Music
Independent Musician Matthew Ryan Takes on New Album, Tour, and Scores New Film
by admin on Mar.30, 2010, under Music
Noe Pacheco asked:
Nashville, Tenn.’s, Matthew Ryan, has had a prolific journey as an independent musician who has kept moving forward. Ryan’s latest release, Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State, received rave reviews.
Recently, the indie musician released his single, Some Streets Lead Nowhere, and is preparing for a tour in Italy. I had a chance to ask Ryan about his tour and projects moving forward…
GH: You’re working on a new album, right. How is that goin’?
MR: Well, right now, I’m writing and recording as I go. I want this next record to be dealing in an almost nuclear intimacy. Probably a bit rawer. I have a lot on my mind lately. So far it’s a beautifully apocalyptic collection of love songs. I’ve always liked Everyday Is Like Sunday by Morrissey. So, on some level, that song is the measure for these next songs.
GH: Is this a self-funded album?
MR: I’ve decided that labels don’t have the best interests of art in mind. So, my manager and are are completely dismantling our “label” relationships in the US. However, we’ll probably stay with One Little Indian in the UK. They’re a great bunch of people, and I think because of Bjork’s involvement, they continue to stand by artists and their work.
GH: Do you have a certain “sound” you are going for on this new album?
MR: I want the next record to sound like this picture.
Not because it’s a picture of me, but because it could be a vivid conversation with anyone.
GH: What’s the songwriting process like for you? Do you incorporate any ideas from the band during the process?
MR: This next record will be a solo record, a complete expression of myself and how I see the world, love and the politics and weather between men, women and their dreams.
GH: Do you think “Some Streets Lead Nowhere” will make the album, or just will it just be kept a single?
MR: Some Streets will more than likely be on the next record, because it’s the birth mark of this next record. I’m think 10 or 11 songs. I want this record to move like a beautiful movie.
GH: So you just released the single, “Some Streets Lead Nowhere.” What was the inspiration for the song?
MR: Reclamation was what I had in mind with this song. My thought was, that living can bring a fog or sense of distance between what we want and want we’re doing. Love is always the perfect metaphor for these things that can inspire and destroy us. This song is about a woman. And how familiarity can lead to blindness. It’s something we should struggle against.
GH: Was the song completely finished before you saw the episode?
MR: Yes.
GH: The song was the theme for the score of an episode of “One Tree Hill.” How was it to score your second project?
MR: It was great. We moved at a quick pace. The story lead me to some pretty ambient and emotional stuff. I found it liberating to get out of my own story or theme for a week.
GH: Did you feel the burden of any expectations going into score the episode?
MR: I did. Scoring is hard work. Like songwriting, it’s riddled with potential cliches. I just tried to be as honest as I could.
GH: Do you find scoring a project difficult?
MR: It was challenging.
GH: Any plans to score any more projects in the near future?
MR: I would like to score more. I’m currently up for scoring a Christina Ricci movie called The Girl Who Invented Kissing.
GH: You had a list of shows on the east coast coming up. What types of venues are you playing at this time around?
MR: Hmmmm. It’s a little frustrating. I’ve worn a path through these rooms. I’d love to graduate to small theaters. But more and more people are coming out. So, we’re getting there. I love these rooms, good people run these venues. But it’s starting to feeling like I should be in college and I’m still roaming the halls of my high school. Graduation day is coming though.
GH: Do you have any plans to tour across the country before your next album is finished?
MR: There will be some dates here and there. I’m going to Italy in November. That should be wonderful.
GH: Your newest release, “Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State,” has received incredible reviews. What has your reaction been having such a great response to your artwork?
MR: I always appreciate recognition. But more important to me is when my music becomes part of people’s lives. That’s my goal. We’re all moving through this together. Music has the ability to comfort and inspire. That’s all I want to do.
Fan Questions
He has been so prolific and has written non stop for the past 10 years, what chances do we have of seeing a box set of his work?
I don’t know if the modern business allows for such retrospectives. I would love to do it one day though. I recorded about 100 songs before my first record came out. I would love for it all to be put in one place to be found. My feeling has always been that I was writing one very long book or movie. It would be interesting to see the arc of the story from the beginning to the present. Sadly, my career has been one without much consistency as far as labels go. So, logistically, it makes such a thing tough. I’ve owned all my publishing for the last few records starting with Regret Over The Wires. So, we’ll see. Something can always be done.
I’ve loved his collaborations w/ Strays Don’t Sleep and Kate York. Who is on his list to collaborate with?
I’ve had a few new collaborations in mind. We’ll see. Right now though, I’m focused on my solo work.
What are your favorite cities to visit during a tour?
I love a lot of places for different reasons. But off the top of my head Glasgow, Scotland; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Austin, TX and Manchester, England.
Nashville, Tenn.’s, Matthew Ryan, has had a prolific journey as an independent musician who has kept moving forward. Ryan’s latest release, Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State, received rave reviews.
Recently, the indie musician released his single, Some Streets Lead Nowhere, and is preparing for a tour in Italy. I had a chance to ask Ryan about his tour and projects moving forward…
GH: You’re working on a new album, right. How is that goin’?
MR: Well, right now, I’m writing and recording as I go. I want this next record to be dealing in an almost nuclear intimacy. Probably a bit rawer. I have a lot on my mind lately. So far it’s a beautifully apocalyptic collection of love songs. I’ve always liked Everyday Is Like Sunday by Morrissey. So, on some level, that song is the measure for these next songs.
GH: Is this a self-funded album?
MR: I’ve decided that labels don’t have the best interests of art in mind. So, my manager and are are completely dismantling our “label” relationships in the US. However, we’ll probably stay with One Little Indian in the UK. They’re a great bunch of people, and I think because of Bjork’s involvement, they continue to stand by artists and their work.
GH: Do you have a certain “sound” you are going for on this new album?
MR: I want the next record to sound like this picture.
Not because it’s a picture of me, but because it could be a vivid conversation with anyone.
GH: What’s the songwriting process like for you? Do you incorporate any ideas from the band during the process?
MR: This next record will be a solo record, a complete expression of myself and how I see the world, love and the politics and weather between men, women and their dreams.
GH: Do you think “Some Streets Lead Nowhere” will make the album, or just will it just be kept a single?
MR: Some Streets will more than likely be on the next record, because it’s the birth mark of this next record. I’m think 10 or 11 songs. I want this record to move like a beautiful movie.
GH: So you just released the single, “Some Streets Lead Nowhere.” What was the inspiration for the song?
MR: Reclamation was what I had in mind with this song. My thought was, that living can bring a fog or sense of distance between what we want and want we’re doing. Love is always the perfect metaphor for these things that can inspire and destroy us. This song is about a woman. And how familiarity can lead to blindness. It’s something we should struggle against.
GH: Was the song completely finished before you saw the episode?
MR: Yes.
GH: The song was the theme for the score of an episode of “One Tree Hill.” How was it to score your second project?
MR: It was great. We moved at a quick pace. The story lead me to some pretty ambient and emotional stuff. I found it liberating to get out of my own story or theme for a week.
GH: Did you feel the burden of any expectations going into score the episode?
MR: I did. Scoring is hard work. Like songwriting, it’s riddled with potential cliches. I just tried to be as honest as I could.
GH: Do you find scoring a project difficult?
MR: It was challenging.
GH: Any plans to score any more projects in the near future?
MR: I would like to score more. I’m currently up for scoring a Christina Ricci movie called The Girl Who Invented Kissing.
GH: You had a list of shows on the east coast coming up. What types of venues are you playing at this time around?
MR: Hmmmm. It’s a little frustrating. I’ve worn a path through these rooms. I’d love to graduate to small theaters. But more and more people are coming out. So, we’re getting there. I love these rooms, good people run these venues. But it’s starting to feeling like I should be in college and I’m still roaming the halls of my high school. Graduation day is coming though.
GH: Do you have any plans to tour across the country before your next album is finished?
MR: There will be some dates here and there. I’m going to Italy in November. That should be wonderful.
GH: Your newest release, “Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State,” has received incredible reviews. What has your reaction been having such a great response to your artwork?
MR: I always appreciate recognition. But more important to me is when my music becomes part of people’s lives. That’s my goal. We’re all moving through this together. Music has the ability to comfort and inspire. That’s all I want to do.
Fan Questions
He has been so prolific and has written non stop for the past 10 years, what chances do we have of seeing a box set of his work?
I don’t know if the modern business allows for such retrospectives. I would love to do it one day though. I recorded about 100 songs before my first record came out. I would love for it all to be put in one place to be found. My feeling has always been that I was writing one very long book or movie. It would be interesting to see the arc of the story from the beginning to the present. Sadly, my career has been one without much consistency as far as labels go. So, logistically, it makes such a thing tough. I’ve owned all my publishing for the last few records starting with Regret Over The Wires. So, we’ll see. Something can always be done.
I’ve loved his collaborations w/ Strays Don’t Sleep and Kate York. Who is on his list to collaborate with?
I’ve had a few new collaborations in mind. We’ll see. Right now though, I’m focused on my solo work.
What are your favorite cities to visit during a tour?
I love a lot of places for different reasons. But off the top of my head Glasgow, Scotland; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Austin, TX and Manchester, England.
How Can I Use Myspace Music Marketing And More Plays For Offline Music Promotion Purposes
by admin on Mar.23, 2010, under Music
Clive Calvin asked:
While many musicians have a Myspace page devoted to their band and their music, most of those musicians do not use it to its full potential. Granted, Myspace is a great place to connect with friends and fans, upload songs, sell merchandise, and a host of other really terrific services and capabilities, but the main point of Myspace that many overlook is promotion beyond the internet.
The best way to gain attention offline is the same as you would online, by using play counts. Play counts are a ranking system used to rank the popular musicians whether they are Unsigned, Indie, or on a major record label.
These music charts are first organized by genre and then overall for the entire site. The higher the total Myspace play counts, the higher up the ranks your group or band will reach. Many musicians, including those on major record labels, are turning more and more to promotional tools to aid their rise in the music charts.
In light of just how important these total play counts really are, make sure you select a service or software that has been proven and was developed with the aim of helping musicians reach the desired play counts in a natural manner which produces terrific results.
