News Update Week Ending 2/8
Help Decide The Next HM Magazine Cover
Go to this online survey to see a list of artists that are coming out with new albums between April and June. Yes, there's even a blank space to list a band not on this list (but we're talking about bands with a new album coming out in this time frame, okay?). One winner gets Ascension 7: Rocketship To Heaven by DigHayZoose, recorded live at Cornerstone Festival. A classic album with their Jane's Addiction style funk and alternative looseness. Courtesy our friends at Rad Rockers.
Flynn Adam's EP Is Out Now
Just when you thought thoughtful penmanship, party music, and business savvy were on the wane, in comes the legendary Flynn Adam to revolutionize the game, reclaim what's been lost, and reposition himself as one of the most avant-garde recording artists of the iPod generation. As a founding member and the outspoken, unspoken leader of L.A. Symphony, Flynn Adam is turning industry standards on their head. In a move that's unheard-of in music, Flynn Adam and Gotee Records plan to keep a continuous flow of new music coming, releasing three separate digital singles. The first release is the revolutionary "Such A Time," a guitar-anchored conflation of hip-hop, alternative, and new-wave sensibilities in the vein of Gnarls Barkley, Beck, and TV on the Radio, plus a healthy dose of Flynn Adam's own idiosyncratic lyrics and hooks. The Such A Time EP is available digitally now.
The Such A Time EP is available digitally now here:
myspace.com/flynnadam
Langerado Music Festival Has Been Cancelled
Today, the 2009 Langerado Music Festival is cancelled due to sluggish ticket sales. The 7th annual event was slated to happen March 6-8 at their new home in downtown Miami's Bicentennial Park. Langerado's independent local promoters, faced with a very tough decision in a dismal economy, cancelled the 2009 event only after every possible option was exhausted. As Langerado Co-Promoter Ethan Schwartz explains, "Langerado has always put the fan experience first. Unfortunately, during these difficult economic times, and facing a first year in a new venue, it's become apparent that we cannot execute a production that lives up to the high standards of our past events. Putting Langerado on hold was the toughest decision we have ever had to make. We are very grateful for the support of the greater-Miami community and the music community during this difficult time." All tickets purchased will be refunded. Please look for ticket refunds to be processed in the next 5-7 business days. Each order will be refunded to the credit card in full, minus the included order processing fees. Shipping fees will also be credited for those orders that did not select the free shipping promotion.
For more information, visit:
musictoday.com
A Plea For Purging News
A Plea For Purging has released a new song on their revamped myspace page. Plea has been keeping their new look under wraps and have unveiled to coincide with the first track to be released from their new album Depravity. The track is titled Malevolence and is just a taste of what the new album has in store. Guitarist John Wand has this to say about the creation of Depravity. "In many ways this album is a confession to each other and to all those who know and care for us. There have been many things in our lives that have been hidden for the better of this band and its reputation. We have all felt despair and hopelessness and blamed God for those circumstances, when in all actuality, we have driven ourselves into those dark places. Depravity is the depiction of what life is without God." Plea will soon release a video for this track as well, directed by Andy Reale. You can see a teaser for the video now on their myspace. Depravity comes out March 3rd. Every pre-order receives a free t-shirt and chance to win a one of a kind A Plea For Purging snare drum by Dark Horse Percussion and a new guitar from First Act guitar.
Check out the pre-order here:
facedown.merchnow.com/products/99505
Red's New Single Is #1
The buzz continues to grow surrounding the return of RED, Essential Records’ GRAMMY-nominated modern rock band. The debut single from Innocence & Instinct, the epic “Fight Inside,” retook the top spot on the Radio & Records Christian Rock chart for the week of January 26, furthering anticipation for the February 10 full album and Deluxe Edition release. “Fight Inside” made history last November when it became the first single ever to debut at No. 1 on any Christian radio chart. The band has garnered notable press for Innocence & Instinct already, including coverage of the album mainstream single “Death of Me” in Billboard magazine (1/31), with a review headlined “Red has come out swinging in 2009.” In addition, the “Death of Me” music video was featured this week on MySpace Music. The video, shot in Birmingham, Ala., and directed by The Erwin Brothers, will be featured on the Innocence & Instinct Deluxe Edition. The Nashville-based group, made up of JASEN RAUCH (guitars), MICHAEL BARNES (vocals), ANTHONY ARMSTRONG (guitar) and RANDY ARMSTRONG (bass), has logged an impressive 500+ live shows since releasing the debut album End Of Silence in 2006, and has given fans a taste of new music on Innocence & Instinct while on the road in late 2008. Since the 2006 emergence of the band’s debut, it has maintained a near-constant presence on the road, touring alongside notable rock names such as Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, 3 Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Sevendust, Staind, Kutless, Third Day, Switchfoot and others, and rave reviews for the band’s live shows have poured in via both print and online outlets alike. Much of the thematic material on Innocence & Instinct deals with the duality of mankind’s nature. The band also drew some inspiration from the imagery of Dante’s Divine Comedy during the songwriting phase of the project. Included within the framework of Innocence & Instinct is a faithful, yet thoroughly reinvented, cover of the Duran Duran classic “Ordinary World.” The band will simultaneously release a Deluxe Edition of Innocence & Instinct featuring four bonus tracks and a DVD featuring the “Death of Me” music video, a “making of” documentary and more.
