it leaves the listener feeling that there may be a bit more truth to this story than perhaps Bruyere would like us to know...perhaps there was a meeting, indeed. And perhaps we know his music well...
Angie's upcoming Blood Like Wine EP was recorded at the legendary Castle Recording Studios in Nashville, TN.
Angie has toured extensively throughout Europe and the US, and has enjoyed performing in many of her hometown's premier venues such as The Troubadour, Pappy and Harriet’s, The Whiskey A Go Go, The Roxy, The Mint, and many more. She's looking forward to coming to a town soon near you in support of her Blood Like Wine release. Thank for listening...hope you enjoy the ride.
Emmaline Muchmore is feeling reborn. After a long dry spell between albums, the Minneapolis electro-soul singer has unleashed a torrent of creativity that will result in a new EP due in February.
She credits her recent productivity to a newfound sense of freedom that came with teaching herself the recording software Logic. Instead of relying on the studio expertise of others, Muchmore can now make music exactly the way she wants, on her own time. “It’s been exciting to me to take over the whole process, and be able to do it all myself,” Muchmore says. “That’s quite different from what I was doing before, and it’s allowing me to get deeper at, and closer to, the way I want the songs to turn out.”
They’re turning out great: soulful, sultry and empowering, with strong beats and hypnotic swirls of keyboards surrounding Muchmore’s expressive, alluring voice. There’s a mix of power and vulnerability in her music that’s impossible to resist, and it comes from her own life experience.
“I’ve got a unique perspective in a way,” Muchmore says. “I’m not 25. I don’t have a girly, soft voice. The female hero artists I have, they have soulful voices, and they are not shrinking violets having stuff done to them. They’re in control of their lives and they’re singing it loud and proud and joyfully. That’s the space I want to occupy.”
It’s a space she’s earned, but there’s more to it than that: it’s a space that has come to represent something vital for Muchmore. “I really absolutely need the creativity of this kind of thing in my life, and I haven’t made enough time for it in the recent past. I’ve felt the lack of that pretty deeply,” she says.
Muchmore released her first album, Inviolate, in 2001. The follow-up, Just a Cherry, came in 2005. Since then, she’s toured England and performed onstage with other musicians around the Twin Cities, but it took years before she started working seriously on her next project. “Life and other things happen,” she says. “But I’m always writing, and always recording ideas. The trick is to complete them.”
That’s almost a self-fulfilling prophecy: Once Muchmore learned to make music on her own, she got excited about the music she was making, which has inspired her to make more music. It has also led her writing in a more personal direction.
“I’m trying to connect more personally and be more revealing and honest, instead of creating story songs about others,” she says. “I still really enjoy doing that, and I think I kind of got known more for doing that on my earlier songs, but on this latest batch, I’m trying to tap into something a little more raw and vulnerable.”
That takes confidence, which comes from knowing that being the one in charge is more than possible: it’s potent. Teaching herself to record had the added benefit of giving Muchmore a sense of her own capabilities, and she’s reveling in the discovery. “It took me a while to get there, but now I do know what direction I want my music to take, and how I want it to be perceived — and I can control most of the elements,” she says.
So how does Muchmore want her music perceived? “As a strong, independent woman heading up a super-soul groove machine,” she says. Sounds just right.
Hello everyone! I want to share with you some of the things about me that are important in my life. I am very much an advocate for mental health awareness. At age 16 I was diagnosed with OCD and Depression, among other things. Life since that time has not been the same. I have been on a journey of self discovery and learning ever since. I am constantly trying to find new ways of not only helping myself to heal each day but to try and see if I can help someone else as well, and music plays a big part in doing both I believe. I hope you find my music to be insightful and emotionally striking.
JJ McGuigan was born in Wichita Kansas where he currently resides. He found a passion for music at the age of 13 when he received his first drum set. He later picked up guitar and started writing songs at the age of 20. He attended Newman University where he played for the Men's basketball team and was an assistant coach there while attending Full Sail University. His main focus and passion is writing songs with an emphasis on lyrical creation. He has just recently wrapped up a 5 song EP that was sung by Garrett Crow and is writing another album with guitarist Brian Elwick.
When Von Sell released "Ivan" back in 2015 at the request of some friends, the electro-pop artist developed a following seemingly out of nowhere. A few releases later and the Brooklyn-based artist decided to return to his debut single, giving it the finishing treatment that could only come from 2 years of experience and reflection. With cascading synthy layers, a strong pop sensibility and driving, gritty basslines, "Ivan (Revisted)" is a gem of a pop hit, and our favorite new earworm. Check out the new single from Von Sell streaming below. - Olivia Sisinni
Synth pop solo artist Von Sell hit us up with the twinkly synth-bomb of “Ivan (Revisited)” – we dig it, so now we’re sharing it with you. Von Sell originally posted this song as a demo but has “revisited” it to make it into the synthy delight it is now. We think Von Sell sounds like Passion Pit or Caribou – sparkly synth arpeggios and blasts of synthesizer pepper the track throughout.