These results do not only garner the attention of fans, peers, and even important executives in the music industry, they can be used to promote your band through magazines, television, radio, and other forms of media.
Most of the larger cities, and even the smaller towns, have a local newspaper or magazine. These print media are always looking for stories about local people who are doing something of interest. While starting at the bottom and not going straight for Rolling Stone may seem a waste of time, it really is the best way possible to gain attention at this stage, at least before Rolling Stone magazine notices your band.
With an impressive Play Count, your local magazine and newspaper will surely be more than happy to interview you and your band. Getting your band in print, and circulating among tens of thousands of people, is only the first step.
Word of mouth will take hold from there and continue to spread news of your music. More likely than not, if you were to show up to the local magazine or newspaper office without an impressive play count, the editors will only ask you to leave. However, with high play counts and a spot in the Myspace music charts, preferably a higher spot than the bottom three, you will gain the editors attention and interest.
It is even possible to use high play counts to get jobs other than the one at the small bar on the outskirts of town. Bars, pubs, and other venues, especially ones that primarily deal with local and underground bands, book their talent by how popular they are. This way, you’ll ensure that there will be a decent crowd and a decent chance of doubling and tripling their nightly profit.
Keep this in mind as you approach a venue in which you would like to perform. Show them your play count and guarantee that you are popular and worth their time. Again, this can only be done if you have a high play count number. The higher this number, the more likely the venue will agree to let you play. These venues will be an important step to your bands future and gaining fans.
Now, these are just two examples of how Myspace can help you beyond the internet. Myspace is an important tool in elevating your status and popularity in the music world and while it is certainly possible to gain recognition and a record deal through Myspace, it is best to not just wait around for that possibility.
Local media and venues will be more than happy to spread the word about your band when it is popular, so use this fact to your advantage as well. Simply because you are on Myspace does not mean that anyone will take you seriously, you have to have the play counts to back up your boasts.
Use your imagination when promoting your band and use your popularity on Myspace as a guarantee of your skill and capabilities. Along with the site, these offline attempts will help boost your popularity and the number of your fans.
While many musicians have a Myspace page devoted to their band and their music, most of those musicians do not use it to its full potential. Granted, Myspace is a great place to connect with friends and fans, upload songs, sell merchandise, and a host of other really terrific services and capabilities, but the main point of Myspace that many overlook is promotion beyond the internet.
The best way to gain attention offline is the same as you would online, by using play counts. Play counts are a ranking system used to rank the popular musicians whether they are Unsigned, Indie, or on a major record label.
These music charts are first organized by genre and then overall for the entire site. The higher the total Myspace play counts, the higher up the ranks your group or band will reach. Many musicians, including those on major record labels, are turning more and more to promotional tools to aid their rise in the music charts.
In light of just how important these total play counts really are, make sure you select a service or software that has been proven and was developed with the aim of helping musicians reach the desired play counts in a natural manner which produces terrific results.
These results do not only garner the attention of fans, peers, and even important executives in the music industry, they can be used to promote your band through magazines, television, radio, and other forms of media.
Most of the larger cities, and even the smaller towns, have a local newspaper or magazine. These print media are always looking for stories about local people who are doing something of interest. While starting at the bottom and not going straight for Rolling Stone may seem a waste of time, it really is the best way possible to gain attention at this stage, at least before Rolling Stone magazine notices your band.
With an impressive Play Count, your local magazine and newspaper will surely be more than happy to interview you and your band. Getting your band in print, and circulating among tens of thousands of people, is only the first step.
Word of mouth will take hold from there and continue to spread news of your music. More likely than not, if you were to show up to the local magazine or newspaper office without an impressive play count, the editors will only ask you to leave. However, with high play counts and a spot in the Myspace music charts, preferably a higher spot than the bottom three, you will gain the editors attention and interest.
It is even possible to use high play counts to get jobs other than the one at the small bar on the outskirts of town. Bars, pubs, and other venues, especially ones that primarily deal with local and underground bands, book their talent by how popular they are. This way, you’ll ensure that there will be a decent crowd and a decent chance of doubling and tripling their nightly profit.
Keep this in mind as you approach a venue in which you would like to perform. Show them your play count and guarantee that you are popular and worth their time. Again, this can only be done if you have a high play count number. The higher this number, the more likely the venue will agree to let you play. These venues will be an important step to your bands future and gaining fans.
Now, these are just two examples of how Myspace can help you beyond the internet. Myspace is an important tool in elevating your status and popularity in the music world and while it is certainly possible to gain recognition and a record deal through Myspace, it is best to not just wait around for that possibility.
Local media and venues will be more than happy to spread the word about your band when it is popular, so use this fact to your advantage as well. Simply because you are on Myspace does not mean that anyone will take you seriously, you have to have the play counts to back up your boasts.
Use your imagination when promoting your band and use your popularity on Myspace as a guarantee of your skill and capabilities. Along with the site, these offline attempts will help boost your popularity and the number of your fans.
Guitarfixation.com Launches as a New Resource for Musicians
by admin on Mar.13, 2010, under Music
Eric de Fontenay asked:
New site features gear reviews, factory tours, and interviews with industry experts
Intended as a one-stop shop for all things guitar, www.guitarfixation.com officially launched this month. Soon to be the first and only stop for new and seasoned guitar players alike, the site features gear reviews, factory tours, shop spotlights and interviews with industry-leading guitar makers.
The site’s publisher, Paul Zoskey, says the idea for the Guitarfixation.com was a result of frustration with the existing resources for musicians, “I had long been looking for a single guitar related resource for the latest news/reviews and info, a Gizmodo for Guitars if you will. The problem was I was never able to find it; so I decided why not make the site I’ve always been looking for myself?”
The contributors for guitarfixation.com come from a cross-section of the music industry, including: San Francisco-based audio engineer and musician Phil Manley (Trans Am, the Fucking Champs, Golden, Oneida and Jonas Reinhardt); vintage guitar dealer for Jay Rosen Music and owner of Classic Bar Music Erin McDermott (Guitar Magazine, Top Ten); San Diego-based musician and owner of Louder Records Tim Soete (The Event, the Fucking Champs); and from Oakland musician Dan Brubaker (Long Thaw, Generalissimo). The site’s editor is Nikkole Stone of Toronto band First Person Shooter, and Zoskey, himself an avid guitarist based in San Francisco, is most known for his work at Dolby.
Current featured articles on the site include a tour of Rudy’s Music Stop in NYC, a venerated Mecca for musicians of all stripes, as well as an in-depth interview with Santa Cruz Guitars founder and champion, Richard Hoover. Hoover gave guitarfixation.com unprecedented access to his work-bench style factory and speaks candidly about the challenges facing boutique-type companies like Santa Cruz as well as the thrills associated with creating some of the finest crafted acoustic guitars on the market.
An extensive array of stompbox and guitar reviews are already on the site, with more being added daily. Upcoming features include an interview and shop tour with Dot on Shaft guitars founder/CEO Mike Carparelli, and complete coverage and reviews from the LA Amp Show.
For all things guitar visit http://www.guitarfixation.com
New site features gear reviews, factory tours, and interviews with industry experts
Intended as a one-stop shop for all things guitar, www.guitarfixation.com officially launched this month. Soon to be the first and only stop for new and seasoned guitar players alike, the site features gear reviews, factory tours, shop spotlights and interviews with industry-leading guitar makers.
The site’s publisher, Paul Zoskey, says the idea for the Guitarfixation.com was a result of frustration with the existing resources for musicians, “I had long been looking for a single guitar related resource for the latest news/reviews and info, a Gizmodo for Guitars if you will. The problem was I was never able to find it; so I decided why not make the site I’ve always been looking for myself?”
The contributors for guitarfixation.com come from a cross-section of the music industry, including: San Francisco-based audio engineer and musician Phil Manley (Trans Am, the Fucking Champs, Golden, Oneida and Jonas Reinhardt); vintage guitar dealer for Jay Rosen Music and owner of Classic Bar Music Erin McDermott (Guitar Magazine, Top Ten); San Diego-based musician and owner of Louder Records Tim Soete (The Event, the Fucking Champs); and from Oakland musician Dan Brubaker (Long Thaw, Generalissimo). The site’s editor is Nikkole Stone of Toronto band First Person Shooter, and Zoskey, himself an avid guitarist based in San Francisco, is most known for his work at Dolby.
Current featured articles on the site include a tour of Rudy’s Music Stop in NYC, a venerated Mecca for musicians of all stripes, as well as an in-depth interview with Santa Cruz Guitars founder and champion, Richard Hoover. Hoover gave guitarfixation.com unprecedented access to his work-bench style factory and speaks candidly about the challenges facing boutique-type companies like Santa Cruz as well as the thrills associated with creating some of the finest crafted acoustic guitars on the market.
An extensive array of stompbox and guitar reviews are already on the site, with more being added daily. Upcoming features include an interview and shop tour with Dot on Shaft guitars founder/CEO Mike Carparelli, and complete coverage and reviews from the LA Amp Show.
For all things guitar visit http://www.guitarfixation.com
Van Morrison Tickets
by admin on Mar.07, 2010, under Music
Macie asked:
Grammy Award-winning George Ivan Morrison OBE or better known as Van Morrison - born on August 31, 1945 in Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland - is an Irish singer, lyricist, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been in this profession since the late 1950s. He is gifted with various talents in music and can play a selection of instruments, counting the guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums, and saxophone. Featuring his characteristic growl an inimitable blend of folk, blues, Irish, scat, and Celtic influences Morrison is extensively thought to be one of the most remarkable and significant vocalists in the history of rock and roll. According to Critic Greil Marcus, though sounding a bit racial, as commented that “no white man sings like Van Morrison.”
Recognized as “Van the Man” by his fans, Morrison first achieved fame as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, with their formative 1964 hit “Gloria”. After a few years with the band, Morrison departed, pursuing for a solo career which consequently, turned more flourishing and booming.
Morrison has followed an eccentric musical course. Much of his music revolves around the pivotal trends of American soul and R&B, for example the popular singles “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Moondance”, “Domino” and “Wild Night”. An equal part of his collection comprises of lengthy, loosely connected, morally enthused musical journeys which possess the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness description, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and less popular works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are every now and then called as “Celtic Soul”.
