Indie-Monster

Booking in NEO (Brandon Hathaway)

2012-03-06T14:38:00.003-05:00

Hey Philly! I recently said down and learned a few tips and tricks from Brandon Hathaway for how to be successful in the music business. Brandon makes up half of Tha 317, an Irish Hip-Hop band that seriously knows how to throw down. He not only performs, but is also the main promoter for the band and was kind enough to share with me a lot of great advice on the business side of things from concert booking to networking, and even filled me in on the growing music scene out in Ohio. The scene is getting big so if you're a band looking to tour, make sure you hit up the area, and then party with Tha 317! But seriously, listen to this guy if you want to learn how to land a gig, multi-task to the extreme, and make everything a party.

When did you form Tha 317 and how/why did you come up the Irish/Hip-Hop fusion?
Brandon: Well we actually started in February of 2009 and the funny thing was that it was started by coincidence. There was actually another member and they were in a group called Guinness and Shamus. It happened that the three of us wanted to start a group and we were all Irish. We were actually originally called Pogue Mahone then we added 317 for St. Patrick’s Day. But it turned out there was a bar in Canada called Pogue Mahone so we stuck with Tha 317Guinness and Shamus are cousins, but Guinness is no longer with us. Tha 317 is now myself, and my stage name is "Lucky Fargas," and the other member of the group goes by "Shamus O'Grady".

So you’re the main promoter for Tha 317 and have found a lot of success in finding shows…how did you go about starting the booking process? Did you learn from someone else or did you kind of just jump in?
Brandon: No I pretty much just jumped into it because music has always been my passion. I knew I wanted to work in it, either performing or writing or whatever, so I wanted to learn more about the business side of things. I’ve worked in retail so I’ve always been good at talking to people. I started at a small venue down in Akron as the first spot and with all the networking I’ve done since, I’ve sort of kept my eyes out. It’s all about who you know here, especially in NE Ohio. It’s all about how you get to know people and about networking.

How do you juggle creating music, writing and booking? You are also in school correct?
Brandon: It really is tough on me honestly. I do take online classes though so they can fit into my schedule. I just got my Associates and now I’m working on my Bachelors. I kind of like to kill two birds with one stone so I work a lot with the band online focusing on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Reverbnation. It’s really about the internet. That’s where I can talk up the band and talk to venue owners. Every moment I’m not doing school work I’m constantly online networking. It’s hard to breathe sometimes but it’s my passion so I got to do it.

You guys play a lot in NE Ohio, so where are the best cities/venues for hip-hop artists to go to where they might receive a lot of positive reaction?
Brandon: There’s a lot in the Cleveland area. Akron itself isn’t really good for venues, but there is a great venue in Akron called Chuck’s Steakhouse that we play and it welcomes all different kinds of genres which is awesome. Then there’s Peabody’s in Cleveland which is a great venue and right outside of Cleveland in Mentor is a venue called Livewire Lounge that’s great and also welcomes all kinds of genres. There’s another great place in Akron called Musica. It’s great for in or out of town bands, but they don’t like it when you play another show close to the venue on a nearby date, so we’ll probably be back out there in June. And then also, an amazing venue is the Cleveland Agora. It’s really a great venue but it’s not easy to book. But when you get a chance to play there the place is very legendary.

Hip Hop tends to scare off venue owners. They seem to be afraid of the possible violence that comes with booking a Hip Hop show. How does this differ in Northeast Ohio and why?
Brandon: Well, it can be an issue but the problem with hip-hop is that it’s been given a bad name. Take metal fans, they tear up shows and mosh too and get a crazy rep as well. But it’s all about the way you conduct yourselves and interact with venue owners. It’s really about building relationships with the owners of the venues. I always sit down and get to know them very well. We also have a really good crowd. Our crowd is people who are chill and just want to have fun. We like to party and so do they. We also mix up our shows with different genres so it’s like one big fun show.

Everyone knows that the music business is all about networking. If you could choose the best three tips for networking that every person trying to book a show should always know, what would they be?
Brandon: Well, you’ve got to utilize your social networking and constantly promote, promote, promote. That’s what I use Facebook and Twitter for, it’s not even personal use. Promoting, promoting, promoting is number 1. Number 2, I’m constantly going out to find out what’s hot and talking to the venue owners. I don’t even know if there are three things I could pick. It’s really all about promoting and getting on the social media sites. That’s how I’ve been doing what I’ve doing and getting us shows. And stay positive. You’re gonna hear a lot of bad feedback for a while you just got to stay positive. Sometimes you’ll here two no’s from a venue before you get a yes so you just got to stay on top of things.

Tha 317 has played with some rising OH acts including iPhonic, EST and MGK. How was it sharing the stage with them and how did those relationships come about?
Brandon: I mean, it’s been an amazing experience. We actually just did a show with EST and MGK and got to hang out with them backstage. I’m still interested in learning things from them. I actually discovered iPhonic before they even got big and they have opened up for us a couple times back in 09-10, and now they’re getting big. That’s been a great experience getting to know them and getting to play shows with them now. It’s been a really cool experience. And now MGK is going national with his crew, it’s really an amazing experience sharing the stage with them.

What do you think all these fast growing OH hip-hop artists’ fan bases are saying about the state of OH’s music scene?
Brandon: Ohio has made a very sharp turn over the last couple of years and has become very good as far as the scene goes. There are lot of artists coming out of here such as iPhonic, MGK, Aaron L, and Chip tha Ripper. I think its saying a lot. Cleveland has always been the underdog and then Labron came out of here and people started realizing there’s talent here. And you’re gonna see a lot of big names coming out of here in the future. I think it’s taking a turn for the best. It’s cool that we’re coming up out of the wave and here when all this is happening right now.

Do you have any future plans for a career as a booking agent since you’ve had so much success with your own band?
Brandon: Right now I’m obviously focusing on Tha 317, but at the same time it’s good for me to learn the business side of 317 and having my degree. Yeah, if things don’t pan out for me I will definitely do this for a living, the behind the scenes. But it’s been a great experience for me to be able to do this for my current group.

Are there any crazy plans for St. Patrick’s Day for Tha 317? I’m assuming it’s your most sacred day of the year.
Brandon: Yeah, absolutely! We’ve got a great show set up this year which is actually gonna be at Chucks Steakhouse and we’ve got a lot of live bands playing and different genres its gonna be a really big event its one of those must come see events.

Got any last minute advice for the young booker out there trying to land their band their very first gig?
Brandon: Stay positive, stay energetic, and keep yourself together because it is a rough industry it’s a very rough business to get in and it can be very discouraging. Stay focused, stay positive, and keep driving. You gotta have some thick skin to be in this business.

As always, go check him and Tha 317 out!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THA-317/198202183553310
http://www.reverbnation.com/THA317
https://twitter.com/#!/tha_317

Lauren Resnick
Monster Entertainment LLC
lauren@wearemonsterent.com
www.wearemonsterent.com

Xzavier Entertainment

2012-03-03T19:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Black Ink MMG Family

What's The World Coming To?

2012-03-01T23:04:00.002-05:00

The Plastic Traps

2012-02-29T00:00:00.006-05:00

What’s up Philly! I’m back after sitting down for a chat with The Plastic Traps, a Philadelphia based band who just released their debut album “Find a Home” earlier this month. They’re two brothers working hard, even through college, to make their music heard! Check out what they have to say and be sure to visit the band’s sites after so you can grab a copy of the album!

So how’d The Plastic Traps come about?

Gary: Well we were in another band and when that band stopped we just continued with our writing and we just wanted to keep making music together.

Congrats on releasing your debut album! How can you best describe the sound of the album?

Gary: I think there are some songs that are kinda my style, the one’s that I sing, and some of them are Andy’s, the ones that he sings. Kinda like a lo-fi garage indie. Reverb definitely characterizes the style, so it’s definitely lo-fi reverb.

What was the recording process like for your album?

Gary: We recorded it at home in our parent’s house. We used a 4-track recorder analog. I don’t know how long it took. We did it all ourselves and we didn’t use any outside producers or mixers. We did bring it into a recording studio to make it sound all digital for the album though.

Andy: We recorded all of our songs at the beginning of the summer. We had all the songs in line and once we had a bunch we decided to make all the nine into an album. We were shooting for an EP, but we wanted all the songs to come together it wasn’t like a planned ‘let’s make an album’ thing. It just sort of all came together.

You hooked up with Monster Entertainment and Redeye Distribution last year, how did that come about and how has it helped you so far?

Andy: Well, the way I found out about Isaac was when I found out about Revolution, I Love You who I found from online, or maybe from Hometown Heroes Delaware, and I found out they put their album out through Monster. I emailed them asking if they wanted to do a show, and they told Isaac about us and then he emailed us asking if we wanted any help with distribution and about a month later we realized we were at a point where we wanted to make the album happen. Monster has played an extremely important role in terms of helping us distribute and promote Find a Home. Without them, the album probably would not be on iTunes, Amazon, and literally everywhere else online. And it's awesome that they're based in Philly! The process has been great so far and we look forward to continue having their help with promotion this year.

I heard your music could be featured on eMusic, how is that process going for you?

Andy: A couple weeks ago, Isaac told us that eMusic wanted to feature our album and they are thinking about doing a free download of our song corridor. So, that’ll definitely be cool if they feature our single.

So Andy, you go to school in Baltimore and Gary, you’re here in Philly, does that have any effect on your recording or touring? Or does going to school in general affect the band at all?

Gary: It definitely has an effect cause we can’t get together to write and record as much.

Andy: As for touring mostly if you look at our previous tours they’re bunched around breaks, like around Christmas and Thanksgiving so it’s when were both off from school.

Gary you are about to graduate High School, tell me about that. Are you glad to get it over with?

Gary: I would have to say no I'm not glad about high school ending. I've met a lot of cool people at Spring-Ford and there's no one I have a problem with, so it's going to suck never seeing most of them again. And plus it's just one step closer to becoming an adult which I know is going to be okay but you only get to go to high school once so I'm trying to embrace it.

So, I’m assuming it may be a bit hard to book shows at the moment. When's the next show?

Andy: Yeah, this is the time of the year when I’m at school and Gary’s at home we don’t really have the opportunity to do that so the next time we’d be able to do shows is the summer unfortunately.

When you do get back into the swing of things... where's your favorite venue to play?

Gary: I like Kung Fu Neck Tie.

Andy: Yeah, I definitely like Kung Fu Neck Tie too.

Gary: Another one I like is Space, it’s really cool and really unique I’ve never really seen a place like that.

Is there anything exciting coming up for The Plastic Traps in 2012?

Andy: The eMusic single would definitely be cool for exposure and we’re still looking for some online buzz so we can start growing our fan base. We’re looking to play some Philly shows in the summer.

Gary: Yeah nothing too set in stone just trying to gain an online presence for "Find a Home".

So, if you could give a quick pitch to people out there on “Find a Home” what would it be?

Gary: If I had to pitch Find A Home I would just suggest that someone listen to it and form their own opinion about it. If they like it, great. But if not, that's also no big deal because in the end, the album was made purely for me and Andy's enjoyment. We love music. Its hard to put into words the sound of the album.

http://www.facebook.com/theplastictraps
http://theplastictraps.bandcamp.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/theplastictraps
http://www.youtube.com/theplastictraps
http://www.twitter.com/theplastictraps

Thanks again to The Plastic Traps and I bet everyone out there hope to catch one of your shows this summer, I know I do!

Lauren Resnick
Monster Entertainment LLC
lauren@wearemonsterent.com
www.wearemonsterent.com

Kim Jong Ill - Elevator (featuring Voss)

2012-02-27T21:54:00.001-05:00

Black Ink MMG Welcomes Renn Woods

2012-02-24T15:00:00.007-05:00

As the newest addition to Black Ink MMG, Renn Woods is a legendary icon in stage, TV and film, an amazing vocalist and talented emerging playwright. It’s difficult to say what she is most known for, but some of her most memorable roles include: Fanta in the Emmy Award winning TV mini-series Roots (1977), her unforgettable interpretation of “Aquarius” in Milos Foreman’s movie musical Hair (1979), and Dorothy in the first national Broadway tour of The Wiz (1975), a performance that was hailed by the critics as a new musical theatre standard for the young performer. Not to mention by age ten, she and two girlfriends had taken the show business world by storm, as their group, Sunday’s Child, was adored by such celebrities as Bill Cosby, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Johnny Carson. Below, Renn takes some time out of her busy schedule to talk about her play, the new album, and what the future may have in store.

What’s your average day like?

Girl, where do you wanna start? When I’m behaving myself my day starts with yoga around 6 a.m. I find that it really calms me down and helps dump my stress because let’s face it; I can’t get to the gym! I just can’t block that time. So I have a little DVD that I break out with the computer, you know what I mean? I’m Ghondi in here, haha! So I try to start my day that way no matter what. Then I have a few minutes of prayer and silence, and then it’s off to the races. A lot of it has been working on the record which I’m really excited about.

Tell me about this album, what is the time table for it?

I’m hoping it’ll be out by June. I’m kind of working with some of the writers conceptually. You know how you see Frank Sinatra do duets with everybody that’s only the best in the field? That’s what I’m doing except with songwriters, haha. So I’m talking to the most famous songwriters I know like Diane Warren, Ally Wilson, just people I’ve known for years that will collaborate with me. Mostly they’re composers that are looking for poetry, so that’s kind of the concept of the record. It’s called “Starlight”, which is my favorite song on the record so far. I wanted to encourage people in this chaotic and angry world. The music will be romantic, encouraging and enlightening, and will make people want to be happy.

So would you say that’s kind of the driving force behind your project?

It is for me. But that’s been my driving force as an artist since I was born: to empower.

What was it like being a young actress?

I had no real interest in acting except that I was really cute, and I was a teen ager! I didn’t really study acting until my late teens. Most child actors start at 6, 7, 8 years old and I didn’t start until later because music has always been, as Phoebe says, “my life”. It’s just really what I love.

What started you singing then?

Here’s the story, now I’m too young to remember, but this is the story my mother would tell. When I was three or four we were moving from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. We got on the train, which was segregated at the time, in the Negro section and a white, angry, drunk bum walks on the train and starts cussing us out. My mother says I jumped out, 4 years old, and started singing! And the man was mesmerized, that old evil white son of a bitch was mesmerized! And then he just left the train.

Well that’s inspiration for you, haha.

Yeah! And I think my four year old mind perceived that to be a healing, transformative experience. So, I have always been singing as far back as I can remember.

Where would you like to see this new project go? What makes it special for you?

Well the songs will be unique and all originals that will inspire women, men and children. Being really young and surrounded by extremely famous and rich people taught me that they don’t need nothing you can afford to buy them, but everybody needs to be inspired; everybody needs encouragement. We can’t face our day without it.

Who are you inspired by?

Well, as I call her, Michelle O, haha. If it was someone dead or alive, I would say Shirley Chisholm and Aretha Franklin. Don’t you know women are amazing creatures; it’s amazing what we overcome and what we’re expected to do! The bar is high! I’m trying to think of a male because my friends call me “Macha”, haha. Oh, Jamie king! I think he’s a genius.

What’s next as far as acting?

Well I have an offer to do an independent film. The director, Foster Quarter, is someone I’ve known for years and I really like. And we’ll see, a lot of the elements have to fall together. But it’s in LA and so we’ll see if I can work out the details.

How was it working with Whoopi in Jumpin’ Jack Flash?

I’ll tell one of our funny moments. You know how white people think she was the only person with dreadlocks? Well I was dread for 15 years, and I had already booked Beauty and the Beast with dreadlocks so I was like, “I’m not straightening my hair, deal with it.” I remember I got called into the room with Joel Silver and the Jumpin’ Jack Flash director, Penny Marshall, and they basically said, “Well, Whoopi is the only one who has that hair”. Then Whoopi comes sneakin’ in there and insisted I kept my dreadlocks. And I said, “They think your hair is some kind of special and unique thing. They think you woke up and your hair was dreaded like that!” Haha. So I told ‘em I wouldn’t straighten it but I did braid it.