Anousheh is known for her epic melodies, and the Grammy-nominated songwriter has captivated audiences both overseas and in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. She started writing at her piano as a young girl, and found a home in her first album, “Let the Ground Know Who’s Standing on Him”– an intimate collection of piano-driven musings and haunting melodies.
Shortly after this release, Anousheh went outside of her genre and into the whirlwind of International House music through her-chart topping collaborations with Deep Dish and DJ Sharam. What started as a few simple collaborations resulted in unprecedented success, including a top ten spot on the UK pop charts, global radio play and trip to the Grammys in 2006 for her “Say Hello” Best Dance Recording nomination.
Anousheh released an EP in 2012 ("The Trouble I Find"), this past June Anousheh decided to turn to crowd-funding for her next album. With the help of some amazing friends, family and fans, Anousheh was able to raise $16k on Kickstarter for the production and release of her long-awaited full length. Her new album is set to release in early 2015- sign up for her newsletter here for updates on the new album: http://www.anousheh.com/email-sign-up.
Awards
Grammy Nomination for Best Dance Recording 2006, "Say Hello" by Deep Dish feat. Anousheh
“I first took up the bass when I was 14. It was 1965 and the Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion bands were in full swing. I had been playing the trumpet throughout school, but suddenly the trumpet just wasn’t very cool. The guitar was in. So I bought a guitar, taught myself a few chords, and started a band of sorts with a few friends. I became the bass player in the band simply because I already knew the treble cleff and somebody had to learn the bass cleff. My entire musical career evolved from that!”
From that moment on Robert Miller became immersed in music and began the steps that would lead to Project Grand Slam a/k/a PGS, for which he is the leader, bassist and composer.
In November 2015 PGS opened for Scott Weiland (formerly of the Stone Temple Pilots) at the Gramercy Theater in NYC. In May 2016 PGS opened for 4-time Grammy Award nominee Boney James at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in NJ. In July the band was the featured performer at the F.M. Kirby Center For The Performing Arts in PA, and in August the band performed at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, Garcia’s at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY (after YES), and at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC. In October PGS will again open for Boney James at the Ridgefield Playhouse in CT, and in December the band will be the featured performer at the Highland Lakes Concert Series (NJ).
PGS has also appeared at many of the better clubs in NYC including the Blue Note, Iridium, the Cutting Room, and a continuing monthly residency at The Groove.
In August 2016 the band released its 4th album – “The Queen’s Carnival” – featuring nine original tunes written by Robert that are rich in texture and diverse in feel, while still staying true to the PGS sound. Plus Robert’s totally reimagined cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” (feat. Lucy Woodward on vocals). As Robert says, “The new album is the work that I’ve been building towards my entire career. It truly captures the two musical genres that have informed my composing and playing – rock and jazz. I consider this a breakthrough album for me and the band.”
“The Queen’s Carnival” has received uniformly rave reviews, including: “Unquestionably one of the year’s best albums!”; “An inspired album…a work of ensemble genius!”; “A uniquely powerful work!”; “A sonic cavalcade of different shades and textures!”; “An album of wide ranging taste and distinction!”; and “Smart, stylish and sophisticated!”. The title tune from the album has similarly garnered rave reviews such as “Party powered happiness!”; “Percolates with restless kinetic energy!”; and “Crackling hot Latin song craft!”. The Official and Live videos of this song have been viewed over 500,000 times to date. And the band’s unique cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” has been called “Astonishing”; “Stunning”; and “Breathtaking”.
PGSʼs prior album (its third) – Made In New York – was released in September 2015 and featured two celebrated singles, “New York City Groove”, Robert’s love letter to his NYC home, and “Fire”, Robertʼs reimagined version of the Jimi Hendrix classic. Both singles featured The Voice semi-finalist Kat Robichaud on vocals. The band and Kat also filmed videos for “Groove” and “Fire” that have been viewed over 150,000 times to date. The reviews of the album and “Fire” were extraordinary, with words like “fantastic”, “damn fine album” and “hard to resist” for the album, and “superb”, “brilliant”, “excellent”, “stunning” and “unbelievable gem” for “Fire”.
“I played rock music exclusively until I was 19, and one of my earliest bass heroes was Jack Bruce of Cream. In fact, don’t tell anyone but I added a little bass figure to “Fire” as a kind of personal homage to Jack Bruce.” I then took up jazz by studying with Jimmy Garrison, John Coltrane’s bassist.”
Robert was a staple of the Boston music scene in the 1970’s, when jazz fusion came into vogue with Miles Davis, Weather Report, Return To Forever and others. His fusion band (which included Anton Fig of Letterman fame) played along side Gary Burton, Sonny Stitt, and Jacki Byard, among others, and played steadily at all the Boston area clubs.