YoungSide Records To Distribute Bullrozer Records
YoungSide Records will now distribute all Maanalainen Levykauppa/Bullroser Records artist productions - including HB, Deuteronomium, Random Eyes, Pain Remains, Sacrecy, Sotahuuto and Scandinavian Metal Praise. The growth in popularity of Bullroser artists into the US market achieved over the last decade through their underground music world collaboration has led to this solidifying of the go to market partnership through the signing of a formal distribution agreement. "Strengthening our partnership with Maanalainen Levykauppa/Bullroser Records means America will have greater access to some of Europe’s most talented bands," Arlene Marais (President, YoungSide Records) commented. YoungSide markets and distributes CDs and merchandise for bands that rock hard, but clean! Over the years YoungSide has become known in the underground scene as a home for Alternative Metal, Industrial, Darkwave, Rap-Core, various forms of Rock… Christian Rock and the band-type merchandise that goes with it... YoungSide began as a rock band Management/Booking Agency in 1995 managing various bands including, Final Destiny, Disciple, Nailed, The Awakening, and Junker Jorg. In 2000, YoungSide added an indie artist support and mentoring service, signing a handful of bands, including, Junker Jorg, Kaimana, Circus Dawn and Luther-N to help them and others find outlets for their talent and music. Bullroser Records recently released Thorns, Horns & Barbwire -The Bullroser Records 10th Anniversary Collection 1998 – 2008 highlighting singles from the various bands Bullroser Records, Little Rose Productions and Maanalainen Levykauppa have worked with. Little Rose Productions label and distro company was created by 2 Finnish metalheads Miika and Manu with a view to supporting Christian metal music in Finland. Starting with the release of the debut album of their own band, Deuteronomium, Little Rose Productions and their sub-label Bullroser Records went on to release 15+ CD projects between 1998 and 2001. Somewhere along the way Maanalainen Levykauppa was formed to take on distribution covering a wide range of music styles from various forms of metal to hardcore and other alternative Christian music styles. At the end of 2000 Maanalainen Levykauppa was sold to friends, Lasse and Paivi. With their devotion to market success, Maanalainen Levykauppa has continued to grow over the years and become a force to be reckoned with by similar companies in their area. After releasing a couple of albums on Maanalainen Levykauppa, at Miika’s suggestion, it was decided in 2007 to resurrect Bullroser Records – with a view to separating the metal releases from the more melodic soft rock Finnish releases. “I am happy to be focusing our efforts into America through one channel and am confident our relationship with YoungSide is the right decision” enthused Lasse, Owner Maanalainen Levykauppa.
For more information on YoungSide Records, go here:
youngside.com
For Today Embarks On Headlining Tour
For Today has announced a headlining tour with support from Recon, A Plea For Purging, and Broadcast the Nightmare. The King of the Spring Tour kicks off on March 19th with a stop at Facedown Fest before continuing through April.
Tour Dates:
3/19 Virginia Beach, VA
3/20 Davidsonville, MD
3/21 Allentown, PA
3/22 Cleveland, OH
3/23 Lansing, MI
3/24 Orland Park, IL
3/25 Herrin, IL
3/26 Omaha, NE
3/27 Casper, WY
3/28 Greeley, CO
3/30 Seattle, WA
3/31 Portland, OR
4/1 Klamath Falls, OR
4/2 Bakersfield, CA
4/3 San Diego, CA
4/4 Pomona, CA
4/6 Tempe, AZ
4/7 Albuquerque, NM
4/8 Amarillo, TX
4/9 Blue Springs, MO
4/10 Buffalo, MN
4/12 Des Moines, IA
Molly Jenson's Debut Album Receives Media Attention
Molly Jenson's debut CD, Maybe Tomorrow, is still a month away from release but is already garnering significant attention in various media. Her songs "Give It Time" and "Wait For You Here" were recently featured in the TV shows "Privileged" and "Knight Rider," the singer just landed the cover of Risen Magazine joining past featured cover artists like Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Bob Thornton, she recently performed three songs on the popular TV show Nightcap and her CD has been hailed by Stereosubversion.com as "the best album of 2009." But Jenson's friends and supporters have even bigger plans in mind-having just launched an effort to bring their favorite artist's music to hundreds of thousands of new fans using several popular social networks in a campaign they've dubbed "Make Molly #1" or "MM1" for short. Organizing a grass-roots campaign to recruit fans who will commit to buying her CD during its debut week of March 3rd, 2009, Jenson's fans hope for an opening week of sales that will break records for a new artist and make the Orange County, CA based singer a household name. When she learned of the effort, Jenson posted a video at her Facebook site thanking members for their support. Other groups have formed at social networks like MySpace and other sites. Jenson has already been a favorite on the net having been named by Teen Vogue magazine as one of the top 3 artists on MySpace, an honor that helped bring her to the attention of her label Bully! Pulpit Records which is releasing Jenson's debut CD in partnership with Nettwerk Music Group. Since going live, hundreds of people have registered at her site and received a free download of Jenson's first single "Give It Time," in exchange for committing to purchase the CD when it debuts on March 3rd. "I'm realistic about these things, and somehow I don't think I'll be beating U2 the week our CD's release," laughed Jenson. "But it would be amazing to make a strong showing on the Billboard New Artist Chart. But whatever happens, it's every artist's dream to be supported like this by fans, so I'll be happy if I end up being the #1 artist named Molly, or the #1 artist from Fullerton, or the #1 artist who grew up in San Diego. I'll settle for
#1 something!" "The Obama campaign showed us the power of social networks and has changed politics as we know it," noted Mark Joseph of Bully! Pulpit who first spotted Jenson and signed her to his label. "This is a way for fans and future fans to be a part of making history."
