Wonka Mix - The Theme Right Now

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

For those of you who may not know, I’m currently attending Full Sail University’s online program in hopes of one day becoming completely broke. No, seriously… by two thousand, and I believe fifteen, I hope to have earned 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 honestly say that I’m really enjoying it, and I hope to one day visit.

This post is a very special post, because it’s for my marketing class. With that being said, I would like to welcome my fellow classmates to 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 part of my master plan to take over the world with music. So far, things are going well. The main goal was to showcase bands/acts that I strongly believe in, and that I felt deserved more recognition. As I’m sure you all may be able to tell by now, I’m a huge advocate for independent music. I’m actually a huge advocate for 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 a place for me to release. Blogging is therapeutic to say the least, and I can definitely 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 and adventures, and sketching my path out as things progress. This was kind of that thing in a sense. However, as time went on, it became clearer and clearer that I really did want to take over the world with music. Music truly is a universal language. 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. I also strongly believe that the world could be so much better through it. I hope to 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 the ride.

I-M

RAW was RAW

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

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!

Heaven got a new Jackass today

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

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