Fast forward to the 1990’s when Robert formed The Robert Miller Group. Their first album, “Child’s Play” (1994), contained Robert’s first original compositions and featured such luminaries as Al Foster (Miles Davis), Randy Brecker (Brecker Brothers), Tony “Thunder” Smith (Lou Reed), Anton Fig and Jon Lucien. The band went on to play at several festivals including the Telluride Jazz Celebration and the San Bernadino Jazz Festival (along side Bruce Hornsby, War and Bela Fleck).
Robert originally began PGS in 2007. The bandʼs first two CDs, Play (2008) and Spring Dance (2012), had three top radio singles – “The Captain Of Her Heart” (feat. Judie Tzuke on vocals) from Play, and “Catch You Later” and the title song from Spring Dance. In 2009 the band also had a featured role in an episode of the hit NBC-TV series Lipstick Jungle starring Brooke Shields and Kim Raver, with five of the bandʼs tunes featured in the soundtrack and Robert having a speaking part.
Says Robert: “What I’m trying to achieve now with PGS is to combine the power and beat of rock with the complexity and improvisation of jazz in a new and exciting way that takes the music to a whole other level”.
Lou and Katie play killer heavy groove rock, metal, stoner rock and southern metal. These bands are so hot, that corporate media and even most podcasts won't even touch 'em! Featured Loudini Artists: Blues Pills, Kadavar, Diemonds
Featured Loudini Artists:
Blues Pills
Danceable Rock Variety from 60's thru Today!! from Dr. Ray Henley,DDS(Drums & Vocals); Dr. Bryan Brassington,DDS(Bass & Vocals); Brian Marron(Guitar & Vocals); & Todd Colls(Guitar)
Current Location
Williamsburg, Richmond Virginia & beyond!
Influences
Beatles, Stones...
Kadavar
The world’s leading scientists recently declared in unison: time travel can no longer be considered fiction but reality! Neither did their certainty originate from hypothetical thought experiments, nor from years of testing in isolated laboratories. It was the record of a rock trio from Berlin, Germany, that had dropped into the professors’ laps out of the blue and led them to proclaim joyfully: “Warm, intense, authentic – doubtlessly a gift from bygone times!”
It was already with 2012’s eponymous debut album that KADAVAR casted a spell on all fans of solid riff-driven yet doom-like 70’s hard rock à la BLACK SABBATH or PENTAGRAM. Marrying this with the spacy psychedelic approach of early HAWKWIND and mixing in a distinct own touch while preserving their icon’s warm vintage charm can doubtlessly be considered the trio’s key to success – astoundingly high vinyl sales and support shows for bands such as SLEEP, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM and ELECTRIC WIZARD as well as stunning festival gigs at “Stoned From The Underground”, “Yellowstock” and “Fusion Festival”, among others, underline KADAVAR’s status as one of the scene’s most exciting acts.
Carrying the experiences of dozens of played live shows as a source of inspiration inside them, KADAVAR entered the timeless space of their studio end of last year to procure supplies for their ever growing fan base that was starving for more – in the form of their second full-length album and debut on Nuclear Blast. “After last year’s final show had been played in mid-December, we started writing new songs”, drummer and studio owner Tiger recalls. “We’ve already had a couple of finished tracks in May 2012, but those were eventually released on a split-LP with AQUA NEBULA OSCILLATOR in November 2012, which is why we started at square one again. As we knew that there was no procrastination and no going back for us, we sat down for two weeks straight to finish composing with total commitment. We’re perfectly happy with the outcome – I’d even say that “Abra Kadavar” comprises the best compositions we’ve created to date. The songs are more diversified, the ideas feel more spontaneous. Moreover, we’ve tried to capture much more of our live energy, which is why we’ve recorded almost everything all together in one room, with the amps turned up to the max – solely the vocals and a handful of guitar solos were added afterwards.”
There’s time until April 12, 2013 to grow a full beard, resole your platform shoes and iron your bell-bottoms. From then on, KADAVAR invite us to escape the 21st century’s soulless musical mishmash once again by entering the realms of “Abra Kadavar“ – down-to-earth handmade classic rock from a time when music still used to be true art!
Diemonds
“Risking their safety and sanity for rock n’ roll please welcome Toronto’s wild and young…” – Classic Rock Magazine
Diemonds calls downtown Toronto their home, but they live for criss-crossing the continent for weeks on end, armed with little more than their brand of original hard rock, their gear and a dream. With their 3rd album ‘Never Wanna Die’ slated for worldwide release Summer 2015, the band continues to modernize their heavy rock n' roll sound. This time, multiple Juno award-winner Eric Ratz (Monster Truck, Billy Talent) is in the producer chair. Remaining true to their sound, Diemonds takes lyrics that speak to the outcasts, wild childs, and misfits, and combines them with a hard-hitting live show, taking cues from the greats they look up to.
Priya Panda, the bands front woman, is the sultry singer that the music world has never been so poised for. Every time she steps on stage she walks the indeterminable fine line between class and crass. With her larger-than-life presence, she breaks every cultural, social, gender and sexual boundary known to hard rock. If the ever growing legions of the band's loyal following, known as "Die-Hards", are any indication, Priya and the rest of her bandmates are firmly carving their own path in music and hoards of rock fans are already along for the ride.
