Americana heroes The Felice Brothers‘ self-titled album has been been nominated for an Uncut Music Award along with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Paul Weller, Portishead and The Hold Steady.

The aim of the awards is to find the most inspiring and richly rewarding album of the last 12 months and the winner will be chosen by a panel that includes Uncut editor Allan Jones, Bob Harris, Mark Radcliffe, Edwyn Collins and Later With Jools Holland producer Alison Howe. The winner will be announced in early November 2008.

Watch The Felice Brothers: “Roll On Arte” video (from the album ‘Tonight At The Arizona’):

The 2008 Uncut Music Award long list:

KEVIN AYERS - The Unfairground
JAMES BLACKSHAW - Litany Of Echoes
BON IVER - For Emma, Forever Ago
ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN - Sunday At Devil Dirt
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS - Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
ELBOW - The Seldom-Seen Kid
THE FELICE BROTHERS - The Felice Brothers
FLEET FOXES - Fleet Foxes
PJ HARVEY - White Chalk
THE HOLD STEADY - Stay Positive
HOWLIN RAIN - Magnificent Fiend
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN - To Survive
STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS - Real Emotional Trash
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS - Raising Sand
PORTISHEAD - Third
THE RACONTEURS - Consolers Of The Lonely
RADIOHEAD - In Rainbows
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Magic
RACHEL UNTHANK & THE WINTERSET- The Bairns
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Vampire Weekend
PAUL WELLER - 22 Dreams
WHITE DENIM - Workout Holiday
WILD BEASTS - Limbo, Panto
ROBERT WYATT - Comicopera

Read the whole news story here: Uncut Music Awards

What the Press is saying about The Felice Brothers:

“Barnstorming & brilliant” **** The Guardian

“Truly outstanding original material, one of the albums of the year so far” - Allan Jones, Uncut

“Probably the most enthralling band currently to be seen anywhere in the world right now. This is as good as music gets” - Neil McCormick, Daily Telegraph

The Felice Brothers 2008 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

29 Sep 2008 BARLEY’S TAP ROOM Knoxville, Tennessee
30 Sep 2008 LOCAL 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2 Oct 2008 FIRST UNITARIAN Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9 Oct 2008 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (students only) Princeton, New Jersey
10 Oct 2008 CLUB CAFE Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
11 Oct 2008 PALACE THEATRE Louisville, Kentucky
13 Oct 2008 THE HI-TONE Memphis, Tennessee
15 Oct 2008 PROUD LARRY’S Oxford, Mississippi
16 Oct 2008 WORKPLAY Birmingham, Alabama
17 Oct 2008 MAPLE LEAF New Orleans, Louisiana
18 Oct 2008 ALEXANDRIA MUSIC PROJECT Alexandria, Louisiana
22 Oct 2008 THE TROUBADOUR Los Angeles, California
23 Oct 2008 GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL San Francisco, California
24 Oct 2008 MISSION THEATRE Portland, Oregon
25 Oct 2008 CHOP SUEY Seattle, Washington
27 Oct 2008 THE POST THEATER AT UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Salt Lake City, Utah
28 Oct 2008 FOX THEATRE Boulder, Colorado
1 Nov 2008 WDST PRESENTS - HV FOOD BANK BENEFIT @ CATSKILL POINT Catskill, New York
2 Nov 2008 SPIEGELWORLD at FULTON FISH MARKET New York, New York

Find out more about The Felice Brothers:

The Felice Brothers on Loose Music
The Felice Brothers MySpace

There’s a PIRATE Party in town and you’re invited!

That’s if you’re in the vicinity of the beautiful and historic Iffley Village in Oxford, England on Wednesday 17th, September 2008.

At the Prince of Wales Pub to be exact.

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre is raising money in aid of Cancer Research and there’s a Fancy Dress Party being held at The Prince of Wales, including a prize for best costume.

Party starts at 8:30pm - w/ live music by Jim Driscoll & Jenny May. Playing acoustic/alternative/folk.

