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MENEW - 8:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/menewmusic
Menew (pronounced men-u) is a trio of brothers--vocalist/guitarist Shade, pianist/synth player Key and drummer/backing vocalist Nathan Samuel Phillip--who took an interest in music at age six, each being classically trained on the piano. The brothers worked hard at developing a sound which would uniquely define their band, eventually attracting the attention of top-rated record producers Rick Parashar, Scott Mathews and even director Lyle Christie, who all wanted to work with the band, pro-bono, because of the music and their belief in Menew’s drive and passion. Their current EP Of the Future was recognized by the Canadian Grammy Awards and short listed in four categories (including Album of the Year) and honored by Billboard for the single “This Isn’t Real” as one of the best written songs of 2009. The brothers know their way around guerilla marketing almost as well as the stage and studio, performing live on flatbed trucks and on stages lifted over 50 feet in mid-air in downtown city streets. Menew entered the studio at the end of 2009 and emerged with their most ambitious effort yet: brilliant melodies, bold guitars and aggressive keyboards, unleashing some of the most righteous and soulful material they’ve ever recorded.
Gin Wigmore - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/ginwigmore
Gin Wigmore is a precocious singer/songwriter from the southern hemisphere, having been born in New Zealand but also spending significant time in Argentina and Australia. It was while in Buenos Aires that 16-year-old Gin learned of the passing of her father due to cancer. She responded by writing a song, "Hallelujah," to articulate her pain. Two years later, the song won the 2005 International Songwriting Contest, making Gin the youngest winner ever - and the first to be unsigned. She released an acclaimed EP, Extended Play, of which the Sydney Daily Telegraph proclaimed, "One of the most stunning debut EPs ever-a star is born." In August 2008 Gin was signed by Motown President Sylvia Rhone and undertook her first promo tour, mesmerizing media and music industry audiences in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York before sharing the stage with John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow during their December tour. Gin is currently working with songwriters Martin Tarefe (Jazon Mraz/KT Tunstall), Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks), Mitchell Froom (Crowded House) and Mike Elizondo (Eminem/Gwen Stefani/Fiona Apple) in preparation for recording her full-length debut album. She's already won over an influential fan in uber-blogger Perez Hilton, who stated, "Her voice is quirky and intoxicating, her tunes fun and charming."
Lucie Evans - 9:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/lucieevans
Precocious songstress Lucie Evans started performing at age four, when she would sing Carpenters songs with her mom and great-granddad. A year later she saw the Spice Girls in concert and decided that was the life for her. She subsequently won a slew of vocal competitions across the UK, culminating in April 2009 when she earned the grand prize in online talent contest 1Click2Fame. After working with Norwegian production maestros D-Sign she moved on to LA and recorded with inspirational producer Marshall Altman, who put together a white-hot group of musicians to complement her voice: guitarists Michael Chavez and Phil Eisler, drummer Aaron Sterling, bassist Jon Button and keyboard player Zack Aire have between them played with music royalty like Robbie Williams, Queen Latifah, Sheryl Crow and Shakira--and can now add Lucie Evans to the list. News of Lucie’s incredible vocal talents spread quickly in LA and she was invited to meet celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who asked her to perform at one of his exclusive parties. Now 16 years old and already possessing an army of fans addicted to her uniquely soulful voice with a mischievous rock edge, Lucie candidly admits her goal is world domination.
Drawn From Bees -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/drawnfrombees
Australian art-rockers Drawn From Bees emerged from the ashes of veteran prog-rock outfit Glasshouse in early 2008 when vocalist/guitarist Dan James, bassist/vocalist Stew Riddle, guitarist/vocalist Raven Jones and drummer/vocalist Matt Wedmaier came together over a mutual distaste over Glasshouse’s direction and eventually discarded everything attached to that group, including major label interest and their entire second album, in favor of more honest and open territories. The quartet instead opted to independently write, record and release four records within two years on their own Bonefinger Records, releasing The Boy and the Ocean EP in September 2008, mini-album And the Blind Shall Lead the Way in March 2009 and The Sky is Falling EP in September 2009, with debut full-length Fear Not the Footsteps of the Departed scheduled for release in May 2010. While presenting some of the most multi-faceted pop music Brisbane has ever produced, Drawn From Bees has been embraced by tastemakers like Richard Kingsmill and performed at mainstream festivals like V Fest and Sounds of Spring. “Despite the early slot, Drawn From Bees have an obvious following as a sturdy crowd arrives for ‘These Philistines,’” noted Time Off Magazine in a V Fest review. “‘'Long Tooth Setting Sun’…ends up being the set stealer and definitely makes them a band of note for the day.”
