A songwriter named “cook”….

Ever present and silent, cook, has been witness to that which makes our world alive.
He is simply put….aware.
His love of music and art has brought both beauty and rot to his life, but he has embraced it all. A shy, slightly introverted child, cook wanted nothing more than to laugh and please others. This has not changed in him. He has only discovered how to use music as a way of showing how the moment appears to him.

“We’ve forgotten how we fit into this world like the animals we ALL are. Instincts have been surrendered for ‘social standards’ and ‘public opinion’. People are scrutinized for being deemed selfish while others praised for having attitude. Some will swear how independent they are just to fit-in. Answer me this….do we wear the labels on our clothes, or do they wear us?”

“Listen to your gut. Act on a dream or a passion. Dare to let yourself be truly happy. Relish in the moments alone, by yourself. Count your friends and forget about your enemies. Read. Laugh….and laugh some more. “

All of cook’s music is written from personal experiences and profound moments in his life. Presented in a way that, hopefully, you can relate to your own.

So turn off the phone…
Open a beer…
Have a listen….
Reflect on your good times….
Smile….

…..cook

It started on a Sunday in 1981, in Budapest, Hungary. Then nothing much happened for 16 years, when, hit by the peaking britpop hysteria, I decided that I want to play the guitar.

The first band I joined - founded together with classmates, of course - didn't even have a name, and lasted for about 4 rehearsal sessions. The second one - later to be known as Bob Detroit (http://www.myspace.com/bobdetroit) - is proving much more resilient, although it is currently somewhat hybernated, with myself staying in Finland and the rest of the band in Hungary.

These songs - I know there's only one - update: TWO - so far, but others are coming - were recorded in a living room, using a Linux-powered laptop. I hope you'll like them.

newport @ freemail . hu

• excellent tune

Spygirl plays lush, melodic, elegant, and dark pop/rock. If Spygirl were a martini, they’d be equal parts sonic assault, naked duets and lush harmonies with a dash of drum & bass, and garnished with a twist of Canadiana - shaken vigorously, of course. If Spygirl were an outfit, you’d look geek-slick, full in all the right places and your ass would look hot.

Spygirl recently completed their second full-length album, pieces of evidence, slated for national release March 2008.

Spygirl was overjoyed to work once again with favourite musical wizard Tom Rothrock, who mixed a few songs on their 2000 self-titled debut. This time he came on board as Producer in full. Mr. Rothrock (who has also created records with some of popular music’s great recent innovators such as Beck, Elliott Smith, Elbow, Sloan, Badly Drawn Boy and James Blunt) helped the band create a spontaneous, relaxed and raw recording, due in part to his laid back mix of confidence, spontaneity, knowledge and love of music, and in part to recording much of the album live off the floor. The result is a group of songs that belong together, sharing a landscape that is lush, melodic, elegant and dark.

This is the band’s 12th year. The Vancouver-based 6 piece group was born out of a musical bond between founders Koralee Tonack (lead vocals, guitar) and Jane Gowan (trumpet, keyboards). The two initially formed Time Waits - the acoustically charming mother of today’s luscious pop child. The group included Jon Roper (guitar), performing mostly original songs written by Gowan. Several recordings were released on cassette. Now those are hidden away in boxes...somewhere. Eventually James Ong (keyboards) and Eduardo Ottoni (drums) joined, and with a fuller sound developing, the band released their debut CD entitled This Thin Disguise.

A collective desire to streamline the sound resulted in a less acoustic, more pop/rock sound. The viola da gamba and accordion, previously played by Ong and Gowan respectively, were abandoned in favour of keyboards, fender rhodes and trumpet. By this time other band members had begun contributing to the songwriting, creating excitement and freshness. As the direction of the music changed, so did the name, and the band’s self-titled debut (informally known as The Yellow Album) was recorded just as the transformation to Spygirl took place. The disc was nominated for a West Coast Music Award and also gained much positive media attention.

In 2005 Al MacInnes (bass) joined the band to add substance to the style. Now with a full line-up to carry the tunes, Spygirl released a 5-song EP as a precursor to the full-length album in August, 2005. The songs on this disc are homages to the band’s constant quest for the perfect pop epic. All the tracks from this disc were re-recorded on pieces of evidence.

Spygirl has toured in Canada and the UK, and plans to be out on the road again in early 2008 to support the new album.