For phone number and directions go to:

Prince of Wales

The Alan Titchmarsh Show is set to host ‘X Factor’ style competition to search for Britain’s newest Opera diva…

To celebrate the nation’s new love affair with the world of operatic music is the fantastic new touring show, A Night at the Opera starring Jonathan Ansell.

To compliment Jonathan’s boyish looks and sensational voice the producers of the show have undertaken a nationwide search to find the next great soprano and ‘love interest’ for A Night At The Opera.

The eight sopranos who have been picked as finalists will appear on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on Monday 1st September, 2008. They will sing before a judging panel and only four will go through to the next round. They will appear again during September and face a public vote to find two finalists, these will return to sing with Jonathan Ansell and face a final vote to find the winner. The winner will then be joined by the full cast of A Night at the Opera on the Alan Titchmarsh Show on October 27th, 2008 and star with them on the nationwide tour from 30th October to 23rd November.

Jonathan Ansell says “This is a good opportunity for a new rising soprano to come and join us, and get the chance to be part of this unique show. It’s a privilege for me to sing all these great songs every night and for a whole month; I’m looking forward to seeing who I will be singing with!”

More info.:

(Subject to change.)

On 1st September, 2008 - 8 sopranos will be on the Alan Titchmarsh show. The panel of judges whittle them to 4 by the end of programme.

Sept 15th - the 4 come back to sing, and are whittled down to 2 by public vote.

16th/19th - VT’s of the ones left.

29th - the last 2 sing with Jonathan Ansell, the public vote through the show, and the winner is announced and performs at the end of the show.

Oct 27 - the whole cast of A Night At The Opera come back on the show to perform together.

The Alan Titchmarsh Show is on ITV1 at 3pm every weekday.

The judges will be voice coach to the stars David Grant, theatre pro Ruthie Henshall and celebrity manager Jonathan Shalit.

Classic FM is also currently running a nationwide vote through their magazine and website to find the nation’s favourite aria. The winning aria will be performed each night in A Night at the Opera.

A Night At The Opera - Brief Over view

Featuring the stunning voice of former G4 heart-throb Jonathan Ansell, A Night at the Opera will visit 18 major cities this autumn to bring the best loved arias and tunes to the UK. The show will feature all the classics from the world’s favourite operas such as Aida, La Boheme, Cosi Fan Tutti, The Marriage of Figaro and Madam Butterfly. The show sets out to achieve what The Three Tenors achieved - making opera accessible for everybody.

For more information, go to:

Flying Music

New York City songstress Rachael Sage returns with her second UK solo release, ‘Chandelier’, a highly anticipated follow-up to her debut UK release ‘The Blistering Sun’, released via MPress Records on 4th August 2008.

A musically eclectic myriad of emotions, ‘Chandelier’ always comes back to one central theme: fragility. From the expansive title track “Chandelier” to the frenetic “Vertigo”, the dancer-turned-songwriter is adept at illuminating dark subject matter, including codependency, depression and adultery. On the more optimistic “My Word,” Sage enlightens us with her thespian past (she received a degree in Drama from Stanford and studied at The Actors Studio).

Download “Vertigo” MP3 sampler

Sage, who attended Manhattan’s prestigious School of American Ballet and is a self-taught pianist, already possesses a catalogue of eight solo albums and an ever-expanding fan-base Stateside and is the winner of various prestigious awards, including the 2005 Independent Music Award and the 2005 Outmusic Award.

‘Chandelier’ was recorded by John Shyloski (Johnny Winter, Diana Ross), mixed by Grammy winner Kevin Killen (Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel), and contains plenty of Sage’s signature baroque piano figures, lush string arrangements and wah-guitar licks, along with a heavy dose of improvisation by her regular touring outfit, The Sequins: Russ Johnson on trumpet (Elvis Costello), Dean Sharp on Drums (Moby), and Dave Eggar on cello (Evanescence).