George Ivan (Van) Morrison grew up as the only child of George Morrison, a shipyard employee and Violet Stitt Morrison, a singer and tap dancer in her youth. Van became interested in music from an early age, as his father, having spent time working in Detroit, Michigan collected American jazz, country and western, and blues albums. He developed in him the same taste as his father’s in terms of music and he grew up listening to artists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Ray Charles, Lead Belly and Solomon Burke. In a 2005 Rolling Stone article he exclaimed, “Those guys were the inspiration that got me going. If it wasn’t for that kind of music, I couldn’t do what I’m doing now.”
In a recorded interview taken in 1969, his mother told that he was listening to recordings from the age of two, and he was so fond of it that he would tug at her apron strings insisting her to play more records. His grandmother used to come up and take turns, because he’d have you play them morning, noon and night. There were sing-songs in the house on Saturday nights with family and friends and, although shy, the young Morrison would always sing upon request. He gave his first performance as a child in his own version of Lead Belly’s “Goodnight Irene”. Years later, he performed this same song with another of his boyhood idols, Lonnie Donegan, on his album, The Skiffle Sessions - Live in Belfast 1998.
At seventeen, Morrison left home to tour Europe with the group the Monarchs together with his boyhood friend, George Jones, who later established the show band Clubsound. On his return to East Belfast, the Monarchs broke up. Morrison once more associated with Geordie Sproule and played with him in the Manhattan Showband in company with guitarist Herbie Armstrong. When Armstrong auditioned to play with Brian Rossi and the Golden Eagles, Morrison went along and both were hired. He had obtained his first position as a blues singer as the band was not in need of a saxophonist, but he soon left to form an R&B Club at the Maritime Hotel. Wanting a proper band to perform with there, he joined up with the members of The Gamblers. In April 1964, prior to the first opening night at the Maritime, the group changed their name to Them taking the idea from a Fifties horror movie.
In 1970, Morrison then shifted to Woodstock, New York, and released his next album, Moondance. Moondance reached #29 on the Billboard charts. The genre of this album was in great distinction to that of Astral Weeks. While Astral Weeks was a mournful and vulnerable album, Moondance was a much more buoyant and cheerful one! The title track, though not released in the US as a single until 1977, was played extensively on-air. The evocative song “Into the Mystic” has also attained a huge fan base all this time. The single released was “Come Running”, which reached the US Top 40. Moondance was both well received and achieved critical acclaim. Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus both had a mutual full page review in Rolling Stone Magazine, stating that Morrison now had “the striking imagination of a consciousness that is visionary in the strongest sense of the word
With his subsequent album, the new decade saw Morrison following his own reflection into unexplored territory and harsh reviews. In 1980, he took a group of musicians with him to Super Bear, a studio in the French Alps, on the location of a previous abbey, to record his “most daring and unclassifiable” album since Astral Weeks. The album, Common One, comprised of only six songs of varying lengths. The longest, “Summertime in England” was fifteen and one-half minutes long and ended with the words,Can you feel the silence?” NME magazine’s, Graham Locke, named the album “colossally smug and cosmically dull; an interminable, vacuous and drearily egotistical stab at spirituality.” Even Greil Marcus, who had previously supported Morrison, said: “It’s Van acting the part of the ‘mystic poet’ he thinks he’s supposed to be.” Morrison persevered that the album was never “meant to be a commercial album;” but, perhaps stung by the harsh reviews, Clinton Heylin concludes: “he would not attempt anything so ambitious again.” Afterwards the critics reconsidered the album more positively with the success of “Summertime in England” and other tracks that seem to take on new meaning in live performance. Lester Bangs wrote in 1982, “Van was making holy music even though he thought he was, and us (sic) rock critics had made our usual mistake of paying too much attention to the lyrics.”
In the 2000s, Van Morrison carried on with his journey of recording and touring, giving performances twice or thrice a week. Playing less of his renowned songs in concert than almost any other artist from his era, Morrison refuses to be referred into a reminiscence act.
In contradiction of the days when he was left at the clemency of the music industry, he now has his own independent label, Exile Productions Ltd., and has complete production power of each album he records; which he then delivers as a finished product to the recording label that he chooses, for marketing and distributing.
In November 2006, according to CNN’s list of The All-TIME 100 Greatest Albums, two of Van Morrison’s albums, 1968’s Astral Weeks and 1970’s Moondance, were also included.. His continuing popularity with music fans was evident when he was voted as #13 on the list of WXPNs 885 All Time Greatest Artists in 2006.
On February 22, 2007, Van Morrison was given accolade at the Second Annual Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing in Film Pre-Academy Awards Party, in Los Angeles, California, for his contribution to over fifty films and was awarded by Al Pacino. Van Morrison at the Movies - Soundtrack Hits, a new nineteen song album, was released by Morrison’s record label, Exile Productions Ltd. under license to Manhattan EMI, on February 12, 2007, to overlap with this event.
On the first evening on April 27, He appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2007 as the headline act where his longtime collaborator and friend, Dr. John joined him for one set on stage. Morrison also attracted the largest crowd ever (35,000) on July 4, 2007 at the Ottawa Bluesfest. On May 08, 2007 Van Morrison was entitled the Best International Male Singer of 2007 by the first ever International Awards at the prominent Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London England.
Morrison’s influence is evident in the music of many major artists, counting U2 in much of The Unforgettable Fire; Bruce Springsteen in “Spirit in the Night”, “4th of July Sandy”, “Backstreets”; John Mellencamp in “A Little Night Dancin’”, a cover of Morrison’s “Wild Night”; Jim Morrison, Joan Armatrading, Rickie Lee Jones, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, Patti Smith in her poetic-proto-punk most explicit “Gloria”; Elvis Costello who later toured with Morrison; Graham Parker, Daryl Hall, Thin Lizzy, Bob Seger; Dexys Midnight Runners, Jimi Hendrix in “Gloria”; Jeff Buckley in “The Way Young Lovers Do”, “Sweet Thing”; and several others, together with Counting Crows in the “sha-la-la” sequence in Mr Jones, was infact in honor of Morrison.
For more information about Van Morrison Tickets visit:
http://www.ticketluck.com/concert-tickets/Van-Morrison/index.php
Grammy Award-winning George Ivan Morrison OBE or better known as Van Morrison - born on August 31, 1945 in Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland - is an Irish singer, lyricist, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been in this profession since the late 1950s. He is gifted with various talents in music and can play a selection of instruments, counting the guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums, and saxophone. Featuring his characteristic growl an inimitable blend of folk, blues, Irish, scat, and Celtic influences Morrison is extensively thought to be one of the most remarkable and significant vocalists in the history of rock and roll. According to Critic Greil Marcus, though sounding a bit racial, as commented that “no white man sings like Van Morrison.”
Recognized as “Van the Man” by his fans, Morrison first achieved fame as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, with their formative 1964 hit “Gloria”. After a few years with the band, Morrison departed, pursuing for a solo career which consequently, turned more flourishing and booming.
Morrison has followed an eccentric musical course. Much of his music revolves around the pivotal trends of American soul and R&B, for example the popular singles “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Moondance”, “Domino” and “Wild Night”. An equal part of his collection comprises of lengthy, loosely connected, morally enthused musical journeys which possess the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness description, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and less popular works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are every now and then called as “Celtic Soul”.
George Ivan (Van) Morrison grew up as the only child of George Morrison, a shipyard employee and Violet Stitt Morrison, a singer and tap dancer in her youth. Van became interested in music from an early age, as his father, having spent time working in Detroit, Michigan collected American jazz, country and western, and blues albums. He developed in him the same taste as his father’s in terms of music and he grew up listening to artists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Ray Charles, Lead Belly and Solomon Burke. In a 2005 Rolling Stone article he exclaimed, “Those guys were the inspiration that got me going. If it wasn’t for that kind of music, I couldn’t do what I’m doing now.”
In a recorded interview taken in 1969, his mother told that he was listening to recordings from the age of two, and he was so fond of it that he would tug at her apron strings insisting her to play more records. His grandmother used to come up and take turns, because he’d have you play them morning, noon and night. There were sing-songs in the house on Saturday nights with family and friends and, although shy, the young Morrison would always sing upon request. He gave his first performance as a child in his own version of Lead Belly’s “Goodnight Irene”. Years later, he performed this same song with another of his boyhood idols, Lonnie Donegan, on his album, The Skiffle Sessions - Live in Belfast 1998.
At seventeen, Morrison left home to tour Europe with the group the Monarchs together with his boyhood friend, George Jones, who later established the show band Clubsound. On his return to East Belfast, the Monarchs broke up. Morrison once more associated with Geordie Sproule and played with him in the Manhattan Showband in company with guitarist Herbie Armstrong. When Armstrong auditioned to play with Brian Rossi and the Golden Eagles, Morrison went along and both were hired. He had obtained his first position as a blues singer as the band was not in need of a saxophonist, but he soon left to form an R&B Club at the Maritime Hotel. Wanting a proper band to perform with there, he joined up with the members of The Gamblers. In April 1964, prior to the first opening night at the Maritime, the group changed their name to Them taking the idea from a Fifties horror movie.
In 1970, Morrison then shifted to Woodstock, New York, and released his next album, Moondance. Moondance reached #29 on the Billboard charts. The genre of this album was in great distinction to that of Astral Weeks. While Astral Weeks was a mournful and vulnerable album, Moondance was a much more buoyant and cheerful one! The title track, though not released in the US as a single until 1977, was played extensively on-air. The evocative song “Into the Mystic” has also attained a huge fan base all this time. The single released was “Come Running”, which reached the US Top 40. Moondance was both well received and achieved critical acclaim. Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus both had a mutual full page review in Rolling Stone Magazine, stating that Morrison now had “the striking imagination of a consciousness that is visionary in the strongest sense of the word
With his subsequent album, the new decade saw Morrison following his own reflection into unexplored territory and harsh reviews. In 1980, he took a group of musicians with him to Super Bear, a studio in the French Alps, on the location of a previous abbey, to record his “most daring and unclassifiable” album since Astral Weeks. The album, Common One, comprised of only six songs of varying lengths. The longest, “Summertime in England” was fifteen and one-half minutes long and ended with the words,Can you feel the silence?” NME magazine’s, Graham Locke, named the album “colossally smug and cosmically dull; an interminable, vacuous and drearily egotistical stab at spirituality.” Even Greil Marcus, who had previously supported Morrison, said: “It’s Van acting the part of the ‘mystic poet’ he thinks he’s supposed to be.” Morrison persevered that the album was never “meant to be a commercial album;” but, perhaps stung by the harsh reviews, Clinton Heylin concludes: “he would not attempt anything so ambitious again.” Afterwards the critics reconsidered the album more positively with the success of “Summertime in England” and other tracks that seem to take on new meaning in live performance. Lester Bangs wrote in 1982, “Van was making holy music even though he thought he was, and us (sic) rock critics had made our usual mistake of paying too much attention to the lyrics.”