Hungry Kids of Hungary - 10:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/hungrykidsofhungary
While the mere mention of their name often invokes raised eyebrows and amused smiles among the uninitiated, Brisbane four-piece Hungry Kids of Hungary produce music that inspires equal measures of curiosity and joy. Dressing their immaculate indie tunes with a healthy dose of ’60s pop sensibility and lashings of soul, these Hungry Kids have wasted no time in carving out a name on the Australian music scene. Their debut self-titled EP featured the single “Set It Right,” which pricked the ears of radio programmers and audiences alike, setting the stage for a mammoth 2009. With a hefty touring schedule in place the Hungry Kids somehow found the time to jump back into the studio for a few days, coming out with their second EP, Mega Mountain. Key tracks included radio favorite “Scattered Diamonds” and the stunning piano-driven ballad “Old Money.” Brand-new single “Let You Down” is the sound of four Hungry Kids doing what they do best: delivering pure pop goodness in a neat package of their trademark dual-harmony brilliance, it channels a time when recordings were captured to tape, music was joyful and harmonies reigned supreme, even when accompanied by tales of heartbreak and loss.
Purple Melon - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/purplemelonspace
In the last five years the British band Purple Melon have been quietly developing as a band. The band consists of Tom Hill on vocals and guitar, Eric Joyce on bass, Owen Barry on guitar and Jason Ganberg on drums. Early in 2006, shortly after the band’s formation, Hill and Joyce met a trio of young filmmakers and together they came up with the idea of filming the group’s journey (teaser snippets of the footage can be viewed on YouTube, MySpace, Vuze and their web site). In September 2006 they played their first gig, at the Barfly in Birmingham, and were immediately asked to play again. After a stint performing in the Midlands, the group relocated to London, where Hill promptly found and fell in love with the Troubadour Club and its bohemian, laid-back and classily cool atmosphere. While in London the group attracted the attention of many leading producers, ultimately deciding to work with Paul Stacey (Oasis, Black Crowes). They recently relocated to Los Angeles to put the finishing touches on the album and begin winning over North American fans through extensive gigging.
Fingazz - 11:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/fingadelic
Fingazz is known throughout the world not only as a producer, but also as a seasoned songwriter, musician and recording artist. He’s been making music most of his life and performed all around the world…but as much as Fingazz loved to perform, his calling was in the studio, producing and writing. For the past 12 years he’s run Streetlight Music, working with artists ranging from Kid Frost, Baby Bash and Lighter Shade of Brown to Tha Dogg Pound. Fingazz racked up his first smash with “I Love Cali (in the Summertime)” by Young Roscoe. This song featured Fingazz on the hook, playing the instrument he is now most known for: the “talkbox.” Through the years many more hits would come including “Superman” by Brown Boy which featured Fingazz on the hook singing with Auto-tune, years before T-Pain had ever hit the airwaves. The biggest hit to date from Fingazz, “Lean like a Cholo” by Down, took the world by storm and reached No.13 on the Billboard Top 20, selling over a million singles. Fingazz has not given up his performing roots and continues to record and perform with his talkbox, with plans to tour Europe and China in 2010.
Monday April 26th, 2010
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Alana Levandoski - 8:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/alanalevandoski
Alana Levandoski gained the respect, friendship and endorsement of much of the music world with her outstanding debut album Unsettled Down, released by Rounder Records in 2006. Her name evokes thundering tributes that go far beyond the customary comments made about promising new artists. “I really believe in Alana,” says legendary BBC Radio 2 announcer Bob Harris. “She is part of an emerging generation of new artists who are reflecting the range of influences that makes Canadian music so exciting…Her songs are intelligent, warm and strong.” Reviews of Unsettled Down were plentiful and enthusiastic, with Alana being profiled in numerous UK publications and in such national Canadian magazines as Maclean’s, Chart and Penguin Eggs. She toured the UK and Europe four times, sharing bills with Dar Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo and Lynn Miles, also venturing across Canada with the Corb Lund Band and additional dates with Stephen Fearing, the Arrogant Worms and Tanya Tucker. These experiences are reflected in her second album, Lions & Werewolves, which was recorded in a hundred year old church in rural Kelwood, Manitoba, and at the upscale Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, England. The album was helmed by British producer Ken Nelson, renowned for his work with Gomez, Coldplay, Badly Drawn Boy and Snow Patrol.
