Blogs
(November 2008) MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.
Terramara has released its third full-length album: Dust & Fiction.
Once described as the "second coming of Steely Dan", the new recording finds the group moving in a new direction. The band has teamed up with Producer Jon Herchert to assemble a more guitar-driven album more evocative of Coldplay, XTC, and the Beatles. Melodic songwriting meets quirky, sonically adventurous production.
While retaining much of Terramara's signature sound: piano-based pop songs with rich harmonies and clever lyrics, this new collection of powerpop gems shimmers with layered guitars, and shades of ambient and electronic sounds in the mix. As one reviewer said, "Simultaneously intelligent and incredibly catchy, they might just single-handedly save pop music" (Larry Kolota, Kinesiscd.com).
The new album has already garnered airplay nationwide on XM Radio and been featured on local radio (Cities 97) and TV (KARE 11).
Terramara recently celebrated the release with a massive show at Trocaderos nightclub in Minneapolis. The show featuring a 12-piece ensemble with a four-piece horn section, back-up singers, and additional keyboards and guitars to bring the audience the full sonic variety embodied on the new recording.
Minneapolis-based Terramara is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Rob Meany who formed the group in 1998. The band has won numerous awards for songwriting and performance over its 10-year career.
The young Smashing Pumpkins dancing with the wistful Cranberries over a modern shot of espresso chased with pop.
"Impressive and original" Indie Music
"We get alot of requests for Tash" Medman from Q102.3 FM Woodward OK.
Tash has had many songs forwarded by Taxi.
Creative and artistically expressed music in the genre's of smooth, groove, classical, ballads, and up tempo tracks by Diner-Mate Music and Executive Producer Allen Williams, celebrating 50 years of NASA. Release date: October 2008
VERMONT ARTIST AMBER deLAURENTIS RELEASES FIRST FULL-LENGTH CD, “HEY SADIE”
(Burlington, VT) Former Philadelphia-area songstress now Burlington, VT resident, Amber deLaurentis has announced the release of her long-awaited full-length studio debut, “Hey Sadie,” due out in early March, 2008. deLaurentis’ signature pounding piano style and powerful vocals drive a diverse collection of original songs, written with her longtime musical collaborator, lyricist, Sarah Blue. Their award-winning songs are at once contemporary and timeless, and have been characterized as “Instant Classics.”
“Hey Sadie,” which was recorded at Charles Eller Studios in Charlotte VT and MAJA Audio Group in Philadelphia, was nearly two years in the making. Explains lyricist Blue: “It was a huge undertaking. We really wanted to try to bring the material to life. Even when we’ve just begun writing a song, we fantasize about large instrumentation and arrangements, so it's been a dream come true to witness the making of this record. So many incredible people have poured their energy into trying to capture our visions in a permanent recording. It's been amazing.”
Each of the 12 tracks is painted with a large emotional and musical palate. Lush string arrangements, sophisticated horn parts, sweet yet complex vocal harmonies, and energetic, seemingly effortless rock-and-roll performances by deLaurentis’ Philadelphia-based band (David Anstine on bass, Mark Schreiber [Slo-Mo] on drums, and Mark Tucker on guitar/steel guitar), showcase the evocative lyrics and compelling melodies which characterize the deLaurentis/Blue sound. Guest appearances are also made by some of Vermont’s finest musicians, including Paul Asbell (guitar), Steve Blair (guitar), Tom Cleary (horn arrangements), Chuck Eller (organ), Juliet McVicker (vocals), and Gordon Stone (pedal steel guitar).
The result is an impressive and sophisticated recording with what feels like a very “live” energy. deLaurentis and Blue grew up listening to artists such as Elton John and Carole King, and while “Hey Sadie” is an undeniably contemporary recording, it also has something of a vintage feel to it which reveals these roots, and which is not accidental. “One of my favorite moments during the mixing, was listening as our engineer, Lane Gibson, attempted to match the string effects to some of the string productions on Elton John’s ‘Madman Across the Water,’” recalls deLaurentis.