To learn more about MM1, go to:
mollyjenson.com
Fires Of Babylon's Debut Out Now
Brutal Planet Distribution has released the Retroactive Records (USA) version of FIRES OF BABYLON debut album this week. FIRES OF BABYLON is classic 1980's & 90's - style, shredding U.S. heavy metal reincarnated! Their lineup is one of highly skilled and lauded musicians, including guitarist Lou St. Paul (WINTERS BANE), vocalist Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI, DRIVER, ROB ROCK), bassist Kelly Conlon (ex-DEATH), and drummer Robert Falzano (SHATTER MESSIAH). Rob Rock's voice is THE golden voice of heavy metal, hence the legions of fans who revere his solo works and Impellitteri will enjoy this with full approval. His harsh yet melodic yet high-pitched throat shall leave no room for protest. On the other hand, the WINTERS BANE 'ghost' is all over the album, with Lou St. Paul providing some impressive guitar riffs/themes/leads the American way. Do not imagine something that old-school; we're primarily talkin' 'bout the post-mid-80s blend in Metal music in America, with semi-complex compositions and a variety in 'colors' of reference (JACOB'S DREAM and KAMELOT come to mind). There are hints of European metal displayed by bands like MYSTIC PROPHECY, BRAINSTORM, FALCONER and BLOODBOUND. Without a doubt, fans of high energy melodic metal will agree that the skills of this All-Star cast shine as brightly as their royal Heavy Metal pedigrees!
Check them out here:
myspace.com/firesofbabylon
This spring, Seventh Day Slumber will usher their fans into worship with an unexpected motif and sound. Applying their rock, alternative style to worshipful songs, Seventh Day Slumber hopes to provide a tool of praise in a relevant way. "Take Everything" will release on BEC Recordings March 10, 2009 featuring nine cover worship songs in addition to three stirring original tracks. "We wanted to make these songs more appealing to some of the youth and teenagers out there," front man Joseph Rojas says of staples like "How Great Is Our God," "I Can Only Imagine," "Famous One" and "Nothing But the Blood." "They're all really amazing songs and are obviously known by millions of people, but we wanted to record them in way that wasn't wrapped around the traditional arrangements. We wanted people who wouldn't normally listen to worship music to hear it in a way that's relevant to them." As most will recall Rojas was delivered from depression and a $400 per day cocaine addiction, but the story doesn't end there. Recently out of the blue, his father with whom he had an estranged relationship with since childhood, called to reconnect their lives. Excited to touch base with his father Joseph flew him to attend a Seventh Day Slumber concert. It was at that concert where his father answered the altar call and gave his life to Christ. This event among other experiences convinced the group to center the content of their forthcoming release around worship. "We wanted to come up with something really interesting, taking the same lyrics and basically the same melodies, but putting a completely different spin on them," he echoes. "So there we were going through our iPods listening to a heavy riff from Underoath one minute and "How Great Is Our God" in a standard worship format the next and subconsciously started taking those traditional worship songs and making them heavier."Clearly the band created a project that is already resonating with listeners as radio is praising the debut singles. Debut single (AC and CHR format) "From the Inside Out" as well as the Rock single "Surrender" are already receiving adds and acclaim. "This song is from a contemporary band plus a song that radio listeners already sing in church," states Greg Cassidy Program/Music Director KHZR St. Louis, MO. "It sounds great on the air and is testing well! This is the first song from these guys we've added...it really fits." The importance of live touring in bringing Seventh Day's Slumber message to the masses has always been the band's top priority. This year, they have formed a new partnership with the H2O artist agency which represents Newsboys, KJ-52, Superchic[k] and other major bands in the genre. "Some bands play great music. Others have a heart for ministry," shares Scott Huie, President H2O Artist Agency of the new partnership. "Seventh Day Slumber is one of those rare jewels of a band that shine at both, and what a privilege it is to be part of their ministry." Excited about the new project and touring relationship with H20, Joseph shares, "God's the ultimate source of our souls finding hope and rest, which after seeing it happen firsthand with my own life and now my father's faith walk makes me even more excited to sing these songs than ever before."