In the 2000s, Van Morrison carried on with his journey of recording and touring, giving performances twice or thrice a week. Playing less of his renowned songs in concert than almost any other artist from his era, Morrison refuses to be referred into a reminiscence act.
In contradiction of the days when he was left at the clemency of the music industry, he now has his own independent label, Exile Productions Ltd., and has complete production power of each album he records; which he then delivers as a finished product to the recording label that he chooses, for marketing and distributing.
In November 2006, according to CNN’s list of The All-TIME 100 Greatest Albums, two of Van Morrison’s albums, 1968’s Astral Weeks and 1970’s Moondance, were also included.. His continuing popularity with music fans was evident when he was voted as #13 on the list of WXPNs 885 All Time Greatest Artists in 2006.
On February 22, 2007, Van Morrison was given accolade at the Second Annual Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing in Film Pre-Academy Awards Party, in Los Angeles, California, for his contribution to over fifty films and was awarded by Al Pacino. Van Morrison at the Movies - Soundtrack Hits, a new nineteen song album, was released by Morrison’s record label, Exile Productions Ltd. under license to Manhattan EMI, on February 12, 2007, to overlap with this event.
On the first evening on April 27, He appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2007 as the headline act where his longtime collaborator and friend, Dr. John joined him for one set on stage. Morrison also attracted the largest crowd ever (35,000) on July 4, 2007 at the Ottawa Bluesfest. On May 08, 2007 Van Morrison was entitled the Best International Male Singer of 2007 by the first ever International Awards at the prominent Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London England.
Morrison’s influence is evident in the music of many major artists, counting U2 in much of The Unforgettable Fire; Bruce Springsteen in “Spirit in the Night”, “4th of July Sandy”, “Backstreets”; John Mellencamp in “A Little Night Dancin’”, a cover of Morrison’s “Wild Night”; Jim Morrison, Joan Armatrading, Rickie Lee Jones, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, Patti Smith in her poetic-proto-punk most explicit “Gloria”; Elvis Costello who later toured with Morrison; Graham Parker, Daryl Hall, Thin Lizzy, Bob Seger; Dexys Midnight Runners, Jimi Hendrix in “Gloria”; Jeff Buckley in “The Way Young Lovers Do”, “Sweet Thing”; and several others, together with Counting Crows in the “sha-la-la” sequence in Mr Jones, was infact in honor of Morrison.
For more information about Van Morrison Tickets visit:
http://www.ticketluck.com/concert-tickets/Van-Morrison/index.php
Create a Buzz: if you Build it They Will Come!
by admin on Mar.04, 2010, under Music
Sheena Metal asked:
Building a music career is hard work. Every day, month and year you repeat the same grind: build the band, write the songs, record the songs, rehearse the songs, perform the songs, promote the band, advertise the band, solicit industry, publicize to the press, build the website, create the message boards, forums, and chat rooms, assemble the street team…it goes on and on until you think your head will surely explode from the mountains of menial tasks that face you, the unsigned artist, each day.
Still, after putting in all of that work a band will hit dry spells, slow times and glass ceilings. Some days, your already slow move forward, seems to retard even further. Sometimes it feels as though you’ve peaked and will never advance. There are even days you want to blow off all of this tedious monotony, get a job in the electronics department at Target, and call it a day!
But even as your face is smushed up against the glass ceiling of a never-changing cycle of music business grunt work, hope is just over the horizon. See, there is something that you never stopped to think about all the while you were chasing the elusive brass ring of music stardom…all of this time, you were in control. If opportunities have stopped coming your way, then make your own. If you want to be a rockstar, develop a situation you can star in and rock. You have the power and the ability to be anything and everything you have ever wanted to be if you learn to simply create your own buzz.
The following are a few tips that may help you to get started creating your own buzz in order to push past the obstacles and keeping moving down the Yellow Brick Road of musical superstardom:
1.) Create Your Own Gigs—Tired of whining that you never get the gigs you want? You know: good clubs, weekend shows, prime slots, longer sets, decent pay, good bands on the bill, press attending, industry confirming and most importantly, your band headlining. It’s ridiculous to waste time complaining, when you could be booking, planning, promoting and playing your dreams gigs right now. Sure it will be a lot of time invested and it may mean putting smaller gigs on hold for awhile in order to promote one giant show, but the payoffs will inevitably outweigh the work…and the best part is, it’s all about you. You are the promoter. You are the stars of the night. You pick the date, the times, the bands. You invite the press and the industry. Within a month or two, you could be playing the types of gigs you have always wanted, and all the while getting press, making money, collecting names for your mailing list and building hype for your band that even the stodgiest industry can take notice of.
2.) Join The Ranks Of The Press And/Or The Industry—You know what they say…if you can’t beat them, join them. If you want to get industry or press to notice you and your band, what better way than to become a member of the industry or press. Pick up a gig writing for a local magazine and review your friends’ bands and the shows you promote. Intern at a record label and meet friends in the industry to invite to your gigs. Start a management/promotion company and book your band and your friends’ bands to become better acquainted with clubs and their booking agents. You’ll find it will be much easier to deal with industry people when they consider you more of a peer and not just another band asking for help.
3.) Numbers, Numbers, Numbers—It may sound ridiculous but in the entertainment industry (as in any business), your perceived worth is tracked by your numbers. Web posters, gig patrons and listeners of your music all translate to numbers and the big ones impress fans and industry alike. If you want club bookers, managers, magazine editors and A&R to notice you then make sure your numbers are up. Web hits, fan group members, online community friends and people on your personal mailing list all add up to your bankability as a band so keep driving those numbers up and watch the doors swing open wide for you.
4.) Teach, Volunteer, Take Classes, Join Groups—If you want to meet new people, gain different opportunities, and find fresh ways to obtain your goals, then get out where people are doing what you seek and mingle. If you play and instrument, start teaching and get to know the bands of your students. If you see big events happening in your town, volunteer to work them and get to know the management, talent and audience alike. Take classes and join music organizations not only to learn but to network. There is a whole world of entertainment people out there. Get to know some of them and make those folks a part of your band’s promotional circle.
By following these tips and others soon you will find that your band is enjoying the opportunities and buzz you were only dreaming of before. Best of all, you’re now in charge of your own career and musical destiny; creating profitable situations for yourself. You are playing good shows and coming home with money in your pocket. You are selling your own product to pay for band expenses. You are filling your press kit with reviews, interviews and mentions of your band. You are meeting people and building your mailing list. You are establishing your reputation as an important member of the artistic community. No longer waiting to be thrown a chance by some industry member, you have taken command of your musical destiny and cast yourself as the star of your own show. Now, don’t you feel better?
Building a music career is hard work. Every day, month and year you repeat the same grind: build the band, write the songs, record the songs, rehearse the songs, perform the songs, promote the band, advertise the band, solicit industry, publicize to the press, build the website, create the message boards, forums, and chat rooms, assemble the street team…it goes on and on until you think your head will surely explode from the mountains of menial tasks that face you, the unsigned artist, each day.
Still, after putting in all of that work a band will hit dry spells, slow times and glass ceilings. Some days, your already slow move forward, seems to retard even further. Sometimes it feels as though you’ve peaked and will never advance. There are even days you want to blow off all of this tedious monotony, get a job in the electronics department at Target, and call it a day!
But even as your face is smushed up against the glass ceiling of a never-changing cycle of music business grunt work, hope is just over the horizon. See, there is something that you never stopped to think about all the while you were chasing the elusive brass ring of music stardom…all of this time, you were in control. If opportunities have stopped coming your way, then make your own. If you want to be a rockstar, develop a situation you can star in and rock. You have the power and the ability to be anything and everything you have ever wanted to be if you learn to simply create your own buzz.
The following are a few tips that may help you to get started creating your own buzz in order to push past the obstacles and keeping moving down the Yellow Brick Road of musical superstardom:
1.) Create Your Own Gigs—Tired of whining that you never get the gigs you want? You know: good clubs, weekend shows, prime slots, longer sets, decent pay, good bands on the bill, press attending, industry confirming and most importantly, your band headlining. It’s ridiculous to waste time complaining, when you could be booking, planning, promoting and playing your dreams gigs right now. Sure it will be a lot of time invested and it may mean putting smaller gigs on hold for awhile in order to promote one giant show, but the payoffs will inevitably outweigh the work…and the best part is, it’s all about you. You are the promoter. You are the stars of the night. You pick the date, the times, the bands. You invite the press and the industry. Within a month or two, you could be playing the types of gigs you have always wanted, and all the while getting press, making money, collecting names for your mailing list and building hype for your band that even the stodgiest industry can take notice of.
2.) Join The Ranks Of The Press And/Or The Industry—You know what they say…if you can’t beat them, join them. If you want to get industry or press to notice you and your band, what better way than to become a member of the industry or press. Pick up a gig writing for a local magazine and review your friends’ bands and the shows you promote. Intern at a record label and meet friends in the industry to invite to your gigs. Start a management/promotion company and book your band and your friends’ bands to become better acquainted with clubs and their booking agents. You’ll find it will be much easier to deal with industry people when they consider you more of a peer and not just another band asking for help.
3.) Numbers, Numbers, Numbers—It may sound ridiculous but in the entertainment industry (as in any business), your perceived worth is tracked by your numbers. Web posters, gig patrons and listeners of your music all translate to numbers and the big ones impress fans and industry alike. If you want club bookers, managers, magazine editors and A&R to notice you then make sure your numbers are up. Web hits, fan group members, online community friends and people on your personal mailing list all add up to your bankability as a band so keep driving those numbers up and watch the doors swing open wide for you.