Amber deLaurentis left Philadelphia for Vermont in October of 2003, where she became the Instructor of Jazz Voice and Co-Director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at the University of Vermont. She continues to perform her and Blue’s award-winning songs (Billboard Magazine 2nd place for “Lonely in Love;” Discmakers’ Independent Music World Series best of 1,200 bands; honorable mention John Lennon Songwriting Contest, etc.). As a performer, Amber has supported the likes of NRBQ, Amos Lee, Marshall Crenshaw, Patty Larkin, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, and Five for Fighting, and as a recording artist, she has collaborated with keyboardist Chris Cameron of Sonia Dada and Jim Tullio (producer Mavis Staples, Los Lonely Boys), among others.
deLaurentis is planning a tour with her newly formed Vermont band including Caleb Bronz, Tom Cleary, and Steve Blair, to promote the release of “Hey Sadie.”
Celebrate the Vermont release of “Hey Sadie” with Amber and the band at Flynnspace, Thursday, May 22nd, in Burlington, VT.
For music, JPEG’s, interviews and more information, please contact: Amber deLaurentis: (802) 878-3721; treesapper@hotmail.com
Sarah Blue: (315) 559-4705; SarahEBlue@gmail.com
WEBSITES: www.myspace.com/amberdelaurentis; www.purevolume.com/amberdelaurentisband; www.sonicbids.com/amberdelaurentisband2 www.myspace.com/sarahbluelyricist
Make Me Whole
Pie Boys Flat to Showcase at Three NACA Conferences
With the release of their new full-length album Uproot the Island, Pie Boys Flat, a Queens based reggae/funk band has been selected to showcase live at three regional conferences of the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). Fitz Harris (percussion/vocals), Patrick Hambrick (guitar/vocals) and Jason Liles (bass/vocals) of PBF attended their first NACA conferences in 2005, booked a 4-month college tour, and learned the ropes. “We realized the first morning of the first conference that a live showcase means more bookings,” said Patrick, “and because showcases are awarded based on a band’s recorded music, we knew we had to have a higher quality CD.”
PBF was successful with its first two CDs, Come Taste the Pie and Post No Bills, selling over 800 copies of the first during a 2004 3-month tour in the Greek Isles and over 1000 copies of the second at gigs in Manhattan and on the college circuit. “We are proud of both of those CDs and will be eternally grateful to our producer, Tommy Faragher, whose generosity and talent made us sound better than we could afford to sound.” said Fitz, “But we did our first two recordings on a shoestring. Money was always a problem, so during 2005-2006 we saved every cent from our gigs for months and worked other jobs so we could eat and sleep inside, in order to pay for 12 straight days of recording in a bigger studio. Sean Moffitt, a high school friend of mine and now a professional producer, ramped up the value of that investment by giving us a great deal on his time and talents.”
The result is a recording that really showcases the unique sound of this band; a blend of Reggae, Blues, and Funk, laced with soaring three-part harmonies and a fresh blend of percussion and guitars. According to Jason, “It was worth all the work and sacrifice. Each conference gets between 400 and 500 showcase applications for around 40 slots. We were so thrilled to get the first showcase at the Mid-Atlantic Conference that it didn’t occur to us that we would get another. A friend called and told us to login to the Northeast Conference list because we had gotten a showcase there also. When the third one came in from the Mid-America Conference we began to make plans for a big tour. It’s gonna be a great year for us.”
You can check out Pie Boys Flat and hear their music at www.pieboysflat.com or www.sonicbids.com/pieboysflat. Uproot the Island is for sale online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pieboysflat.
For Immediate Release October 17, 2008
John “Drumbo” French Reunites Captain Beefheart Alumni for Solo Album
“City of Refuge” in stores November 18
LOS ANGELES—John “Drumbo” French has reunited fellow Magic Band alumni Bill Harkelroad (aka “Zoot Horn Rollo”), Mark Boston (aka “Rockette Morton”), Greg Davidson (aka “Ella Guru”), and John Thomas for a solo recording of all new compositions entitled City of Refuge. The self-produced album was recorded in London and at various locations in the U.S., and lands stateside November 18th on Proper Records.
“I think City of Refuge is important because it re-visits a style of music that was founded by Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) and developed by various Magic Bands over the years. The music on this album came to me as total inspiration from being involved in The Magic Band reunion project. Listening to the music of Don Van Vliet and singing with the band, I realized that I was re-visiting my musical roots and wondered about how I had strayed so far away,” French says.