There are also a slew of special guests, including guitarists Jack Petruzelli (Rufus Wainwright), Shane Fontayne (Sting) and Adam Levy (Norah Jones), as well as drummer Doug Yowell (Suzanne Vega) and bassist Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco).

Rachael Sage 2008 UK tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Rachael Sage’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

Monday August 4 Cambridge, UK Acoustic Cafe at The Bun Shop
1 King Street CB1 1LH; 01223 366866 9:00pm

Tuesday August 5 Manchester, UK The Thirsty Scholar
50 New Wakefield Street M1 5NP; 0161 236 6071 10:00 pm

Wednesday August 6 Glasgow, UK PivoPivo
15 Waterloo Street, G2 6AY 9:15pm

Thursday August 7 London, UK 12 Bar Club
Denmark Street, WC2H 8NL; 020 7240 2622 8:00pm

Friday August 8 Brighton, UK The Providence
130 Western Road, Hove BN3 1DA; 01273 727822

PRESS ON RACHAEL

“Warm, intelligent - Sage hits somewhere besides the bed-sit and the cellarful of noise and it does you good” - MOJO

“Genuine talent… Sage has a knack for writing melodies that will break your heart without making you feel manipulated in the process… Where there’s poignancy there’s also subtlety, unforced passion and knowing observation” - ROLLINGSTONE.COM

“Rich vocals, sparkling piano and yearning poetry…” - TIME OUT, NEW YORK

“Rachael Sage has an inimitable personal style, a balance of flamboyance and femininity… a performance as distinctive as it was entertaining.” - THE WASHINGTON POST

“Pop music isn’t crafted as expertly as this anymore and Sage is the stitch between the great rock and pop traditions of the past and what those traditions have wrought - albeit almost invisibly - in the hypermodern world of the present.” - BILLBOARD.COM

Rachael Sage Official Website
Rachael Sage MySpace

On his sophomore disc, ‘Leavetaking’ (release date: August 5, 2008 on Sarathan Records), Peter Bradley Adams builds upon the cinematic and ethereal sound of his 2006 solo debut ‘Gather Up’. The disc was recorded in Nashville and co-produced by Peter and Lex Price.

The unusual title and theme of the album is inspired by a line from the Mark Strand poem titled ‘The View’: “He’s always been drawn to the weather of leavetaking.” Peter elaborates, “the word ‘leavetaking’ resonates with me and these songs on a couple of levels - on one hand there’s the call to wander and the choice one makes to search and to live in that motion; and on the other hand the price of that choice, and the feeling of loss that accompanies it. And it’s a theme you hear in so many traditional songs… some of them traveling songs, or gospel songs, or love songs… they’ve got that old longing in them that I’m really drawn to.”

In 2006, Peter left Los Angeles, moved to Nashville and immediately began his collaboration with Lex Price. “I had met Lex on tour a year earlier, and after hearing him play and the music he’s produced, I knew I wanted to work with him.”

Assembling a small group of Nashville players, the duo recorded a bulk of the songs in two separate Decembers - ‘06 and ‘07. For the mixing, Peter called upon Kevin Killen (Peter Gabriel, U2, Elvis Costello).

“We mixed in Los Angeles at the studio of TV composer Mike Post, a friend and supporter since eastmountainsouth. Kevin came out and we mixed 13 songs in seven days. But at the end, I felt that only nine fit this album. So I decided this was just going to have to be a short record and not apologize for it.”

With the exception of the instrumental track “Song For Viola,” Adams builds upon the signature vocal harmonies crafted with Kat Maslisch as the duo eastmountainsouth and carried to his solo debut (featuring Epic Records artists Sarah Bareillis on “Teresa” and Susie Suh). Peter explains, “[Nashville singer/songwriter] Katie Herzig and I met on the “American Songwriter” magazine tour in 2007 and I knew she would be perfect for these songs. But I also feel like I’m using harmony vocals differently than I have in the past - more as a support and color to the melody than a clearly defined 2nd part. It’s a progression from my previous record and eastmountainsouth.”