4.) Teach, Volunteer, Take Classes, Join Groups—If you want to meet new people, gain different opportunities, and find fresh ways to obtain your goals, then get out where people are doing what you seek and mingle. If you play and instrument, start teaching and get to know the bands of your students. If you see big events happening in your town, volunteer to work them and get to know the management, talent and audience alike. Take classes and join music organizations not only to learn but to network. There is a whole world of entertainment people out there. Get to know some of them and make those folks a part of your band’s promotional circle.
By following these tips and others soon you will find that your band is enjoying the opportunities and buzz you were only dreaming of before. Best of all, you’re now in charge of your own career and musical destiny; creating profitable situations for yourself. You are playing good shows and coming home with money in your pocket. You are selling your own product to pay for band expenses. You are filling your press kit with reviews, interviews and mentions of your band. You are meeting people and building your mailing list. You are establishing your reputation as an important member of the artistic community. No longer waiting to be thrown a chance by some industry member, you have taken command of your musical destiny and cast yourself as the star of your own show. Now, don’t you feel better?
Flight Of The Conchords Tickets
by admin on Feb.19, 2010, under Music
Macie asked:
The Grammy Award-winning New Zealand comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords, come billed as New Zealand’s fourth most popular folk-parody band. The duo has found their niche by combining humor that ranges from the subtle to the outlandish with a variety of musical genres. Their self-titled, full-length debut for Sub Pop Records culls fourteen songs from their acclaimed stand-up musical act and hit HBO series.
The famous duo Flight of the Conchords formed in the year 1998. Since then, they have developed a mass cult following. The group uses a combination of witty observation, characterization and acoustic folk guitars. The duo’s comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then an American television series, which premiered in 2007, also called Flight of the Conchords.
Flight of the Conchords first performed as part of a five-man group called So You’re a Man, which included Taika Waititi, and had a small but loyal following in New Zealand and Australia. They performed their first televised performances over four nights on Newtown Salad, a show on Wellington’s short-lived local TV station Channel 7, which was later renamed as WTV. In 2002 and 2003 they performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and were nominated for the Perrier Award in 2003. In 2004, the band created a radio series for BBC Radio 2, based on the band’s search for commercial success in London, and this series won the duo the Bronze Sony Radio Academy Award for comedy. They also performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where they won the Best Newcomer Award.
The band again performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2004. They were later featured in a 2004 campaign for British mobile phone retailer Phones 4U and on Australia’s ABC TV in the show Stand Up! The band also received a special on Friday night half-hour stand-up comedy series One Night Stand from HBO. They then headlined at the opening weekend at Comix comedy club where they recorded two tracks included on 2007’s The Distant Future. They also performed at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. During their visit to Texas, they recorded a documentary titled Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey, which aired on New Zealand’s TV3 in late 2006. In the year 2007, the band performed on David Letterman’s Late Show, appeared at the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and was also interviewed by Terry Gross on the NPR radio show Fresh Air. The year 2008 put a stamp on their success as on February 10, 2008, the band won the Grammy for best comedy album for The Distant Future. The band’s other achievements include many awards. Time magazine’s James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 5 New TV Series of 2007, ranking it at #2, whereas, Entertainment Weekly named Flight of the Conchords the seventh best show of 2007. Flight of the Conchords was nominated for two Emmys in 2008, for Best Writing- Comedy Series and Best Directing- Comedy Series.
The Albums which the Flight of the Conchords have released so far, include, Folk the World Tour in 2002, The BBC Radio Series: Flight of the Conchords in 2006, The Distant Future (EP) in 2007, Flight of the Conchords in 2008. Pencils in the Wind / Albi The Racist Dragon is a Single, and they are going to be coming up with their new upcoming album this year, that is, 2009.
The band’s most sold and hit album so far has been the Flight of the Conchords which was released in 2008, under the label of Sub Pop. All the songs in this album are already well known to fans through other mediums. “Foux du Fafa” is an infectious dance song that conveys the dangers and pure silliness of knowing just enough French to get you into trouble. “Think About It” is FOTC’s attempt to address the issues plaguing our society. Think Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” but about monkey diseases and bizarre accidents with cutlery. The best track on this album might be “Mutha’uckas,” a song that jokes about the censorship required to play hip-hop on radio and television. However, the most disappointing part of this album for the band’s fans is the omission of the songs which are loved by many. But perhaps they’ll make their way onto a future release.
The famous duo Flight of the Conchords will soon be performing in many US cities so if any one of you does not want to miss their chance of watching this great duo perform live, then you must get your tickets to Flight of the Conchords concert soon!
For more information about Flight of the Conchords Tickets visit:
http://www.ticketluck.com/concert-tickets/Flight-Of-The-Conchords/index.php
The Grammy Award-winning New Zealand comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords, come billed as New Zealand’s fourth most popular folk-parody band. The duo has found their niche by combining humor that ranges from the subtle to the outlandish with a variety of musical genres. Their self-titled, full-length debut for Sub Pop Records culls fourteen songs from their acclaimed stand-up musical act and hit HBO series.
The famous duo Flight of the Conchords formed in the year 1998. Since then, they have developed a mass cult following. The group uses a combination of witty observation, characterization and acoustic folk guitars. The duo’s comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then an American television series, which premiered in 2007, also called Flight of the Conchords.
Flight of the Conchords first performed as part of a five-man group called So You’re a Man, which included Taika Waititi, and had a small but loyal following in New Zealand and Australia. They performed their first televised performances over four nights on Newtown Salad, a show on Wellington’s short-lived local TV station Channel 7, which was later renamed as WTV. In 2002 and 2003 they performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and were nominated for the Perrier Award in 2003. In 2004, the band created a radio series for BBC Radio 2, based on the band’s search for commercial success in London, and this series won the duo the Bronze Sony Radio Academy Award for comedy. They also performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where they won the Best Newcomer Award.
The band again performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2004. They were later featured in a 2004 campaign for British mobile phone retailer Phones 4U and on Australia’s ABC TV in the show Stand Up! The band also received a special on Friday night half-hour stand-up comedy series One Night Stand from HBO. They then headlined at the opening weekend at Comix comedy club where they recorded two tracks included on 2007’s The Distant Future. They also performed at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. During their visit to Texas, they recorded a documentary titled Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey, which aired on New Zealand’s TV3 in late 2006. In the year 2007, the band performed on David Letterman’s Late Show, appeared at the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and was also interviewed by Terry Gross on the NPR radio show Fresh Air. The year 2008 put a stamp on their success as on February 10, 2008, the band won the Grammy for best comedy album for The Distant Future. The band’s other achievements include many awards. Time magazine’s James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 5 New TV Series of 2007, ranking it at #2, whereas, Entertainment Weekly named Flight of the Conchords the seventh best show of 2007. Flight of the Conchords was nominated for two Emmys in 2008, for Best Writing- Comedy Series and Best Directing- Comedy Series.
The Albums which the Flight of the Conchords have released so far, include, Folk the World Tour in 2002, The BBC Radio Series: Flight of the Conchords in 2006, The Distant Future (EP) in 2007, Flight of the Conchords in 2008. Pencils in the Wind / Albi The Racist Dragon is a Single, and they are going to be coming up with their new upcoming album this year, that is, 2009.
The band’s most sold and hit album so far has been the Flight of the Conchords which was released in 2008, under the label of Sub Pop. All the songs in this album are already well known to fans through other mediums. “Foux du Fafa” is an infectious dance song that conveys the dangers and pure silliness of knowing just enough French to get you into trouble. “Think About It” is FOTC’s attempt to address the issues plaguing our society. Think Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” but about monkey diseases and bizarre accidents with cutlery. The best track on this album might be “Mutha’uckas,” a song that jokes about the censorship required to play hip-hop on radio and television. However, the most disappointing part of this album for the band’s fans is the omission of the songs which are loved by many. But perhaps they’ll make their way onto a future release.
The famous duo Flight of the Conchords will soon be performing in many US cities so if any one of you does not want to miss their chance of watching this great duo perform live, then you must get your tickets to Flight of the Conchords concert soon!
For more information about Flight of the Conchords Tickets visit:
http://www.ticketluck.com/concert-tickets/Flight-Of-The-Conchords/index.php
Life Lessons Behind Lessons Learned — an Interview With Rnb Sensation Lorraine Reid
by admin on Feb.16, 2010, under Music
Liz Singer asked:
I grew up admiring the stunning vocals of sensational artists like Lauryn Hill and Mariah Carey, trying to mimic their soulful songs as I sang in my room. After hearing Lorraine Reid’s new album “Lessons Learned,” my ears were happier than they’d been when Lauryn Hill was still making records. This 7-time Juno nominee and breakthrough solo star not only poured her heart into her album, which served as both therapy for the past and inspiration for the future, but also shared the details behind her success as today’s voice of R&B and soul with an edge. More importantly, the wise teacher/singer/songwriter offered some lessons of her own for all audiences to reflect upon.
[Liz Singer] Every time I listen to Lessons Learned, I become more and more in love with your amazing voice. When did you begin singing? And when did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career?
[Lorraine Reid] Wow… well, my first public performance was on Parents’ Night in Junior Kindergarten… (I sang the “ABC’s” while my teacher played it on the piano). I remember always singing in church, and loving church hymns as a child… I’ve always had a knack for hearing a melody or lyric once, and being able to mimic the vocal. I’d obsessively harmonize with songs on the radio, or commercial jingles on TV, and it’s always been really easy for me to pick that kind of stuff up. I think once the ‘Whitney/Mariah’ era hit, I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career.
[Liz Singer] It is truly astonishing that Temperance was nominated for 7 Juno awards, a feat that no other dance group has achieved to date. How did your previous experience with the group influence your readiness to make the switch to a solo career?
[Lorraine Reid] I did so much learning and even more growing - personally, vocally, emotionally - during my experiences with the group Temperance. Those years were the absolute best ‘lessons’ I’ve had in my life to date. That being said, it was never easy… quite the opposite, at times, in fact. I mean, I was young when we started out- about 17, still in high school - and quite naïve to the harsh realities of the biz… But thankfully, because I was young, I was also still fairly resilient. It’s taken me some time- several years - to come down from it all and find myself again (still working on that)…and recording this album was part of that process. The R&B was always there; the soul was always there, so that transition was not difficult at all. As for pursuing an R&B career, I had no idea whether or not I’d record on this level again; but I did know that certain conditions would have to be met before I’d even consider it…so the rest is now history. Doing this record has helped me reconnect with my passion for music.