Awards
Never Wanna Die - Juno-nominated for Heavy Metal album of the year
Best Underground Artist of the Year - High Times Magazine Doobie Awards
Current Location
Toronto, ON
General Manager
Dan Hand dan.hand@cloudempirecreative.com
Press Contact
pr@diemonds.net
Booking Agent
manager@diemonds.net
The Blue Pills
Danceable Rock Variety from 60's thru Today!! from Dr. Ray Henley,DDS(Drums & Vocals); Dr. Bryan Brassington,DDS(Bass & Vocals); Brian Marron(Guitar & Vocals); & Todd Colls(Guitar)
Current Location
Williamsburg, Richmond Virginia & beyond!
Influences
Beatles, Stones...
This Day In Music:
1966, The Beach Boys went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Good Vibrations', the group's third US No.1. As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.1967, American soul singer, songwriter Otis Redding was killed in a plane crash, aged 26. Redding and his band had made an appearance in Cleveland, Ohio on the local ‘Upbeat’ television show the previous day. The plane carrying Otis Redding and his band crashed at 3.28.pm into icy waters of Lake Monoma near Madison. Redding was killed in the crash along with members from the The Bar-Kays, Jimmy King, Ron Caldwell, Phalin Jones and Carl Cunningham. Trumpet player Ben Cauley was the only person to survive the crash.
1971, Playing the first of two nights at London's Rainbow Theatre, in England, Frank Zappa was pushed off stage by Trevor Howell, the jealous boyfriend of an audience member. Zappa fell onto the concrete-floored orchestra pit - the band thought Zappa had been killed. He suffered serious fractures, head trauma and injuries to his back, leg, and neck, as well as a crushed larynx, which ultimately caused his voice to drop a third after healing. This accident resulted in him using a wheelchair for an extended period, forcing him off the road for over half a year.1973, The CBGB Club (Country, BlueGrass, and Blues), opened in the lower eastside of New York City. Founded by Hilly Kristal, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands such as Blondie, Television, Patti Smith and the Ramones.
1998, Bruce Springsteen won a £2 million court battle to ban an album of his early songs. The case revolved around a dispute over copyright ownership between Bruce and a former manager.1998, A recording of a 1963 Beatles concert was sold at auction at Christies in London for £25,300, ($41,500). The tape of The Beatles' 10-song concert was recorded by the chief technician at the Gaumont Theatre in Bournemouth during one of six consecutive nights which The Beatles had played. Also sold for £5,195 ($8,500), was a set of autographs of five Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best, and Stuart Sutcliffe. The autographs had been obtained by a fan in Liverpool in 1961.1999, Rick Danko died in his sleep at his home near Woodstock, New York. The Canadian guitarist and singer joined The Hawks in 1963 who went on to work as Bob Dylan's backing band, (with Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson). Renamed The Band who released their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the single ‘The Weight’). The Band released the 1978 concert film-documentary triple-LP soundtrack ‘The Last Waltz.’2005, Queen overtook The Beatles to become the third most successful act of all time. Sales in 2005 showed that Queen had now overtaken The Beatles to make it into third place, spending 1,755 weeks on the British singles and album charts. The Beatles slipped to fourth place, with 1,749 weeks. Elvis had spent 2,574 weeks on the singles and album charts, making him number one in the Top 100 most successful acts of all time. Sir Cliff Richard remained in second place, clinching 1,982 weeks.2007, Led Zeppelin played their first concert in 19 years, at London's 02 Arena as part of the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham. More than one million people had taken part in a ballot for the 20,000 tickets available for the show with all proceeds going to Ahmet's own charity. Zeppelin performed 16 songs including two encores. A number of celebrities attended the gig including Dave Grohl, Jeff Beck, Brian May, David Gilmour, The Edge, Peter Gabriel, Mick Jagger, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jerry Hall, Priscilla Presley and Paris Hilton.
2008, The Associated Press reported that the US military used loud music to "create fear, disorient and prolong capture shock" for prisoners at military detention centers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Among the songs blasted 24 hours a day were 'Born In The USA' by Bruce Springsteen, 'Hell's Bells' by AC/DC, 'White America' by Eminem, 'The Theme From Sesame Street' and 'I Love You' from the Barney and Friends children's TV show.
2009, In an interview with Q magazine, Paul McCartney was asked if his marriage to Heather Mills was the worst mistake of his life. He replied "OK, yeah. I suppose that has to be the prime contender." The divorce settlement had cost McCartney £24m ($38.9m), plus annual payments for his daughter, Beatrice.
2010, The original hand-written lyrics to Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' sold at a New York auction for $422,500 (£267,400). Adam Sender, a hedge fund manager and art collector, outbid five others, placing telephone bids. The song, one of Dylan's most politically charged, was the title track of his 1964 album.
Birthday Shout outs:
1910, Born on this day, John Hammond, producer, A&R scout. Worked with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, George Benson and Janis Joplin Hammond died on 10th July 1987.