Birds of Tokyo - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/birdsoftokyo
While their name may evoke images of a guide for Japanese ornithological enthusiasts, Birds of Tokyo is actually the name of a fantastic four-piece from Perth, Australia (including vocalist Ian Kenny, guitarist Adam Spark, bassist Anthony Johnson and drummer Adam Weston) that’s been garnering increasing attention across the globe from both tastemakers and decision-makers alike. They’ve won a slew of WAMi (Western Australian Music) awards in the past couple years, including Favourite Newcomer in 2007 and Best Rock Act and Most Popular Album in 2008. They released a pair of albums in little more than 18 months Down Under, with their sophomore effort, Universes, coming in at No.5 on the Triple J radio listeners’ poll for Best Album of 2008 (trailing only such luminaries as Kings of Leon, the Presets, MGMT and Vampire Weekend). In a review of Universes, Perth magazine Xpress declared, “Birds of Tokyo can take pop songs and give them a biting edge (or take edgy songs and give them pop appeal),” while Melbourne’s Beat magazine deemed the release “Album of the Week,” saying, “This is an album of stunning depth and beauty. A rare bird, indeed.”
26 - 9:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/26theband
Like other independent bands which are producing and distributing their own albums, Australian quartet 26 is now enjoying a rapidly growing Internet following with their podcasts, mp3 downloads and radio airplay. The group’s first album, The King Must Die, was released in Australia through Floodboy Records and MGM Distribution and globally through iTunes in 2005. The album received national airplay and was honored as the FBI’s Album Show feature album. With the band’s growing popularity, 26 toured Australia in 2006 for the release of their single “Friendly Fire,” which went on to win the highly regarded 2006 Queensland Song Award for Best Rock Song and was also a finalist in The Courier Mail People’s Choice Awards. The single also received airplay on Triple J nationally and FBI 94.5 FM Sydney. They released their second album, Births Deaths & Marriages, in 2008 and won a fan in Coast FM music presenter Mary-Lou Stephens, who described the title track as “absolutely stunning” and “sensational” when she hosted 26 on her evening show, going on to candidly admit, “I don’t know if I could live without this song in my life.” The year 2010 will witness 26 touring the US, Canada, Hong Kong and the UK in an effort to further spread the word.
Art Vs. Science -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/artvsscience
Sydney three-piece Art Vs. Science just formed in early 2008, one month before Jim Finn (keys/vocals), Dan Mac (keys/guitar/vocals) and Dan W. (drums/vocals) took Triple J Unearthed’s “Splendour in the Grass” competition with the impossible catchy track “Flippers,” which finished the year at No.44 on Triple J’s Hottest 100.The trio’s sound, which is part pop and part French electro with a healthy dollop of rock, translates perfectly to the live arena, where they’ve already gained a reputation as one of Australia’s best live bands, selling out national tours in May and August of 2009. Art Vs. Science’s self-released, self-titled debut EP reached No.6 on the Australian iTunes charts (No.1 Dance album), largely on the heels of irresistible party track “Parlez-Vous Francais?” The song not only landed at No.2 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 and won the J Award for Music Video of the Year, but also garnered the group some international recognition when BBC Radio One DJ Kissy Sell Out included the tune on a compilation for UK tastemaker Mixmag. They also received airplay on John Kennedy’s Xfm show, with Xfm including Art Vs. Science in their list of “20 Bands to Watch in 2010.”
Sissy Wish - 10:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/sissywish
Norwegian chanteuse Sissy Wish made her debut with the stunning Six Feet Tall EP in 2003, when she cut four tracks in two days with members of Norway’s eclectic group Sister Sonny. Jangly guitars blended with seasick pianos and the voice of Sissy on top, being a poppy Kate Bush--without the flowery, arty clothes and mannerisms, but with a similar delivery and determination. Never before had an unsigned artist received so much attention from Norwegian radio. Debut album You May Breathe, recorded with legendary Norwegian producer HP Gundersen, is a modern study of the Phil Spector Wall of Sound of the ’60s; re-introducing tambourines, maracas, twang-guitars and lots of background vocals to the Norwegian pop-scene. After releasing her second album Tuning In just 11 months after her debut, Sissy was awarded the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannsprisen) as the Best Female Artist in 2005. Her third album, Beauties Never Die, was recorded in the legendary Duper Studio in Bergen with Norwegian super-producer and whiz-kid Jorgen Traen, best known for his work with Sondre Lerche. The songs are possibly the most daring pieces of music Sissy has ever delivered, filled with complex structures, unexpected arrangements and ultra-catchy melodies, all backed up by hot, pumping drums and basses.