[Liz Singer] Since you have been involved in the education world as a teacher, do you feel that your time spent in the field has influenced your music career, in terms of providing content suitable for all ages, much unlike many contemporary artists?
[Lorraine Reid] Definitely…I am very conscious of the fact that my students will listen to my work…and I teach all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 10, so no age is really ’safe’. Generally, I’ve never really been interested in supporting any material with overt connotations - I don’t consume it, [and] would never produce it.
[Liz Singer] On Lessons Learned, which track did you enjoy recording the most? Which is your favorite to sing? And which will be most influential to listeners?
[Lorraine Reid] Enjoyed recording the most: “No More” (most challenging vocal to deliver). Favorite to Sing: “No Coming Back.” Most influential: I actually thought that “No Time to Throw Stones” would be the most influential…I wrote it to say something about the state or our communities…but it turns out that “How Can I Keep Him,” the first single, is striking a chord with many…that song’s a pretty personal one for me, and people are being inspired in so many different ways by it.
[Liz Singer] Clearly all of your fans will appreciate such a brilliant effort made on Lessons Learned. What aspect of this project gives you the greatest sense of pride?
[Lorraine Reid] This record is really my baby. It’s been a multi-step process, and we didn’t take the short road with it, I’ll tell you that. This project is also a true reflection of my ‘new’ voice, which I’ve had to embrace and get to know all over again. It’s the first project I’ve been attached [to] that I actually feel represents me completely. I don’t even listen to it that critically anymore, and for me to reach that level of comfort with my own work? …that almost never happens…that means a lot to me.
[Liz Singer] I got the impression that Lessons Learned is really about the ability of an individual to make it on their own; to move past heartbreak and become even more independent than before. I also felt an overall attitude of optimism for the future, despite whatever pain had been suffered in the past. Was this your intention for the album’s message?
[Lorraine Reid] You are absolutely bang on. The last thing I wanted - and something the team was very concerned about - was for this to come across as another ‘All men are dogs’ record. Granted, on it I don’t have much positive to say in the relationship department, lol…but I’m thankful for every painful experience I thought I’d never recover from… they not only made me stronger, but they inspired some real emotion in studio…and on this record. The optimism you sense is very real, and I’m glad we captured the emotions I’ve experienced, ’cause I don’t plan to stay there much longer!! I almost can’t wait to hear what my writing sounds like once I change phases again.
[Liz Singer] How do you feel that your own past has influenced the album’s content? Do you think that one’s past is always incredibly influential, or is it possible to move forward and make a completely new start without looking back?
[Lorraine Reid] I don’t think we can separate ourselves from who we are; I think those that try end up living in denial and pain, and sometimes we sit up and watch them on reality TV…I believe we’re all a mosaic of our previous thoughts, choices and experiences, and I thank God for that. I am so thankful to Him for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with so far in my life.
[Liz Singer] How have your career transitions and hardships with your health, with your vocal nodule surgery, provided inspiration for this album? How have these challenges influenced your attitude towards life?
[Lorraine Reid] I had vocal nodule surgery in the fall of 2005, and this record was recorded once I retrained my voice and found my new sound…I’m still getting used to this new voice. I try to take each day at a time and I’m very humbled when it comes to my voice…always have been.
[Liz Singer] Overall, what would you like listeners to gain most from listening to your record? What is the primary message you would like to send out to all your fans who will listen to Lessons Learned and fall in love with the beautiful melodies and influential lyrics?
[Lorraine Reid] The primary message I want to share is that no matter where we are in life, it is important for us to keep it real. That may mean admitting truths that are embarrassing, or appearing vulnerable at times, but that is when we are most human. I am still learning this lesson.
[Liz Singer] What artist or band do you remember being influenced by as a child? And how have those impressions affected you into adulthood?
[Lorraine Reid] Michael Jackson; Mariah Carey (in her ‘Vision of Love’ days); Sam Cooke; Whitney Houston; Mary J. Blige…perfect combination of soul, texture, emotion and grit that I strive to emulate.
[Liz Singer] Who are your favorite artists/bands? What are the last 3 CDs you listened to?
[Lorraine Reid] Faves: depends what day you ask me…today, they are Mary J. Blige, Jaheim, Alicia Keys, Sarah Vaughan, Tracy Chapman…I could go on & on… Last 3 CDs: Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black; LJX’s Two Chord Skankin’; Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
[Liz Singer] In regards to your personal life, how have you been balancing a music career and personal relationships? Has it been a challenge to “do it all” while pursuing your dream of recording a solo album?
[Lorraine Reid] I’m always challenged by the demands of my schedule and my desire to connect with the important people in my life. It was especially hard for me during the writing process to be emotionally available to others, because everything for me was living on the surface, you know? Very cathartic, yes, but also very emotionally taxing. Plus, I essentially have two full-time careers, so sometimes, even now, I’ll just go MIA - you know, to preserve my sanity… maybe even sleep in??!!!…and people don’t know that I’m in overload because I don’t share a lot. My family, especially my mom, is very understanding and supportive; my close friends…they are the ones who truly ‘get’ me, and respect why I am the way I am.
[Liz Singer] As an artist, what has been your greatest accomplishment? And in your life in general?
[Lorraine Reid] In my life in general, I think my greatest accomplishment has been being a mentor and role model to others. As an educator, you really have no idea who you’ve inspired, and sometimes once you find out, you’re more than surprised! I’m also really proud to be able to say I have two baby brothers…they’re 23 and 25, far from babies, but I just like saying it.
[Liz Singer] What are your main goals for the future? Do you see yourself recording more R&B albums, or are there different plans in the works for your music career?
[Lorraine Reid] I just wanna sing…I don’t really concern myself enough with the business aspects of things, and although that probably isn’t very savvy of me, it is part of what keeps me passionate about performing. We’ve already begun to conceptualize and pen tracks for the sophomore album so music is here to stay. I look forward to hearing how my sound will change as I gain more writing experience and maturity as a vocalist. Plans for the future…well, I’m game for anything, as long as I get to stay true to me…
[Liz Singer] As your album is clearly an inspiration to all aspiring, honest artists, is there any other advice you’d like to give others who want to follow in your footsteps? Is there anything you wish someone would have told you when you were starting out as an artist? And in your life, what has been the most valuable lesson that you have learned?
[Lorraine Reid] Thank you, Liz. Life is just one big classroom: some of us are the teacher’s pets, some of us are unpopular, some of us get the lesson the first time, every time; some of us need to experience it again, or pay closer attention; some of us even go try the remedial classes and still, nothing clicks…lol. But seriously, the most valuable lesson of all for me has been that on this journey called life, sometimes if we are not careful, we can miss the lesson, which is different for each of us. I wish I’d known that earlier - although I have no regrets. My advice to other aspiring artists is to take the time to figure out what your life lesson is; the rest will fall into place.
You can expect to see the highly anticipated Lessons Learned to be released this summer, and while you’re anxiously awaiting that day, go see Reid live at Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August. This follows on her successful performance at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12.
For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid
I grew up admiring the stunning vocals of sensational artists like Lauryn Hill and Mariah Carey, trying to mimic their soulful songs as I sang in my room. After hearing Lorraine Reid’s new album “Lessons Learned,” my ears were happier than they’d been when Lauryn Hill was still making records. This 7-time Juno nominee and breakthrough solo star not only poured her heart into her album, which served as both therapy for the past and inspiration for the future, but also shared the details behind her success as today’s voice of R&B and soul with an edge. More importantly, the wise teacher/singer/songwriter offered some lessons of her own for all audiences to reflect upon.
[Liz Singer] Every time I listen to Lessons Learned, I become more and more in love with your amazing voice. When did you begin singing? And when did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career?
[Lorraine Reid] Wow… well, my first public performance was on Parents’ Night in Junior Kindergarten… (I sang the “ABC’s” while my teacher played it on the piano). I remember always singing in church, and loving church hymns as a child… I’ve always had a knack for hearing a melody or lyric once, and being able to mimic the vocal. I’d obsessively harmonize with songs on the radio, or commercial jingles on TV, and it’s always been really easy for me to pick that kind of stuff up. I think once the ‘Whitney/Mariah’ era hit, I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career.
[Liz Singer] It is truly astonishing that Temperance was nominated for 7 Juno awards, a feat that no other dance group has achieved to date. How did your previous experience with the group influence your readiness to make the switch to a solo career?
[Lorraine Reid] I did so much learning and even more growing - personally, vocally, emotionally - during my experiences with the group Temperance. Those years were the absolute best ‘lessons’ I’ve had in my life to date. That being said, it was never easy… quite the opposite, at times, in fact. I mean, I was young when we started out- about 17, still in high school - and quite naïve to the harsh realities of the biz… But thankfully, because I was young, I was also still fairly resilient. It’s taken me some time- several years - to come down from it all and find myself again (still working on that)…and recording this album was part of that process. The R&B was always there; the soul was always there, so that transition was not difficult at all. As for pursuing an R&B career, I had no idea whether or not I’d record on this level again; but I did know that certain conditions would have to be met before I’d even consider it…so the rest is now history. Doing this record has helped me reconnect with my passion for music.
[Liz Singer] Since you have been involved in the education world as a teacher, do you feel that your time spent in the field has influenced your music career, in terms of providing content suitable for all ages, much unlike many contemporary artists?
[Lorraine Reid] Definitely…I am very conscious of the fact that my students will listen to my work…and I teach all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 10, so no age is really ’safe’. Generally, I’ve never really been interested in supporting any material with overt connotations - I don’t consume it, [and] would never produce it.
[Liz Singer] On Lessons Learned, which track did you enjoy recording the most? Which is your favorite to sing? And which will be most influential to listeners?
[Lorraine Reid] Enjoyed recording the most: “No More” (most challenging vocal to deliver). Favorite to Sing: “No Coming Back.” Most influential: I actually thought that “No Time to Throw Stones” would be the most influential…I wrote it to say something about the state or our communities…but it turns out that “How Can I Keep Him,” the first single, is striking a chord with many…that song’s a pretty personal one for me, and people are being inspired in so many different ways by it.