How about Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in The Jerk?

That was nothing but fun darling! It was nothing but a great time every day, it was a party! I mean Steve Martin just makes you laugh. And you know those two were in love at that time. They were together for a few years, which is a long time in Hollywood. Bernadette was just the sweetest, hardworking girl. We had a great time.

What made you choose Black Ink MMG for your album?

My friend Ken, who I met 10-12 years ago. I was in Santa Monica working with a little dance company to help get kids scholarships when I met him. I would just talk to him as a writer and we became friends. We’ve known each other all these years and he’s always known my work. He called me up one Saturday in October and says “Renn, don’t fight me on this, you gotta do it”. And that’s how it went. We’re gonna do some incredible things!

Where would you like to see your singing career in a year? Five years?

The rest of the year we goin’ number one! I don’t care how many TV shows I gotta get on, we’re gonna be the top of the chart. And five years… still number one!! My goals are high. My momma says, “You gotta be greater than, always, in every field”.

Stay tuned for more info on Renn’s next album release!

Black Ink MMG
Renn Woods Official Website

Alexis Canary
AlexisCanary@WeAreMonsterEnt.com

Live in the Present

2012-02-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Walk Off the Earth.... and to the Top of the Charts!

2012-02-23T18:20:00.003-05:00

So I'm sure a lot of you have heard Gotye's incredible break up song, "Somebody that I Used to Know". It's so emotional and the harmonies are great. Couldn't get any better, right? Wrong! Walk Off the Earth almost knocked out the original with their insane cover of the song where all five members play together flawlessly on a single guitar, all contributing different parts. It's really unbelievable. So unbelievable that it has over 60 million views compared to the over 80 million views that Gotye has. But remember Walk Off the Earth posted their video exactly 6 months after Gotye. They've won acclaim from celebrities on Twitter, appeared on Ellen, and even signed a contract with Columbia Records just a couple weeks ago. So you decide, do you think the cover will get more views than the original? Who's gonna win?! Let me know, indie-monsters!

The Cover

The Original

Lauren Resnick
Monster Entertainment LLC
lauren@wearemonsterent.com
www.wearemonsterent.com

Melissa Cox

2012-02-23T10:43:00.004-05:00

Hello Indie-Monster fans! I’m Lauren from Monster Entertainment and this is my first, but certainly not last post on the I-M blog! I’m super excited about sharing with you guys a great interview I recently did with Melissa Cox, the newest edition to the Monster line-up and a wonderful addition at that. Melissa talks about her latest album Harmonious Maladies, her experiences on the road, and her plans for the up-coming year!

Well first off, welcome to the Monster family! So how and why did you connect with Monster Entertainment?

I met Isaac through the local music scene. A few years ago he asked me to play a small women's singer night in Philly. He is also friends with several of my colleagues in local radio and music promo. I think Isaac and I are of the same mindset that music is business just like everything else is business, so that's why we work well together thus far.

What sparked you to pursue your music solo without Mythica?

Well to clarify, I am still with Mythica. Mythica has a very specific sound which we classify as "Celtic Fusion". Because Mythica has been branded so strongly as Celtic/Irish/Scottish/World, I felt that I needed to pursue my other musical interests without disturbing the Mythica brand. So I pursued my interests in rock, progressive, alternative and acoustic on my own and with the "Melissa Cox Band". But the bottom line is, what you hear at a Mythica concert is significantly different than what you'll hear at a Melissa Cox or Melissa Cox Band concert.

Your latest solo album, Harmonious Maladies, is your first concept album so can you give a little insight on the idea of the album and did you come up with the concept before the songs or vice versa?

The concept of the album is "juxtapositions and diametric ideas". The songs came first really, but the concept followed soon after. The album is a culmination of a very rough few years of my life. I experienced several sad deaths in my family. Some people close to me were dealing with alcohol and drug abuse. I left my life-long home of Delaware to move to Denver, CO for 18 months. I had been a full time musician and was flat broke and struggling. On the flip side of the coin of life, I was traveling a lot, seeing a lot of beautiful places, spending a joyous time with my husband (also the bass player in my bands), and making music.

That's a very inspirational story of how the album came to be and I could definitely get that vibe through the album cover art. I saw you just filmed a music video for your song “To Carrie Fisher, with Love”. How was that? From the pictures it seems to be some sort of creative chaos! When can we expect the video out?

"To Carrie Fisher, with love" video will be out hopefully next week. I don't want to reveal too much because it's going to be a surprise, but I have a very good feeling that this video will turn heads. It was a ton of fun to shoot, and I have to thank my husband Matt, my friends Kristina and Ryan Goverts, and my intern Ben Gutierrez for their help, and my uncle Gregg Rummel for the videography.

After reading your blog, I can tell you experienced a lot from touring the road with your touring partner Reign Lee. From camping in the canyon, to UFO sightings (props for the “I Want to Believe” poster from X-Files!), you seem to have fought the elements as well as the time crunch between shows. Did you find the touring process any more difficult as a solo artist?

Touring is difficult no matter what - doesn't make a difference if you're solo, with a tour partner, or with a band. I've only gone on a long road trip tour 100% alone once, when I drove from Delaware to South Carolina all by myself. I would say while that was very nice to clear my head, I missed companionship. Also I felt I really had to watch myself being a woman alone traveling. It's safer with a travel buddy. But luckily I play places like churches where everyone is very hospitable and kind. Unlike some bars which can be sketchy.

I could definitely imagine, that far by myself would definitely scare me quite a bit, but that's awesome that you managed to take that on.

I will say if you can ever just take a road trip totally by yourself, it is very rewarding for a day or two. Because if you think about it, you are never totally alone.

You went to Hawaii last year too, was that your first time playing there and if so how did you go about forming a tour route?

My first time in Hawaii was actually 2007, which was just a vacation and not music related. In 2011 I submitted Mythica for consideration for the Hawaiian Scottish Festival on Oahu (where Honolulu is) and amazingly we got in, which I wasn't expecting. But the booker loved us so we got booked at the festival. From there I built a tour around that "anchor gig." We played 2 churches (including the one that Obama attended and where his grandmother was laid to rest), a house concert, and some restaurants. Unfortunately, it's very expensive to "island hop" in Hawaii (plane tickets are $300 round trip a pop), so we just stayed on Oahu, but luckily Oahu is the busiest and most populated of the islands. We cannot wait to go back this March.

So you’ve set your sights on the East Coast this fall, any exciting plans for the new tour or new material that your fans can expect?

Yes, the tour will be from Delaware to Florida and back. We are working on contacting venues now and will have dates firmed up by May. I'm excited because I haven't toured in the southeast too much, so it will be nice to bring my music to new ears in that part of the country.

Awesome! I’ve never been but I definitely hope to go someday! What’s your favorite part about being a musician, the live performances or recording or something else?

I love performing and recording equally. Performing is medicinal, truly it is. I can have a migraine, or the flu, or feel awful and when I perform, I don't notice it at all. I am in another dimension. But recording is different. That is true art. I love the recording, engineering and producing process. My least favorite part of being a musician is actually writing music. It's terribly difficult sometimes and a lot of musicians will tell you that.

Creativity isn't something you can just force out so I can only imagine how hard that must be. So, any last minute advice for the emerging independent artists out there?

My advice to independent artists is do NOT play for free. When you are starting out, it's okay to play some open mics to work on your stage presence, and it's okay to play a few "pro bono" shows. It's also okay to play shows for free to charity. But don't keep playing the same bars all the time for free. Because it doesn't just hurt the artist who is playing for free. It also hurts other musicians in the local music community. Why would a bar agree to pay me if they can get Joe Schmoe Band for free? It hurts the entire musical community. Musicians need to start asking for money. Even if it's just $50 to pay for gas, it's still something. When I lived in Denver, everyone paid for music, because all the musicians demanded it, so the venues had no choice but to pay up. For some reason around here, musicians will play for free over and over and over again, and bars take advantage of them. Not just bars by the way, other venues too. So that's my advice: demand to be respected, demand some money for your time.

Melissa Cox gave a great interview and insight into the life on and off the road for an independent artist! Be sure to keep an eye out for her East Coast tour this September 1-9 on “The Harmonious Maladies Tour”. Check her out:

www.melissacoxmusic.net
www.myspace.com/melissacox

Thanks again to Melissa for her wonderful advice and until next time, indie-monsters!

Lauren Resnick
Monster Entertainment LLC
lauren@wearemonsterent.com
www.wearemonsterent.com

Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival

2012-02-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Check out this article, courtesy of Deli Mag Philly, recapping The Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival. The entire week was jam-packed full of great acts ranging from Gang and Catnaps to Ron Gallo and Early Ape. The Deli's article covers Saturday's show on 2/18 with The Extraordinaires. - LINK

Young Statues - Spacism (Music Video)

2012-02-20T18:58:00.001-05:00

The FIGHT! Against Cancer

2012-02-19T22:52:00.012-05:00

It's not everyday in the music industry that you get to speak with such an inspirational and united group of artists. Da Rezarekt is a one of kind band with a killer sound, and an intense, high energy live performance. Self defined in the genre of "FunkRokHop", this description says it all. Recently, one of their four members, Guitar Grrrl Marisa, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Below is an emotional, honest portrayal of the groups current battle against the disease.

How did your FunkRokHop sound begin?

Supreem: For me, it really began with P-Funk, James Brown, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Roots. Being a Hip Hop fanatic, I just put my love for rhyming and Hip Hop with the Funk/Rock that the rest of the band brought to the table. And as we evolved the sound evolved and gelled.

Puffy: I have always felt a deeper connection with skate punk type stuff, especially considering my entire teenage years were spent on a board. When I first heard Ice T’s “Freedom of Speech, Just Watch What You Say” album, it was ON. I have been somewhat of a b-boy from then on. But one (fateful?) night I went out to a show at the then Chestnut Room (now The Blockley) on the advice of my good friend Jim Thorpe (Thorpe Productions), to see this band called “Simple & Supreem”. They were a fantastic eye opener and sounded just like the Chill Peppers with Busta Rhymes as the front man. I knew immediately where my vision was leading and at that moment I thought, “If I can work with that frontman (Supreem), the energy will be perfect, and we can achieve a melding of everything I love in music”. Two months from that night the opportunity arose, and from then until now it has been an ever evolving process.

Marisa: When I joined the band, I dug the FunkRokHop sound. It was full of personality. Puffy, Preem and our then drummer Tina’s personalities came out loud and clear. Puff was the funk, Preem was the hop and Tina was the rok. So, it was a big melting pot of different influences. Music should be like that; a conglomeration of personalities, a joining of forces for one common bond.

Talk about the new single, “Fight”. Why did you record it? What was the recording process like?

Marisa: The single to me is a battle cry. It’s a war against cancer, debilitating diseases, or any battle in life that has to be reckoned with. We all go to battle each and every day and stand united against anything that is supposed to make us fall. On an eerie foretelling note, 2 years ago I wanted the front cover of our album to have a boxing ring telling of a battle. Never knew it would be my battle.

Puffy: It was originally a song we just loved to jam around on. Dar had a drum beat, Preem had some lyrics and Marisa and I would just jam along. It was kind of a get warmed up at practice type of thing. One night after Marisa got sick it just seemed to take on a new meaning to all of us, and she felt we just had to record it before she went in for an operation. She wanted (needed?) to have the song with her to help her mindset throughout treatment, and was afraid she wouldn’t get the chance again.

As far as the process, a friend of the band, Ron DiSilvestro, heard about this and wanted to offer his help. Ronnie has been working at Forge Recording the last few years, and offered to donate his time in the studio to make this work for Da Rez and Marisa. With his expertise we were able to go in and complete the entire recording process in one night. It was like it all just “clicked”, ya know?

Have you received a lot of positive feedback from the new release and the new FIGHT t-shirts?

Supreem: Seems like everyone loves the song as much as we do. Plus everyone loves Marisa so they are really in her corner and behind the meaning and purpose of this song. People are really donating as much as they can and buying the t-shirts and hoodies.

Puffy: Yeah, there has been an amazing response, although it still may not have been enough to help her all the way through the treatment. Currently all of the donations go directly to Marisa for support, but the long term goal is to donate the balance of any proceeds to a great charity like the Music Cares foundation. I feel I need to mention that Music Cares has been absolutely amazing and jumped in immediately to assist Marisa with her medical expenses. A great charity that definitely deserves more credit and attention than they do.

Marisa: The fans and musicians in the community and all over the country are amazing. I can’t thank them enough. The proceeds go towards my survival and for others in the same boat. On a different note, our fans were asking how come this wasn’t on the recent album; “Bang Da Bricks”….The cancer diagnosis was well after the makings of that album.

Tell me Marisa’s story.

Supreem: Well the band was in need of a good guitar player and a great one came in to audition. Da Rez had been operating about a year before she came but everyone said we need two guitarists, one for rhythm and one for lead. Marisa came and did the job of both. We haven't skipped a beat in that department since she came and five years later, it feels like she been with us from the beginning.

Marisa: I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 5 years old. I played in a cover band throughout high school to make money and ventured to the Philly area to pursue my dreams. In the 90’s I played with a metal act, Fake ID, which became Wicked Stepmother.. I went back to school in 1995 to get my college degree and didn’t come back to the music scene til 2005. During that time I joined Shiragirl (all girl electro pop punk) and traveled all over the country in a pink RV in the Warped Tour. I joined the Kaitlin Sweeny band, then Leiana and then Da Rezarekt in 2007. At that time I had two other auditions, but jamming with those guys was like being re-acquainted with an old friend. Everything fit. The chemistry was right and it was a lot of fun. Afterwards, my friend Leslie told me, “You better join that band, I’ve never heard anything like them”. I totally agreed with her & history was made, haha.

Describe the emotions you all experienced when you first heard the news of Marisa’s cancer.

Marisa: Well I felt like I knew I had cancer before the diagnosis. I had been losing weight, and I was severely anemic to the point of landing in the emergency room for a blood transfusion. I had been falling asleep at work, behind the wheel, or even sitting down. My body was worn out, I felt like I was dying. So when I received the diagnosis, it was devastating. I didn’t know if I had any time left, how bad it was etc…I didn’t know how to tell the band. I felt like everything went on a downward spiral. I was very scared and angry everything had to be put on hold.

Puffy: For me it was a tough combination… she had been feeling non-descriptively “sick” for some time building up to her diagnosis. We had all been very concerned, but did not know how to help since we didn’t know what was actually going on. The news of the diagnosis was the worst but most necessary piece of information required to begin the treatment and start the path to healing. It was very much like taking a spoonful of the foulest tasting medicine knowing that it’s required to help you heal.

Supreem: I was devastated and sad. I felt like with the release of the new album and a possible deal on the table, that this was a very cruel joke and a vicious slap to a band that works so hard and fights for every victory, big and small. I also felt sad for her because she’s a great person and guitar player and she was rolling in a band that she loved. I just knew this would take some of that wind out of her sail. Frustrated!

How has it individually (personally) impacted your lives? How has it impacted the band?

Puffy: Individually, it obviously has made things very difficult. I am currently also helping my father with his battle with carcinoma (lung cancer). He was diagnosed just a few weeks before Marisa and at times they have their chemo treatments on the same days. Days like next Friday I will be going to an appointment with Marisa in the morning, and then taking my father to his chemo in the afternoon. It is very emotionally, physically, and financially taxing on all of us.

As far as the impact on the band, it has entirely delayed and/or stalled everything we had been building up to at this point. We had just released an album at almost the exact same time Marisa got really sick. We are not able to tour to support the album, and can only occasionally do what we love most and that is playing a live show. However, we’re working when we can in between treatments to develop some of the new material that we have wanted to do but didn’t have the time.