Also included is a reinterpretation of the song “So You Are To Me,” originally recorded by eastmountainsouth. Adams wrote it for his sister’s wedding, and it lives on as a popular wedding song to this day. “It was difficult for me to re-record the song because Kat sang it so beautifully. But, I think Lex and I found another way into it, so I’m really glad it’s on the record.”

‘Leavetaking’ is the sophomore solo release for Peter Bradley Adams and his debut for Seattle-based Sarathan Records, also home to Two Loons For Tea and Abra Moore.

Sarathan Records

Peter Bradley Adams MySpace
Peter Bradley Adams Official Website

Nathalie Nahai released her much-anticipated second album, ‘Fortune Teller’ on 28th July 2008 via Fuzzy Muskrat Records. Recorded in the Southern State of Georgia, USA, the influence of folk and bluegrass music is clear and her collaboration with other blues musicians lends this album a depth and variety enriched further by the simple production style.

Early press reviews for the album have raved about ‘the raw acoustics…delicate melodies and beautiful structures’ (Maverick), and the ‘pure quality’ (Acoustic) of the record.

Watch Nathalie Nahai video - A short film:

Born in London to her half Iranian/half French mother, and Gibraltarian father of Scottish descent, Nathalie has been developing her musical talent all her life. Having been classically trained in violin and self-taught on guitar (which leads to a rather unique plucking style), she writes her own music and has been performing in the UK and US for the past three years, both solo and with her band.

Whilst studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London), she travelled to the States to record her debut album with multi-platinum Grammy award winning producer Don McCollister. It was released in 2006 on her label, Fuzzy Muskrat Records (FMR), and received critical acclaim.

Her broad and varied life experiences have evolved Nathalie to become far more than just a singer-songwriter. Everything down from the creative packaging, which has that rarely seen attention to detail, to her clear direction of style, paying homage to Victoriana through to 20s Parisian chic, Nathalie conjures up a romanticism of innocence lost. Musically, Nathalie can also be described as a poet; as a lyricist she has developed a deep sense of dialect which is both stirring and heartfelt. She is without contemporaries.

The album, ‘Fortune Teller’, is personal in a far more spiritual way. The imagery of the album is taken from two Tarot cards (from the ‘Rider Waite’ deck); the front and back illustrations are from ‘The World’ card, and the inside of the CD is ‘The Lovers card’. Nathalie’s relationship with Tarot reading has its history; she first had a reading whilst at university, and fascinated, the girl reading said she had skills to become a good reader if she should choose to learn. So as time went on, Nathalie taught herself, went on a tarot course, and eventually ending up working at a holistic shop in Birmingham called ‘Zen’. Over the next two years, she read there at weekends, after which she moved to London.

This multitude of creative forces have helped to shape the artist that is Nathalie Nahai; in 2007 she performed to packed houses in her first UK tour, and returned to the US to record her second album. This is ‘Fortune Teller’.

Press for the debut album:

“With exploratory lyrics, soaring melodies and clear vocals, Nahai stands poised to guide a whole new generation through the pain and joy of the game of life” - Performing Songwriter

“A beautiful debut which showcases an amazing talent… Her heart-breakingly beautiful voice is almost hypnotic” - Maverick

Nathalie Nahai MySpace
Nathalie Nahai Official Website

On July 31st, 2008, after returning from her Morrocan tour that saw Empire ISIS perform in front of 100,000 people at the Casa Festival amongst other dates, ISIS proved yet again why she is the Empress of urban music in Canada.

Being her 9th nomination this year, Empire ISIS won her 5th award for Best Out of Province Artist at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards in the Phoenix Concert Theater.

This Gangstress leads the way as one of “the” breakthrough artists of 2008 as she travels to NYC for her next award nomination at the Underground Urban Music Awards; this time for Best International Artist of the Year.