[Liz Singer] Clearly all of your fans will appreciate such a brilliant effort made on Lessons Learned. What aspect of this project gives you the greatest sense of pride?
[Lorraine Reid] This record is really my baby. It’s been a multi-step process, and we didn’t take the short road with it, I’ll tell you that. This project is also a true reflection of my ‘new’ voice, which I’ve had to embrace and get to know all over again. It’s the first project I’ve been attached [to] that I actually feel represents me completely. I don’t even listen to it that critically anymore, and for me to reach that level of comfort with my own work? …that almost never happens…that means a lot to me.
[Liz Singer] I got the impression that Lessons Learned is really about the ability of an individual to make it on their own; to move past heartbreak and become even more independent than before. I also felt an overall attitude of optimism for the future, despite whatever pain had been suffered in the past. Was this your intention for the album’s message?
[Lorraine Reid] You are absolutely bang on. The last thing I wanted - and something the team was very concerned about - was for this to come across as another ‘All men are dogs’ record. Granted, on it I don’t have much positive to say in the relationship department, lol…but I’m thankful for every painful experience I thought I’d never recover from… they not only made me stronger, but they inspired some real emotion in studio…and on this record. The optimism you sense is very real, and I’m glad we captured the emotions I’ve experienced, ’cause I don’t plan to stay there much longer!! I almost can’t wait to hear what my writing sounds like once I change phases again.
[Liz Singer] How do you feel that your own past has influenced the album’s content? Do you think that one’s past is always incredibly influential, or is it possible to move forward and make a completely new start without looking back?
[Lorraine Reid] I don’t think we can separate ourselves from who we are; I think those that try end up living in denial and pain, and sometimes we sit up and watch them on reality TV…I believe we’re all a mosaic of our previous thoughts, choices and experiences, and I thank God for that. I am so thankful to Him for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with so far in my life.
[Liz Singer] How have your career transitions and hardships with your health, with your vocal nodule surgery, provided inspiration for this album? How have these challenges influenced your attitude towards life?
[Lorraine Reid] I had vocal nodule surgery in the fall of 2005, and this record was recorded once I retrained my voice and found my new sound…I’m still getting used to this new voice. I try to take each day at a time and I’m very humbled when it comes to my voice…always have been.
[Liz Singer] Overall, what would you like listeners to gain most from listening to your record? What is the primary message you would like to send out to all your fans who will listen to Lessons Learned and fall in love with the beautiful melodies and influential lyrics?
[Lorraine Reid] The primary message I want to share is that no matter where we are in life, it is important for us to keep it real. That may mean admitting truths that are embarrassing, or appearing vulnerable at times, but that is when we are most human. I am still learning this lesson.
[Liz Singer] What artist or band do you remember being influenced by as a child? And how have those impressions affected you into adulthood?
[Lorraine Reid] Michael Jackson; Mariah Carey (in her ‘Vision of Love’ days); Sam Cooke; Whitney Houston; Mary J. Blige…perfect combination of soul, texture, emotion and grit that I strive to emulate.
[Liz Singer] Who are your favorite artists/bands? What are the last 3 CDs you listened to?
[Lorraine Reid] Faves: depends what day you ask me…today, they are Mary J. Blige, Jaheim, Alicia Keys, Sarah Vaughan, Tracy Chapman…I could go on & on… Last 3 CDs: Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black; LJX’s Two Chord Skankin’; Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
[Liz Singer] In regards to your personal life, how have you been balancing a music career and personal relationships? Has it been a challenge to “do it all” while pursuing your dream of recording a solo album?
[Lorraine Reid] I’m always challenged by the demands of my schedule and my desire to connect with the important people in my life. It was especially hard for me during the writing process to be emotionally available to others, because everything for me was living on the surface, you know? Very cathartic, yes, but also very emotionally taxing. Plus, I essentially have two full-time careers, so sometimes, even now, I’ll just go MIA - you know, to preserve my sanity… maybe even sleep in??!!!…and people don’t know that I’m in overload because I don’t share a lot. My family, especially my mom, is very understanding and supportive; my close friends…they are the ones who truly ‘get’ me, and respect why I am the way I am.
[Liz Singer] As an artist, what has been your greatest accomplishment? And in your life in general?
[Lorraine Reid] In my life in general, I think my greatest accomplishment has been being a mentor and role model to others. As an educator, you really have no idea who you’ve inspired, and sometimes once you find out, you’re more than surprised! I’m also really proud to be able to say I have two baby brothers…they’re 23 and 25, far from babies, but I just like saying it.
[Liz Singer] What are your main goals for the future? Do you see yourself recording more R&B albums, or are there different plans in the works for your music career?
[Lorraine Reid] I just wanna sing…I don’t really concern myself enough with the business aspects of things, and although that probably isn’t very savvy of me, it is part of what keeps me passionate about performing. We’ve already begun to conceptualize and pen tracks for the sophomore album so music is here to stay. I look forward to hearing how my sound will change as I gain more writing experience and maturity as a vocalist. Plans for the future…well, I’m game for anything, as long as I get to stay true to me…
[Liz Singer] As your album is clearly an inspiration to all aspiring, honest artists, is there any other advice you’d like to give others who want to follow in your footsteps? Is there anything you wish someone would have told you when you were starting out as an artist? And in your life, what has been the most valuable lesson that you have learned?
[Lorraine Reid] Thank you, Liz. Life is just one big classroom: some of us are the teacher’s pets, some of us are unpopular, some of us get the lesson the first time, every time; some of us need to experience it again, or pay closer attention; some of us even go try the remedial classes and still, nothing clicks…lol. But seriously, the most valuable lesson of all for me has been that on this journey called life, sometimes if we are not careful, we can miss the lesson, which is different for each of us. I wish I’d known that earlier - although I have no regrets. My advice to other aspiring artists is to take the time to figure out what your life lesson is; the rest will fall into place.
You can expect to see the highly anticipated Lessons Learned to be released this summer, and while you’re anxiously awaiting that day, go see Reid live at Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August. This follows on her successful performance at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12.
For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid
Band Merchandise: Promote and Support your Music
by admin on Feb.15, 2010, under Music
Lathum asked:
The rewards of creating music range from the deep satisfaction of writing a new song to the glowing pride of a successful performance. While these feelings bolster our confidence, they do little to compensate for the financial investment often tied to making music. While selling your music via CDs and downloads is a good start, you should also consider investing in band merchandise to promote your band and cover the cost of instruments, rehearsal spaces, recording equipment and more.
In a Rolling Stone article (7/04), Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba spoke about the importance of merchandise: “Merch sales are what kept us going. Even now, we’re still not making our living from playing the shows. Merch is where we make our profit.” In that same story, John Mayer commented on merchandise sales and the current state of the recording industry: “You’re not making that much money off records anymore, so until people can figure out how to make a re-writable Hanes Beefy-T, merch is one of the last bastions of individuality, commerce and style that an artist has left.”
Echoing those sentiments, Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls told NPR (1/17/07): “We make almost no money off our recordings themselves.” To earn a steady income, NPR interviewer Chris Arnold noted that “The Dresden Dolls can take in more than $1,000 a night selling merchandise, which makes the ‘merch table’ a major source of income why they’re on the road.”
While generating money is the most obvious benefit of band merchandise, the valuable impressions made from exposure to potential fans is just as important. Arming your current fan base with a fashionable marketing tool will only help to promote your band and raise your profile. To this end, musicians should take great care in creating logos and images that accurately reflects their sound and image while appealing to consumers. For inspiration, turn to Threadless.com for a wide range of arresting designs. If you don’t have the skills to create the design, try cutting costs by recruiting a graphic arts student to handle the project for you.
Once the perfect design is approved, identify the medium that will give you the greatest return. A quick Google search found a wealth of companies dedicated to meeting the merchandise needs of independent artists. Here are just a few of the deals out there:
100 printed t shirts: $405 at WeNeedMerch.com
500 1″ buttons: $100 at BusyBeaver.net
250 5.5″ x 1.42″ stickers: $25 at StickerGuy.com
100 posters: $175 at BandWear.com
Selling your band merchandise can be done at live shows or online via your web site. Create links at social music sites like Echoboost.com to draw more traffic and use secure payment services, such as PayPal, to handle the monetary transactions. Email fan club members when new products become available and try offering special packages, bundling your CDs or downloads with t shirts, buttons and/or stickers to drive sales and spread the word about your music.
You shouldn’t let expenses drain your passion for music. Put your music to work for you with your own merchandise and keep making the music you love.
The rewards of creating music range from the deep satisfaction of writing a new song to the glowing pride of a successful performance. While these feelings bolster our confidence, they do little to compensate for the financial investment often tied to making music. While selling your music via CDs and downloads is a good start, you should also consider investing in band merchandise to promote your band and cover the cost of instruments, rehearsal spaces, recording equipment and more.
In a Rolling Stone article (7/04), Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba spoke about the importance of merchandise: “Merch sales are what kept us going. Even now, we’re still not making our living from playing the shows. Merch is where we make our profit.” In that same story, John Mayer commented on merchandise sales and the current state of the recording industry: “You’re not making that much money off records anymore, so until people can figure out how to make a re-writable Hanes Beefy-T, merch is one of the last bastions of individuality, commerce and style that an artist has left.”
Echoing those sentiments, Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls told NPR (1/17/07): “We make almost no money off our recordings themselves.” To earn a steady income, NPR interviewer Chris Arnold noted that “The Dresden Dolls can take in more than $1,000 a night selling merchandise, which makes the ‘merch table’ a major source of income why they’re on the road.”
While generating money is the most obvious benefit of band merchandise, the valuable impressions made from exposure to potential fans is just as important. Arming your current fan base with a fashionable marketing tool will only help to promote your band and raise your profile. To this end, musicians should take great care in creating logos and images that accurately reflects their sound and image while appealing to consumers. For inspiration, turn to Threadless.com for a wide range of arresting designs. If you don’t have the skills to create the design, try cutting costs by recruiting a graphic arts student to handle the project for you.