The Fray's Sophomore Album Out Now
After nearly four years, The Fray returns with their sophomore effort, The Fray on February 3, 2009, and for the first time, due to a partnership with EPIC Records and INO Records, the band’s project will be available to CBA market retail. With key placement on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs, The Fray achieved a licensing dream with usage of their songs, “How To Save A Life” and “Over My Head (Cable Car).” This usage launched them into major radio play and worldwide sales of 3.2 million albums for their debut, striking a huge chord with audiences and turning their organic grassroots efforts into major success. INO offered the band’s new emerging hit "You Found Me" to Christian radio early this year, which landed at #23 on R&R’s Christian CHR chart this week, and has been welcomed by Top Christian CHR and AC radio stations. Those recently adding the single at CHR include AIR-1, WAY-FM, KLFF/San Luis Obispo , WONU /Chicago , WAY-FM/Denver, and KDUV/Visalia, along with Christian AC stations Star99/NYC, KBIQ /Colorado Springs and WVFJ/Atlanta among others. “You Found Me” impacted mainstream radio on November 21st and is currently #1 on AAA, #6 on HOT AC and #22 at Top 40. “’You Found Me’ is a tough song for me,” comments The Fray’s frontman Isaac Slade from the band’s MySpace page. “It’s about the disappointment, the heartache, the let down that comes with life. Sometimes you're let down, sometimes you're the one who lets someone else down. It gets hard to know who you can trust, who you can count on. This song came out of a tough time, and I'm still right in the thick of it. There's some difficult circumstances my family and friends have been going through over the past year or so and can be overwhelming. It wears on me. It demands so much of my faith to keep believing, keep hoping in the unseen. Sometimes the tunnel has a light at the end, but usually they just look black as night. This song is about that feeling, and the hope that I still have, buried deep in my chest." Continuing their licensing success story, The Fray has collaborated with ABC’s hit show, “LOST” in a series of music video promos featuring the first single for the newest season of the show. The first spot aired after an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” with digital single sales and pre-orders going live after it aired. The spots also ran during the 2008 American Music Awards, where the band was a featured performer. Over the weekend of the release and performance, the “LOST” video had over one million views and can be seen here.
Check out the Fray here:
thefray.net
Debut Album From Bluetree Out March 3rd
Belfast-based modern worship band Bluetree hits U.S. shores with its highly anticipated debut album, God Of This City, releasing March 3. The recording’s title track, written by the band, is gathering momentum at radio and has already been named an R&R Most Added hit single. The song is also being sung in church services around the globe, was recorded by Chris Tomlin and Passion, and became the name and theme for the latest Passion project and world tour. Bluetree members, lead singer/guitarist Aaron Boyd, bassist Andy McCann, drummer Johnny Hobson, and deejay Pete Kernoghan, have never been interested in writing feel-good worship songs that may incite a few goosebumps on Sunday morning, but don’t exactly inspire change and action once the church service has ended. And in this case, their own action led to the creation of a song that inspires both. Written during a mission trip while Bluetree was on stage performing worship songs in the Climax Bar, a club which doubles as a brothel in the Red Light district of Pattaya, Thailand, “God Of This City” became a message of hope for the people of Pattaya, and for the world. “Growing up in Belfast means that we’ve grown used to people crying in church, begging God to change our city,” says Boyd. “I don’t know whether you become numb to it all, but I do know that I had never really had those kind of feelings for a particular place. It all changed that night in Pattaya. The feelings of compassion took over and I started just to sing out what I knew was true about who God is to the people of the city. ”Like when Tomlin first heard this anthemic cry for God’s intervention in every city on the planet at a Bluetree concert in Northern Ireland, the lyrics composed during that two-hour worship set in Pattaya, You’re the God of this city / You’re the King of these people/You’re the Lord of this nation/ You are, are being echoed in churches across the world. Even the Willow Creek Association, representing 12,000 churches from 90 denominations and 45 countries, recently concluded their worship pastor seminar with the song. Martin Smith, CompassionArt founder and Delirious? frontman, calls the song, “A new church anthem for the world to keep its head in the clouds but its heart in the streets.”
©2009 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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