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
Thought provoking lyrics rested upon strong melodic musical landscapes.
One of the most lyrical groups that are unsigned, our style is so unique that everyone will feel it.
UBU REVIEWS
Christeen Oneal----Colonial Country Club
High Point, NC
336-472-7715
94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, and New Years 97, 99, 00
"Thank you for a great night of entertainment. The bands versatility and variety certainly made our Valentine's Dinner Dance a success."
Michelle Benten----Sedgefield Country Club
Greensboro, NC
336-299-5324
We have performed at Sedgefield Country Club over 50 times in the last 11 years. "It was simply amazing on how such a short note your band could accomodate our every need and pull through for one of the most successful nights at Sedgefield Country Club."
Tim Mabe----Fun Fourth Festival
Greensboro, NC
336-274-4595
95, 96, 00
"On behalf of the 1995 Fun Fourth Festival I would like to thank UBU for the great performance at this years Fun Fourth Festival in downtown Greensboro. I know that those who were present during your performance enjoyed UBU immensely."
Albert (Rocky) Rausch----King College
Bristol, TN
615-968-1187
"UBU entertained us at our spring formal and did a great job. I found them to be professional, courteous, flexible, and personable. We had conditions that some other bands would have found problematic, but not UBU."
Sally C. Steele---- The North Carolina Zoo-To-Do
Asheboro, NC
336-879-7250
We have performed for The Zoo-To-Do on four seperate occassions.
"You guys were exellent, and I hope we can get you back next year"
Ray Smith----1999 Special World Olympics
Kernersville, NC
336-992-9560
"U.B.U.'s professional manner and great musical selection created a format for all ages to enjoy. The band really interacted with the crowd and treated our Special Olympians to a night of great fun."
Sharon Kennedy,GM----Country Club Of Johnston County
Smithfield, NC
919-934-4166
97, 98, 99, 00
"The Country Club of Johnston County has hosted the band,.U.B.U., on many occasions in the past. Faron Dawson and all members of the band have always been a pleasure to work with, as well as exceptional entertainment for all the functions they have performed at."
Shirley Patterson, Asst.Mang.----Pine Brook Country Club
Winston-Salem, NC
336-767-2941
95, 97, 99, 00
"The.U.B.U. band made our Presidents Ball the best one yet.They have a vast repertoire, suitable for wedding receptions, dinner parties, dances,etc. It's always a pleasure having them entertain at Pine Brook Country Club. The responce from our members is always positive."
Mrs. Glenda Salerno, chair----Chautaugua Festival
Wytheville, VA
276-228-6855
01, 03
"As usual, the show was energetic and packed with great music and showmanship. We had nothing but rave reviews when the band played at the festival two years ago, and we have had the same compliments this time."
Donna Richardson, chair----Symphony Presentation Ball
Greensboro, NC
336-454-5558
02, 03
"The number of people on the dance floor all night beat all records. In my six years association with the Ball, I have never seen such enthusiasm and envolvement from our guest"
Marcy Parker----Carolina Anesthesiology, PA
High Point, NC
336-882-2567
01, 02, 03
"Our office has booked UBU on several occassions and we have always been extremely pleased. UBU is a band filled with enthusiasm which flows over to everyone in attendance. Their interaction makes the audience become a part of their group. UBU is very professional and entertaining from start to finish." Wendi Schultz,CFE----Department Parks & Recreations
Roanoke, Va
540-387-6078
03
"This past weekend's Virginia Recreation and Parks Society 50th Birthday party celebration would not have been the same without your band! I can only tell you that in my over 20 years of experience working with bands for various events I have rarely found any as accommodating and willing to help as you folks were."
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.
