Photo: The Charlatans

Virgin Media today announced that Just Jack and The Charlatans will mentor the finalists of Road to V – the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent.

Genre-fusing Just Jack, caused a sensation with his breakthrough Brit Hop style… mixing up beats, melodies and witty, conversational lyrics to funky home made loops, creating a sound that has influenced a generation of bedroom beat poets.

The Charlatans, with a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo”, will join Just Jack in mentoring the ten lucky finalists of the competition, before two winners are eventually decided by a public vote.

Although coming from two completely different perspectives (both musically and lyrically), these two prolific artists with their combined experience, will offer a complete package of advice to fledgling acts in developing their sound and image, and help set them up for a career in music.

Photo: Just Jack

The recruitment of Just Jack and The Charlatans as mentors marks a first for Virgin Media, which has refreshed the format of Road to V for 2009, offering entrants the chance to be nurtured by established musicians for the very first time. In previous years, Road to V consisted of a judging panel of industry professionals, who selected the finalists before going on to decide on two winning acts.

The competition is now open for registrations, and two winning acts will open up the mighty V Festival, which takes place this summer, in Chelmsford and Stafford on 22nd to 23rd August, 2009.

Acts have until 12th April 2009 to head to www.roadtov.com to register and be in with a chance of being one of the ten final acts to make it through to the live stage of the competition.

Not only will the lucky finalists be mentored by our established artists, they will also get the once in a life time opportunity to play alongside them at the Great Escape festival in Brighton on 14th to 16th May.

In addition, the ten finalists will all appear, with their mentors, on the Road to V show on Virgin 1 which began Friday 3rd April 2009, and airs on every first Friday of the month until August.

You can also tune in to watch extended shows with exclusive interviews and performances on Virgin Media’s music on demand service and on the Road to V website – www.roadtov.com.

After the Great Escape, the artist mentors will whittle the final ten down to six remaining acts. Then it’s over to the fans to decide who wins the ultimate prize of opening one of the UK’s biggest music festivals – V.

Since 2004, Road to V has nurtured great new talent, with bands such as quirky post-punk trio The Young Knives and Bombay Bicycle Club achieving nationwide success. The Young Knives attracted a Mercury Award nomination in 2007 for their second album, ‘Voices of Animals’, and the Bombay Bicycle club signed a deal with Island Records in 2008.

Rosie Spooner, head of music sponsorship at Virgin Media said, “Road to V is all about the music; it’s so important to have a good calibre of mentors, who can make a real difference to our unsigned music talent. Just Jack has his third album out this year and his new single ‘Embers’ is currently all over the radio, The Charlatans are touring throughout the year and doing special projects like Road to V. Both artists have caused a sensation in their own musical ways – coming from very different musical backgrounds, loved by millions and offering our acts the advice they need to succeed.”

The Charlatans drummer, Jon Brookes comments, “We as mentors will offer the truth to any band that asks us to talk with them about our experiences. It won’t be a pupil / teacher vibe, but something more subtle, a guide or confidant. Hopefully it will be a two-way arrangement and we will all get to share something.”

Whilst Just Jack added, “I’m really looking forward to being a Road to V mentor. When you write songs obviously you put everything into them – however, you need honesty as an artist and you need to hear honest opinions from people”.

Road To V – for more information and to register

Virgin Media Official Website

Pictured: Sara Bareilles

Banana Republic is bringing the inspirational elements of city life to its Spring 2009 marketing campaign which features talented young musicians, including Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles, Grammy-nominated Liz Phair, and the Grammy-winning band OK Go.

Watch video: Sara Bareilles – Banana Republic City Stories:

With New York City and Brooklyn as a backdrop, nine recording artists are photographed wearing Banana Republic apparel and accessories, along with a favorite accessory – their instrument. The images reflect Banana Republic’s effortlessly modern look and enduring style and highlight the vibrant energy of the city.

Drawing on these contemporary musicians’ unique, creative experiences, the campaign aims to engage customers through a variety of media, including online interviews and performances, and special partnerships with iTunes and Virgin America.

Styled by George Cortina and photographed by Tom Munro, the campaign features an eclectic pool of musical talent that echoes the multicultural richness of the city.

Other artists include Grammy-nominated Tommy Torres, Grammy-winner David Sánchez, Ayo, Esperanza Spalding, David Garrett and Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba.

Developed with AR, Banana Republic’s advertising agency of record, the campaign will appear in March 2009 publications, supplemented by print, outdoor, online and direct mail. The campaign debuted in store windows February 18th.

“We want this campaign to strike an emotional chord with Banana Republic customers,” said Peter DeLuca, Chief Marketing Officer for Banana Republic. “By tapping into their passion for music, the campaign brings to life Banana Republic’s tradition of city style along with a level of inspiration and optimism that is as refreshing as Spring should be.”

Behind-the-scenes interviews with the recording artists will be available for viewing on Banana Republic’s Web site, www.bananarepublic.com/citystories, along with unplugged performances, free music downloads and streaming music samples from our artists, and a special offer to shop the looks of the season. Users can experience the rich, multimedia content on their own and also share it with friends.

From March 1st through June 31, 2009, Banana Republic’s “City Stories” will be available on RED, Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment system, as the first-ever branded channel. Every passenger will get a glimpse of the campaign featuring our musicians, their interviews and unplugged performances, music videos and Banana Republic’s Spring/Summer 2009 runway show.