Philadelphia Grand Jury - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury
Philadelphia Grand Jury has always been two friends: Berkfinger and MC Bad Genius. Between these two childhood buddies of some 20 years one observes a strange, tedious and sometimes very complicated relationship that always manages to somehow end up in a smart and ruff pop song. Do they even like each other? No one really knows. The Philly Jays (as their fans affectionately refer to them) are, according to Drum Media, a “must see before you die” band. Their live show has taken them to all corners to play, literally spending more weeks on the road than off. Yet even amidst all of that touring they have managed to squeeze out a self-produced, self-engineered and self-released hit LP on their own label called Normal People Making Hits, which months after release is still sitting pretty in the Top 5 of the independent charts. The LP Hope Is for Hopers has spawned four independent hit tracks and a crossover hit with “The Good News.” Recorded by vocalist/guitarist Berkfinger on a shoestring budget of less than $3,000, Hope Is for Hopers features 12 tracks that capture the raw energy and songwriting prowess that has given the Philly Jays live show the life to turn audiences all over the country on any given night.
Erik Hassle - 11:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/erikhassle
Hailing from the tiny village of Katrineholm, Sweden is 21-year-old singer and composer Erik Hassle. After falling in love with the sounds of Wilson Pickett at the age of five, Hassle realized he was born to be a musician and went on to study music at the Rytmus school in Stockholm when he was 15. However, prior to that, at the ripe old age of 10, Hassle was “discovered” at a school concert by a songwriter and two producers who would later go on to collaborate with him on his debut album, comprised of songs that were recorded by Hassle from the ages of 17 to 20 in ten different studios. Hassle signed with Swedish label Roxy Recordings in 2008 and went on to sign internationally in 2009 with Island Records and Universal Republic. Not only has Hassle consistently been referred to as a hot new artist in various news outlets, he was nominated for three 2009 Swedish Grammis and went on to win Newcomer of the Year. His first single, “Hurtful,” is currently making its way up the charts. Some US stations have already started to support “Hurtful,” including WDVD Detroit, WXXL Orlando, WXMA Louisville and WTMX Chicago.
Tuesday April 27th, 2010
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Nicol - 8:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/nicolsongs
Nicol is a gifted songwriter, pianist and guitarist who was raised in Los Angeles in the late ’80s but now calls London home. The “American Brit” has a varied set of influences on both sides of the pond, ranging from Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Carole King to the Stones and Imogen Heap. An accomplished painter, Nicol was offered a scholarship by the St Martins College of Art and had the opportunity to study at the Sylvia Young Theatre School…but she could not be tempted away from music. Her late uncle, famed rock guitarist Mick Green (Johnny Kid and the Pirates), encouraged her to perform her early compositions at open-mic nights--and a man who toured and recorded with the likes of Van Morrison, Brian Ferry and Paul McCartney should know! She’s gone on to perform with the likes of Seth Lakemen, Ron Sexsmith and Jason Mraz and recently did a string of 17 dates throughout Britain supporting “the UK Beyonce,” Alesha Dixon. Nicol is getting ready to record an EP in New York with producer Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave, Beth Orton), which should be ready for release in spring 2010.
The Respectables - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/therespectablesmusic
Canadian quartet The Respectables, consisting of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Sebastien Plante, lead guitarist Johnny Flash, bassist Stephane Dussault and drummer Stephane “Bodean” Beaudin, certainly know the ropes when it comes to rock & roll. Each performance is a guaranteed party where the audience can get a taste of a great rock & roll experience worthy of the all-time greats. In fact, one of those all-time greats, the Rolling Stones, chose The Respectables to be the opening act when the 40 Licks tour hit the Bell Centre in the band’s hometown of Montreal. Since then the foursome has kept up a relentless touring schedule, playing from Vancouver to Halifax and selling out a show at Quebec City’s Pepsi Coliseum. The Respectables’ latest album, Sweet Mama, was produced and co-written with former Big Sugar frontman Gordie Johnson, whose vocals are also featured on a song fittingly titled “Sugar.” The album, which was recorded in part at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studios in Texas and Mixart Studios in Montreal, also features the ivory-tickling talents of legendary Faces/Rolling Stones pianist Ian McLagan on several songs. Released through Universal in late 2008, Sweet Mama represents the quartet’s first English language album in ten years.
