Those who have not seen Audioporn before are in for a treat. Dressed in matching white suits, the band took to the stage to play their current album - A Message from our Sponsor. The album is a tour de force of our celebrity based, debt ridden, CCTV dominated society, the lyrics of which seem even more relevant each time we pick up a newspaper or switch on the TV. A concept album played in its entirety demands our attention and the musical variety and references never fail to captivate its audience. It was a late night, so an encore was short, but worth the wait, with a finale of Alien Frequencies taken from their Rarities album - a fantastic track worthy of a Mercury Prize on its own and one that never fails to leave me in awe of Audioporn.

Lucy 9mm coaxed some beautiful sweeping sounds from a new keyboard, adding a richness to the sound. Che Man must be one of the best drummers gigging anywhere, amusing us with his Dr No impression and “stare out” that would have faltered Howard Moon. Ade Man’s embellished lyrics were even more poignant today than ever before, kept in rock solid time by Deep Pete with some great dub bass lines.

A follow up gig was immediately secured - keep an eye out and check them out. You will not be disappointed.

New York’s Post-Pop duo KOKO DOZO’s members — Amy Douglas and Polarity/1 — remember 9/11 well. P/1 shares a neighborhood with the fallen towers. They remember; and they know that you remember. That day will live on in our nation’s DNA. Death, destruction and the trauma of invasion generate a force of memory that is trivialized by media rituals with solemn speech-making, dazzling graphic design, dramatic background music and the droning subtext of fear and vengeance.

KOKO DOZO also want to point out that national tributes to The Fallen — the rendering of tragedy as fetish — inevitably lead to more death, less freedom and the assurance that healing will never occur. For the past seven years America has celebrated the nightmare of 9/11 with a ceaseless Dance of Death.What has gone unnoticed and unheralded are all of us who have remained alive and who breathe life into the future with wisdom gained from that day. We are not “heroes” and we do not lobby for the construction of monuments to ourselves. We do not inspire insane acts of aggression and repression. We are not sexy ad copy for political campaigns. Living fearlessly is our act of defiance against brutality. That is what ultimately will make us safe and prosperous.

KOKO DOZO proclaims that the daily act of living through tragedy is more worthy of a holiday than death and destruction. We’re alive! And we want to celebrate being alive on September 11. And on every September 11 to follow. Life springs from the living. Creativity springs from the living. Hope and possibility are the natural expression of life in motion.

KOKO DOZO has chosen to perform on 9/11 and they will not request a moment of silence. They want their audience to dance. They want everybody to go out and dance; to remember the dead and celebrate the living. Be alive! It feels good. KOKO DOZO proclaims that it’s ok to feel good. Especially on September 11.

Koko Dozo play Club NME on Thursday, Sept 11th, 2008 with Boy Wonder www.myspace.com/boywonder and more. Go to www.myspace.com/clubnmenyc for more on lineup. This show should not be missed.

http://www.kokodozo.com

For more news and information you can also check his fan site in America FSH.com and The Bands official MySpace.

For some reviews:

John Rhys Eddins of Blue-Power and his take on Fredrik and the Band BluePower review

Tor Ottesen of Blues World his take on and interview with Fredrik Halland 2006 interview

Previous posts: HiHat Presents Fredrik Strand Halland takes Europe by Storm!

7-Time JUNO Nominated R&B/Neo-Soul singer Lorraine Reid has been invited to perform at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12, 2008. Known to many for her work with the dance group Temperance, Lorraine will be performing songs from her debut solo album “Lessons Learned,” to be released this summer. Lorraine is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

Montreal Reggae Festival
July 12, 2008 12pm - 8pm
“Loto-Quebec” Stage
Old Port of Montreal
http://www.montrealreggaefest.com

The Montreal Reggae Fest’ has ranked among the top annual festivals held in Montreal each year. The 3-day weekend-long event is by far the largest of its kind in Canada, currently attracts over 30,000 people with fans traveling from across the globe to attend.

