Started by a group of recent college grads who hit the road to find their own paths in life, Roadtrip Nation has evolved into a national movement on 100 colleges that empowers students to hit the road and create this experience for themselves. On the road, students interview leaders from all walks of life to learn how they discovered their passion, and built their life around it. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), one of the only sources for televised independent-minded content, has been broadcasting the Roadtrip Nation documentary series since September 1st.

Watch Episode: “Team Big starts off their trip in New York City” featuring Karlex’ song “Madness”

Fondation Mérieux is dedicated to controlling infectious diseases in developing countries. Its approach focuses on prevention and diagnosis and breaks the barriers that may exist between human and animal medicine, North and South, and all involved.

Karlex, who has been actively seeking a distribution partner in North America, will be performing at the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Cafe Live as part of the ‘Music Is The Weapon’ weekend benefit presented by MusicDish on April 4-5, 2008. Signed with Lil’ People Records in France and distributed in the Netherlands and UK, the Haitian American artist has been making waves ever since the release of his album in the fall of 2006.

Karlex recently completed a radio promotion campaign through Twin Vision, resulting in 65 Triple-A radio stations/shows picking it up across the country, including Bridgeport (CT), Tampa (FL), Lafayette/Baton Rouge (LA), Grand Rapids (MI), St. Louis (MO), Minneapolis (MN), Trenton (NJ), Santa Fe (NM), Philadelphia (PA), Cleveland (OH), Portland (OR), Houston (TX), and Madison (WI). He has also received airplay on over 50 radio stations in France’s major markets.

Karlex has also maintained a high visibility online through the MusicDish Network, with features on ARTISTdirect, UBL and Amie Street Music in the last 2 months. Most recently, he was featured in the October UBL newsletter and is charting at #6 in the UBL top 25 world music chart, as well as at #34 in the UBL ultimate top 100 chart.

Karlex is a member of the MusicDish Network, a comprehensive artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution and industry outreach to support emerging artists’ and bands’ careers.

For more information on Karlex:
http://www.musicdish.net/karlex/
http://www.karlexmusic.com

Marty Casey is the co-founder of grunge-rock band, Lovehammers and a runner-up in the CBS hit reality TV show, Rockstar: INXS from where rose the popularity of the song “Trees”.

According to Marty, to be in the reality show is the greatest experience of his life that he would never want to do again. “Reality shows are the closest thing to being abducted by aliens. Only it’s filmed so all of the gory things they do to you in the strict confines of a reality show set are displayed for the viewing public across the globe. And, of course, they only like to air the best AND worst of you. In the end it makes you either appears superhuman (good guy) or super jerk (bad guy).”

Undoubtedly the Illinois-raised Marty is more into his band than getting a solo career even after Rockstar. “There is nothing better than touring around the country with your friends and performing the songs you worked so hard to get heard… The Lovehammers have just gotten started on a global level and it will take time to introduce the fans to the band. Many come to concerts because they saw Marty Casey on a TV show and when they leave the gig they are Lovehammer fans. We are excited to do the work and let people know about us.”

For the band’s latest album, Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, creating the right sound meant working with many producers. “We recorded with every producer we loved. We didn’t do it in typical fashion in one studio with one producer. We modeled it after a Stones type of record and flew around the country cutting different tracks with the producer we thought had the right sound. Steve Albini for the straight up punk tune “Straight As An Arrow”. Marti Frederickson for the morpine-syrup “Clouds”, Johnny K for the ballad “Rain On the Brain”, etc.. etc…”

What will become of Lovehammers and especially Marty Casey is a matter of waiting. “I am doing a Bowie meets Depeche Mode type project that I have finally brought to life. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid and it’s finally happening. I have obsessive amounts of energy so I would like to be doing a few projects at any given time. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

Interview: Marty Casey’s full-length interview

This type of show seems to have a concept that put all the contestants in danger with it’s 5, 7 and 8 mile walks within the first 5 days and is simply irresponsible in my opinion. This show could not possibly motivate anyone to walk. There are too many dangers, too many contestants with injuries, being taken to the Emergency Room, Dehydration, Plantar Fasciitis, Bone Spurs, and Low Blood Sugar. This is a poor concept.

It amazes me how far reality television will go for ratings, even if it means putting the lives and health of people at stake.