1926, Born on this day Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones, New Orleans blues guitar player from the 1940s and 1950s best known for the million-selling song ‘The Things That I Used to Do’, a song that is listed in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
1965, Born on this day, Joseph Mascis, guitar, vocals, Dinosaur Jr, (1993 UK No.20 single 'Start Choppin').
1974, Born on this day, Meg White, drums, The White Stripes, (2003 UK No.1 album 'Elephant' spent 46 weeks on the UK chart)
"I make music for your soul... and hips and stuff" - this is the goal of New York native & groovy-indie pop songstress RÉN, (AKA Renee Orshan). Gaining the plaudits of the likes of Neon Gold, Pigeons & Planes and NYLON Magazine for her unique sound, RÉN’s continuous thought provoking tracks are fresh in perspective. Complementary in wisdom to her debut single "Time", her latest release “Into the Unknown” is an escape and much-needed reminder to let go of those aspects of life you will never have control over. In a way it embodies the core concept of RÉN - live fully, 'let go' of everything holding you back, and go 'Into the Unknown'.
Inspired by whimsical artists like Kimbra, No Doubt, MGMT, and Lily Allen, RÉN strives to creates a quirky and fun atmosphere whilst still making room for the etheral enchanting sounds of artists like Sia and Frou Frou.
"My favorite artists are all over the spectrum when it comes to sound. The Beatles will make you dance, make you think, make you smile, and make you cry. I want to do that!"
With a Love of 80’s Punk Rock, New Wave, and 90’s alternative, The Hellflowers were born. Christina Lopez (vocals/guitar) and Matt Eskew (bass) started collaborating in early 2015 which ended up creating a familiar yet uniquely distinctive sound.
In March 2016, The Hellflowers released their debut EP, “Come On Let’s Dance!” recorded and produced by Agent Orange’s Dave Klein and mastered by Jamison Weddle (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nils Lofgren) with cover art illustrated by famed San Francisco poster artist, Casey Castille. They self produced music videos for the singles "Come On Let's Dance!" and "Running Through The Fog" both directed by bassist, Matt Eskew.
The Hellflowers perform regularly throughout California and the southwest and have opened for national acts such as Agent Orange, The Dickies, The Muffs and Gene Loves Gezebel. They’re constantly expanding their touring reach and connection with audiences through their raw, live shows.
The Hellflowers will be returning to the studio to record a follow up EP to be released before they hit the road to Europe in 2017.
“Lead singer/guitarist, Christina Lopez…can really sing…in somewhat similar tone to Debra Harry. It’s a pleasure to hear this voice.” Donna Balancia, CaliforniaRocker.com
Isn't it funny how wrong the critics can be? The much maligned debut by Stone Temple Pilots has stood the test of time. Twenty four years later it still rocks as hard if not harder than many of it's more critically celebrated but much forgotten contemporaries. On the anniversary of the tragic passing of frontman Scott Weiland, The Loudini Rock and Roll Circus pays tribute to one of rock's most enduring albums. Featured Loudini Artists: Crucified Barbara, The Sheepdogs, The Temperance Movement
Crucified Barbara
Formed in Stockholm in 1998 by bassist Ida Evileye and guitarist Klara Force, CRUCIFIED BARBARA is Sweden's hardest rocking quartet, playing a fiery brand of rock 'n' roll tinged with metal and lashings of punk, pop, thrash, and whatever else dares to cross their path.
No strangers to hard work or success, CRUCIFIED BARBARA’s debut single from their 2005 debut In Distortion We Trust climbed to #8 on the Swedish pop charts. They played Australia, toured across Europe opening for Motörhead, Sepultura, In Flames, and Doro, and earned a prestigious slot alongside Black Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, and System Of A Down at the U.K. Download Festival. With all that touring, it would be four years before the band got around to recording their second album, 2009’s ‘Til Death Do Us Party. Next thing you know, there they were on national television performing in Eurovision’s 2010 Song Contest and made it to the semi-finals. Go figure.
Entering the legendary Music-A-Matic Vintage Recording Studio in Gothenberg with sound engineer Henryk Lipp and producer Chips Kiesby to create CRUCIFIED BARBARA’s third studio release, The Midnight Chase features the beautifully evil “Rock Me Like The Devil,” the anthemic “Everything We Need,” and the commandeering “Into The Fire.” Ida Evileye dominates her trusty Sandberg bass, Klara Force rocks steady on her ’76 Gibson Explorer, Mia Coldheart belts out her unapologetic vocals while riffing all over her Gibson Gothic Flying V, and Nicki Wicked pounds on her glittered Yamaha Maple drum kit until you’re splayed across the floor with a bull’s-eye knock-out punch that’ll make you spit your teeth out. Now you know what happens when Motörhead mates with The Runaways.
So how did they get their name? The band members attended Denmark’s legendary Roskilde Festival and came across something very unexpected in a nearby forest: a blow-up doll (generically called “Barbara” throughout Sweden) attached to a crucifix. And no, they didn’t identify with the victim, they claimed the power of the aggressor right on the spot and have never looked back.