Supreem: It’s put a lot of free time on my hands. So instead of going totally crazy like most of us do when the band stalls, I decided to put out a totally funked out EP with David Ivory and Chuck Treece, do some shows with my DJ and best friend DJ Xzotic D, and explore a sound that's been in my head for a minute but wasn't something that would fit Da Rezarekt's vibe. As far as the band, it has put the brakes on a band that loves to keep moving and stay super busy.

Marisa: Personally, cancer brings out all kinds of emotions in me; fear, angst, anxiety, sadness. But there is a fire and anger to continue and to plow ahead. Because if I let everything get to me; if I don’t FIGHT!—cancer wins. It has changed my life completely. I’ll never be the same. I take absolutely nothing for granted.

I can’t speak for everyone’s emotions, but from what I feel, the band and our manager, Jim Thorpe, have been very supportive in showing their love for me. They are my brothers, my extended family. I love them. They told me to fix myself—get everything right. Get better before anything else.

What are the plans for the band in 2012?

Puffy: GET MARISA HEALTHY! Beyond that if all goes well we hope to be able to hit the road and get the “Bang Da Bricks” album out to the people. There is a good chance we will be working on a new EP for 2013 as well, but this band is driven off of the live show and the adventure of the road.

In the meantime, I have built a home studio and have been working with a few great producers and engineers at other studios to hone my skills behind the boards. I am also doing some gigging and writing with friends, and Marisa and I have been working on some song ideas. Dar has been working diligently rehabbing a house to live in.

Supreem: Right now we are doing whatever shows Marisa is up to doing and we are playing the Wimbash at the Blockley April 21. We’re re-releasing “Bang Da Bricks” and pushing the Fight song to promote the re-release. We just want to get back on track and pray this experience makes us stronger, healthier and wiser.

Marisa: That’s a tough one to predict. I don’t know the length of my healing time. After chemo comes another surgery, and then radiation. While I can still play I hope to continue writing & recording more songs. Our video of the FIGHT! song is currently in the works by our good friend Anthony Caroto. It will be released soon.

Talk about Thorpe Productions and what you’ve been able to accomplish through the partnership with them.

Supreem: Well Jim always gave us good plans to follow to achieve different goals and once we follow that map we usually have good success.

Puffy: He’s the best game planner/coordinator in the biz. He keeps the train on the tracks, and provides direction and motivation when it lacks within the band itself. Jim has also been instrumental in getting us in the door at conferences like Dewey Beach and SXSW.

Marisa: They’ve guided us in our career for the past few years. Jim is good people and has helped us keep the ball rollin’.

What’s your favorite aspect of performing in front of a crowd?

Marisa: Plain and simple, I feed off the audience. Watching them get in to it & make a connection is like a high within itself.

Puffy: For me it’s all about the interaction. You can really feed off the energy in the room and at times that can transport you to a different place.

Supreem: The love and the energy from the band to the crowd and vise versa. Plus performing the songs that we worked so hard on and getting received so well from our fans and friends is the BOMB!

Where do you get the energy for your live show?

Puffy: In Da Rez we all play exactly the music we’d want to be listening to and that makes it real easy for us to get into. I believe that honestly can and does translate to an audience. When you add the band feeling what they’re doing, to a crowd feeling what you’re doing, then the crowd giving that energy back, there is just no way I can describe that intensity in words. Almost all of Da Rezarekt’s live shows have had that magic since Marisa and Dar have been in the band.

Supreem: For me, God, because this is what I was created to do. But on stage, the band energizes me to come out and wreck, and the crowd makes me wanna keep going harder.

Marisa: From the audience and from the love of just playing.

What other challenges do you face as a band?

Puffy: Ha ha ha, the same most other bands go through. How do you support yourself and your group in this ever changing and down-trending business? How can you keep multiple, entirely different personalities working harmoniously at all times?

Marisa: And the challenge of getting back to schedule is huge in itself. It’s going to take a lot of hard work.

Supreem: Being diplomatic and making four different people operate like one well oiled machine. And of course the game of the music business and all the turns that it makes. It's tough sometimes trying to keep up with the new trends and keep up with the Jonses and still stay true to ourselves and our music. Also,dealing with bad business people, getting overlooked for things we deserved and earned, and bouncing back from broken promises.

Where do you see yourselves heading in the next few years?

Supreem: Hopefully touring and making a new album. Telling people our incredible testimony of how we survived cancer and came back badder than before.

Marisa: Making music for a living, traveling the country & living the dream….

Puffy: Great question, and as long as we can get Marisa back healthy enough, the shows going to hit the road. HARD.

Check out these links to make a positive impact on Marisa's battle, and others struggling with the disease around the world.

Download the "FIGHT!" song
Official Website
Facebook
MySpace
ReverbNation

Learn about the MusiCares Foundation here.

Buy tickets for Wimbash at the Blockley (April 21- $20 in advance, $25 at the door) here.

Alexis Canary
Alexis@WeAreMonsterEnt.com

Happy St Paddy's Day!

2012-02-15T23:05:00.000-05:00

Milkboy Philly show photos (2.9.12)

2012-02-13T19:38:00.017-05:00

If you were one of the unlucky ones that didn't make it out to Milkboy Philly this weekend, here's a nice visual recap:

Ben Cady

The Day Life

Black Taxi

Crills Wilson

A big thanks to all the bands for a great show!

Alexis Canary
For any photo inquiries, contact: AlexisCanary@wearemonsterent.com

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

2012-02-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

Today we lost a legend, an icon, a hero and an inspiration. Whitney Houston dead at age 48.

I remember the first time I heard her voice. She set the bar to what I knew a female singer could be. One of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth. Six time Grammy winner leaving us on the eve of the 54th Grammy Awards. She was a TRUE talent. No auto tune needed, no backing needed, no fancy production... just her beautiful voice. She didn't make music, she MADE music. Whitney, you will be missed. You have been missed. We will always love you!

There will be special tributes tomorrow on the Grammys. CNN is reporting a tribute to take place from Jennifer Hudson. Tune in tomorrow 8/7c on CBS for The 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

www.grammy.com
www.latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/-whitney-houstons-death-hotel-guests-stunned-at-news.html
www.music.yahoo.com/news/whitney-houston-superstar-records-films-dies-005927033.html
www.cnn.com/2012/02/11/showbiz/whitney-houston-dead/index.html
www.rollingstone.com/music/news/whitney-houston-has-died-20120211

Josh Cribbs at ESPN party

2012-02-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Only 3 more years and I will be wearing my Browns jersey on this day... right! Right? Look at Cribbs lookin' PEMP

Note: Browns WR Josh Cribbs is in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI and will be sharing his experiences throughout the week on NFL.com.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/02/04/josh-cribbs-mingles-with-shaq-soaks-in-drake-at-espn-party/

Monster Entertainment Presents:

2012-01-25T15:46:00.001-05:00

Our first show of the year!

"No One Can Hide From the Rock N' Roll"

2012-01-14T19:57:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the new year Indie-Monster fans! We’ve got a lil interview with Crills of Crills Wilson, to kick it off right. Besides putting out a few Christmas songs (Crillsmas Classics Collection Volume 1) and rockin’ some holiday parties, these guys have been busy crankin’ out their next album to follow up their first LP, Solid Gold.

How was your holiday season?

I had a kickass holiday season, beginnin' with squeezing out some Christmas tunes, just in the nick o' time, and endin' with a big ol' recording session at Cambridge Sound Studios in Newtown on January 6th. I'd say we finished 51% of a new album in a day and a half (it’s the other 49% that takes forever).

In the in-between there, we got to play 2 rockin' holiday parties; one for Brolik Productions (very good friends of ours) and one for Rock To The Future (a non-profit that provides rock band lessons to Philly kids).

How do you make music? What’s the recording process like?

Back in the sessions for Solid Gold, I didn't even have a band so I could do whatever the hell I wanted. I'd bring in whoever I needed to play the part. We did it all piece by piece and it took a shitload longer than it should've.

Now I got these salty dogs to play with me and they're fuckin' fantastic. We just went and set up the whole band in a studio (me in a little box so I could sing o'er the racket) and let fly. 30 or so hours later we'd recorded about a dozen songs which we will "embellish" over the next few months, while I try and figure out how the fuck to pay for all of this.

The band is generally smellin' what I'm fartin', so its usually a breeze, but when suggestions are made they're always considered and usually implemented.

Gotta love the western animal art theme you have on your website and Facebook- is there a story behind that?

No story like a love story, my friend:

Got a girl, she's got my heart.
When I need, she does my art.

We came up with the animals slowly together. Kind of a badass Stuart Little, if you ask me. There'll be more to come, I reckon.

What’s your favorite Philly venue?

I dunno, tough question. Usually I'd say Kung Fu Necktie, with their dim red mood and cave of a stage, but they're having some liquor related issues, I've heard. I miss the Khyber, to be honest. I like any place where it is all one room and no one can hide from the rock'n'roll.

Looking forward to the Milkboy show?

Oh yeah! Maybe we'll pick a new one off the upcoming album to debut that night.

Besides recording 20 Christmas songs, what else would you love to accomplish in the next decade?

I'd love to see how many states we can get chased out of by mobs with torches and pitchforks. I'd love to record hundreds of song I haven't written yet. I'd love to play louder. I'd love to open for Jack White (providing he hasn't begun to suck yet). I'd love to play on a river boat in Mississippi. I'd love to play faster. I'd love to influence real social change in this country, getting the people to speak up, over the soulless corporations. And I'd love to sell all these fuckin' records I got stockpiled in my closet and under my bed.

Make sure you don't miss these salty dogs live at Milkboy Philly, with Carousel, Black Taxi and The Day Life! Thursday, February 9, 2012- Buy Tickets Here

Wanna get your rock on? Check out more Crills Wilson here:

Website
Tumblr
Facebook
Bandcamp

Alexis Canary
Alexis@wearemonsterent.com

BIMMG Offering Worldwide Distribution With Promotion

2012-01-02T20:01:00.001-05:00

DJ Earworm Mashup - United State of Pop 2011 (World Go Boom)

2011-12-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

Tripple Fat Goose

2011-12-17T10:39:00.002-05:00

According to this goose, Christmas is right around the corner.

Indie-Monster.com hopes you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday season with your friends and family. No matter which holiday you celebrate or how you celebrate it, do it well, and above all else have fun. After all, Young Statues says Christmas makes everything fun!

We Trusted Everything Enough by Young Statues

Great song from a great up and coming band who performed great for our holiday party @Milkboy Philly last weekend. A big THANK YOU to all who played actually. It was a stellar event, at an awesome venue, to close out 2011.

Now onto 2012! You can expect a full transformation from Indie-Monster.com in 2012. Everything from the look of the page to the content will be revamped. Specifically, a change from its roots in personal music ramblings to that of more music coverage, performance pictures and release reviews. In the words of Tupac, "We goin all out (aiiiite)!" Big ups to all who found us and supported us this year!

I-M

Our Biggest Party of the Year!

2011-11-28T23:41:00.001-05:00

Factory of Sadness

2011-11-27T19:21:00.001-05:00

Almost doesn't count in the NFL, only wins and losses. Today the Browns showed improvement, but still posted another number in the loss column. While hope will always be present in Cleveland, and there will always be a good amount of fans waiting for next year. Two things still hold very true.

1. Cincinnati Fans Stink

2. Cleveland Browns Stadium is still the...

I-M

Thanksgiving Eve at Dobbs!

2011-11-23T07:38:00.001-05:00

Val Emmich

2011-11-16T23:26:00.001-05:00

Case Closed opens for Val Emmich at The North Star Bar tomorrow night. Check out this video of his appearance on 30 Rock. Dude can act and sing. Tickets are $10. Show info HERE.

Indie History (Mac Miller)

2011-11-10T22:41:00.001-05:00

So, when Indie history is on the verge of being made you can expect it to be covered here right? Well, you are correct and let me start off by saying that this month has been incredible in terms of new music. Debut albums galore, including a self titled album by brand new Indie outfit Young Statues. Listen to it in all of its Indie glory HERE.

As for history being made, today marks an inspirational day for independent labels worldwide. A huge congratulations goes out to Rostrum Records, Benjy Grinberg, Wiz Khalifa and most importantly Mac Miller who is about to accomplish something only done by Tha Dogg Pound some 16 years ago. Mac Miller's debut independent LP, entitled Blue Slide Park, is set to debut at number one on the Billboard charts next week. Industry sources suggest the album will sell upwards of 180,000 copies by week's end on Sunday, Nov. 13. The Rostrum Records release is distributed by INgrooves via Fontana Distribution -- Universal Music Group Distribution's indie arm. If "Blue Slide" does top the chart, it will mark the first independently-distributed debut album to hit No. 1 since 1995 (Dogg Pound).

So, let's take a step back for a moment and think about this. First we have Arcade Fire taking home album of the year...

now we have Mac Miller smashing 16 year old records. Go Go 2011! Here's to 2012 bringing independent artists and labels the same success!

Again, it's great to see Rostrum have continued success. Benjy is as smart as he is passionate. I completely respect his drive and I admire his accomplishments. If you are looking to learn a little bit more about Rostrum and also gain some insight on the industry, Hit Quarters did a pretty informative interview with Benjy last month. You can check it out HERE. Enjoy!

I-M

One Month Away

2011-11-10T22:09:00.001-05:00

Toy Soldiers

Young Statues

The Quelle Source

Revolution, I Love You

Michael McCarry

Case Closed

Milkboy Philly

12/10/2011

A Browns Life

2011-11-07T23:34:00.000-05:00

Run For Cover here comes Young Statues

2011-11-02T20:54:00.013-04:00

Well, hopefully everyone’s Halloween lived up to expectations this year! Check out a couple highlights from the Halloween Monster Bash last weekend if you couldn't make it.

Case Closed

Parachuting Apostles

Revolution, I Love You

Dynasty Electric

This week I had the chance to catch up with Carmen Cirignano of Young Statues, a new indie-rock outfit from New Jersey/Philly making some serious waves nationally and abroad. The band’s intricate guitar riffs and introspective vocals are pleasantly reminiscent of acts like The Early November and Saves The Day. They’ve recently signed to Run For Cover Records, an influential, up and coming label that just celebrated its 50^th album release in July (expect Young Statues self-titled debut album out November 8). Young Statues will be touring the United Kingdom in November, hitting venues including Cambridge University, Wheelbarrow in London, Talking Heads in Southampton and the Concorde 2 in Brighton. The tour will end back in the States at Milkboy for the Monster Holiday Show on December 10. Check out our interview below!

What’s your favorite Philly venue?

I have memorable moments from almost all of the Philly venues, so I like them all. I think in terms of shows I've seen my favorites at The Electric Factory, but the coolest aesthetically has to be the Trocadero. I have not been to the new Milkboy yet, but a bunch of my friends have, I've heard only good things.

What’s it been like working with Run For Cover Records?

Run For Cover is great. I've become good friends with the people working at the label and we have a great working relationship. It's still very early on, but I couldn't be happier. They have an awesome new dog/mascot too.

What was the recording process like (for the new record) compared with the other bands you’ve been involved with?

Totally different. With this record, I didn't have to go through the process of trying to convey my ideas to everyone else. Steve, our guitarist, engineered the record. When we needed an opinion we sought it out, otherwise we just trusted ourselves and went with it. It was very smooth and easy going.

Where do you draw inspiration?

I draw the inspiration to create music from all different areas. It's something that has always been in my family, and I just enjoy playing guitar and singing probably more than anything else. When I first started writing songs, it felt so rewarding to have an outlet that I felt excited and confident about. It still feels that way, and I'll keep writing music for as long as I feel that. Lyrically, I tend to write and draw inspiration from a lot of my own personal experiences.

Have you toured in the UK before?

No, we've never toured in the UK. We will be playing out there November 15-25, including opening some dates for Saves the Day. I have never even been to the UK, and couldn't be more excited about it. This early on into the band, to be able to do something like this is really awesome, we all consider ourselves lucky.