About Banana Republic
Banana Republic is a global accessible luxury brand that delivers the best in city style. Characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications, the Banana Republic lifestyle collections include apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic, a division of San Francisco-based, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), can be found at over 500 retail locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, BananaRepublic.com, or (888) BR-STYLE. In addition, Banana Republic is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.

Banana Republic on amazon.com

Banana Republic – City Stories Official Website

I wonder if there are kids still selling papers on street corners yelling out the headlines over and over to passersby. If they still exist that’s what they will be yelling this Sunday in England.

If you haven’t already heard the news, Prince will be giving away his new ‘Planet Earth’ CD in the Mail on Sunday. That’s this Sunday (July 15th 2007) mind you. There’s been so much talk about this free CD that every Sunday for the last month or so, I’ve been stealing cheeky glances at the papers to see if the Prince CD has been packaged yet.

Actually the hype has reached its peak this week and now the story has been all over the major TV news channels. I admit – the hype has worked it’s magic and I will be taking a trip to my local Londis early Sunday morning to buy my copy of the Mail on Sunday.

The negativity surrounding Prince’s decision to give away his CD for free in what the Mail on Sunday calls “The World’s Greatest Newspaper Giveaway Ever”, has created what I would call an interesting intentional or unintentional publicity stunt.

There have been many stories and articles mentioning that Sony BMG in the UK is so upset with this move that they have “refused to handle the release”.

Music retailers in the UK are upset with the concept of giving away CDs for free in the paper, that this devalues music. Virgin is angry with HMV for deciding to stock the papers in their stores this Sunday.

This is certainly interesting dinner table conversation for music industry types. Going over the pros and cons of the move. Prince apparently wants to reach as many people as possible with his music – so at least his fans are happy.

(Update: I’ve listened to the CD – Read my review of Planet Earth!)

Watch Prince “Guitar” video preview:

Buy: Prince – Planet Earth on amazon.com.

Prince will be playing his 21-date “The Earth Tour” at the new O2 Arena in London beginning August 1st 2007. Apparently a copy of ‘Planet Earth’ will be included with each ticket sold for the O2 Arena dates.

Prince: The Earth Tour dates at the O2 Arena are as follows:

Dates could be added or changed! For the latest tour dates and information go to Prince’s Official Website.

August 2007 – Wednesday 1st, Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Tuesday 7th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Tuesday 14th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Tuesday 28th, Friday 31st.

September 2007 – Saturday 1st, Thursday 6th, Sunday 9th, Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th, Sunday 16th, Thursday 20th, Friday 21st.

The O2 Arena

Mail on Sunday

Prince Official Website – 3121.com

Prince on Myspace

By: Jenny May

Originally from New York, Willy Mason grew up on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and hearing his music I naturally think of other famous residents of the island like Carly Simon and James Taylor. I’ve been there before and actually visited Carly Simon’s shop which was nice. Anyway – it was Willy’s parents, both folk singers, that brought him to Martha’s Vineyard and I can certainly understand why they were drawn to the island.

“Save Myself” is the latest release by Willy Mason and it’s a great song. Now that Virgin UK has taken him under their wing, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from this young man. He’s already been playing the festival circuit and last year supported Radiohead, Beth Orton and KT Tunstall.

Watch the video for Willy Mason’s new single, “Save Myself”

*Dates could change! Go to Willy Mason’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

February 20 – Preston, England @ Action Records (free show)
February 21 – Brighton, England @ Resident (free show)
February 22 – London, England @ Sister Ray (free show)
February 28 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord (Noisepop Festival) (18+)
March 14 – New Orleans, LA @ The Parish (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
March 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Clubhouse (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 20 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 23 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 24 – Eugene, OR @ Sam Bond’s Garage (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 25 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 26 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 29 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 30 – Chicago, IL @ Double Door (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 31 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
April 2 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club (w/ Sondre Lerche, 19+)
April 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
April 5 – Washington, DC @ Birchmere (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
April 6 – Boston, MA @ Paradise (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
April 7 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
May 4 – Leicester, England @ Charlotte (16+)
May 5 – Liverpool, England @ Carling Academy (14+)
May 7 – Cardiff, England @ The Point (18+)
May 8 – Oxford, England @ Zodiac (14+)
May 9 – Sheffield, England @ Leadmill (18+)
May 10 – Norwich, England @ Waterfront (14+)
May 11 – Bristol, England @ Trinity (tbc)
May 12 – Nottingham, England @ Rescue Rooms (18+)
May 14 – Leeds, England @ Cockpit (14+)
May 15 – Manchester, England @ Academy 2 (12+)
May 16 – London, England @ Shepherds Bush Empire (14+)
May 18 – Brighton, England @ Pavillion Theatre (18+)
May 19 – Birmingham, England @ Academy 2 (14+)
May 21 – Edinburgh, Scotland @ Liquid Rooms (18+)
May 22 – Northumbria, England @ University (Stage 2) (14+)
May 23 – Glasgow, Scotland @ QMU (14+)
May 24 – Aberdeen, Scotland @ Moshulu (14+)
May 25 – Belfast, Ireland @ Speakeasy (18+)
May 26 – Dublin, Ireland @ Temple Bar Music Centre (18+)
*Dates could change!

Willy Mason’s Official Website
Willy Mason on Myspace

By: Jenny May