INDIE NEWS BEAT

April 4, 2006 Edition


* Polarity/1 Music Featured on Danny Schechter Documentary ‘In Debt We Trust’

* Miss Kristin Is Back At It Again

* Inside the Music Business’ Seminar & Showcase An Unprecedented Chance to Network

* Karlex Tours Holland In Support Of “Ghetto Fabulous” Release

* Amy Speace Recognized By International Acoustic Music Awards

* Kobo Town Bandleader Drew Gonsalves To Open For ‘Skin and Bone’ Launch Party

* MusicDish Asks ‘Are You Ready To Innovate?’ At NewMusicWest 2007

* Rose Beach Brings ‘Family Love’ To MusicDish Network

* MusicDish Network Embraces The Love Kills Theory

Polarity/1 Music Featured on Danny Schechter Documentary ‘In Debt We Trust’

In Debt We Trust, a feature-length documentary directed by Emmy Award winner Danny Schechter and premiering this April, will bring music by NY-based composer and recording artist Polarity/1 to theaters around the country. The film features instrumental music by Polarity/1 and Audioplasm (Polarity/1 and Rubio) as well as two songs written for the film — Free Money (included on Polarity/1’s Prettier Than You CD) and I’m So Broke (by Audioplasm).

In Debt We Trust will be screened in:

– Rochester, NY April 2-5 at the Little Theater, 240 East Ave. at 7PM

– Manhattan April 4 & 5 at the QUAD on 34 W.13th St. at 7PM

– Los Angeles April 13 at the Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills at 7PM

– Bellingham, WA April 14 & 15 at the Pickford Theatre, 1416 Cornwall Ave.

– Boston April 19 at Northeastern University, Snell Library Rm 217 in the Media Center at noon

In Debt We Trust shows how debt is strangling the lives of tens of millions of Americans, and consolidating power into fewer and fewer hands by a credit and loan complex not unlike the military-industrial complex. This has been called the “financialization” of America ≠- producing a kind of “modern serfdom” and widening the gap between the haves and have-nots. The 88-minute documentary is being distributed to theaters and communities as part of a new national campaign, Americans for Debt Relief Now, that aims to help Americans win freedom from the desperation of this overwhelming debt.

The music of Polarity/1 is exactly what the name suggests: conjoined opposites – a mash-up of new: cutting edge electronica/hip hop/nu-jazz and old: roots music of America (blues, funk, country, early jazz), Brazil (samba, pagode, etc.) and West African groove science. “Polar succeeds in his mission of forcing you to pay attention and not lull into the sounds you ‘expect’ to hear,” noted StarPolish.com

Currently, Polarity/1 is best known for political songs which are a regular feature of Amy Goodman’s globally syndicated Democracy Now, NPR and many other politics-oriented broadcasts, used in college courses on media and licensed for use in documentaries.

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Miss Kristin Is Back At It Again, Creating Impressive New Music In Her Own Unique Way!

Amazing Power is a collection of eleven love songs in which Miss Kristin articulates the hope that is born with love and the acceptance or rejection that follows.

Nowhere is this idea more explicit than in “Agony and Ecstasy”, a graceful song with a beautiful chorus in which Kristin sings, ‘Falling in love is bittersweet, the agony and the ecstasy’. Love is shown as being a double-edged sword, capable of bringing great joy or stinging dejection when left unfulfilled. This theme is carried through on several tracks including “Tangled Up in Blue”, a catchy upbeat number that belies the anguished retelling of a breakup, suggesting a personal effort to counter affect the blues of rejection.

“All I Ever Want” is a real gem, a country-flavored song of quiet determination featuring a fiddle and pedal steel guitar that together produce a very sweet lilting sound that displays the range of Miss Kristin’s songwriting skills. There are always a few rockers up Miss Kristin’s sleeve, here being “Fall Away” and “Immigration Song”, a driving rocker pumped up with Kristin’s furious rhythm guitar playing and a scorching lead.