What can we expect from this new album?

Well it's definitely an indie-rock record, but with a ton of pop influence. We tend to have some pretty intricate vocal parts and harmonies, so you find that throughout the record. It's definitely the most honest and forthcoming material I've written lyrically. I think it's something that hopefully a wide range of people can enjoy.

Purchase tickets to see Young Statues at our Holiday Show here. Also on the bill are Toy Soldiers, The Quelle Source, Revolution, I Love You, Michael McCarry and Case Closed so don’t miss out!

LINKS

Young Statues

Twitter
Facebook Bandcamp Tumblr

Run For Cover

Facebook
Website

Alexis CanaryAlexiscanary@wearemonsterent.com

Dynasty Electric

2011-10-21T02:08:00.006-04:00

Dynasty Electric, one of the headliners at the upcoming Monster Halloween Bash, has been instrumental in moving the Brooklyn, underground rock scene since 2003. They were the band behind the legendary Brooklyn Newsonic Studio loft that hosted a ton of then and now famous bands. Dynasty Electric also caught the attention of hip-hop mogul Damon Dash (Rockafella Records) who paired the group with producer Ski Beatz (Jay-Z, Camp Lo, Curren$y), who infused his signature beats into their electro-pop tracks. They have played a slew of festivals (SXSW, The Burning Man, Summerfest) and most recently released a project on Damon Dash’s BluRoc Label.

If I learned anything from the following interview, it’s that Dynasty Electric is extremely diverse, knows how to throw a great party, and has endless passion for what they do:

So how did you two meet?
Seth: Jenna was actually a bartender at a bar in NY called the Library, and I was stopping in to meet a friend of mine and my friend was late so I just started up a conversation with Jenny. I was a saxophone player and musician just starting up a band, and Jenny said she played the bass so we exchanged information and hit it off right away. We started playing in Dynasty together just from a chance encounter at a bar in NY.

What’s your favorite city to play in?
Jenny: Ahh, it’s hard to pick a favorite. We were throwing parties in Brooklyn for a very long time and those where incredible. It was called the Newsonic Loft.

Seth: Brooklyn is our home base. That’s where we’ve had a lot of really great warehouse parties and did some really great shows. But we’ve been playing all over the place…

Jenny: Yeah… Philly!

Haha I was waiting for that. So the Loft closed this year right?
Seth: Yep it ended a 10 year lease.. But we’re continuing throwing parties in Brooklyn. We have a new spot in Williamsburg called Sherland where we’re doing a party next Thursday before we come to Philly. So we’re doin’ a little northeast tour with New York on Thursday and Philly on Saturday.

Do you have a favorite Philly venue?
Seth: We used to play at the M Room, which I always had a really fun time at. I really like that spot. We’ve also played Johnny Brenda’s which we also really like.

Jenny: And the Legendary Dobbs, I heard it’s Legendary!

Me too! I saw you guys played at Burning Man recently- I heard it’s super intense. How was it
Jenny: It’s basically unlike any other music festival in the way that its run. There is a schedule of events, but everything there is very loose. It’s sort of like you put an event on and perform and depending on where the energy is on the Playa (what the city is called) is how many people will show up. So it’s a really interesting place. It’s really run in the sense that everyone is a performer- everyone’s dressed up, or riding around in an art car or making art or playing music at all times. The first time we went there it was at night when they were turning on all the fire optics and all the lighted aspects and it’s like seeing the most amazing fiber optic butterflies in your face, like huge, with all these crazy people dancing around it. Then multiply that by 10,000 and there’s 10,000 things like that going on at once in your periphery. It’s totally worth going! We’re going again this year with a group called Acazallo. They make metal carousel horses, and in the past have made the carousal at Burning Man for the sound stage and also a moving pirate ship. We’re gonna be part of what they’re doing in 2012 at Burning Man. But I would like to play Bonnaroo and Coachella and Lollapalooza and a million other ones going on too.

Would you say Burning Man’s been your favorite?
Seth: Actually Summerfest in Milwaukee is my favorite which we’re playing this year. There are great stages and big crowds whereas Burning Man is more like a survivalist festival, which is also fun but it’s a little crazy haha.

Jenny: Summerfest was great. We opened for Girl Talk in July and it was really fun show. It’s amazing just one person with a laptop and everyone going crazy!

What was the recording process like for Golden Arrows with Damon Dash?
Seth: Damon rented out a house near Woodstock NY, it’s a beautiful house underneath a mountain, and he just sent a bunch of artists up there- Dynasty, McKenzie, Curren$y and all of his hip-hop artists. It was a single house in the country with hip hop and rock intermingling, and fashion models and all kinds of crazy parties and recording sessions. So we got sent there for a week, then we did another week and we wrote all the songs and did some production for the record. Then took it back to New York City and finished the record in Brooklyn.

Jenny: Yeah (Damon Dash) was great. He was just a beautiful, amazing guy full of creativity and joyful all the time. We were mostly just doing electro dance songs at that time, then there’s this hip hop producer and we end up writing this whole array of music. Some of the songs sound like adult contemporary pop songs. It’s not what we expected but it was such a cool process collaborating with him and I think we both learned a lot from it.

Yeah that sounds like a very interesting environment. So you guys are with No Shame now, how’s that been going?
Seth: It’s been great; it’s an independent label all about pulling resources together and working together with other indie bands to build a platform for everyone. It’s a great label with great people; we’re working on our new record now with them. We’re super excited about finishing it up and getting it out next year and going on tour again.

Where do you see yourselves in a few years?
Seth: Well we just love playing music and touring.

Jenny: We’re starting to make more contacts that could help us make what we’re doing more global. So we’re definitely interested in getting into more countries. Now we’re starting to work with a British producer so it might make sense to be over in England for a little bit. Definitely becoming more international on the music level, on a personal level I just like creating and travelling.

If there was one band you could open for who would it be?
Seth: So many…

Jenny: I mean there’s a lot…

Seth: Well the Beatles!

Jenny: I’d open for Bjork.

Seth: And the rolling stones!

Jenny: Haha they have to be living! I think it’d be great to open for the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s at one point. Seth has a jazz duo with the drummer (Brian Chase) and they toured Australia last year. I always thought it’d be cool for us to open for them. Or we actually know a friend who’s a back up singer for the Scissor Sisters so that would be cool! There’s just so much great music coming out right now honestly.

Seth: You gotta understand we do a lot of different styles on the different tours we’ve been on. Last year we supported the Meat Puppets, then we got back on the road and were opening for Curren$y.

Jenny: Haha it’s totally ridiculous.

Seth: Yeah so just the nature of our act lets us open for a lot of different artists because we have a lot of hip-hop, and dance and folk sometimes so we can just get the party started.

Well I’m pretty excited for the Halloween Bash coming up this Saturday (10/22).
Seth: Yeah we’re pretty excited to come down to Philadelphia and meet all the bands and check it all out.. And we’ll have our costumes haha.

Jenny: Yeah we do have an idea but we can’t tell you!

Come see Dynasty Electric headline the Monster Halloween Bash, this Saturday at the Legendary Dobbs! Tickets here.

Alexis Canary
AlexisCanary@WeAreMonsterEnt.com

TQS & the Halloween Monster Bash

2011-10-15T00:05:00.006-04:00

Fall has got to be my favorite season this year: we have the Halloween Monster Bash coming up on the 22^ndwith a whole bunch of awesome bands (check out the FaceBook event here), and everyone just seems to be puttin’ out new albums! I recently caught up with The Quelle Source and got the low down on their Halloween show and their new LP, Enjoy The Ridge.

What can we expect at this Halloween show?

Every year our Halloween show gets better, so this year we can guarantee the best and most wicked Halloween tribute show ever. We're working our assess off to do a good job pretending to be Radiohead, and our friends The Bailey Hounds, Goodnight Lights, and Long Walk Home are going to kill it with tributes to T. Rex, The White Stripes, and Neil Young respectively. Beyond that, we don't want to give too much away. We can't wait.

What can you say about the French Rapture vs. Enjoy the Ridge?

Both releases were partially recorded in our own studio and partially mixed and mastered at Milkboy Recording Studio in Ardmore. I think compared with "Enjoy the Ridge, the songs on "The French Rapture EP" benefit from in general having less going on."Enjoy the Ridge" was our chance to make a huge album. On "The French Rapture," I think we managed to keep the number of things going on at once at any point during the songs to a minimum. That's something we’re hoping to keep up with moving forward.

"The French Rapture" is also our first official single - the first song we've ever thought is good enough to stand on its own. We think it is our strongest to date musically, lyrically, and technically. Not that it needs the support, but it comes with two b-side tracks for some extra added value, and those two extra songs are not to be overlooked. Also, it's a digital-only release via thequellesource.bandcamp.com.

What else is comin’ up?

After our 10/28 show at The M Room (click here for tickets), we're taking November to make some sense out of all this new material we have floating around that we've been working on for the past year or so. After that we've got the Monster Holiday show December 10 at the new MilkBoy in Center City (click here for tickets) and a Christmas show at The Blockley on December 23 (click here for tickets). Our real goal right now is a new LP.

The radio stations/magazines listed below stay up with TQS, so check ‘em out for some more news!

Y-Not Radio
Gashouse Radio

The Deli Magazine
Origivation Magazine
Phrequency.com

The A.V Club Philadelphia

LoudVine

Alexis Canary

alexiscanary@wearemonsterent.com

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

2011-10-05T20:06:00.002-04:00

RIP Steve Jobs 1955-2011

APPLE

WSJ

Chat with R,ILY

2011-09-29T17:11:00.003-04:00

So last week I had the opportunity to catch up with R,ILY front man Rob Lindgren and chat about their recent album release, We Chose To Go To The Moon.

If you haven’t listened to this album you’re missing out on a pretty unique experience. In just the first few tracks it’s obvious how much Rob Lindgren and Jason Reynolds have grown together as a band on this album. Lindgren commented, “Jason and I really considered this album our chance to expand on and more fully realize the whole indie rock/dance beats concept of our first EP, Noise. Pop. Deathray. We widened our range to include more ideas from across the pop spectrum” From the Interpol inspired guitar harmonies in “Anxious Smiles” to the manipulated vocal samples and drum polyrhythms influenced by Aphex Twin in “I Won’t Be Still” and “There Is A Light”, R,ILY has created some serious new sounds to be reckoned with.

Last week R,ILY made a radio appearance on Delaware Valley’s Hometown Heroes 93.7 WSTW, and is continuing to get airplay in other areas. Lindgren commented, “We are getting airplay all over the country right now, and sometimes in the strangest places...Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin. It's just weird to think, for the first time, that my voice is coming out of someone's radio in places that I've never been, and I might not be anytime soon. Or ever. I don't have any plans to visit Wisconsin at the moment, Haha”. If you’re bummed about missing the Hometown Heroes appearance, the guys will be on a New Music Inferno podcast next week. We’ll supply the link, don’t worry.

R,ILY will also be at the Wilmington World Café Live in Delaware on October 7 if you want to get the full live music experience (I recommend it!). Buy tickets HERE.

Check out these stations playing Revolution, I Love You and find one in your area!

New Jersey:Piscataway- RLC/WVPH
New Brunswick- WRSU
Ewing- WTSR
Lincroft- WBJB

California:
Davis- KDVS
Berkeley- KALX

Colorado:
Fort Collins- KCSU

Connecticut:
West Haven- WNHU
Danbury- WXCI

Illinois:
Rock Island- WAUG

Florida:
Tampa- WMNF
Winter Park- WPRK

Maine:
Portland- WMPG

Massachusetts:
Williamstown- WCFM
Medford- WMFO
Springfield- WTCC

Michigan:
Mt. Pleasant: WCMU

Minnesota:
Duluth- KUMD

Nebraska:
Lincoln- KRNU

Ohio:
Berea- WBWC

Oklahoma:
Claremore- KRSC

Ontario:
London- CHRW

Quebec:
Montreal-CJLO

Texas:
San Marcos- KTSW

Wisconsin:
Milwaukee- WMSE

WSTW 93.7

WTSR 91.3

KZW 91.9

Alexis Canary
Alexis@WeAreMonsterEnt.com

The Quelle Source - The French Rapture

2011-09-25T12:11:00.000-04:00

Available 9/27/2011

BandCamp

Check out this wonderful post over at A.V. ClubPhiladelphia http://www.avclub.com/philadelphia/events/quelle-source-shorty-boy-boy-and-wendy,263701/

The Quelle Source could be considered my first love as Ientered into the tireless world of Indie band management. Something literallyhappened to me the first time that I listened to "Dependable Ones."Kevin Ryan's deliberately cryptic opening lived in my head for a full yearuntil it was cast out by a spell, that forced me to enjoy the ridge.

"I can see you, and what you're doing... and I knowthat it's a lie." - Dependable Ones

While "Dependable Ones" initiated the band crushthat would grow into a flourishing business relationship,"Truth" was the binding force that fastened me to, as the author ofthe short article above states, the dependable source of buoyant indierock known as The Quelle Source. The song's haunting guitar solo opening backedby what seems to be random party chatter draws you in then smacks you in theface 3 minutes later when a bucket of awesomeness is spilled over after Ryanbelts out the word 'anymore.'

Fast forward a few years and we have The French Rapture EP.The full-on, sweeping, epic, and ultimately futile attempts to stoploving someone.

The title track “The French Rapture” rides a climbing,catchy-as-all-hell bass line, timely group vocals and sprightly synth work soengagingly that it’s easy to miss the song’s true content – which, of course,concerns a guy not-so-convincingly justifying his decision to cheat on hisgirlfriend. “I could have sworn that I was a good man / but you have no ideahow it feels to be surrounded.” Whoops – nice try, but those aren’t the wordsof someone who’s sorry.

The b-sides are no less drastic. Drummer Brendan Lafferty’s blisteringlydistorted high-hat hits try their damnedest to outmatch singer Kevin Ryan’slayered harmonies on “Never Be Hungry Again” before Dan Wisniewski’s leadvocals enter and growl in caterwaul. The track – a patient, pulsing trip groundedin Dan Comly’s solid keyboard work – is a successful break from the structuraland musical norms of a band that sometimes finds it hard to revisit the samemusical idea twice in the same song.

In my own words, The French Rapture is catchy-as-all-hell,and the b-side "Never Be Hungry Again" is a motto that I've beenfollowing since my move from northeast Ohio. Be prepared for a ride again withthis EP. If buoyant Indie rock is what you desire, The Quelle Source are trulythe dependable ones.

R,ILY Philly CD Release Show TONIGHT

2011-09-24T18:37:00.000-04:00

TONIGHT @ World Cafe Live Philadelphia

Revolution, I Love You CD Release Show

"We Choose To Go To The Moon"

21+, $8 cover. Also featuring Early Ape, Panic Years, and Penrose! Come out and celebrate with us! This show is part of Philadelphia Film and Music Festival 2011.

Show Information

Soundchild Crew Video Premiere

2011-09-24T18:18:00.000-04:00

Check out the new video "Body Shots" from their EP Live 4 Once.

www.BlackInkMMG.com

Basement Blogging (Rant)

2011-08-27T23:29:00.013-04:00

I figured that it would be interesting to blog from the basement while tornadoes and hurricanes swirled above my head. No, seriously this is some scary shit! I hate tornadoes, and yes I know hate is a very strong word. Currently, the east coast is experiencing its worst storm in over 50 years. Philadelphia is under a state of emergency, and no, not one of those normal emergency states... this one is directly from the government and hasn't happened since '86.

I never thought that I would say that I missed winter, but I'd much rather have a blizzard right now. Hopefully, these old Philly buildings can hold tight. Hopefully, the earthquake from earlier this week didn't loosen them up. Yes, I just wrote earthquake from earlier this week. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! What an interesting post this would be if only I could have read it from the past. Granted, the earthquake only caused a small amount of damage.