If ever you cross their path, bring some brass knuckles to better protect yourself.
Press Contact
crucifiedbarbara @ gmrmusic.se
Booking Agent
crucifiedbarbara @ gmrmusic.se
The Sheepdogs
Hailing from Saskatoon, three-time JUNO awarding winning artists THE SHEEPDOGS’ burst onto the international scene after beating out thousands of artists in 2011 to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. Since then, The Sheepdogs have amassed six JUNO nominations, toured worldwide and earned Platinum certification for their 2010 LP Learn and Burn.
The Sheepdogs’ latest self-titled LP produced by Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) debuted at #1 on the Top 200 SoundScan Chart, garnering another GOLD record for the band.
“Our goal is two-fold,” Currie says. “We want to make killer albums that people really want to listen to, but we also want to have a really reputable live show. When we come through town we want to be the hottest ticket there. Those two elements are what make a truly great rock and roll band. Really, though, we just want to play to anyone who is willing to give us a shot and who wants to have a good time.”
Current Location
Saskatooon, SK
General Manager
Bedlam Music Management - Joel Carriere - sheepdogs@bedlammusicmgt.com
Influences
Beatles, Stones, Allman Brothers, Kinks, Stones, Derek & the Dominoes, Neil Young, Humble Pie, Faces, Free, Little Feat, Sly & the Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield, the Bees, Supergrass, etc.
Paquin Entertainment Group (Canada) - Todd todd@paquinentertainment.com
The Temperance Movement
Genre
Rock n roll
Members
Phil Campbell, Paul Sayer, Nick Fyffe, Damon Wilson, Matt White
Record Label
Earache Records / Concord Music Group
About
New album 'White Bear' out now. Listen here: http://smarturl.it/WhiteBear
2016/2017 Live Dates: http://smarturl.it/TTMTour
Influences
The Band, Free, Pearl Jam, Little Feat, Blur, The Rolling Stones, Jonathan Wilson, Jackson Browne, Led Zeppelin, The Faces, CSNY, White Denim, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Tom Petty.
Press Contact
USA / Canada: Joel Amsterdam - joel.amsterdam@concordmusicgroup.com
UK / EU: William Luff @ Wilful PR - william.luff@wilfulpublicity.co.uk
Booking Agent
USA & Canada - Anthony Paolercio and Adam Sylvester / The Agency Group: anthonypaolercio@theagencygroup.com / adamsylvester@theagencygroup.com
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991 by DGC Records. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC. Lead singer Kurt Cobain sought to make music outside the restrictive confines of the Seattle grunge scene, drawing influence from groups such as the Pixies and their use of "loud/quiet" dynamics. It is their first album to feature drummer Dave Grohl.
Despite low commercial expectations by the band and its record label, Nevermind became a surprise success in late 1991, largely due to the popularity of its first single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit". By January 1992, it had replaced Michael Jackson's album Dangerous at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album also produced three other successful singles: "Come as You Are", "Lithium", and "In Bloom". The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified the album diamond (at least over 10 million copies shipped), and the album has sold at least 24 million copies worldwide. Nevermind was in part responsible for bringing both alternative rock and grunge to a large, mainstream audience, and has been ranked highly on lists of the greatest albums of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and Time.
Gov't Mule
Legendary rock torchbearers, Gov’t Mule, are ramping up their 2016 schedule with an extensive tour and the release of a new archival album entitled The Tel-Star Sessions, the band’s very first, and never-before-released, demos made in June 1994 at Tel-Star Studios in Bradenton, Florida. These newly mixed and mastered recordings feature the original line-up: Warren Haynes, Allen Woody and Matt Abts. “Having listened to them recently, for the first time in decades, a big smile came over my face. These recordings capture the rawness and excitement of the earliest stage of Gov’t Mule,” explains Haynes.
Recorded during the infancy of Gov’t Mule, the demos heard on The Tel-Star Sessions are from a time when Mule was an adventurous side project, formed during a year when Warren Haynes and Allen Woody had some down time from their work with the Allman Brothers Band. Becoming one of the most enduring, respected and active bands in the world was the furthest thing from the band's imagination; the plan was to record a low-budget album and play a few shows. It's now clear that they had stumbled upon something special, but at that point Mule was an experimental rock trio: Haynes, Woody and drummer Matt Abts, who Haynes brought in after playing with him in the Dickey Betts Band. Fans will love the chance to hear their early improvisational interplay, an impressive skill that has since become a signature of Gov't Mule's albums and live shows.