Empire ISIS’ upcoming release ‘Sound The Trumpets’ on Monumental-HLM-Universal is getting rave reviews as the must have albums of 2008. With the release date set for August 26th, 2008, and the recent single “Don’t Go Home” hitting the airwaves, there is much anticipation to see what will be next for Empire ISIS to conquer.

For music and more information, go to:

Empire ISIS MySpace

The goal of Moneyland is to raise awareness of serious economic issues facing Americans today through a thoughtful selection of six new (or newly recorded) songs, mixed with eight neglected gems and classic favorites that offer a hard-hitting look at today’s economic injustice.

In addition to songs from the Del McCoury Band, the album features songs from Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Hornsby along with The Fairfield Four, Chris Knight and others.

Fortunately, the concept behind Moneyland isn’t a novel one; there are many great organizations that have been fighting these battles for a long time.

Del’s goal with Moneyland is to draw that connection between the sentiments of each song and the organizations that are dedicated to the issues dealt with in the songs.

It is the intention of each of these organizations to gather inspired individuals together for a greater good. We believe that music–especially this music–is a great way to start the process; we hope it will inspire listeners to move from awareness to action.

Please visit this special Moneyland Page to hear the music and find out more information about the organizations that we’re speaking about. Each song offers something special; for example, listen to “Farmer’s Blues” performed by Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard and find out more about organizations who are on the front lines of the battle to save the American Farmer. Or listen to “Carry Me Across the Mountain” performed by Dan Tyminski with Alison Krauss and learn about how the National Rural Health Association is addressing the health care and medical issues of rural America.

In addition to all of this, IFC (Independent Film Co.) have teamed up with Moneyland for a contest that inspires filmmakers to react and respond to the issues addressed on the album. Click the video below for more information about the IFC contest and visit www.livinginmoneyland.com for more information about the project.

Watch video

Living In Moneyland Official Website

Ray LaMontagne, one of the most distinct and recognizable voices in music, announced his first North American tour in support of his new album ‘Gossip In The Grain’ due out October 14, 2008 on RCA Records. The six week tour starts September 30 in Indianapolis.

October 14 is the new release date for the album as LaMontagne, struck by inspiration, went back into the studio last week to record additional material. The new album can be pre-ordered at www.raylamontagne.com and the new track listing is below:

1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Recorded with returning producer, Ethan Johns in Box, England, and touching upon a range of styles and musical settings - spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry - ‘Gossip In The Grain’ proves to be his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

Whereas LaMontagne’s two previous albums, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Till The Sun Turns Black’, were largely solo affairs, with Johns serving as multi-tasking instrumentalist, ‘Gossip In The Grain’ sees him joined by members of his touring band, bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood (with Johns largely handling drum duties). Along with his band members, LaMontagne is also joined on two tracks - “A Falling Through” and “I Still Care For You” - by singer/songwriter Leona Naess.

Naess will be the opener for the entire tour and is touring in support of her new album ‘Thirteens’ out September 23, 2008 on Verve Forecast.

Ray LaMontagne with Leona Naess 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Ray LaMontagne’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

September 30 Murat Theatre Indianapolis, IN
October 1 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL
October 3 Union Theatre Madison, WI
October 4 State Theatre Minneapolis, MN
October 6 Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
October 7 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, ON
October 9 Opera House Boston, MA
October 10 Opera House Boston, MA
October 11 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
October 13 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
October 14 The Strathmore Music Center Washington, DC
October 16 Meymandi Concert Hall Raleigh, NC
October 17 Bijou Theatre Knoxville, TN
October 18 The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
October 19 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
October 21 Uptown Theatre Kansas City, MO
October 23 Verizon Wireless Theatre Houston, TX
October 24 Majestic Theatre Dallas, TX
October 25 Paramount Theatre Austin, TX
October 27 Macky Auditorium Boulder, CO
October 28 Murray Theatre Salt Lake City, UT
October 30 Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA
November 1 Spreckels Theatre San Diego, CA
November 3 Paramount Theatre Oakland, CA
November 5 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR
November 6 McDonald Theatre Eugene, OR
November 8 Vogue Theatre Vancouver, BC
November 9 Marion Oliver McCaw Hall Seattle, WA