Still, there was an earthquake! And, it wasn't in California it was in Virginia, AND I felt it in Philly. Something is going on, or maybe it's nothing. It's probably nothing. Just a series of unlikely events tied together in one week. Maybe I should play the lottery before the week ends? Oh yeah, everything is closed. Anyways, this alternate reality is for the birds. I wish it would just chill out, so I can get back to thinking musically, and living life as normal.

I-M

Free Show This Friday - Beta hi-fi

2011-08-23T19:17:00.007-04:00

The Beta Hi-Fi Emerging Music Festival is all week this week, and features an awesome lineup Friday with Revolution, I Love You (www.revolutioniloveyou.com), New Sweden (www.newswedenmusic.blogspot.com), Killer Whale (www.soundcloud.com/KillerWhale-1), Satellite Hearts (www.facebook.com/satelliteheartsmusic), and Can You Canoe (www.canyoucanoeband.com). The Festival is taking place at World Cafe Live (upstairs) 3025 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 TEL 215-222-1400. For more information visit WCL BETA HI-FI. The shows are free and the music is stellar so don't be a couch potato.

Carol H. Axelrod Memorial Blood Drive

2011-08-13T21:43:00.008-04:00

A few weeks back I went to Radnor Elementary School to see my guys Diverse Pop Group perform for an event the school was having. For those that haven't heard of Diverse, they consist of two young men who dance and sing, and basically get down with their bad selves. Things are still in progress, but we may be working with them over at Black Ink Management and Music Group (www.blackinkmmg.com). Check Diverse out here Video.

While I was there watching the performance, I stopped by a booth that was giving away free ice cream. The ice cream was awesome, but that is not why I'm writing this post. I'm writing this post, because of the wonderful lady that I met that was running the booth, and the story that she told me about her mother. Michelle Scolnick runs an annual blood drive in memory of her mother, Carol H. Axelrod, who received numerous blood transfusions as part of her treatment for cancer. Michelle had a booth set up at the Radnor event promoting the upcoming drives. This year, they will hold their fourth blood drive. The drive will take place on Wednesday, October 5, and Thursday, October 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days, at Lankenau Medical Center (where her mother received her transfusions) in Wynnewood, PA.

Because of the Red Cross, and the blood transfusions that her mother was able to receive, Michelle was able to spend extra time with her mother. She stated, "The extra time we shared with her truly was a gift that blood donors gave our family. When my mother passed away in July 2008, we wanted to give something back to the Red Cross, so we decided to start a blood drive in her memory."

Everyone who comes to donate will receive a gift bag, free parking, special post-donation snacks, automatic entry into a drawing for prizes that have been donated by area businesses, and a free meal, snack, or beverage in the cafeteria. Plus, because each unit of donated blood can help save up to three lives, everyone will leave with the knowledge that they may be helping three families spend more time with their loved ones!

For more information on this blood drive and/or to sign up please visit http://www.membersforlife.org/pennj/schedule/login.php?sponsorcode=1556

Click HERE to download the PDF for the full story on Michelle's family.

8 Dead in Copley Shooting

2011-08-07T23:25:00.011-04:00

Tragedy hit way to close to home today as a mad man killed seven people (two Copley High School students and an 11 year old) before being killed by the police. This all happened in my hometown of Copley, OH, literally not even a half a mile away from the house I grew up in. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.

Copley police confirm that eight people, including a gunman, are dead after a shooting rampage Sunday morning. Two other people were wounded, one critically.

Chief Michael Mier says a gunman opened fire around 11 a.m. after an argument in a home on Goodenough Avenue. Five people were killed at that location. The gunman then took two more lives on nearby Schocalog Road. One of the victims was an 11-year-old child. -Lindsay Buckingham Fox8

"Somebody knocked on my door, and a woman was on my porch -- hiding on my porch. I went out the door, she ran in the house and told me that somebody had shot her husband point blank in the head," McCrady said. "[The woman] said 'there's a lot of people shot,' and she started screaming 'my son, my son, my 11-year-old son.' [The woman's son] went the opposite direction she went, and she was looking for, wanting her son, but she said 'oh, my God, I'm a widow,' " McCrady said. -I went to Copley High School with Ms. McCrady's daughter. This is too scary.

Like I stated before, way too close to home, and from what I've been told, the 11 year old was chased down. This angers me beyond belief.

A candlelight vigil was held Sunday evening at Copley Community Park to remember the victims.

Something has to be seriously wrong with you to chase down and kill an 11 year old kid. My nephew is 11, and I could only imagine the horror. Police are still actively investigating the shooting and plan to release more information at a noon press conference on Monday.

More Shocking News Via Ellen Miller, newsnet5.com Link

Police have identified the gunman in a shooting spree that claimed seven lives in Copley as Michael Hance, 51.

NewsChannel5’s Dan Haggerty talked with a woman named Monique, whose sister lives at 1219 Schocalog Avenue. Her sister, Melody, saw 11-year-old Scott Dieter running through the neighborhood and called him into her home to hide from Hance.

The child ran to the basement to hide with Melody’s 9-year old son. They turned out the lights.

The family locked the doors, but that apparently did not stop the gunman. He shot holes in the locks and broke the glass to get inside.

Monique said Hance held a gun to Melody’s head, demanding to know where the boy was. When she would not tell him, he searched the house and went down to the dark basement with a gun in one hand and a penlight in the other.

The gunman found the boys and killed Scott Dieter without saying a word, then left.

Hance was killed outside the home when he exchanged gunfire with police.

Wonka Mix - The Theme Right Now

2011-07-27T23:41:00.002-04:00

I seriously can't get away from this quote. It's the theme of my life right now. "So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it." - Willy Wonka.

I'm so busy I can't even get out what I want to say. It's all worthy however. New web launch on its way from Black Ink Management and Music Group. New album on its way from that awesome band Revolution, I Love You. New music from Philly's best Indie band The Quelle Source. A boat load of shows scheduled here... www.WeAreMonsterEnt.com. And, best of all... a super, kick ass Halloween show locked for this October at the Legendary Dobbs on South Street!

Here's the lineup:

Conversations with Enemies
R,ILY
City Rain
Mike McCarry
Parachuting Apostles
Case Closed
The Pleasure

Mark Rogers of WSTW will be emceeing the event!

I'm so excited. The only problem is, I don't have time to be excited. Must, Keep, Working...

For now, I leave you all with this short blog post, and this video. Enjoy

Full Sail University

2011-07-13T19:48:00.000-04:00

For those of you who may not know, I’m currently attendingFull Sail University’s online program in hopes of one day becoming completelybroke. No, seriously… by two thousand, and I believe fifteen, I hope to haveearned my Music Business, Bachelor of Science degree, and an Entertainment Business,Master of Science degree. So far, I’m on my eighth class, and I can honestlysay that I’m really enjoying it, and I hope to one day visit.

This post is a very special post, because it’s for mymarketing class. With that being said, I would like to welcome my fellow classmatesto Indie-Monster.com. Hopefully, you like the way I’ve decorated the place.

I started this blog back in May of 2007 as an integral partof my master plan to take over the world with music. So far, things are goingwell. The main goal was to showcase bands/acts that I strongly believe in, andthat I felt deserved more recognition. As I’m sure you all may be able to tellby now, I’m a huge advocate for independent music. I’m actually a huge advocatefor music in general, but I guess you could say that I have a thing for the unsigned, unheard of stuff. In addition to the music, this has also been aplace for me to release. Blogging is therapeutic to say the least, and I candefinitely say that so far this has been very rewarding in that sense.

What do I expect?

I’ve always been known for venturing into ideas andadventures, and sketching my path out as things progress. This was kind of thatthing in a sense. However, as time went on, it became clearer and clearer thatI really did want to take over the world with music. Music truly is a universallanguage. It has healing powers. It carries memories as well as inspiration.I’m absolutely convinced that the world would be a horrible place without it. Ialso strongly believe that the world could be so much better through it. I hopeto help continue the movement that music has begun, whether through this blog,Monster Entertainment or any other venture. I hope you all come along for theride.

I-M

RAW was RAW

2011-07-09T15:13:00.005-04:00

July 2011's edition of RAW took place last Thursday and it absolutely lived up to its hype! There were artists galore, each portraying their latest works and networking with their peers. I'm not sure what the final head count was, but it was definitely a packed G Lounge.

Fred and crew did it again... another well organized edition of RAW Philly in the books, and another win for local artists. Here's some amateur pictures of Case Closed performing live at the event taken by me...

To visit Case Closed's profile on RAW click HERE.

RAW:natural born artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists. You can visit them online at www.rawartists.org.

I-M

The New Connection @ North Star This Friday

2011-07-06T21:36:00.003-04:00

If you haven't gotten out to see these guys yet, you are seriously not into music. Pack up everything that you own that relates to music, and donate it to someone worthy immediately, OR buy a ticket to this Friday's show and save your soul.

The New Connection will be playing the North Star Bar this Friday, July 8th, with The Spring Standards! Visit North Star Bar for more details.

The band just released their self-titled second album to a sold out Johnny Brenda’s crowd on May 27th, now it’s time to hit the road. The self-titled record shows growth and musical maturity from their first album, Mentally/Physically, while remaining true to the eclectic roots which have planted them in the hearts of Philly music lovers. This new album showcases the individual talents of each member and their broad range of influences; “tracks range from sexy dance grooves to sublime, cosmic vocal journeys to chakkra-tingling riffs that will keep your feet tapping while your soul swirls in indie rock bliss.”

“The New Connection has the pop smarts of The New Pornogrpahers, but filters their songs through various lens, including the prog-pop of Yes, the piano swells of Ben Folds, the irresistible bop of your favorite punky reggae party and the lush harmonies of Philly psych stalwarts, Dr. Dog. All these elements mesh effortlessly on their brand new self titled record” - Trip McClatchy | Teenage Kicks

The New Connection

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T22:46:00.003-04:00

Heaven got a new Jackass today

2011-06-20T17:30:00.001-04:00

Ryan Dunn, one of my favorite Jackasses, and fellow Ohioan moved to PA, passed away early Monday due to injuries sustained in a fatal car crash in which he was allegedly driving very fast (110 mph). During the crash, Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 went off a road, crashed in to woods and caught fire. According to police, the accident occurred at 3 a.m. on Route 322 and New Street in West Goshen Township.

I've driven these roads before having worked in West Chester. Any of my fellow coworkers could tell you that I stink at navigating my way around Chester county, having been lost several times. I couldn't imagine going that fast on 322... scary shit. According to the West Goshen Township police report, Dunn's Porsche was "fully engulfed in flames" when officers responding to the report of an auto accident found it "off the road" and "in the woods".

A 30-year old passenger, who was later identified as Zachary Hartwell of West Chester, also died in the accident. Hartwell was working as a production assistant on the movie "Jackass Number Two". The accident left Dunn and Hartwell charred to ashes. Dunn, who was identified after the crash through his tattoos and facial hair, posted a photo on Twitter hours before his death in which he was drinking with his friends in a bar, TMZ reported. TMZ also reported that sources informed Dunn had drunk at least three light beers and three shots between 10.30pm and 2.10am at Barnaby's of America bar.

Dunn, who was born in Medina, Ohio, just a few miles west from where I grew up in Copley, moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in his early teens. Dunn was known for his dangerous antics and practical jokes in MTV's "Jackass" series and movies with his long-time friend Bam Margera. He got to fame while appearing in videos alongside his friends in the "Camp Kill Yourself"(CKY) Crew. The CKY videos caught the eye of Johnny Knoxville which helped bring him over to Jackass.

Dunn celebrated his 34th birthday last June 11, weeks before his fatal accident last night.

Jackass crew expressed their grief by issuing the following statement:

"I don't really know what to say right now everybody because the sadness is overwhelming, but today we lost one of our own. Our brother Ryan Dunn has passed. He died in a car wreck in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, this morning at 3:00am. Goddamn that's tough to write. As we get more info we will let you know, but right now our hearts go out to his family and to his beloved Angie. Ryan will be missed and remembered by us all. Thanks for the kind words of support everybody."

In a tweet, fellow prankster Johnny Knoxville said, "RIP Ryan, I love you buddy."

Dunn's fans also expressed their grief on MTV.com, saying "We will never forget all the laughs you gave us" and "Rest in peace, bro. You're pranking God now, that lucky bastard."

In other news, Roger Ebert is a dick.

Philly RAW Artists

2011-06-04T15:28:00.007-04:00

Frederick Calalang knows how to organize one heck of an event. Frederick is a producer with a corporate event marketing background. He has produced national experiential events and campaigns for the better part of 15 years. The work that he has done for RAW:natural born artists, an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists (www.rawartists.org), definitely showcases his experience well.

This past Thursday, I attended one of the events held at G Lounge here in Philly, and I can say first hand that it definitely lived up to its hype. Artists were posted up in their respective spaces all over G Lounge showcasing both their finished works and their God-given talent. The artwork was amazing.

The mission of the program is to provide independent artists of all creative genres, with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity. RAW educates emerging artists through seminars, workshops and insight to further the knowledge of their industry. RAW connects them with one another so that they might grow together, while providing them with opportunities to give back to their own local youth communities through the arts. They encourage the creative success of the many visionaries and storytellers of our generation.

In addition to the artwork, local musicians are offered to submit to showcase and perform throughout the event. Our guys The Parachuting Apostles are included in the alumni of RAW performers. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see them for the 6/30 event, but enjoyed the performers I did see. (Pic Below from J Pre performance in May)

I was most inspired by Temple University design team Verde Styles (www.verdestyles.com). These kids know what they are doing. For Verde Styles, one Tee = one Tree. The student run company was founded by Nishid Patel in 2008 after competing in the Temple’s Business Plan Competition. Though the business plan did not win the competition, alumni and judges supported the idea to help turn it into the company it has become. I absolutely love the designs... of course I had to buy a shirt and plant a tree. It was only 20 bucks. It's wonderful to know that somewhere on this earth there is now a baby tree planted with an Indie-Monster logo on it. Well, maybe not so much the logo on it. That wouldn't be very green, but still a baby tree none the less! Get off your lazy asses and go plant a tree! Visit Verde Styles today!

The next event is scheduled for 7/7, and is also at G Lounge (www.thebestlounge.com). Mark your calendars! More info on RAW is soon to come. Photos {Credit: Ed Delahunty}

I-M

The Circus is in Town

2011-06-02T19:15:00.002-04:00

Summer 2011

2011-05-27T16:08:00.007-04:00

Memorial Day is here and so is summer 2011!

Time to light up the BBQ's and crack open the cold ones!

Everyone enjoy themselves, and above all else be safe!

The New Connection Record Release

2011-05-22T16:33:00.002-04:00

The New Connection will release their long-awaited second album on May 27th at Northern Liberties hot-spot, Johnny Brenda’s, with support from local favorites The National Rifle and Southwork. The self-titled record shows growth and musical maturity from their first album, Mentally/Physically, while remaining true to the eclectic roots which have planted them in the hearts of Philly music lovers. This new album showcases the individual talents of each member and their broad range of influences; tracks range from sexy dance grooves to sublime, cosmic vocal journeys to chakkra-tingling riffs that will keep your feet tapping while your soul swirls in indie rock bliss.

Here's a quick Q and A:

What’s up with the new album?

The new album has just been sent to press and we’re really excited. It’s been a long time in the making and we’re really proud of where it’s at. We tracked most of it between Cambridge Sound Studios up in Newtown w/ Jim Salamone and the studio over at Brolik Productions. It’s a lot crisper than the last record, and I think it shows a lot more diversity of musical styles. Mentally/Physically is kind of a moment in time of punk and early indie. I think, this one shows the broad range of our current influences a lot more. We’re releasing it as download cards to get the digital music off of the Internet and 12” vinyls that come with a download card included.

Release Show?