Collaborating with Allman Brothers sound engineer Bud Snyder, and taking legendary producer Tom Dowd's advice to record all instruments simultaneously live in a room, Gov't Mule holed up in the Tampa-area studio. They recorded a mix of early originals such as “Blind Man In The Dark,” “Monkey Hill,” and “Left Coast Groovies” along with covers by ZZ Top (“Just Got Paid”), Free (“Mr. Big”), and Willie Dixon (“The Same Thing”). Says Warren, “Along with our discussions about the ‘power trio’ being missing from the current musical landscape were the discussions of how the sound of the bass guitar had gotten progressively ‘cleaner’ since the ’80s (or late ’70s), and how that affected the overall feeling of the music.” Their influences leaned heavily on the likes of Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience and ZZ Top, but Mule’s search to bring back a familiar sound is mingled with grunge and alt-rock influences that had just emerged in the early-mid ‘90s. Little did they know that the magic created during these sessions would spark such a prolific musical journey.
The band recorded three increasingly ambitious studio albums and performed countless shows before Woody died in August, 2000. After briefly pausing to ponder their next move, Haynes and Abts began recording The Deep End, two CDs featuring guest bassists, ranging from the Who’s John Entwistle to the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh.
“Everything we’ve done collectively has led up to where we are now,” says Haynes. “But those Deep End sessions, and the experience of playing with so many bassists and adapting to different sounds and approaches had a profound effect on Gov’t Mule and what we’ve done since.”
Danny Louis, a longtime collaborator, became a full-time member of Gov’t Mule in 2001, and the group has been a four-piece ever since. Bassist Jorgen Carlsson has been with the group since 2008, solidifying the lineup.
“I think a lot of the music we’re doing now is very similar to the music we were making in the earliest years with the obvious exception that we are no longer a trio,” says Haynes. “In some ways we’ve come full circle and in other ways it only makes sense if you step back and connect the dots. And that seems right to me. You want to keep growing and you never want to be static, or done changing.”
Warren Haynes’ unparalleled ability to bring together different musicians into a cohesive whole or to pull off epic musical happenings is one of the many reasons why Haynes stands apart from the many great front men and guitarists who have graced the musical landscape. Combined with his guitar and vocal mastery, these skills have made him an in-demand presence and indispensible musical ally for many.
Gov't Mule has showcased its virtuosity, intelligence and breadth for more than two decades, which have encompassed 15 studio and live albums, millions of album and track sales and thousands of performances. The band has become a human encyclopedia of timeless American music while adding to that canon with their signature sound.
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Alabama Thunderpussy
Kyle Thomas: Vocals
Erik Larson: Guitar
Ryan Lake: Guitar
Mikey Bryant: Bass
Bryan Cox: Drums
Hometown
Richmond, Virginia
Record Label
Relapse Records
Bryan Cox, Erik Larson and Asechiah Bogdan founded ATP in 1996. Bill Storms and Johnny Throckmorton completed the lineup, and the band signed to Man's Ruin Records in 1998. They debuted with Rise Again later that year, and recorded River City Revival, released in 1999. 2000 brought Constellation. The band released a split with Halfway to Gone the same year. The split was the first time that the band was billed as Alabama Thunderpussy. 2002's Staring at the Divine followed. Alabama Thunderpussy parted ways with Man's Ruin and singer Johnny Throckmorton later that year, signing to Relapse Records and hiring new frontman Johnny Weills. Weills performed vocals on the album Fulton Hill (album), released on May 25, 2004. By the time of the following ATP album, Open Fire, Weills had left the band to form Danballah in Columbus, Ohio. He was replaced by Kyle Thomas, formerly of New Orleans bands Floodgate and Exhorder.
Members of ATP have appeared in many side projects. Larson has released two discs under his name, the most recent in 2005. Larson has also appeared in the side project Axehandle with Bryan Cox and Ryan Lake. Erik also appears in another side project group Birds of Prey with a release from July 25, 2006. Erik Larson was also the former drummer for AVAIL. Bryan Cox was a member of instrumental band Suzukiton and was on their one release, Service Repair Handbook.
Former vocalist Johnny Throckmorton is now the vocalist for Richmond, VA-based Before the Machine.
Open Fire, the band's latest CD, was released March 6, 2007 on Relapse Records.
Mississippi Bones formed in the flat lands of Hardin County, Ohio in 2010 as a 2 man studio project, thanks to some free studio time, with no other motives than to lay down some rock and no intentions of a future. In the last 4 years the rock has not stopped. They have moved from a 2 to a 6 man (5 men 1 lady) band, and have went from peddling discs in their small town to selling albums across the globe, but the goal remains the same, laying down some rock.
Inspired by all things that rock, bad sci-fi movies, beer, comics, good sci-fi movies, and bad jokes, they come bearing loads of riffs, tasty grooves, run on sentences, and a serious irreverence. Over the years they have continued to expand the borders of their sound but one thing always holds true, whether it be fast and furious, tinged with metal, dirty, swampy, bluesy, fuzzed out, or low and slow just like a good barbeque, it will always be about laying down some sweet rock.
They like to laugh. They like to make music. They like watching horror movies on the garage door in the drive way while eating pulled pork sandwiches. People know them as Mississippi Bones. You can become one of those people. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.