Ray LaMontagne Official Website

Nestled between the majestic Koolau mountain range on the east side of Honolulu, Hawaii, northeast of Diamond Head State Monument on the north and alongside Maunalua Bay and the blue Pacific Ocean on the south, is the Waialae Country Club, an expansive private PGA golf course with breathtaking vistas, lush Bermuda grass, greens and fairways. With palm trees and other tropical vegetation which dot the layout and a natural stream that crosses the course and empties into the bay, it would be the perfect venue for any performer. But to Nicole Hart and Lance Ong it is an idyllic backdrop for their wedding.

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong will take their marriage vows August 8th, 2008 (at 8am) just after the sun breaks over the horizon from their view on the beach. This panorama will provide a snapshot moment and the sound of circling seagulls and waves lapping on the beach will create a soundtrack that will stir their memories for a lifetime together.

To marry they waited for the perfect date, a date with a special significance. To the Chinese the number 8 symbolizes infinity - it has neither a beginning nor an end. So for Hart and Ong, August 8th, 2008 (08/08/08) was the day they chose.

“Many of you thought we were already married! Well, if so, it is because Lance and I have been a team right from the beginning, and we are now making it official!” writes Hart in a glowing wedding announcement to her many fans.

The bride will wear an island-style peacock blue and gold embroidered Tadashi gown purchased for the occasion. The groom will wear a beautiful white embroidered shirt purchased from the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington.

Why was the Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, chosen to hold the wedding and reception? According to Hart, “I had been to Hawaii previously and so loved it, that when Lance asked me to marry him, there was never any doubt that we would hold the ceremony there. Also, Lance’s family had all lived there for some time, so they know the local folks and it was very easy and economically sound to do it there, rather than fly everyone over here to New York. Besides, it’s just beautiful! I hope to retire there someday! Doesn’t everyone? I can always hope!”

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong are members of Nicole Hart and The NRG Band, fronted by Hart. The band comprises vocals, bass, keyboards, drums and guitar. The band’s sound is described as a mixture of blues, funk, rhythm and blues and soul. They have played to rave reviews by fans and critics alike wherever they have played. They will wrap up an east coast tour which will take them from Ohio to as far south as Mobile, Alabama, the Florida panhandle and South Florida, then back home to New York again before they jet across country for their “Big Day” on the Honolulu beach.

When they return to the east coast to assume their lives as husband and wife, Hart and Ong will schedule recording their upcoming studio release with Blues Leaf Records which they hope to release Spring of 2009.

About the Bride and Groom

Nicole Hart
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Nicole’s timeless, powerful, intoxicating voice is beautifully soul/sweet - silky, then gritty - classic yet absolutely contemporary - and she is renowned for her electrifying stage presence. Nicole’s impressive resume includes work with a variety of music greats such as Harry Belafonte, Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Oscar Winning Film Director Jonathan Demme, Richard Bona, Drew Zingg, Chuck Berry, & Bo Diddley; she has opened for Bernard Allison, Odetta, E.C. Scott and Richie Havens. She has the unique distinction of being the first-ever Caucasian singer for the Hall of Fame Rhythm and Blues super group, the Shirelles.

Lance Ong
Lance Ong, keyboards, vocals, musical director is 2nd generation Chinese-American. Lance Ong was part of a team that produced, wrote and arranged over 700 songs and whose credits include a Grammy Award-winning record by Andre Crouch and recordings with David Sanborn, The Pointer Sisters, Grand Funk Railroad, Michael Murphy, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Anne Murray, Johnny Halliday and Sylvie Vartan, Trini Lopez, Erykah Badu and many others. His masterful command of the keyboards is undisputed.

The Wedding site:
Waialae Country Club
4997 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Ceremony will be held 8am ceremony on the beach!