This CD release show at Johnny Brendas on May 27th is gonna be a banger. We’re playing with two awesome bands, The National Rifle and Southwork. We’ve got some super secret special guests lined up and a few other surprises to make this one really pop. Doors at 8pm, Music at 9pm. National Rifle is opening and we play second at around 10pm. $10 tickets, get there early if you’ve gotta buy tix as it’s gonna sell out.

XPN Spot?

We just recorded a session with The National Rifle for John Vettesse that will air on YRock on XPN Philly Local Tracks, Thursday May 26th at 10pm. We played a few new songs and a few old, followed by an interview with our friends in TNR. You can check it out on 88.1 or the WXPN website.

Upcoming Shows?

Also, we have a sort of unofficial NYC release party going down at Crash Mansion on Jun 11th. The venue is awesome, we’re playing with our good friends Crills Wilson and Venice Sunlight. Last time was super weird, we’re really looking forward to that.

We’ll be kicking the shows up a notch after laying back and trying to get this record together. Now that its finished we are ready to hit it hard and play our balls off.

Woo Hoo!

2011-05-22T15:12:00.009-04:00

That probably was one of the most genuine Woo Hoos you will ever hear/read! So excited for Frankford Hall! For those that haven't heard, Stephen Starr, restaurateur, entrepreneur, Top Chef guest judge and owner of STARR Restaurants (www.starr-restaurant.com) most recently opened a beer garden called Frankford Hall (1210 Frankford Avenue www.frankfordhall.com). The overcast weather might not have been perfect for opening day at Frankford Hall on Tuesday, but patrons were nonetheless able to enjoy a few beers outdoors. (Photo courtesy Starr Restaurants, information via James of Uwishunu www.uwishunu.com).

I've been in Philadelphia for seven years now. Throughout those seven years, I have spent most of my time in Fishtown. The area is hands down my favorite part of the city. With established places like Johnny Brendas, KungFu Necktie, Bookspace, The M Room, Murph's Bar, Ekta, Sketch, and The Barbary to more recent additions like The Piazza at Schmidts, Kraftwork and Brindle Cafe there's not a shortage of places to go and people to see.

Now, some will argue that some of what I mentioned is not actually Fishtown, but rather Northern Liberties. To those people, I say call it what you want... it's still an awesome area. Especially, now with the addition of Frankford Hall which boasts 240 seats outside, and another 160 inside. This neighborhood definitely makes a healthy contribution to the reason that Philadelphia is considered one of the nation's, if not THE nation's, best beer-drinking city.

FISHTOWN - Located immediately northeast of Center City, its borders are somewhat disputed today due to many factors, but are roughly defined by the triangle created by the Delaware River, Frankford Avenue, and York Street. Some newer residents expand the area to Lehigh Avenue, while some older residents shrink the area to Norris Street. It is served by the Market–Frankford Line rapid transit subway/elevated of the SEPTA system. Fishtown is known as a working class Irish Catholic neighborhood.

The name "Fishtown" is derived from the area's former role as the center of the shad fishing industry on the Delaware River. The name comes from the fact that a number of 18th and early 19th centuries German and German-American families bought up the fishing rights on both sides of the Delaware River from Trenton Falls down to Cape May, New Jersey. Also, in the early 18th century, an English colonist was fabled to have caught the largest shad in the world in the Delaware River.

The apocryphal local legend traces the name of Fishtown to Charles Dickens who purportedly visited the neighborhood in March 1842, but records show this to be false, as it was named Fishtown prior to his visiting.

Happy May 22nd!

2011-05-22T03:12:00.001-04:00

Crills Wilson Record Release Show 5/19/11

2011-05-14T17:42:00.005-04:00

www.crillswilson.com
Our friend, Philadelphia-based artist, Crills Wilson (www.crillswilson.com) is looking with starry eyes into the future as he prepares to release his debut album entitled Solid Gold Thursday, May 19th at Kung Fu Necktie. Crills Wilson is a clever, gritty blend of folk and punk rock. On stage, he and his band are a mix of "make you get up and dance" and "wow, I have to be sure to catch that again." Of my favorites from the album, "Cell Song," is probably one of the catchiest tunes that I've heard come out of Philadelphia. The song seems to set the scene of a traditional, drunken Irish bar in the midst of a loud and mischievous St. Paddy's day celebration. Although that isn't' what the song is about, at least that's what I think of when I hear it.

Solid Gold, was mixed by Todd Mecaughey (who also produced Man Is Nature by Cheers Elephant another Philly-based act). Crills Wilson's band came together in a few different ways over the past year and finally settled on a line up in August that enriches the music. Drummer Michael Dunn (of Smoker and the Rollers) brings a heavy hand to strengthen the mix while Bassist William Kleinberg's (of The Apostrophe's) backup vocals add to the drunken choir accompaniment. The lead guitar, Nick Palmer (of The Danger O's) tears through to lift your spirits from the sometimes dark subject matter. Add to this the fantastic keyboard styling of Ben James and you have "Solid Gold" on your hands (www.cloudentertainmentphilly.com).

The release show will take place at 8pm on 5/19/11 at KungFu Necktie in Philadelphia, PA. Joining Crills for the night is the indie-pop quintet Conversations With Enemies and howlin' blues rockers Penrose.

No Plans?

2011-05-14T13:21:00.003-04:00

The Quelle Source is headed for NYC. Here's a picture of them hailing a cab. They will be playing Fontanas tonight on the Lower Ease Side. Check the link... www.thelodownny.com. Also, on the bill Tiff Randol and The Vapid.

If you can't make NYC tonight, TQS will be at KungFu Necktie tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow's show will be something like this...

Kung Fu Necktie is located at 1248 N Front St Philadelphia, PA 19122. Show starts at 8pm and is 21 plus. Tickets are $5. Also, on the bill, Japanese Sunday, The Water and Heliotropic. WEBSITE.

Seven Days

2011-05-14T12:49:00.003-04:00

This reminds me of the time that I watched this really crazy ass video, and shortly after received a call from an unknown girl. When I picked up the phone she whispered "seven days." I was like, "Seven days until what?!" She didn't answer, she just hung up on me. I was so pissed off... I was like, "What a betch?" Anyways, my boy out in Cali wanted to see the video, so I made him a copy and mailed it out... haven't heard from him in a while. I hope he is doing okay.

Yeah, this is very similar because today I got a call from what I thought was that same rude chick. I picked up the phone and she was like "seven days!" I was like "Look betch!" However, before I could finish she told me that she was from Family Radio. I asked her why she called me after that video I watched several years ago. She told me that she didn't know what I was talking about, and that she wanted to call so that I could prepare my soul for next Saturday. I asked, "For what?" She was about to go into a story when I asked her to hold on because I wanted to pour a glass of whiskey while I listened. She got all upset, screamed "repent" and hung up the phone.

What is wrong with people?! So, I took it upon myself to look up Family Radio and found this.

My first thought was... "I'm not surprised." I just started going back to the gym. My second thought was, "Crap, now we will never know about Colt McCoy!" After I calmed down, I looked up Harold Camping the leader of Family Radio. Turns out, this is his like third prediction of the world ending. I immediately calmed down, but then got worried again because I thought to myself, "Well he has had a lot of practice... maybe this is it?"

So, as it stands now. I'm still going to the gym, but I am drinking more whiskey than normal. How are you all coping? Have you even heard yet?

I-M

3 days of Music

2011-05-03T00:21:00.004-04:00

R's for Revenge boys and girls

2011-05-02T19:03:00.007-04:00

A wise man once said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Don't worry I'm not going to sit here and write a blog about how Osama didn't deserve his fate. I strongly believe that people should be held accountable for their actions, whether good or bad. It's just the sight of seeing people, teens, adults, children cheering the death of another person... it bothers me. It actually doesn't JUST bother me, it alienates me. It makes me feel alone, like I don't belong. Like I'm completely separated from the majority.

In the U.S. we publicly celebrate the death of our enemies. We dance in the street at the sight of their dead body. We wish the worse on our enemies, not only in life, but in death. We chant "USA USA USA"

Let's face it! Murder is justice in our world. At the very heart of our justice is vengeance. It's totally acceptable right? We can trace this back to the playground. "Now, Johnny, if a kid pushes you, you push him back! You don't take crap from anyone!"

It's ingrained in who we are, it's our nature...........

I guess, I'll be the one to stand up and ask the questions, "Where has it gotten us? Where will it take us?"

Today America looked just like THEY did when 911 happened. I'm just not so sure that's a step forward. Maybe it is for some, but not for me. I demand more, and I don't care if I have to demand it standing over here by myself.

We will forever be headed down the darkest path until we realize the true power of love and light. Faith alone should be enough to quench the thirst of vengeance. We're a Christian nation correct? Our impatience is brutal, and our beliefs are weak at best. Instant gratification should be our religion. Death to all who oppose!

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Revolution, I Love You

2011-04-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

So besides reading lectures on Russian literature and geekin’ out in their apartment with carpeting covered walls, Revolution, I Love You has been busy putting the finishing touches on their fourth LP, We Chose To Go To The Moon. They’ve also managed to get a pretty sweet feature in Origivation Magazine (www.origivation.com).

Check out our recent interview with these self-proclaimed everything-nerds.

So how did you two meet?

Rob: We've known each other since high school. A friend introduced us, he said "Hey man, have you heard Jason play guitar? He's awesome!" Our friend had never actually heard J play though... luckily he was right.

Jason: Good old JC

It was meant to be.

Rob: It worked out very well, I think. We played together in another band for years, and then split off on our own in 2009.

How and when did music come into both of your lives?

Jason: Well, for me it started when I was about 16, my Dad had bought me a guitar that I didn't really do much with. Then I met my friend Ryan and he was a brilliant piano player so we started playing music together every day after school, and I started to actually know what I was doing after a bit, haha.

Rob: My first musical memory is a mix tape of Beatles and Beach Boys songs that my dad made in the late 80’s sometime. It started with ' I Want to Hold Your Hand". My mom played guitar, which got me interested, and they started me out on guitar lessons when I was 8.

What are you guys reading right now?

Jason: I'm reading Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. Before that I read Sirens of Titan by Vonnegut

Rob: I'm reading Dead Souls by Gogol, and Nabokov's lectures on Russian Lit

Where did you guys go to college?

Jason: I went to University of Delaware.

Rob: Towson, in Baltimore.

Majors?

Jason: I majored in History

Rob: Cultural Studies for me

Jason: And in loitering around campus with my guitar…

Only if that were a real major…

Jason: Oh it is. Independent study… Cultural Observation and Commentary 237

Haha, okay so your majors make sense. I read about your historical references behind the naming of RILY, and your second album in the Origivation feature. Are history and culture topics that interest or inspire you both in a creative way?

Rob: I think it's just that we both have an interest in art and books and philosophy, things beyond the realm of rock guitar and beer and Jameson.

Jason: Yeah I would say, it is more so our cultural interests. Though...beer and Jameson are not lost on us.

Rob: We're making pop music, but we bring a certain self-awareness to the process, something that comes from a lot of discussion of art history and books. Concept is pretty important to us.

Jason: We spend a lot of time discussing what we are doing: style, content, their relationship to each other etc.

Rob: We actually got to totally geek out this weekend, a friend of ours ran a panel at an MLA conference and we went to that. We got to talk with really, really smart people about really, really smart people things. Like Baltic Theatre and Kundera

Well should we expect a new song on the MLA conference?

Rob: No no no

Jason: No

Rob: Hahaha

Rob: Well back to your question about how this all influences us. J and I agree that the difference between us and a lot of bands is that they're music-nerds, while we're everything-nerds.

Jason: That apply our nerd-ness to making music.

Rob: Discussion on the new record, We Choose to Go to the Moon, swings back and forth between Bruce Springsteen and "Has Modernism Failed?", or Interpol and Rauschenberg. Speaking of which, the new record is pretty cool, trust me.

Jason: And our word is our bond

I believe you. What can your fans expect as far as touring goes this summer?

Rob: Well, we have some shows already booked for Wilmington, Lancaster, and NYC over the coming months. We're doing our first show at Arlene's Grocery, which is cool. Once the record is released, we'll have CD release shows in DE and Philadelphia (we're from DE and a lot of our friends are down there), then we'll be playing up and down the mid-Atlantic, and we'll try to make it out to Chicago as well. Philly, NYC, DC, Baltimore, Chicago- those are the main targets

Tell us about the recording of your next album, having only the two of you what’s the recording process like?

Jason: I do everything while Rob lays on the floor. Wait no, I'm on the floor.

Rob: Hahaha, he naps.

You guys must get so much done that way!

Rob: But really, because we have all that programmed stuff, step one is program the beats and basslines. It gives us a foundation to build on then we record guitars, pianos, etc, and the vocals. Then we go back and endlessly toy with the beats until they're AWESOME.

Jason: We record everything ourselves here in Philly holed up in our room, with the walls and floor covered in green carpet padding. The windows are covered by two inch thick insulation boards.

Rob: The carpet padding mutes the reverberations that would otherwise happen on the flat drywall. It's kinda dark in there.

Jason: It's a little bizarre and disorienting at times

Rob: Not the ideal environment, actually. We should work on that.

Jason: yeah a little ambiance would go a long way in there

Do you have a date you'd like to have the album finished by?

Rob: It's almost done now, all recorded and mostly mixed so it should be out this summer.

Jason: Yup, just in time to blast it with the windows down!

Look out for RILY's upcoming album and stay tuned for tour dates!

Alexis Canary

Alexis@wearemonsterent.com

Clouds 4/26

2011-04-22T00:29:00.006-04:00

CaseClosedNJ.BigCartel.com+WeAreMonsterEnt.com

Case Closed

2011-04-21T20:49:00.004-04:00

Hey Monster fans,

I’d like to introduce myself as the newest blogger for Indie-Monster. I’m a student at Temple University from where I’ll be graduating waay too soon. I kind of stumbled upon Monster Entertainment but I’m really enjoying being part of the team so far.

If you haven’t heard already, Monster’s own Case Closed has just released a new single titled, “Breathe Slow” in anticipation for their upcoming album Clouds (April 26). Let me warn you, it’s the kind of song you can’t listen to just once- you’ve got to play it at least five times in a row while subtlety tapping your foot like it’s your guilty pleasure. If this is any indicator of Clouds, I think we’ve all got something fun to look forward to.

Case Closed is a self-described Pop/Indie/Rock band hailing from Glassboro, NJ. With Curt Beebe and Dave Schoettler’s vocals, the band is bringing an updated twist to that classic Pop-rock sound that was so prominent in the early 2000’s from bands like Taking Back Sunday and The Early November. The band and I had a chat a few days ago, and turns out they’re also pretty cool guys. Check out the interview below.

Also check out Case Closed at their album release shows, and download their new album Clouds on April 26 through WeAreMonsterEnt.com and CaseClosedNJ.BigCartel.com.

Friday, May 6, 5:00 PM | Wilmington, Delaware
Venue: Rockford Park | Address: Park Drive, Wilmington, DE, 19806
Details: CLOUDS record release show w/ The Ready Set & MORE!

Saturday, May 7, 7:00 PM | Vineland, NJ
Venue: Fuel House Coffee Co | Address: 636 E Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ, 08360
Details: CLOUDS record release show!

Tuesday, May 24, 8:00PM | Philadelphia, PA
Venue: Northstar Bar | Address: 2639 Poplar Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
Details: New Music Series!

What's everyone doing right now besides music?
Curt: Workin’, delivering mulch and pizza. Not at the same place obviously, Haha.
Phil: I go to school part time at Rowan University and I’m working part time.
Dan: I work at Sears Hardware.... Yerpppp
Dave: Workin’ like the rest of the dogs.

(Phil) What’s your major and what do you think the rest of you would major in?
Phil: I’m a business management major, Curt went to school for recording engineering but the other guys don’t go to school.