Lorraine Reid pours her soul into the mic every time she steps on stage to sing. While recording dance music for Temperance, Lorraine’s heart as always been with soul and rhythm and blues. Lorraine attributes her unique vocal style to the influences of Billie Holiday, Sade, Sarah Vaughan and Whitney Houston and primarily enjoys listening to vocal jazz, rhythm and blues, and reggae. While with Temperance, Lorraine achieved many successes on top of her Juno Nominations, including six top ten singles on the Canadian National Dance Chart and a Much Music Video Award for Best Dance Video. She also toured extensively throughout North America, the U.K. and Europe.

http://www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/
http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid

Karen Young, considered one of Canada’s great jazz singers, has been invited by CIRPA (Canadian Independent Record Production Association) to perform their London Calling showcase “Canada Presents Canadian Blast!” Introducing material from her upcoming album with composer and bassist Eric Auclair, the showcase will be held at The Borderline on June 19th, 2008.

Canada Presents Canadian Blast!
London Calling
June 19th 7:30 PM
The Borderline
Orange Yard off Manette Street, London

Voice and double bass in duo is a favorite jazz combo. Powerful, rich and lace-like textures, delivered beautifully by Eric Auclair’s sampling, pre-recorded and live, are used as sound-track to Karen’s crystal-clear voice and poetic songs. ElectroBeatniks, the title to this duo concert and upcoming CD, brings their jazz into the 21st century. Now in the final stages of post-production, the album is scheduled for an early fall release, followed by a series of concerts featuring this unique jazz/electro fusion.

Video performance on February 1, 2008 at Chapelle Historique du Bon Pasteur

Considered one of Canada’s great jazz singers and Fusion/World specialist, Medieval music autodidact, songwriter, composer, arranger, Karen Young’s vocal range and control and her passion for music have enabled her to attain success in various musical genres. Awarded Artist for Peace in 2003, Karen also received RIDEAU Career Prize the same year - Quebec’s venues and events programmers professional association.

Album producer/coproducer, Karen also wrote, composed or arranged her eight CD titles under her label URSH Records since its inception in 1992, among which Canticum Canticorum - a specialized Medieval / Mediterranean / Jazz Fusion CD than sold almost 10,000 to date in Québec only.

Producer: Dino Maddalone (Winner of 4 LA Music Awards, 12 GMA Dove Nominations), with recording artists featured: Gregg Wright (guitarist for Michael Jackson, Mick Fleetwood, Greg Allman), Billy Meza, Jimbo Ross (string artist for American Idol, Celine Dion, Aerosmith, P. Diddy, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page), Nika Stein-Ross (Cello & strings for American Idol band, Earth Wind & Fire, Academy Awards),Dig Lewis (Bass player for John Mellencamp, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Boz Skaggs), Al Salas (percussionist for Brother Johnson), and Leslie Stoddard (Award winning guitarist and Nominated for ‘best debut album’ at LA Music Awards) among other music celebrities featured at this live performance album event,

Tuesday June 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. PDT

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - M Bar of Hollywood will be packed to capacity for the highly anticipated debut album release event by London recording artist Kris Searle. This is “Brit-Pop/Rock at its finest”, Blasting tracks with enormous melodies and shout-out-loud lyrics played by Kris and his incredible star studded band. This music will have you leaving the performance wanting more! Kris’ band boasts some of the finest musicians in the business, and his album truly has platinum potential! Music industry professionals, press, recording agents and members of the music world are cordially invited to attend this complimentary live performance event featuring the music from Kris Searle’s exciting new album ‘Slowly Diabolical’ releasing on his independent label ‘Inspire U’ Records June 3rd 2008.

About Kris Searle: Media from the UK to LA are raving! “His music draws from life experiences and projects raw emotion, a refreshing break from all the futile pap that fills much of today’s pop charts.” Attitude Magazine, England. “Sensitive and engaging”, is how BBC Radio describes British-born singer-songwriter Kris Searle’s music as UK audiences would like to claim the fast-rising talent as theirs alone. Kris, now recording and showcasing in Southern California, is rapidly building a career that’s also attracting the interests of Los Angeles’ own music industry heavyweights. “Honest and introspective songs from the heart, a voice from the soul, and a sound that appeals to a broad audience.” Greg Bennett, premier designer Samick/Greg Bennett Guitars.