Paulo Franco is a Richmond based singer/songwriter. In the summer of 2012 he was named a finalist in the Southeast region of the Mountain Stage NewSong songwriting contest. He was the only Virginia songwriter so selected in 2012. He also was a winner in the Ashland Coffee & Tea Songwriter's Showdown, and a showcase performer at Singer/Songwriter Cape May 2014. He has placed songs he has co-written with NBC.
His backing band are the Rateros - Dan Sessler, on lead guitar and vocals; Dave Hess on drums and vocals; and Chad Bennett on bass. He has performed as a solo artist and with his band in venues throughout Virginia, Maryland DC and North Carolina, and he has also performed as a solo artist in Austin, TX Ohio and Johnson City, TN. In December of 2013, Paulo released an EP of tunes he has co-written with his friend and fellow Mountain Stage Songwriting Contest finalist Shane Cooley. The EP also features an original from both Shane and Paulo. It was recorded by Bob Rupe (The Silos, Cracker, Sparklehorse, Gutterball), who lends his musical talents on bass. Dan Sessler's guitar playing is also be featured. The EP follows the 2012 release By The Light Of A Paper Moon. Paulo is planning a release of new songs that have been featured at his shows planned for late 2014 or early 2015.
A native of Washington, D.C., music has always been a part of Paulo's life beginning from the time his maternal grandmother sang to him as an infant. Paulo has been playing guitar since he was boy. He began by playing classical guitar at the age of 9, and a life long love affair with stringed instruments began. After a few years playing in cover bands, he decided that a dream delayed was a dream denied. He began writing music in 2008 and in earnest in 2010. His passion for music led him to record his first CD of original music in 2012, which is titled By The Light Of A Paper Moon.
Although his father was born and raised in Colombia he fell in love with American country music. Paulo Sr. and Paulo Jr. were big fans of Johnny Cash's variety show in the 60s and 70s, and Paulo Sr. always loved the music of Glen Campbell. Artists that Paulo and the Rateros cover in addition to their extensive catalogue of original music include Bob Dylan, Doug Sahm, Wilile Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Drive By Truckers, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons, The Dead, Little Feat, Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell, Slaid Cleeves, Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones, and more.
When it comes down to answering the Eternal Rock and Roll Question, Beatles or the Rolling Stones, Paulo checks the Stones box. But, he shares a birthday with George Harrison (February 25) and the first album he ever bought when he was six years old was Let It Be. Be sure to ask him the story about when he bought it. John Doe of X fame and Virginia music legend Dr. Ralph Stanley are also February 25th Native Sons.
A roots music group with a vintage sound older than its years, The Carolyn Sills Combo is breathing fresh life and heartfelt twang into the timeless sounds of post-war American music. Nominated for a 2016 Ameripolitan Award for Western Swing group and a 2016 Academy of Western Artist Award for western swing group, female, album and song (Even Villains Once Were Babies), fans of classic country and western swing are falling in love with the band's original songs, written and produced by Sills and her longtime guitarist and husband, Gerard Egan.
The cowboy loving duo attracted top Monterey Bay area players for their combo, featuring Charlie Joe Wallace on steel guitar, Jim Norris on drums and Sunshine Jackson on harmony vocals and percussion. Sills and Egan are heavily influenced by spaghetti western films as well as their vinyl record collection, citing a wide range of influences from Bob Wills, Patsy Cline and Merle Travis and Les Paul & Mary Ford. Word of their authentic live show is spreading quickly throughout California, chock full of three part vocal harmonies, dueling guitar and steel instrumentals and tight arrangements of their own distinct brand of Americana. "This is real, swinging, juke box music," says Sills. "We're tipping our hats to the music that made us want to play, and hoping our original takes on these classic styles will keep the genres moving forward.'
Singer, songwriter, musician, and touring artist Cody Webb has played hundreds of dates across the East Coast, Midwest and beyond, earning thousands of fans with his expressive tenor and deft guitar work. Recently relocated to Nashville from his native South Carolina, he’s finishing work on his debut EP and has assembled a team of top music business pros for his first push onto the national scene.
Cody’s childhood in South Carolina consisted of hunting, fishing, sports, and music in tiny Ridge Spring. His mother had been a music major and led the music ministry at their church. His father had a band and wrote songs, so it wasn’t surprising when Cody gravitated to guitar at eight and joined his father onstage as a teenager. “I wanted to be a guitar player back then,” he says. “I had no idea what that would look like, but I was making $100 on Sundays when I was 12 or 13 and thought I was killing it. Big money.”
As first gigs go, the South Carolina Poultry Festival was a big step for a 12-year-old. “I was terrible,” Cody admits. “The intro to ‘Ballad of Curtis Lowe’ was my spotlight moment. I was so nervous my hands were shaking and it wasn’t great. But there was a local artist named D.B. Bryant who played right after us. He was a heck of a guitar player and watching him, the whole world went away. I remember right then thinking, ‘I’m going to figure out how to do this.’ Ten years later, I got to headline that stage at that festival with my band. That was pretty cool.”