Tell me about the recording of your new single “Breathe Slow”. What’s the recording process like for you guys as a band?
Curt: The recording process is pretty awesome; we had so much fun up at Jesse Cannon’s studio in Union City. We slept on air mattresses in the live room for a week and really just got a great opportunity to sit down and focus wholly on music and putting out a great album.
Dan: Yeah and when you put the four of us together in a room for a week, let’s just say there’s never a dull moment.
Phil: You can say that again.

How was it working with Jesse?
Dave: He’s definitely a pretty interesting guy. He was so dedicated to the process he stayed at the studio with us and wore the same clothes all week. His assistant Mike Ottienger is great too. He did the majority of the guitar work on the album and his great work really shows through.

The release date is coming up right?
Phil: Yes it comes out on April 26th. We're so damn excited. We finished recording back in early January so we've just been patiently waiting for this moment to come.

What’s everyone’s dream music gig?
Phil: I think I can definitely speak for everybody that we'd all really want to play a big venue with Taking Back Sunday. Doesn’t matter where, although we REALLY want to play the Electric Factory one day… but we'd all definitely want to get on some shows with Manchester Orchestra and be a part of Bamboozle and Warped Tour.
Curt: Really the goal is just to play to as many people who want to listen to our music where ever or whenever that is. We’re just thankful to be making music for people who want to listen.

So did everybody meet in high school besides Dave?
Dan: Case Closed was actually our first band ever. We just formed to play a Battle of the Bands at our high school, but we liked what we had going and decided to keep playing together. The lineup we have now is the lineup we had originally. I guess you could say everything kind of fell right into place. We all graduated together in 2007, and although Dave wasn't playing with us the whole time we were still all best friends.

Who are your favorite unsung musicians? Like a local band or friend you guys think deserves some attention.
Phil: We just recently came into contact with a band from Vineland, NJ that we really dig, they're called Strange Seasons (facebook.com/strangeseasons). We also have our hometown buddies Class 6 (facebook.com/class6), they're a hip hop type of band with some 311 influence. They're really cool dudes and we all went to high school together as well. We're also fans of Man Overboard (facebook.com/manoverboardNJ) but obviously they’re getting all the attention they deserve.

Is there a story behind how you chose your band name?
Curt: I landed on that name as what I would name my band if I ever became part of a group and I kinda forced it on the boy’s haha. Luckily they dealt with it and we just got to be known as Case Closed. When we got older and decided maybe it was time for a switch we just couldn’t do it. It’s pretty funny to have a band name that nobody particularly likes but nobody really has the heart to put an end to the era if it. It works though and as long as the music is good who cares about the name anyway?

Agreed. What’s the deal with upcoming tour dates and summer plans?
Phil: We've got a whole lot of stuff in the works right now. I don’t have a whole lot of specifics at the moment but I can tell you that we'll be doing a LOT of east coast touring and we're hoping to start making our way west. Next month we've got a lot of regional stuff around the area in NYC, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and Ohio.
Curt: We'll be announcing more in the coming weeks!

Any final words?
Dave: Get money.
Dan: Life’s short party naked!
Curt: Tip your bartender and waitresses.

Alexis Canary
Alexis@wearemonsterent.com

Launch Music Festival 2011

2011-04-20T21:27:00.003-04:00

2011 Performer Schedule

Pick up an Origivation Magazine and look for the QR code. Scan using QR Reader w/ your smart phone to get the schedule on the go.

Why Watch TV?

2011-04-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

Monster Issue

2011-04-02T19:15:00.004-04:00

April 2011's edition of Origivation Magazine is a special one for us at Monster Entertainment. Not only is this edition the official "LAUNCH Music Conference Guide," which is one of our favorite conferences, it also prominently features an article/interview on our boys Revolution, I Love You RILY FEATURE.

The article speaks briefly of the band's move from tax free Delaware to the magnetic city of Philadelphia. It then goes more in depth to create paragraphs like the one below.

Revolution, I Love You was a phrase made popular in France in 1968, when it was written on city walls, along with other Marxist writings. Lindgren admits, while sitting in a coffee shop with a book of essays on Russian Literature sitting on the table, that he and Reynolds "are kind of bookish." Lindgren's interest in philosophy partially drives his and Reynolds' vision of what they want their band to be. Revolution, I Love You is deconstructed pop music- a breakdown of the music of Costello and the Boss and Phil Spector sucked through a rusty filter of industrialized, hipster dance music. It is dirty purity- sweet, yet not at all simple. (Ryan O'Connell - Origivation Magazine)

Great description... for those who may not know, Ryan O'Connell is a valuable asset to the city of Philadelphia's independent music scene. Hey YOU! Yes, you "scene," cherish what you have and respect what's in your backyard! I've always wanted to scream at an entire scene.

By the way, thanks for the feature Origivation, and for the love Philly. It's all a precursor to the eventual release of RILY's upcoming album. "We Choose To Go To The Moon"

More? Why yes! Also, be on the look out for the Case Closed ad in this Monster Issue of Origivation Magazine. It should look something like this...

Case Closed's debut single "Breathe Slow" has been freely downloaded from every state except Alaska in the past month. I MAY be exaggerating a LITTLE bit, but not by much. Have you downloaded it yet? Why not? It's Free! Oh, you aren't sure if you have the time? I see, well, what if I were to put a link to it right HERE?

Origivation Magazine

Launch Music Conference

I-M

Alexander

2011-03-15T20:35:00.005-04:00

This post seriously came late, as I actually couldn't stop listening to the music. One of the best albums of 2011 thus far...

"Glimpses" (Also one of my favorite songs from this album) Blues that forces you to hang on every word sung, the way that Blues should. The title describes all that we've had of Alexander Ebert over the past six or so months as a solo artist, Glimpses. With the release of "Truth," I've been on the edge of my seat... waiting. Now, with the release of this album we get more than Glimpses... we get the full on collage of splendid-wonderfulness that is Alexander. Being an Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros fan definitely played a part in the anticipation of this album, but in the end it's the musical genius of the front man that quenched my desire to hear more.

All I can say is go forth and hear for yourself... available now on iTunes.

I-M

Free Download "Breathe Slow"

2011-03-15T01:00:00.001-04:00

FREE DOWNLOAD

So Easy Being Green...

2011-03-13T22:13:00.004-04:00

'Tis the week when everyone is Irish! Green beer and drink specials fill the land while corn beef and soda bread fill the kitchen. I love this time of the year. Mainly because it gives me another excuse to indulge in excessive amounts of beer. Whether it's green beer, Guinness, lager or my favorite Jamison. Make it a special week my friends... enjoy, but most of all be safe!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! From your already festive, favorite, green Monster.

Congratulations

2011-03-12T02:40:00.005-05:00

Congrats to the winners of this year's Origivation Magazine Reader's Choice Awards.

Great event at Dobbs last night! Stellar performances all around. Awesome hosting job by Hometown Heroe's Mark Rogers.

Big thanks to Brian Cronin and Origivation Magazine for everything that they do for local music in the Delaware valley.

Huge shout out to Monster Entertainment's very own The Quelle Source who took home an award for Best Indie Rock Act!

Check out the rest of the winners below.

Best Pop Act: Ike

Best Folk Act: Sisters 3

Best Singer/Songwriter (Male): Hezekiah Jones

Best Singer/Songwriter (Female): Suzie Brown

Best Live Show: Dr. Dog

Best Touring Act: Free Energy

Best Music Venue: World Cafe Live

Best Open Mic/Oen Jam: Triumph Brewery

Best Music Video: The Swimmers

Also, shout out to CHRISTIE LENEE who put on an amazing performance.

Until next year!

www.origivation.com
www.wearemonsterent.com

3-10-2011 READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

2011-03-07T19:07:00.003-05:00

Origivation Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards Show. Thursday, March 10th, 7:00pm - 2:00am at The Legendary Dobbs 304 South Street Philadelphia, PA. The Quelle Source will take the stage at 12:30am.

Best Pop Act: Ike, The Fractals, Post Post, The Beekeepers
Best Indie Rock Act: Cheers Elephant, Toy Soldiers, The Quelle Source, TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb
Best Folk Act: Up the Chain, Sisters 3, The Spinning Leaves, Bells Bells Bells, The Bird Choir
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male): Hezakiah Jones, Ryan Tennis, Don McClosky, Chris Kasper
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female): Birdie Busch, Suzie Brown, Christine Havrilla, Hunter Gatherer, Christie Lenee
Best Live Show: Dr. Dog, Da Rezarekt, Man Man, Downtown Harvest
Best Touring Act: Good Old War, Free Energy, Dr. Dog, Hoots & Hellmouth
Best Music Venue: Milkboy Coffee, World Cafe Live, Johnny Brendas, North Star
Best Open Mic/Oen Jam: Triumph Brewery, Dawson St. Pub, McGuilicuddy's, World Cafe Live
Best Music Video: The Swimmers, Metropolis America, Parachuting Apostles, Sun Airway, George Stanford

Why Watch TV?

2011-03-04T06:19:00.000-05:00

OFWGKTA

2011-03-03T06:23:00.005-05:00

Will + Desire - Hope x Dope = Bombogenesis

I-M

new SWEDEN Music

2011-02-27T12:19:00.003-05:00

A couple of years ago, I used to manage a band called Parkwright. I remember when they played the Kennett Flash. It was a good turnout and a great bill. The Flash is a really nice venue... BYOB, right in the middle of historic Kennett Square, PA. The Flash actually won a WSTW Homey Award this year for "Best Venue."

Anyways, Parkwright played a great set, and so did Hippocampus, but if my memory serves me correctly also on the bill was a guy that went by the name "another fellow." I may stand corrected, but I do remember watching this guy's set and thinking to myself... now that's someone that "gets it." He had captivating showmanship, great stage presence and not to mention an awesome, folky voice. His songs and performance made me feel as if I had been swept away to some private party held by Saddle Creek, along a river bank, in the middle of Omaha, Nebraska. It was memorable... and when the set was over, I made sure to go up and grab the two CDs he was handing out. I told him he had a great performance, and that I was looking forward to seeing him play again soon. Then, I scurried off to my secluded, mad scientist laboratory to continue building and organizing Monster, which is what I've done for the past two-three years.

Well, another fellow continued on his course, and is now singing for a band that has made quite a bit of noise over the past year. New Sweden is what happens when you assemble passionate, talented musicians, and lock them in a room full of energetic, Americana-infused fairy dust. They play because they want to. It's lightning in a bottle, or on a stage, or in a parking lot under a sign with their name on it.

New Sweden was established in November 2009 along the unconquered banks of the Delaware River, a region commonly known as Wilmington, DE. The genesis s of New Sweden, and subsequent growth, stems from a combined interest to create powerful, heartfelt, and innovative tunes that capture the roots of American spirit and exploration. One can hear the influence of traditional Folk (Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives) combined with an explorative indie edge (The Avett Brothers, Bright Eyes) meshing together to form an emotional sonic slurry. In other words, grab a tambourine and staple it to an old wooden chest; throw some drifting viola over a droning pump organ; slam a bass line on top of a grinding guitar and banjo; New Sweden aggressively create their sound by whatever means possible in order to capture emotions of joy, sadness, anger, and confusion.

Citizens of the Mid-Atlantic region have been able to experience New Sweden throughout 2010 in bars, restaurants, opera houses, coffee shops, and riverbanks. A relentless and energetic live act, New Sweden has become a household name in the state of Delaware, gaining titles of Spark Summer Music Series and Out & About's Musikarmageddon.

Currently, the band is in the midst of recording their first full length album, due for release in Spring 2011. New Sweden’s collective eyes, ears, and other body parts are fixed on expanding the New Sweden territory in 2011 by playing Philly, New York, Boston, D.C., and any other spot that wants to hoedown. After all, live music and sharing emotions are truly what New Sweden is about. "Out to sea, the big wide sea, I wonder what we’ll see.” - NS

New Sweden is William Dobies- guitar, vocals, boots, handyman; Caroline Stratton- viola, pump organ, bells, nuclear fuel; Dan Weirauch- bass, vocals, noisemakers, oceanography; Jimmy Dukenfield- banjo, vocals, pump organ, guitar, mandolin, hipster; Zac Dukenfield- drums, wooden chest, xylophone, scrapper.

Congrats to Delaware! Joseph "Joey" Graham, Joe Biden, Sugar Ray Leonard, Freelance Whales front man-Judah Dadone, Revolution, I Love You, Monster Entertainment LLC and now "new SWEDEN" :)

I-M

"Goodbye Old Friend"

2011-02-24T23:13:00.001-05:00

Roach #Yum

2011-02-24T22:40:00.002-05:00

Tempamental Featured on Hot 97

2011-02-21T21:41:00.004-05:00

Monster Entertainment artist Tempamental was FEATURED on Hot 97 with DJ Kay Slay... YES, you just read that right. We have officially hit the streets HARD from Virginia to Massachusetts. So from here on out, when I say "Get Familiar" I'm not only referring to Monster but to Tempamental's debut album that's on its way courtesy of Black Ink MMG (www.blackinkmmg.com)!

Wanna hear the Hot 97 radio broadcast? CLICK LINK BELOW
DOWNLOAD

"Get Familiar" Tempamental's debut album is due out early summer, late spring 2011. Keep checking back for details.

I-M

Monster Entertainment LLC is a Philadelphia-based artist management, promotions and booking company
www.wearemonsterent.com

Gold Streets

2011-02-20T20:29:00.004-05:00

Yep, it's official! There's not enough time in the day. I need another 12 hours to get everything that I want to get done... DONE.

Full review of this year's MMC coming shortly, for now... Gold Streets

This year's Millennium Music Conference, held in Harrisburg, PA the last couple of days was pretty successful. Great panels, mentoring sessions and bands... it was good catching up with people you only see once a year.

One band I have to make note of to see more than once a year is Gold Streets. Their performance Friday night at ABC (Appalachian Brewing Company) Abbey Bar Harrisburg was delightful to say the least. I now have basslines stuck in my head that I'll be humming at work tomorrow. There's something about a female bassist that just makes life better. Add in an Indie, Psychedelic, Rock version of Robyn's "Dancin' on my Own" and you have what I like to call a complete Friday evening. Oh, and the Scottish ale was tasty.

Check out Gold Streets at a venue near you... or on a Facebook near you. www.facebook.com/gold.streets

"Billy's Dead" MP3 Link via Pennlive.com

Why Watch TV?

2011-02-14T19:48:00.000-05:00

I love Chick-fil-a

immeasurable

2011-02-14T19:16:00.007-05:00

What a Grammy night right? At this moment, the amount of stokedness that I have for music is immeasurable. I'm not sure what to be more hype about... this,

this,

Or THIS!

What a great night of performances. Congratulations to Arcade Fire on wowing millions. Definitely well deserved. Also, I was wrong... I thought Bieber had it locked for new artist! He lost out to Esperanza Spalding, a bassist who has been heating up the jazz world for a while. Congrats to Esperanza! I hope she doesn't get beat up by a mob of 13 year old girls... they can hit pretty hard from what I remember.

Now begins a new year of music! Who's hot? Who's next? Radiohead(2/19/11)? Very much hopeful for 2011. As always, I'll stay reporting as much as possible... Indie first!

I-M

Case Closed and Phantasm perform this weekend at MMC www.musicconference.net

The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

2011-02-13T17:09:00.007-05:00

Rehearsal Pics... Artists prepare for music's biggest night. I hope Christina Agumalera gets to perform... I hope she remembers her words. (Ok I quit) She knows I love her!

Didn't realize that Cee Lo Green's F*** You was nominated for Record of the Year? Even though I love "F You", I think Eminem and Rihanna will take it. Although, it could be Lady Antebellum... choices choices.

Will Bieber take best new artist? Is he still new? Seems like he's been out for 3 years... wasn't he ten when his first single dropped? I can't remember... seems like so much has happened since then. Maybe Drake will sneak up and take it. Probably not though. CBS is hoping to break another record... I think they may. We'll have to wait and see! Happy Grammy Day

I-M

Why Watch TV?

2011-02-12T23:50:00.001-05:00

Homey Time!