Miss Kristin composed, arranged and produced all the songs on Amazing Power, as well as supplying all the vocals, some rhythm guitar and even keyboards. The amazing power she refers to is that of love, and her message seems to be that love, with its inherent possibilities of rejection and loss, is ultimately an affirmative power that should be pursued regardless of the costs. As such, it is an album of encouragement and eternal hope.

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Inside the Music Business’ Seminar & Showcase An Unprecedented Chance to Network, Learn And Be Discovered’

Inside the Music Business ‘Strategies For Success’ Seminar and Showcase will be co-hosted by Grammy nominated and multi-platinum artist Adam Gaynor formerly of Matchbox Twenty. This announcement made today by Eric Kline, CEO of the ‘Inside the Music Business’ brand of products and services. Kline is also serving double duty as Executive Producer and co-host of the event.

On Saturday April 28th, indie artists, aspiring music business professionals, and music industry power players will gather to network, learn and be discovered at the Inside the Music Business ‘Strategies for Success’ Seminar & Showcase taking place at the Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale.

‘Strategies for Success’ presents a new paradigm in the ever-changing music industry ≠ a true insider’s view of how the business really works. The all-encompassing music community event features more than 30 artists, producers, songwriters, attorneys, programmers from the worlds of Rock, Urban, Country, Pop, Latin, Dance, Americana/Folk and Christian music? all converging for an explosive one-day experience of education, networking, and showcasing.

For unsigned & indie artists of all genres, it could also be a ‘chance of a lifetime’ says Kline. “It’s not everyday that you get to interact with and have an opportunity to showcase for power players in the music business like Adam Gaynor, MC Serch (White Rapper Show), Grammy nominated Producer Steve Bogard and Label Executive Mike Mack (Rap-A-Lot) to name a few.”

Those who sign up for the seminar by April 12th (http://www.insidethemusicbusiness.com price is $125) are automatically put into consideration to perform at the VIP showcase by submitting their website or MySpace page during registration. From that pool of registrants, says Kline, an independent panel of industry producers, executives, artists and managers will pick ten performers.

Those chosen will perform at the invite-only showcase and will also appear on the syndicated Inside the Music Business radio special, national event DVD and will win an ‘Inside the Music Business prize package.

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Karlex Tours Holland In Support Of “Ghetto Fabulous” Release

Lil’ People Records announced dates for Haitian American artist Karlex‘ tour in support of the Dutch release of his album “Ghetto Fabulous”. The tour will launch from Haarlem on April 17th and travel through three cities before returning to Haarlem on the 22nd.

April 17th, Caf? de Stiels – Haarlem

April 18th, Het Bluescafe – Apeldoorn

April 19th, Het Hjigend Hert – Breda

April 20th, Jerry’s Muziekcafe – Veldhoven

April 22th, Het Meterhuis – Haarlem

Karlex soulfully fusses the vibes of his native island with funky guitar sounds and heavy bass, in a unique blend called Afro Groove. Released in Holland on March 13, “Ghetto Fabulous” has been making waves in France since its release in September 2006. The album was selected by “Arte TV” as an October Event and by “Radio Africa No 1” as Album Of The Week leading up to the release. Karlex was invited to perform on his song “I’ve Got News For You…” France 2’s ‘Live Acoustic’, while also being chosen by Acoustic Fuel as a ‘Daily ReFill – In Celebration of Black History Month.’

“Karlex brings in smooth and mellow sounds with a deep blend of funk, reggae, and soul. From the get go with conviction he brings in a caribbean folk flow with the deep track ‘Ghetto Fabulous’.” Catask Music & Entertainment

Karlex is a member of the MusicDish Network, a complete artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution and industry outreach to support emerging artists’ and bands’ careers.

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Amy Speace Recognized By International Acoustic Music Awards

“Two,” the single from Jersey City-based country/folk artist Amy Speace, was selected as a runner-up in the Open category of the 3rd Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). This follows two other acclamations of Amy’s music: IMA (Independent Music Awards) Vox Populi winner for Best Country Song and nomination for “Emerging Artist of the Year” for the 2007 Folk Alliance Awards.