Euphoria Audio - 9:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/euphoriaaudio
Euphoria Audio is a hardworking 21st Century rock/pop band from Wakefield, UK. Formed in 2003, Matthew Shirtliff, Ben Lloyd, Ben Hughes and Daniel Wood have now been writing, rehearsing, touring and recording with each other for over half a decade. Considered “one of the best up-and-coming groups in the country” back home in the UK, Euphoria Audio is also making a name for itself in the USA after recently being announced as “Artist of the Week” by freelance Billboard reviewer Menox. Euphoria Audio has worked closely with producers Stuart Epps (Oasis, Robbie Williams, Jimmy Page) and Steve Levine (Culture Club, The Beach Boys), and most recently recorded in Trondheim, Norway with Universal’s D-sign Music (Kylie Minogue, Joe Cocker). Euphoria Audio also has a £25,000 sponsorship deal with Tesco Digital, one of the largest worldwide distributors of music at the moment. They have completed their first music video with Flynn Productions (Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol) and are using this to boost their profile even further. Euphoria Audio plays all over the country relentlessly and has supported acts such as Iglu & Hartly, Saxon, Twin Atlantic and People in Planes as well as being booked for several festivals for the summer.
Midnight Youth -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/midnightyouth
A solid buzz is emanating from Auckland, New Zealand for Midnight Youth, a quintet formed in 2006 consisting of vocalist Jeremy Redmore, guitarist Simon Oscroft, guitarist/keyboardist Nick Campbell, bassist Matt Warman and drummer Aidan Bartlett. Their first two singles achieved Top 40 airplay on New Zealand radio and TV and the group was deemed one of the top unsigned bands on MySpace in 2008. Their self-funded efforts were more than enough to get them noticed, with Warners NZ/Australia signing Midnight Youth in September 2008 and subsequently releasing “The Letter,” which became the No.1 most played song on New Zealand radio and remained in the Top 10 most played for more than 15 weeks. Their next single release, “All on Our Own,” upped the ante, spending 11 weeks as the most played song on New Zealand radio. Debut album The Brave Don’t Run was released in spring 2009 and bowed at No.1 on the iTunes album chart and No.2 on the New Zealand album chart. Midnight Youth closed out 2009 by being nominated for eight New Zealand Music Awards, bringing home the hardware for Best Rock Act, Best Group and Best Engineered Recording.
Laleh - 10:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/lalehsweden
Laleh built her initial reputation as a vivid stage performer delivering self-penned Swedish-language songs steeped in a popular folklore tradition that many thought would never be embraced by young artists again. It nicely complemented her brand of English-language songwriting, which effortlessly bridged the divide between underground and mainstream. Having early on set her mind not to compromise her artistic output, she established her own production imprint, Lost Army, allowing her to write, record, produce and perform on her own. Many of Laleh’s lyrics resonate on a basic human scale with her audience, about which she believes it’s important not to have a “them” and “us” perspective as a performer. Doubtless this attitude is part of the secret behind the success that has already seen Laleh achieve Platinum sales numbers, top the Swedish album chart and bring home several Swedish Grammis for Female Artist, Newcomer and Producer. Last year saw the release of her third album in Sweden, Me and Simon, which once again witnessed Laleh continuing to mix styles and languages into something very special. Always aiming to push her own envelope, she worked with the London Symphony Orchestra on the album for a track written for the blockbuster historical move Arn.
Dúné - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/dunesite
The members of Dúné (pronounced “dew-nay”) are true students of rock & roll history, incorporating into their sound the high-energy rock of the ’60s, the punk explosion of the ’70s, the synth-based pop of the ’80s and the indie aesthetic of the ’90s, all coming together to form a glorious mishmash that they’ve dubbed “Indielectrock.” Though some of the members started playing together as early as 2001, it wasn’t until 2006 that Dúné began to attract attention outside of Denmark. A gig at the local SPOT Festival garnered a rave review from Gaffa, Denmark’s most influential music magazine, while a slot on the famed Roskilde Festival later in the year sparked international interest. They started the year 2007 in the studio, taking time out only for acclaimed performances at the Eurosonic Festival in Holland and MUSEXPO in Los Angeles, where they won over many of the international tastemakers in attendance. After those appearances they released their debut album, We Are In There, You Are Out Here, through indie Iceberg Records, which subsequently signed a licensing agreement with SonyBMG for a release in the Germany/Austria/Switzerland territories. The septet went on to earn three Danish Music Awards in 2008, for Best Danish Rock Album, Best Danish Band and Best New Danish Act…all before graduating high school!