As the drummer and music director for revered iconoclasts Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band, Drumbo made central contributions to a handful of LPs – notably 1969’s mind-altering, revered masterpiece “Trout Mask Replica,” on which French first acquired the antic stage-name “Drumbo” – that vastly expanded the parameters of contemporary music. French’s influential contributions can also be found on projects with Frank Zappa, Mallard, Crazy Backwards Alphabet, Henry Kaiser and Richard Thompson, among others.
French plans a U.S. tour in conjunction with his upcoming book, Beefheart: Through The Eyes Of Magic, to be released early next year.
BASIC RELEASE INFORMATION:
Drumbo/City of Refuge Catalog: PRPCD024 Release Date: November 18, 2008
Track Listing: 1. Bogeyman 2. Bus Ticket Outta Town 3. Blood on a Porcupine Quill 4. City of Refuge 5. Abandon 6. Get So Mean 7. Maybe That’ll Teach Ya 8. To The Loft of Ravenscroft 9. The Shirt Off My Back 10. The Wicked Witch of War 11. Whose Side Ya On 12. The Withered Hand of Time
On The Web:
http://www.myspace.com/drumbojohnfrench
http://www.proper-records.co.uk
U.S. CONTACT: Lisa Best
Email: lisa@Properrecords.us
ABOUT PROPER RECORDS
Proper Records is a London-based independent roots music label founded by Malcolm Mills in 1995. Over the past decade Proper has released more than 300 records and spawned several new imprints, including its signature box sets featuring vintage and specialty titles. Recent releases include offerings from Joan Baez, Richard Thompson, Little Feat, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Art Garfunkel, and Nick Lowe. Proper Records Ltd. is part of the Proper Music Group of Companies that includes Proper Music Distribution—the largest distributor of independent music in the United Kingdom.
Theatrical Rockers, “The Billy Martini Show” to celebrate CD release at Don Quixote’s Santa Cruz, California, February 28, 2008- Santa Cruz’s own Billy Martini is coming home to celebrate the release of his band’s second album, “Pajama Party A Go-Go.”
Don’t let the name fool you, though, this is hard hitting, driving Rock ‘N Roll. On Friday, March 7, 2008, The Billy Martini Show will take the stage at Don Quixote’s International Music Hall in Felton. Their live performance couples the flamboyant front man with pounding drums, heavy bass lines, and bone crushing guitar riffs. The addition of special effects and dancing girls, make this an auditory and visual extravaganza. Other band members, Steve Allison-guitar, Heath Bullet-percussion and backing vocals, and Johnny Lovegroove-the Host of the Show are also from the Santa Cruz area. John Keith-bass, Eric Wood-drums, and The Martini Dancers are from the Bay Area. RoughEdge.com said, “…in my opinion, nobody does it like The Billy Martini Show… solid music, quality musicianship, a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously, that plays the music the way they want to and has a great time doing it. The Billy Martini Show showcases some outstanding musicians.” The Billy Martini Show – Pajama Party A Go-Go CD Release Party Friday March 7, 2008 8:00 p.m. Don Quixote’s International Music Hall 6275 Highway 9 Felton, CA 95018 21 & over $7 in advance/ $7 at the door Contact: Billy Martini 831-476-2113 email: billy@billymartini.com http://www.billymartini.com http://www.myspace.com/billymartini Electronic Press Kit: http://www.sonicbids.com/TheBillyMartiniShow
Paul Napash(Infamous P), a singer/rapper, musician, songwriter and producer. He plays different styles of muisic genres, started since 1995 which he is now working with A&R Select based in Los Angeles since June 3 this year 2008.
Where he is now promoting his music all over US and Canada, his music is now available on iTunes worldwide and other major online stores like Emusic, Napster, Lala, Groupie Tunes, Amazon Music, just to name a few. He now lives in Ottawa to get educated at the Algonquin College taking a One-Year General Arts & Science- Pre-music production program. He performs his music at the bar called "Base Line Station" almost every Wednesdays and Thursdays to get noticed, to meet musicians, singers, songwriters and possibly producers. When you listen to his songs, make sure you listen to them carefully, because everyone tells him to believe in himself and that's what he's been doing, he strongly believes in getting signed by record labels.