“Speace has her own sound – it isn’t enough to compare her to [Melissa] Etheridge or Sarah McLachlan (who she can match in range and pitch, listen to “Two” and you’ll see),” wrote Diana Schwaeble of The Current. “Her honeyed voice is polished and rich with emotional nuance, much like some of the Jazz greats.”

The single “Two” will be included on the IAMA Compilation CD, distributed to Acoustic/AAA/Folk radio stations in United States and overseas. IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry.

Amy Speace‘s latest album release, “Songs For Bright Street,” has been attracting lots of attention, spending 3 months in the Top 10 of Folk Radio Charts and 10 weeks in the Top 10 of Roots Americana Charts (both in the summer of 2006). The album was chosen as one of Indie-Music.com’s Top 25 Indie Releases. PBS distributor FastFocusTV is to feature Amy on their new series “Frequency,” hosted by Dave Koz. Amy has been asked to open for Little Feat, Heartland, Phil Vassar, John Corbett Roger McGuinn, John Gorka, Peter Mulvey, Tracy Grammer, Sloan Wainright and Steve Forbert.

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MusicDish Asks ‘Are You Ready To Innovate?’ At NewMusicWest 2007

MusicDish founder Eric de Fontenay has been invited to present his seminar “Are You Ready To Innovate In The Digital Marketplace?” at NewMusicWest 2007, being held in Vancouver, Canada on May 2-6. The seminar was originally developed for and presented at MIDEM 2007, held recently in Cannes, France.

“The music industry is moving faster than it ever has before,” Eric was quoted in MIDEM ‘The News’ magazine. “You now need to innovate on a continuous basis, and not all music industry professionals are wired to do that. Music has been at the forefront of having to respond to the challenges posed by technological change. It’s like a game of chess: you always need to be two steps ahead.”

MusicDish will also be hosting a ’10th Anniversary’ showcase as part of the NewMusicWest festival, following the first in a series that was held at Canadian Music Week 2007 in March. NewMusicWest is the largest and most influential new music festival on the West Coast, attracting businesses and individuals from all over North America. NMW showcases 200 bands, in 25 venues over 5 nights and invites the public and the music industry to attend.

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Kobo Town Bandleader Drew Gonsalves To Open For ‘Skin and Bone’ Launch Party

Kobo Town Bandleader Drew Gonsalves will be following up his debut solo performance at Cafe Nostalgia in Ottawa by opening for Ben Godwing’s ‘Skin and Bone’ Launch Party. Presented by MusicDish Network & Organic Entertainment, the record release event will introduce Ben’s sophomore album Skin and Bone to industry and fans on April 10, 2007 at Club Midway beginning at 6:30 PM. The event is spo
sored by Crystal Radio Blue and LIFEbeat’s Hearts & Voices.

WHAT: ‘Skin and Bone’ Launch Party 2.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 10th, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Club Midway
25 Avenue B (bet. 2nd & 3rd Streets), NYC
NO COVER – RSVP @ http://www.musicdish.net/events/bengodwin/

The Toronto Star recently featured Drew as a new force in the revival of Calypso: “It’s Wednesday night at the Trane Studio on Bathurst St., and the place is hopping ≠ you have to squeeze your way to the bar. Onstage, a slim young man with a guitar has the crowd swaying to an irresistible calypso beat. Drew Gonsalves and his band Kobo Town may not think of themselves this way, but they’re a musical bridge between two cultures, and a tenuous link to what may be a dying folk art.”

“What Drew is doing is wonderful,” noted Roger Gibbs, head of an association of calypso performers. “He’s drawing on the traditional calypso vocabulary…giving it a fresh and authentic sound.”

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Drew Gonsalves is a singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in traditional calypso, dub poetry and West Indian folk music. Founder and bandleader of celebrated roots calypso outfit Kobo Town, his songs receive regular airplay on the CBC and college radio stations across Canada. A multi instrumentalist who performs on the guitar, cuatro, tres, cavaquinho and bongo, Gonsalves’ solo arrangements emphasize the humour, storytelling and lyricism that characterize Trinidad’s pre-eminent musical art.