This celebrity attended power packed Rock/ Pop evening will have a full host bar & food, $10 minimum. You will have the opportunity to meet Kris Searle personally and purchase his signed new to be released album ‘Slowly Diabolical’. This is a ‘not to be missed’ music history event, reservations are not required but recommended if coming with a group or party, contact: For bookings Call: 323-856-0036 M Bar is a private music show case located at: 1253 Vine Street Hollywood, CA - 90038 between Santa Monica and Sunset blvds.,Valet Parking is available, doors open at 7:00pm

www.krissearle.com

Yes they got…Long Hair!!!!…Bell Bottoms!!!!…Fat Riffs!!!!…Soulful Vocals!!!!… Backbeat Drums!!!!…Big Blues Bass!!!!…Unforgetable Hooks!!!!… Kickass Live Rock n Roll Shows!!!!!!!!!

Rock Music, Alive N’ Kickin’ in the classic, forever loved, but not lost style of of Arena Rock. Stella’s Attic puts on the Show and Satisfaction is Guaranteed!

The FANS are there!!! and we know it, because we play for them night after night!

In the coming weeks we will be releasing a fresh, raw, skillfully executed E.P. Stella’s Attic is on the road to give back the community what it wants! Comprised of seasoned players, with great songwriting chops, and immeasurable stage experience, Stella’s Attic is the Group ready to Entertain any audience with an exciting, energetic Contemporary Rock Show.

Kickin off the Summer Live in New York City we’ll be starting off at R Bar on May 29th, 2008 9:30 pm… then going over to Williamsburg for a Night at the Trash Bar June 12th @ 9:30 pm and moving right into Fat Baby on the 26th of June at 8:30 pm…….So come on down and Rock with us!

Check us out at stellasattic.com or myspace.com/thescratchsessions for more info on our Record Release E.P., Tour Dates and Merchandise.

Passin’ on a whole lotta love…. Peace

Peter Bloom has the perfect gift for all those people who let fear prevent them from breaking free and reaching their potential. Drawing emotional strength and wisdom from his own powerful personal life experiences, his album is an insightful, musically and lyrically compelling debut that chronicles his dramatic shift from years of self-doubt (and physical problems with his voice) to his current emergence as a critically acclaimed, award winning artist and performer.

His newly assembled band’s first gig in December 2007 at The Cameron House—one of the city’s hip musical venues—saw many fans lining up after the show to buy CDs and get autographs. One review described Bloom’s live performance as “pure heart and raw energy.” Leading up to Random Thoughts’ official national March 2008 release, Peter Bloom Band is also set to play Toronto hotspot The Horseshoe, and headline for over 1,000 people at a benefit show for DANI (Developing and Nurturing Individuals), a local organization that raises money to help special needs people become more independent.

What the press is saying:

“For (people) keen to try Canadian pop but put off by all the oddball Montreal indie acts, the answer may come in the shape of Peter Bloom. Earnest as a Toronto winter day is short, Bloom makes sweeping piano pop redolent of late Beatles ballads or Chris Martin at his most thoughtful.”
Download.Com - Editor’s Review

“Peter Bloom is a singer-songwriter who learned all the right lessons from John, George, Ringo and especially Paul - not to mention Elton John and John (Five For Fighting) Ondrasik. This is simply gorgeous piano/orchestral-based pop, carried to the next level by Bloom’s insightful lyrics and full-bodied melodic sensibilities.”
Jason Warburg, The Daily Vault

For more information on Peter Bloom, visit his website ( http://www.peterbloomband.com ) and MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/peterbloommusic )

The Instants are a quirky bunch of guys (and girls) with even quirkier songs. I wouldn’t want to make the mistake of comparing quirk, but if you put them in a room with Noel Fielding they would wee all over him. I didn’t quite know what to expect from the gig, but the red-lit rustic Bush Hall certainly got me in the mood for sharp & funky garage grooves (and sex). Luckily the Instants didn’t fail to deliver. Their first song “monkey in my head” rang my bell, and they continued their set with cutting riffs and a stomp-clap-move groove that didn’t disappoint. Their songs are loaded with energy, spirit and its always nice to hear stories of robots pleasing women on planet mars and peculiar transsexuals called Julia, while the singer mimes what he sings in a surprisingly un-annoying way.