Sidechild - 11:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/sidechildmusic
Sidechild is the moniker adopted by Pontus, a guy from Sweden with crazy hair who for years had been writing tunes that weren’t quite right for his various musical projects. The deeply personal, folksy pop songs touched on such subjects as love, relationships and Pontus losing both his parents at an early age. However, a computer crash that took out all his home recordings caused him to reorder his priorities and see if any of the songs really worked. He received encouraging words from his friends is the music/producers collective Soundhabits Stockholm and decided it was time to focus on his own music, adopting the name Sidechild as a mixture of his “side project” being his “lovechild.” In late 2007 a three-song demo reached the ears of Romeo Stodart, lead singer of The Magic Numbers, who was so excited by what he heard that he offered Sidechild the opening slot on their Christmas tour of Finland and Sweden--allowing Sidechild to play his first gigs in front of thousands of people. In the spring of 2009 Sidechild entered the studio to record Music for Children, which was released in Scandinavia in February 2010, with first single “Come On Come On” getting major radio and video play in Sweden.
Wednesday April 28th, 2010
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The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - 8:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/theboywhotrappedthesun
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun is the name adopted by Colin MacLeod, a charismatic Scottish singer/songwriter who hails from the Isle of Lewis off the northwest coast of Scotland. It is, Colin explains, “an acquired taste: wild, windy, wet and horrible. But I love it.” It is a landscape that thrives with “sad Gaelic songs about leaving home, being lost at sea, fishing, or falling off cliffs.” Whilst it may also sound slightly more interesting than his birth name, The Boy moniker is also evocative enough to capture the simple, natural beauty of MacLeod’s music--think a lightly orchestrated Nick Drake, or a Scottish Elliot Smith, with the subtle electronic infusions of Beck circa Sea Change. But MacLeod is much more than the latest in the line of earnest singer-songwriters. His songs are strange, occasionally sinister: tales with a sting. Debut album Drift mixes the mythological with the autobiographical, to the point where separating fact from fiction feels futile. It gives a clear sense of a young man adrift from home, while simultaneously thriving on the adventures he’s having so far away. It is a Coming of Age album with a twist, looking backwards as well as forwards, resulting in a melancholic, amusing and utterly intoxicating listen.
Joe Brooks - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/joebrooksmusic
When 16-year-old Joe Brooks posted a homemade recording to MySpace a few years back, little did he suspect the adventures that were about to unfold. Within a short time he had many favorable comments from listeners. This led Joe to start writing and recording more songs, including one called “Superman.” A tune about being the outcast but still knowing that you are a special person in your own way, it struck a chord and immediately caught fire on MySpace. Joe gained thousands of fans as the word of mouth spread quickly through the online community. His popularity continued to rise exponentially and he became the top unsigned artist in the UK in total plays for over a year, at one point getting more plays per day than Oasis. The next three years saw Joe traveling back and forth between the UK and LA on a regular basis. His good luck with audiences continued, as Joe proceeded to sell out his first two club tours in the UK, without the help of a label or publisher. It was through this buzz that he came to the attention of legendary A&R executive Jason Flom and his label Lava Records (an imprint of Universal Music Group), who lost no time in signing him.