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Rose Beach Brings ‘Family Love’ To MusicDish Network

MusicDish Network, the artist development arm of MusicDish LLC, a leading music magazine publisher and marketing firm, announced the addition of Vancouver/Tokyo-based Pop Fusion singer/songwriter Rose Beach to its roster. MusicDish will provide full online management support, including brand development and marketing, as well as representation at major music conferences such as New Music West 2007, NXNE and Popkomm.

“Rose exactly represents the new breed of independent artists: globally focused, self starters that are able to bridge culture, language and values for a worldwide audience,” commented MusicDish founder Eric de Fontenay. “The fact that she sold 50,000 CDs in Japan with no industry support speaks volumes.”

Her debut CD “Family Love” boasts mature songs that blend a folk singer’s lyrical depth, a pop singer’s catchy melodies, and a hip hop diva’s sultry yet raw vocal power into a unique sound. Starting in the underground – the streets of Vancouver and Tokyo – she is rising into the musical mainstream, because people’s ears thirst for something real that they can feel. Currently, she is blowing up in Japan, where she has sold more than 50,000 records and performs weekly; all without the aid of any record label or music biz machinery.

In addition to her heavy independent CD sales, Rose Beach has been interviewed and received heavy airplay on Co-op Radio in her home base of Vancouver. She has also been interviewed and played on Inter-FM Radio in Tokyo. Rose was recently featured in the January 2007 issue of Hiragana Times.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and raised primarily in Saskatchewan by a strong, loving and musically inclined mother of Canadian aboriginal ancestry and a farmer stepfather with a love of country music, she had the dream of music early in life. This dream took Rose to Vancouver, where she fronted a trip hop band called The Loxley Project. At the same time, she began to build a love affair with Japan, working in many of Tokyo’s famous clubs, including the world renown Club Asia. Her solo work and the energy of the Tokyo music scene caused Rose Beach to decide to expand her musical knowledge and to become a more serious and focused producer and performer. She entered music engineering school at Columbia Academy in Vancouver and graduated from the Digital Analog Recording Arts Program in June 2005.

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MusicDish Network Embraces The Love Kills Theory

MusicDish Network, the artist development department of MusicDish LLC, a leading music magazine publisher and marketing firm, announced the addition of New York-based alternative rock band The Love Kills Theory to its roster. MusicDish will provide full online management support, including brand development and marketing, as well as representation at major music conferences such as New Music West 2007, NXNE and Popkomm.

“Like many musicians on our roster, Cevin is a ‘renaissance’ man, melding musician, writer, filmmaker and artist all into one,” noted MusicDish founder Eric de Fontenay. “This is definitely reflected in The Love Kills Theory, which he himself calls ‘as much a manifesto as a band’.”

The Love Kills Theory is an artistic attempt to bring contemporary philosophy into the mainstream where it can be accessible and relevant. The group is fronted by Cevin Soling, who is also known as the Messiah of Tanna and currently studying philosophy for his Masters degree at Harvard University. the love kills theory is based on an amalgam of the works of Guy Debord, founder of Situationist International, Aldous Huxley, and others, fused with the current bio-genetic studies on the evolution of despair.

The rest of the band is made up of great musicians. Keyboardist, Bill Brandau had been a member of The Vinnie Barbarino Experience. When they broke up, he and Cevin formed Cevin’s first band, The Neanderthal Spongecake where Bill also served as engineer on all their recordings. Darren Pilato is a music nerd, who?when he wasn’t attending law school?notated bass lines to songs for fun; he’s attended Victor Wooten’s bass camp in Nashville twice. Jaron Stewart can’t stay still; raised by a father who was a successful figure skater, Jaron had a career as a ski-jumper and then focused on his music career, actually gigging one night with “American Pie” songwriter Don McLean. Jim Minics is also a philosopher, and for several years has been thinking and writing his “random thoughts of a practicing beach bum.” Jim’s 2003 band Minix was a semi-finalist in the Independent Music World Series, and he’s played for several bands in the studio and on tours as a lead guitarist!
and vocalist.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 – Republished with Permission