Once the perfect design is approved, identify the medium that will give you the greatest return. A quick Google search found a wealth of companies dedicated to meeting the merchandise needs of independent artists. Here are just a few of the deals out there:
100 printed t shirts: $405 at WeNeedMerch.com
500 1″ buttons: $100 at BusyBeaver.net
250 5.5″ x 1.42″ stickers: $25 at StickerGuy.com
100 posters: $175 at BandWear.com
Selling your band merchandise can be done at live shows or online via your web site. Create links at social music sites like Echoboost.com to draw more traffic and use secure payment services, such as PayPal, to handle the monetary transactions. Email fan club members when new products become available and try offering special packages, bundling your CDs or downloads with t shirts, buttons and/or stickers to drive sales and spread the word about your music.
You shouldn’t let expenses drain your passion for music. Put your music to work for you with your own merchandise and keep making the music you love.
Tyr - Interview
by admin on Jan.25, 2010, under Music
Liam Hayman asked:
“Hey guys,
Could you give a quick biography of the band?
We started in Copenhagen in 1998, 4 guys from the Faeroes. Played a lot of music competitions in the early days. Released our first album in 2002, and released our fourth album in May 2008.
We signed to Napalm Records in January 2006, and since then we have played in every corner of Europe and the US.
So, how has fame, in all it’s ‘glory’, effected you as people? In what way has it changed your lives?
It has made it possible for me to quit my day job, and being able to concentrate 100% on the music. Apart from that there’s not much change in my home life.
How do you feel about your future as a band?
We feel that we are on the right track, and we are confident that the band will continue to grow. We expect to play bigger concerts and release more popular albums, and we hope to do so with a stable line-up for many years to come.
How widely have you toured, and is there anywhere that you’ve ‘particularly’ enjoyed playing, if so, why is this?
We have toured all over Europe, excluding a few countries, and all over the US. We have also played two shows in Canada.
The places we like most to play are Iceland, Poland and Canada, and it is because of the extremely warm welcome the people there give us.
Where does your inspirations come from?
what influences you when creating music?
Nordic folk music and traditions firstly. Ofcourse we still play Heavy Metal, so my Heavy Metal inspirations are Metallica, Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Dream Theater, Pantera, Savatage, System Of A Down etc (I know, I’m old).
I also have some classical influences, like Grieg and Vivaldi.
What’s the significance of the song ‘Eric the Red’, title song of your album ‘Eric the Red’?
It’s a song written from the perspective of Eric The Red. His wife was converted to christianity by his son, Leif, and she said that she would not sleep with Eric again until he was converted too. He never converted, so in the text I presume that he must have felt somewhat angry about this new religion. It’s just an anti-christian rant, really. It is not a historically accurate text, because his personal thoughts on this matter are not available.
A common question I know, but…
What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t in Týr?
I’d probably work at the post office. Lovely work that. Ok, maybe I’d be a composer or some sort of songwriter.
Thanks for your time, Liam”
For more interviews, simply visit this link;
http://www.morbidskies.com/viewforum.php?f=59
“Hey guys,
Could you give a quick biography of the band?
We started in Copenhagen in 1998, 4 guys from the Faeroes. Played a lot of music competitions in the early days. Released our first album in 2002, and released our fourth album in May 2008.
We signed to Napalm Records in January 2006, and since then we have played in every corner of Europe and the US.
So, how has fame, in all it’s ‘glory’, effected you as people? In what way has it changed your lives?
It has made it possible for me to quit my day job, and being able to concentrate 100% on the music. Apart from that there’s not much change in my home life.
How do you feel about your future as a band?
We feel that we are on the right track, and we are confident that the band will continue to grow. We expect to play bigger concerts and release more popular albums, and we hope to do so with a stable line-up for many years to come.
How widely have you toured, and is there anywhere that you’ve ‘particularly’ enjoyed playing, if so, why is this?
We have toured all over Europe, excluding a few countries, and all over the US. We have also played two shows in Canada.
The places we like most to play are Iceland, Poland and Canada, and it is because of the extremely warm welcome the people there give us.
Where does your inspirations come from?
what influences you when creating music?
Nordic folk music and traditions firstly. Ofcourse we still play Heavy Metal, so my Heavy Metal inspirations are Metallica, Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Dream Theater, Pantera, Savatage, System Of A Down etc (I know, I’m old).
I also have some classical influences, like Grieg and Vivaldi.
What’s the significance of the song ‘Eric the Red’, title song of your album ‘Eric the Red’?
It’s a song written from the perspective of Eric The Red. His wife was converted to christianity by his son, Leif, and she said that she would not sleep with Eric again until he was converted too. He never converted, so in the text I presume that he must have felt somewhat angry about this new religion. It’s just an anti-christian rant, really. It is not a historically accurate text, because his personal thoughts on this matter are not available.
A common question I know, but…
What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t in Týr?
I’d probably work at the post office. Lovely work that. Ok, maybe I’d be a composer or some sort of songwriter.
Thanks for your time, Liam”
For more interviews, simply visit this link;
http://www.morbidskies.com/viewforum.php?f=59
Progressive Rock Band Influenced by Gandhi Releases Songs Addressing World Issues
by admin on Jan.19, 2010, under Music
Eric de Fontenay asked:
Profits Go to Groups Providing Solutions
Sugar Grove, IL: Truth On Earth, a socially conscious, progressive teen rock band for the ages, recently announced the release of new original music to further their fight of world problems. Using the power of song and the universal language of music, this unique band helps raise awareness and money for worthy charities fighting world problems. By combining entertainment with philanthropy, they provide a benefit to both those in need and those who contribute.
http://www.truthonearthband.com
http://truthonearthband.com/clips/enough.mp3
The band name, lyrical messages and powerful world-changing mission are based upon the work of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time and the basis of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Civil Rights movement. Gandhi said that Peace could best be achieved through truth and non-violent protest and he proved it for a time by causing the end of a century of British rule over India. One small man had a giant influence. So the band is named in Gandhi’s honor to carry on his work and ideals through the universal language of music to a struggling planet.
The band’s main goal is to raise consciousness, through the universal language of music, to a level where, over time, everyone can become part of the solution. The end result and vision is that problems can be fixed and the planet can be left in a condition that is free of destruction and makes it worth inheriting by future generations.
Truth on Earth’s music has been described as refreshing, highly creative, electrifying and a throwback to early 70’s rock. This unique sound blends with progressive songwriting about world issues to appeal to those with the same social conscience.
These young women have committed their lives to fixing the problems of the planet so future generations will have a, “planet worth inheriting.” Their philanthropic spirit combined with their exceptional musical talents results in a contribution of nearly three quarters of their proceeds to worldly charities.
Listeners cannot only enjoy the sound of Truth on Earth but can choose one of many worthwhile causes to donate to, at http://www.truthonearthband.com
These young women are devoting their lives to doing whatever they can to bring awareness and solutions to many world problems, in the spirit of Gandhi. They want to be pro-active, on the front lines, connecting people through the universal language of music. “We have all seen devastating pictures of abuse, starvation, homeless, effects of war….., but never have been unified with music in a way, until now, that reaches the listener’s core level, creating feelings that pictures alone can’t and that allows for the proper contribution,” states the band members.
About Truth on Earth:
Truth On Earth is a progressive rock band featuring three teenage sisters that blends the sounds of old and new, heavily influenced by ’60’s & ’70’s rock. They write, produce and sing original songs about major issues in the world that require the attention of all. Their mission is, “to unite people across the globe, with music, to take action to create a better world so future generations will have a planet worth inheriting.”
They are available for performance, interviews and charitable appearances and can be contacted through their website, www.truthonearthband.com or email, truth@truthonearthband.com. Their music is currently available for immediate download from their website. Contributions to select, related charities can be made there as well.
Profits Go to Groups Providing Solutions
Sugar Grove, IL: Truth On Earth, a socially conscious, progressive teen rock band for the ages, recently announced the release of new original music to further their fight of world problems. Using the power of song and the universal language of music, this unique band helps raise awareness and money for worthy charities fighting world problems. By combining entertainment with philanthropy, they provide a benefit to both those in need and those who contribute.
http://www.truthonearthband.com
http://truthonearthband.com/clips/enough.mp3
The band name, lyrical messages and powerful world-changing mission are based upon the work of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time and the basis of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Civil Rights movement. Gandhi said that Peace could best be achieved through truth and non-violent protest and he proved it for a time by causing the end of a century of British rule over India. One small man had a giant influence. So the band is named in Gandhi’s honor to carry on his work and ideals through the universal language of music to a struggling planet.
The band’s main goal is to raise consciousness, through the universal language of music, to a level where, over time, everyone can become part of the solution. The end result and vision is that problems can be fixed and the planet can be left in a condition that is free of destruction and makes it worth inheriting by future generations.
Truth on Earth’s music has been described as refreshing, highly creative, electrifying and a throwback to early 70’s rock. This unique sound blends with progressive songwriting about world issues to appeal to those with the same social conscience.
These young women have committed their lives to fixing the problems of the planet so future generations will have a, “planet worth inheriting.” Their philanthropic spirit combined with their exceptional musical talents results in a contribution of nearly three quarters of their proceeds to worldly charities.
Listeners cannot only enjoy the sound of Truth on Earth but can choose one of many worthwhile causes to donate to, at http://www.truthonearthband.com
These young women are devoting their lives to doing whatever they can to bring awareness and solutions to many world problems, in the spirit of Gandhi. They want to be pro-active, on the front lines, connecting people through the universal language of music. “We have all seen devastating pictures of abuse, starvation, homeless, effects of war….., but never have been unified with music in a way, until now, that reaches the listener’s core level, creating feelings that pictures alone can’t and that allows for the proper contribution,” states the band members.
About Truth on Earth:
Truth On Earth is a progressive rock band featuring three teenage sisters that blends the sounds of old and new, heavily influenced by ’60’s & ’70’s rock. They write, produce and sing original songs about major issues in the world that require the attention of all. Their mission is, “to unite people across the globe, with music, to take action to create a better world so future generations will have a planet worth inheriting.”
They are available for performance, interviews and charitable appearances and can be contacted through their website, www.truthonearthband.com or email, truth@truthonearthband.com. Their music is currently available for immediate download from their website. Contributions to select, related charities can be made there as well.