To offer the newly weds best wishes:
Nicole Hart and Lance Ong
PureNRG@NRGband.net

The NRG Band Official Website

If you happen to be in the Oxford area this Sunday, August 3, 2008 - be sure to check out Behaveya playing at The Exeter Hall.

I was lucky enough to see the band play a few weeks ago at The Temple Bar. Their ages are from 10-17, so if you have kids that are starting to play music themselves, bring them along if they’re looking for inspiration, because this talented young band ROCKS! (Of course, if you do plan to bring your kids, check with The Exeter Hall first.)

Behaveya plays old punk and rock covers as well as originals.

EXETER HALL
Oxford, UK
3rd of August at 4pm

For music and more information, go to:

Behaveya MySpace

By: Jenny May

MySpace Music is proud to announce that Bun B will be performing a free show for his MySpace friends at Torch in Dallas, TX on August 1, 2008 - a show being powered by Saints Row 2.

Celebrating his recently released album ‘II Trill,’ Bun B will be returning to his home state of Texas to showcase his newly-christened material. Attendance is free for 21+ adults for the performance on a first come, first served basis starting at 10 p.m. on August 1.

Emerging from Port Arthur, Texas, as one-half of UGK (Underground Kingz) alongside the late Pimp C, Bun B has also made a name for himself as a hugely-successful solo artist in the hip-hop game. The three years between his debut solo album ‘Trill’ and the present time have been turbulent for him but have provided inspiration for the wordplay featured on the highly-anticipated sequel ‘II Trill.’ Since Pimp C’s death in 2007, Bun B’s solo career has taken on an entirely new meaning, and the new album, along with his continued popularity, are a testament to the type of impact he continues to have on Dirty South music and beyond.

Featuring guest shots from the likes of Lil Wayne, Sean Kingston and others, ‘II Trill’ is a statement that Bun B is able to carry on the spirit of UGK despite the absence of his partner in rhyme.

Torch Dallas
Torch Dallas MySpace
5631 Sears Street
Dallas, TEXAS 75206
214.418.1511

Please visit Bun B’s MySpace page for the very latest news items, tour dates and media:

Bun B MySpace

MySpace Release Shows sponsored by Saints Row 2

Guitar Center Announces Launch of World’s Largest Drum Competition - Guitar Center Drum-Off ‘08

World’s Largest Drum Competition Celebrates 20th Anniversary Offering Grand Prize Worth Over $45,000

For 20 years, Guitar Center has been committed to providing drummers across the country the opportunity to pursue their musical aspirations and achieve their dreams by way of the world’s largest drum competition: Guitar Center Drum-Off.

Starting August 1st, drummers can sign up for their chance to win over $45,000 in cash and prizes, joining over 5,000 drummers from across the US to compete for the title of Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Champion ‘08.

Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is designed to provide developing artists with support-based opportunities that vastly improve the potential for their success as professional musicians. Drum-Off inspires up-and-coming drummers to further their musical aspirations, while at the same time encouraging the local music community and providing a platform for local musicians to network and be discovered.

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off ‘08 champion will win an impressive package of prizes, including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-20 kit, and a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums as well as a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals, be featured in Modern Drummer magazine, and in a Guitar Center ad campaign, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2009 and shopping sprees with Levi’s, Converse and Guitar Center. A Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal is also part of the prize package, making the total prize package worth over $45,000. In addition, Sabian, Zildjian, Remo, Pro-Mark, Vic Firth, Evans and Rhythm Tech are all proud sponsors of Drum-Off 08.

Several winning alumni from Guitar Center’s previous Drum-Off competitions have gone on to have incredible drumming careers, including Cora “CC” Dunham (Prince; Drum-Off ‘02 Champ), Eric Moore (Bobby Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Infectious Grooves; Drum-Off ‘03 Champ), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z; Drum-Off ‘95 Champ) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), who became the Guitar Center Drum-Off champion in 1993 when he was just 9 years old!