2011-02-12T23:09:00.004-05:00

I will seriously bop you upside the head if you don't tune in tomorrow from 8pm-10pm! It's the 85th annual Homey Awards! Actually, I'm not sure how many annuals it's been, but it's tradition, and it's Indie and you need to listen. Especially if you are a nominee!

Congrats to the nominees and good luck!

Artist of the Year
Boy Wonder
Ike
Mouth of Wilson
New Sweden
Rod Kim

Album of the Year
Brixton Saint – The Cure for the Babylon Brain
Evergreen – Here Is Now
Ike – Tie the Knot…
Mouth of Wilson – Untamed Animals
Rivers Monroe – Meteors

Best E.P.
Done @ 21 – The EP
Josten Swingline – Three Against One
The Pleasure – The Sunflowers EP
Rachel Schain – Happy Happy
Rod Kim – All About You

Song of the Year
Ike – 1-Way to Avalon
Josten Swingline – Not This Time
Matt Rubba – Last Dance
Mother Redcap – Ever After
Rachel Schain – Rockstar, Bitch!
Shaun Ruymen – Luckiest Man Alive
Tim Williams – Back Again

Best Band
Fat Daddy Has Been
FelixHunger
Ike
New Sweden
Rivers Monroe

Best Male Artist
Boy Wonder
Dylan McGuire
Rod Kim
Ryan Tennis
Tim Williams

Best Female Artist
Andrea Nardello
Hannah Zaic
Laura Cheadle
Lori Citro
Rachel Schain

Best New Artist
FelixHunger
Evergreen
New Sweden
Parachuting Apostles
Rachel Schain

Best Songwriter
Gina Degnars (of Little Invisibles)
John Faye (of Ike)
Kyle Swartzwelder
Lori Citro
Rod Kim

Best Lead Singer
Dom Malandro – The Parachuting Apostles
Gina Degnars – Little Invisibles
John Faye – Ike
Jonathan Cooney – The Pleasure
Mike Reading – Rivers Monroe

Best Guitarist
Brett Talley – Ike
Christian Kaye – Done@21
Christie Lenee
Dylan McGuire
Matt Varga – Rivers Monroe

Best Bass Player
Adam Beck – Fat Daddy Has Been
Drew Hoffman – Pleasure
Jake Dean – Boy Wonder/The Parachuting Apostles
Kirby Chin – Rivers Monroe
Susan Steen – Ike

Best Drummer
Branden King – The Parachuting Apostles
Dan Fedele – Rivers Monroe
Drew Keane – Josten Swingline
Rob Benton – Boy Wonder
Tom Kristich – Ike

Best Keyboardist/Pianist
Ania Aliaksandrava – Glen Landing
Gina Degnars – Little Invisibles
Mat Welch – Rivers Monroe
Papa Cheadle – Laura Cheadle
Sam Barry – The Pleasure

Best Live Act
Da Rezarekt
Fat Daddy Has Been
Little Invisibles
The Pleasure
Rivers Monroe

Best Rock Song
12 Mile Circle – Last to Know
Boy Wonder – Psycho
Done @ 21 – In the Crowd
The Parachuting Apostles – Limb by Limb
The Pleasure – Sunflowers

Best R&B/Funk song
Boy Wonder – Surrender
Da Rezarekt – I Know
Fat Daddy Has Been – Summer Smile
Kareem – Clear Away the Stain
Theotis Joe Jr. – SuperStar

Best Alternative Song
The Atomic Square – 60 Seconds
Early Ape – These Aren’t the People
Overlook – Stars
Phantasm – Change the Channel
The Quelle Source – Hi-Fi Glasses Crush

Best Folk/Americana/Bluegrass Artist
JD Malone
John Byrne
Kyle Swartzwelder
Larry Saklad
Marc Silver

Best Young Artist
Along Came May
Diverse
Liz Raine
The Pleasure
Rachel Mink

Best Venue for Music
Burlap & Bean in Newtown Square, PA
The Harmony Grange in Pike Creek/Wilmington, DE
The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA
Mojo Main in Newark, DE
The Note in West Chester, PA

Best Music Video
Laura Cheadle – Change (It’s Alright)
Mary Scholz – I Miss You
New Sweden – View from the Mountain
Parachuting Apostles – Let’s Do It Right (This Time)
Todd Chappelle – The Google Song

Tune in 8pm-10pm tomorrow for a special Homey Award's edition of Hometown Heroes on 93.7FM, WSTW or www.wstw.com/heroes.

I must say, after going through the nominees I was very impressed with Diverse (www.facebook.com/diversepopgroup.eddiezach). Those young dudes can sing and write. Be on the look out for them to make some noise in the up coming years. Ike may have a Lady Gaga night along with Boy Wonder... just my predictions. We will find out the facts pretty soon. Should be a fun time!

I-M

The 2010 Reader's Choice Awards

2011-02-05T20:58:00.004-05:00

Origivation Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards Show will be Thursday, March 10th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm at The Legendary Dobbs 304 South Street Philadelphia, PA. Cover is $8. Check out the Nominees below.

Best Pop Act: Ike, The Fractals, Post Post, The Beekeepers
Best Indie Rock Act: Cheers Elephant, Toy Soldiers, The Quelle Source, TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb
Best Folk Act: Up the Chain, Sisters 3, The Spinning Leaves, Bells Bells Bells, The Bird Choir
Best Singer/Songwriter (Male): Hezakiah Jones, Ryan Tennis, Don McClosky, Chris Kasper
Best Singer/Songwriter (Female): Birdie Busch, Suzie Brown, Christine Havrilla, Hunter Gatherer, Christie Lenee
Best Live Show: Dr. Dog, Da Rezarekt, Man Man, Downtown Harvest
Best Touring Act: Good Old War, Free Energy, Dr. Dog, Hoots & Hellmouth
Best Music Venue: Milkboy Coffee, World Cafe Live, Johnny Brendas, North Star
Best Open Mic/Oen Jam: Triumph Brewery, Dawson St. Pub, McGuilicuddy's, World Cafe Live
Best Music Video: The Swimmers, Metropolis America, Parachuting Apostles, Sun Airway, George Stanford

If you are free that Thursday, get there... should be a fun time. Monster Entertainment's The Quelle Source will be performing a two song set in between awards.

www.facebook.com/pages/Origivation-Magazine/174187909292957?v=info
www.origivation.com

I-M

Cheers

2011-02-02T21:48:00.004-05:00

Cheers Elephant

Currently Featured on Reverbnation.com!

Reverbnation.com

CheersElephant.com

Imagination Is Everything

2011-02-02T21:45:00.001-05:00

The Takeover

2011-01-31T21:58:00.003-05:00

Comcast Takes Over NBC Universal

I never would have thought, coming from a small town in Ohio (Copley) that one day I would be able to say that I've worked for both Fox and NBC. Well, technically I work for Comcast, but you know what I mean. Anyways, congrats to Comcast!

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable TV company, took control of NBC Universal late on Friday, making it the first cable company to own a major broadcast network. Ha! 30 Rock is now owned by Center City!

The takeover gave the cable distributor a 51 percent control of NBC Universal, which owns the nation’s fourth-ranked broadcaster, NBC; the Universal Pictures movie studio and related theme parks; and a bevy of cable channels including Bravo, E and USA.

The deal had raised fears that Comcast might abuse its control of NBC Universal to favor the 23 million who rely on it for cable TV service and the 17 million who pay for Internet connections.

But the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission forced Comcast to make the full suite of NBC Universal content available as a single package to online competitors on terms comparable to those reached with more established rivals, like Dish Network and DirecTV.

NBC Universal is also expected to match new deals for smaller chunks of programming between other media firms and online video providers if it has comparable programming on hand. As an example, NBC Universal might have to make “The Real Housewives of New York City” from Bravo available to Netflix if Viacom makes a similar deal for “Jersey Shore,” the MTV show.

The company also had to give up the decision-making power associated with its 32 percent share of Hulu, the online video service it co-owns with the Walt Disney Company, the News Corporation and Providence Equity Partners. Hulu is one of the services that makes viewing shows like “30 Rock” possible online.

The rules highlight the new battleground for entertainment in the home between traditional power players like Comcast, which has lost subscribers in the economic downturn, and companies like Netflix, which added them with its cheap service and compatibility with a range of devices.

In the deal, Comcast paid General Electric just under $6.2 billion in cash and contributed its pay TV channels like E Entertainment Television and the Golf Channel, worth $7.25 billion, to NBC Universal.

G.E.’s stake in NBC Universal fell to 49 percent from 80 percent, but G.E. plans to diminish that to zero by being paid out from the venture over about seven years. This week, G.E. bought out the 20 percent stake held by Vivendi of France for $5.8 billion in order to complete the deal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/business/media/30comcast.html

The 15th Annual Millennium Music Conference & Showcase

2011-01-29T01:07:00.000-05:00

Well, it's almost that time... Very much looking forward to this year's Millennium. I'll definitely be there networking and representing Monster Entertainment. Be sure to stop by Monster's artist's showcases. Showcase schedules have been released and are on their official website. Link below.

Case Closed will be playing the Ye Olde Ale House Fri 02/18/11 at 11pm.

and

Phantasm will be playing Gullifty's Underground Thu 02/17/11 at 10pm.

Should be a great time of networking and shows.

The 15th Annual Millennium Music Conference & Showcase will be held February 17-20, 2011 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center and 25 showcase venues in and around the City of Harrisburg, PA. The conference features two afternoons of music business keynotes, panels, clinics, workshops, day stage, one-on-one mentoring, demo listening sessions, and an industry trade show.

The event celebrates new music with four nights of showcases featuring over 300 original acts at over 30 live music venues. Since 1997, the conference & showcase has become one of the premier music events on the East Coast. Over the years MMC has educated and showcased thousands of independent acts and artists. Music industry professionals will attend as panelists, speakers, mentors, exhibitors and talent scouts to network, do business, and share their experience with musicians, registrants and attendees. The community is invited to join in the celebration of emerging talent, independent artists and new music as all showcase performances are open to the public.

For more information visit: www.musicconference.net

Movin' on Up

2011-01-22T16:18:00.006-05:00

All I can hear in my head is the Jefferson's theme song when thinking about Black Ink MMG Group Soundchild Crew. Not because it's time to call the moving van... well at least not yet, but because these cats keep movin' on up the charts!

I woke up this morning, after a damn good sleep I must add, to find this in my email box... in all caps of course.

RONNIE WAYNE HATCHETT
DJNEWYORKCITYKEN

SOUNDCHILD CREW "STILL LOOK FRESH" (CHARTED TOP 20 WORLD WIDE BREAKOUT CHARTS, 1/7/2011)

This comes directly from the radio campaign being ran through Black Ink MMG via Direct Airplay. Stats taken from BDS, Mediabase, Mediaguide and Radiowave.

Congratulations to Soundchild Crew! Funny thing is, these guys are really just getting started. Expect to hear more as 2011 progresses. Also, if you haven't heard the track "Different" go buy it off iTunes right now, and thank me later. I'm in a good ass mood! Happy Cold Ass Saturday!

Links below.

iTunes
www.blackinkmmg.com
www.facebook.com/soundchildcrew
www.1lifeproductions.com

Uncharted

2011-01-22T16:13:00.001-05:00

Billboard to start ranking breakout artists?

Associated Press:

Recording artists who don't get love from radio can now get a Billboard ranking.

The music industry trade magazine and website announced Thursday that it is launching a new chart called "Uncharted."

Rankings will be based on a variety of factors, including YouTube clicks, MySpace Music page views and Twitter traffic. The artists don't have to be unsigned, but they must not have appeared on any of Billboard's other charts.

The first act to get the No. 1 ranking will be a California-based rapper named Traphik (traffic).

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/21/2026956/billboard-to-start-ranking-breakout.html#ixzz1BniwvMK1

The Homey Awards 2/13/11

2011-01-16T09:19:00.005-05:00

Well it's almost that time again! This is a great time of year for local music in the Delaware Valley as WSTW's Hometown Heroes gears up for another award show. In a way, it's the quad-state area's own version of the Grammys as local artists get recognized for their work over the past year.

The Homey Awards are awarded to achievements in local music in 2010. Eligible, albums, EPs and songs/singles were submitted to WSTW Hometown Heroes in 2010 (and played on the show)--from December 2009 through November 2010.

Nominations are being made as we speak, with winners announced the same night as the Grammys February 13th, 2011. I've been there to help announce the winners the past few years, and I had a blast doing it.

Some of the Homey Award categories include:

Artist of the year
Album of the year
EP of the year
Song of the year
Best band
Male/Female solo artist
Lead singer
Best new artist
Best Video

There will of course be other created categories made through the nominations. I think past categories of this sort have included; Best Tattoo, Best Hair, or Best Voice. it's just an overall fun time that shouldn't be missed. Especially by YOU local artists! Be sure to tune into WSTW for Hometown Heroes Homey Awards 2/13/11.

Hometown Heroes plays the best local music in the Delaware Valley--every Sunday night from 8 to 10pm at WSTW 93.7FM, or at wstw.com.

A Week Away!

2011-01-01T13:23:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:33:00.004-05:00

“Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

So, it's been a while... in a way, that's a good thing! Maybe not so much for a blog, but for the overall picture, yes, very much so. The overflow of behind the scenes work creates a mirage of nothingness on the front end. It painstakingly pays off however... new connections made, networking is abundant, and best of all good things to report. But, first! Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year and I hope that your other holidays were fulfilling and relaxing. Best wishes for 2011! I truly believe this year will be a great one. And! What a way to start it off than to have one of our artists for Black Ink chart for radio adds already. The news came down New Year's Eve as Black Ink MMG group Sound Child Crew gains steam in the south. The Little Rock Rap collective has been making a lot of noise over the past two months. Since the release of their highly anticipated eight song EP "Live 4 Once," hit single "Hypnotik" has been tearing up the radio waves from Texas to Black Ink MMG's home base of Virginia. If you haven't checked them out you should def do so HERE.

Also, only a week away! Cheers Elephant highly anticipated second album! Release show at Wold Cafe Live 1/8/2011! Tickets on sale HERE. Should be a fantastic show.

Other shows of importance coming up include Michael McCarry at The Boathouse... street sign below.

And... Case Closed will be playing an acoustic set at Dobbs on South street 1/28/2011. For a full list of events visit WeAreMonsterEnt.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MONSTER ENTERTAINMENT!

Total Lunar Eclipse 21 Dec 2010

2010-12-21T06:05:00.003-05:00

Happy Winter

By CBS News
Published: December 21, 2010

A total eclipse of the moon was visible to many parts of the country Tuesday morning. It started about 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time with the Earth passing between the sun and the moon. by 3:15 rays from the sun were blocked. The eclipse ended shortly after 5 a.m. EST.

Viewing was not great in some parts of the country due to cloud cover and heavy fog.

It's interesting to note this eclipse is taking place on the same day of the winter solstice. This is the first time this has happened since 1638.

Can't Stop Watching

2010-12-12T00:32:00.001-05:00

Storm Freerun Volume One... shout out to Tim "Livewire" Shieff

Kicking Ass with Kickstarter

2010-12-11T13:57:00.005-05:00

Congrats to Cheers or should I say cheers to Cheers? Either way, it's good to see Indies take full control of their destiny, and that's exactly what Cheers Elephant and their manager Andrew Leib did over the past few months.

Cheers Elephant reached out to their fans via Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com) in an attempt to raise funds for their upcoming album pressing, release and promotion. In doing so, they were able to raise a little under $5500!! Again, congratulations! This once again proves that good music cannot be denied, and if you get out there and bust your ass there's no limit to what can be accomplished. Oh, and be nice to your fans.

Cheers is currently on tour in the midwest, and it's a total precursor to what's to come for the band in 2011. To start off, the band plans to hold an official release party for their long awaited, highly anticipated second album. The event will be held at World Cafe Live on January 8th, 2011.