Fibes, Oh Fibes! - 9:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/fibesohfibes
“C’mon, guys!” This is the stage manager for Lionel Richie shouting at Fibes, Oh Fibes! The group is several minutes delayed on stage at Globen in Stockholm as supporting act for Lionel on his world tour. Vocalist/pianist Christian Olsson has just disappeared, having suffered from a nervous breakdown. Ten thousand people are waiting in the audience on this day in April 2007, just over half a year after their album Emotional has been praised in almost all Swedish media. Shortly after the concerts with Lionel Richie, Christian escaped Sweden and ended up in Los Angeles, where he played piano in miscellaneous bars, trying to find his way back to something valuable. It worked: Fibes, Oh Fibes! won Best Pop Album at the Swedish Grammis in 2010 with comeback album 1987, less than three years after that fateful day. On the album they collaborated with artists, songwriters and producers such as Kim Wilde, Björn Skifs (Blue Swede), Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet), Pontus and Petter Winnberg (Madonna, Britney Spears, Maroon 5) and Oskar Linnros (Veronica Maggio). Christian, who formerly composed alone, now writes with guitarist Mathias Nilsson, frequently on trips around the world. Together with bassist Edvin Edvinson, Fibes, Oh Fibes! is now ready to spread their message worldwide.
Rey Fresco -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/reyfresco
Though their name may sound like a solo artist, Rey Fresco (Spanish for King Fresh) is a four-piece that, over the past year, has absolutely exploded on the California music scene. Comprised of soulful lead singer and Fiji native Roger Keiaho, drummer Andrew Jones (who builds his own drums with techniques borrowed from surfboard making), bassist Shawn Echevarria and harpist Xocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza, who plays a 36-string Veracruz harp built by his father and also holds a degree in ethnomusicology, Rey Fresco is the sonic equivalent of a global summit. Despite having completely different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the Fresco boys have long been friends. When they finally came together in the same band the result was a wholly original sound that blended their mutual love for rock, reggae, soul, world and Latin music. The quartet cultivated a thriving fan base on the strength of their live shows and that local success caught the attention of Eight O Five Records, an upstart indie label run by veteran management company Fitzgerald Hartley and distributed by Fontana. Rey Fresco’s debut record, The People, released digitally in the fall of 2009, has managed to capture the foursome’s energetic live show but at the same time highlights the quality of their songwriting.
Mads Langer - 10:00 PM Viper Room
www.myspace.com/madslanger
Denmark’s Mads Langer is attracting a lot of A&R interest on both sides of the Atlantic. Currently signed to respected Scandinavian indie Copenhagen Records, for which he released both his debut album, Attention Please, and 2009’s eponymous follow-up, Langer has already been receiving rave reviews for his commanding stage presence, multi-instrumental ability and keen songwriting sense. BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Davies refers to Langer as “a chilled-out version of Radiohead and Muse,” while Martin Ashplant of www.inthenews.co.uk states, “There is every chance this young man can go much farther than Scandinavia. Soulful and wistful with Muse-like vocals that can tug, Langer…has a chance to take the world by storm.” The first single from Attention Please, “Breaking News,” was immediately given “Hit of the Week” status at influential Danish radio station P3 while also receiving a bevy of American airplay on such tastemaking outlets as KDLD “Indie 103.1” Los Angeles, WKQX “Q101” Chicago, KTCL Denver and KATT Oklahoma City, among others. Still available for signing and licensing worldwide (outside Scandinavia), Langer figures to be a prolific artist: “A minute doesn’t go by, not even a second, without a stream of new musical ideas or familiar phrases running through my head,” he says. “My songs spring from that source.”
Capra - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
www.myspace.com/capramusic
Melding vintage rock & roll with soulful funk, the SoCal quintet known as Capra has utilized an arsenal of swaggering rock tunes and funkadelic grooves to quickly build a name for themselves on the fiercely competitive Los Angeles club scene. Recently signed to Hollywood Records, the group is enjoying some early success even without a completed album in the marketplace. Capra has already secured three key synch opportunities, including the worldwide Expedia advertisement for their single “Low Day,” which was heard by over 106 million people when it was aired numerous times during this year’s Super Bowl. The tune has also made its way on to the Guitar Hero 5 video game and as one of the theme songs for the movie Sky Runners, which stars Capra lead singer Kelly Blatz (who also plays the title role in the Disney XD series “Aaron Stone”). Capra is currently in the studio completing work on their forthcoming debut album for Hollywood Records with Matt Harris, A&R Director for the Burbank, CA-based label. To twist a phrase from their old-school Tinseltown namesake, 2010 is shaping up to bring a wonderful life to Capra, which is poised to be a major priority for Hollywood Records and Disney worldwide.
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Please email
Josh@passportapproved.com for guest list information. Tickets are on a first-come basis. There are age minimums at both venues.
Thanks for listening to Passport Approved and we look forward to speaking with you again very soon.
Best Regards,
Sat Bisla (host/music director) and Josh Woodard (producer)
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