How It Works:
Sign-ups for the preliminary rounds of the Drum-Off competition begin August 1, 2008 and run on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, with a maximum of 30 registrants per store. Contestants must sign up with a Guitar Center drum department associate at their local store — no phone or Internet sign-ups are available.

Local competitions start September 23rd, 2008 in all 214 Guitar Center locations from nationwide. One winner from each store will be chosen to move up to district competitions (24 locations), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations) and culminating in the final championship Drum-Off in Los Angeles in January of 2009 (exact date and venue TBD).

COMPETITION DATES:
STORE PRELIMS: September 23rd, September 30th, and October 7th, 2008
STORE FINALS: October 14th
DISTRICT FINALS: November 4th
REGIONAL FINALS: December 2nd
GRAND FINALS: January 2009

Following the regional finals on December 6, 2008 finalists will be headed for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform before a panel of celebrity judges (past judges include, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Travis Barker, ?uestlove (The Roots), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Freese (NIN), Kenny Aronoff, Joey Castillio (Queens of the Stoneage) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath), Steve Smith (Journey) and Alan White (Yes) in the final Guitar Center Drum-Off competition to see who will become Drum-Off ‘08 CHAMPION.

Guitar Center Official Website

New York’s O’Death is scheduled to release their new album, ‘Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skins’ on October 28th, 2008 via Kemado Records, their new U.S. home. The album, which was written over a span of three years, was co-produced with Alex Newport (Two Gallants, the Locust).

Since 2007’s buzzed-about Head Home, the quintet, which contains vocalist/guitarist Greg Jamie, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Gabe Darling, fiddle player Bob Pycior, bassist Newman and drummer David Rogers-Berry have evolved the possessed americana-meets-gypsy-punk of recent years into a more urgent, unrelenting celebration of life, death and everything in between.

Catch them live in August/September.

O’Death 2008 Tour Dates:

Dates could change! Go to O’Death’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

August 13 - Cargo - London, UK
August 15 - Green Man Festival - Wales
August 16 - Brucken Festival - Nuremberg
August 17 - West Germany, Berlin
August 28 - Le Divan Orange - Montreal, Quebec
August 29 - Bar El Passo Saloon - Rouyn, Noranda, Quebec
August 30 - Bar El Passo Saloon - Rouyn, Noranda, Quebec
September 10 - Rocks Off Concert Cruise on the Half Moon - New York, NY
September 11 - Ad Lib Cafe - Lancaster, PA
September 12 - Olde Club @ Swathmore College - Swarthmore, PA
September 13 - Alfred University Knights Club - Alfred, NY

For more O’Death info, visit:
O’Death MySpace

The Ultrasonics will be launching on to the pop scene on August 25th, 2008 with the release of their debut single “Perfect Girl”.

Already championed by the likes of Popjustice (the UK’s number one pop music site) and EQ, “Perfect Girl” is a true electropop gem. The track draws influences from classic ’80s pop, with a nod towards the synth-laden sounds of The Human League and Depeche Mode.

“Perfect Girl” acts as a perfect introduction to the group’s fusion of retro and 21st Century electro.

And the band’s front girl Johanna Lee Gervin is the perfect electro princess. Striking and sexy, oozing a fierce electro-punk attitude, Johanna has superstar quality and when she’s on stage she owns it.

In the run up to their single release, The Ultrasonics have been performing at some of London’s coolest venues including Cafe de Paris and Revue Bar in Soho. You can catch the band as they continue touring the UK throughout the summer, making appearances at a number of high-profile events such as Manchester Pride.

The Ultrasonics - “Perfect Girl” will be available to download from iTunes and other major digital stores on August 25th, 2008.

Song of the Day: “Thunderous disco polish…top British pop.” - Popjustice

“An absolutely stunning pop song… some of the best production we’ve heard all year… we predict big things for this track” - Electronically Yours

It won’t be surprising to me to hear The Ultrasonics at the top of the pop charts soon” - EQ

The Ultrasonics Official Website
MySpace