If you put the Kinks, XTC and a Kaiser Chiefs’ synthesizer in a room, pumped them full of crystal meth/Viagra and watched the orgy that ensued, their twisted freak of a love child would be something like this band, all under the shadow of creative lunacy. The Instants seem to know their stuff and play together well, along with their theatrical front man.

If you get a chance, go and see them, they are the ones to watch in 2008.

SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA (Canada) + KOBO TOWN (Canada)
KARLEX (France) + CHARANGA SOLEIL (USA)
plus
DJ NEVA

Free to the Public!

BAMcafe Live
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-636-4100
http://www.bam.org/events/bamcafelive.aspx

Friday, April 4th, 2008:
DJ NEVA 8pm
SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA 9pm
KOBO TOWN 10pm

Saturday, April 5th, 2008:
DJ NEVA 8pm
KARLEX 9pm
CHARANGA SOLEIL 10pm

“Music Is The Weapon: Voices United Across Borders” is an ongoing experiment in breaking through America’s current protectionist mentality that creates so many obstacles and restrictions for musicians, and for artists in general. While countries around the world welcome American musicians, international musicians are finding it increasingly difficult to enter and work in the U.S. Issues such as obtaining visas, dealing with senseless homeland security laws, lack of music industry support, lack of media interest, prohibitive expenses, etc. - are among the major obstacles encountered by musicians in this country.

The participating musicians all come from the collision of different cultures and traditions. Although we share a common language called music, our experiences and backgrounds define our various dialects. This project connects multicultural musicians across national boundaries, to perform together in a rich and vibrant exchange of cultural expression, and hopefully create some new musical dialects in the process!

In the spirit of internationalism, we invite you to join us in a celebration of joining forces across borders - in this case, Europe, United States and Canada.

MusicDish - http://www.musicdish.net
Music for the Masses - http://www.musicforthemasses.org

Participating Artists:

* KOBO TOWN ( http://www.kobotown.com )
Named after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-Spain where Calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. Based in Toronto, Canada, the band serves up a steaming mix of Calypso, Roots Reggae, Dub, Mento and more.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 10pm

* SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA ( http://www.souljazzorchestra.com )
Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, the Souljazz Orchestra combines Jazz, Funk, African and Latin music while touching on politics and spirituality. Most of their songs are rooted in Nigerian Afrobeat, but there are elements of Soukous, Salsa, Funk and Free Jazz thrown in as well.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 9pm

* CHARANGA SOLEIL ( http://www.charangasoleil.com )
Founded in New York City, Charanga Soleil is an all-star international dance band featuring some of the most seasoned and creative musicians on NY’s international scene. With a classic repertoire and original arrangements, the band brings together three of the world’s greatest dance genres: Cuban salsa, Congolese rumba-soukous, and Haitian compas.
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 10pm

* KARLEX ( http://www.karlexmusic.com )
Based in Montpelier, France, Karlex is a Haitian American singer who fuses with the vibes of his native island with funky guitar sounds, heavy bass and soulful rhythms in a unique blend he calls Afro Groove (i.e., World Soul meets Funk meets Pop meets Afro).
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 9pm

* DJ NEVA ( http://www.musicforthemasses.org )
NYC-born DJ Neva is an Ethnomusicologist with a specialization in “musical creoles” - the magic that happens when two or more cultures come together to create something new. Each of these two nights will inspire its own unique mix that reflects the bands that will be performing.
BAMcafé Live: Friday, April 4th - 8pm
BAMcafé Live: Saturday, April 5th - 8pm