•  Powerful voice. Melancholic sounds.
•  Hauntingly powerful
•  honey and sugar

Artist Information

Biography
After a long hiatus from music, both writing and singing, award winning songwriter Sean Croley has returned and recorded an EP of which one reviewer has said:

"their debut EP "Walk" contains amazing songs that easily could be featured on any release with these pop makers." (Keane and Coldplay)

There came a time in early 2006 when the urge to begin writing and recording seemed to well up inside Sean once again. He began writing songs within hours and recording them the next day and after amassing 15 good sounding demo's within 3 months where he narrowed it down to 5. This is when he reached out to friends ask them to play on what he now terms "a good songwriting demo." to come and play on this project. These friends included guitar player Bob Egan - Wilco, and Blue Rodeo. Tony Lind- Hewitt, and former guitarist for Thousand Foot Krutch. Drummer-Jim Boudreau whose resume includes The Wilkinsons, David Foster, Chuck Berry, and countless others. Steve Hogg, acclaimed bassist who played with Ian Thomas, Jamie Warren, and is a regular session player for Juno winning producer J. Richard Hutt.

This gave Sean a very solid sounding EP, well sculptured and very well produced. Now, all Sean needed was the live band. Again, a call went out to friends who knew people who knew people and the emails started to come in. One by one Sean met with each of the candidates turning some away and latching on to others telling them that they're in, never once did he ask to hear them play. The only thing he went on was word of mouth, gut feeling, and a prayer.

Together, they have taken the Seans songs to another level far beyond even Sean's expectations to create a live show that has brought the crowds to their feet for standing ovations.

This eclectic group of guys who's style and influence range from jazz to power punk have found one vision, one dream, one band that they all believe in.

They are...

"THE WEAK NEED"

A high energy pop act being regularly compared to such bands as Keane, Coldplay, Mute Math, Pilot Speed and U2. Their emotive delivery at their live shows has their fans saying that they were "blown away" and "speechless" afterwards. "They are like the Coldplay of Canada." Sean himself is quoted as saying "I love Keane and Coldplay. I really like their sound but honestly, I don't listen to them alot of the time because I don't want to start writing like they do. I'm totally influenced by their sound but I really try to take it somewhere totally different." Different indeed. It is easy to hear bands like The Cure, The Smiths, U2, and Canadian favorites, Pilot Speed, and Never Ending White Lights washing through The Weak Need as the listener is bathed in Croley's unique intimate vocals, textured harmonies and intricately woven lyrics.

Here is what industry and fans are saying about The Weak Need:

"The Weak Need is favourite band in my iTunes library (15.000 songs) " - Benjamin T.

"emotive, memorable writing and tasteful, very impressive production! " � Vlad Shusterman

"...very cool sounds. You're professionals...Maybe the new Cold Play " - 100 Ilusoes

"Cold Play... I think that's a great comparison, but you still manage to have an original sound.. " - J. Spengler

"Every once and awhile you stumble across a band that gives you goose bumps and no pun intended but I feel ya! " - Jill

"Your songs are great! You have to get a band together and start playing...people need to hear your music live. " - The Entropy

"Really lovely chorus in lay me down reminds me of keane." - Flo Anito

"One Word....Amazing!!! " - Cool Planet Entertainment

"Todays world, people will do anything to "FEEL" You've done that ..." - Nathan

"Great song and impressed by your voice...breath of fresh air" - Raine

"I just truly wanted to share with you what a powerful experience it was for both of us. We were not at all familiar with your music before last night, but it left a huge imprint on both of our hearts. Thank you for your courage in pursuing this dream. " - Lisa.

•  light driving pop w/ pleasing...
•  Perfectly Wonderful!
•  a soliloquy, a colloquy, warm...

• Perfectly Wonderful!
• Enjoyable!

(*** PLEASE READ ALL OF BIOGAPHY & SEE OUR PICTURES FOR CONTACT INFORMATION - THANKS! ***) THE BUSH LEAGUE was born on a cool March night in 2007 on a front porch in a cloud of cigar smoke and optimism. THE BUSH LEAGUE is ROYCE (bass), JOHNJAY (lead vocals), THE CHI (emcee, second vocals, tambourine), BEN H. (guitar), and JOHN-D (drums). THE BUSH LEAGUE plays the music that influences its members. They call their style of music FuB&RR, which stands for Funk, Blues & Rock and Roll!!! The FuB&RR sound is then given a healthy slathering of soul and hip hop and the result is something like a bowl of Muddy Waters coated with hot Funkadelic sauce with some Public Enemy sprinkles on top. Then the whole thing is garnished with a sprig of Otis Redding to complete the sonic feast. The mission of THE BUSH LEAGUE is to make people feel good and dance and they will do that by any musical means necessary... (*** Don't Forget To Check Out Our Pictures To See Our Contact Information! *** )

Lightswitch is a group of 4 brothers, making up a highly professional youth oriented Christian alternative rock band, bringing energy to the stage without compromising their music and bringing a positive message to today's youth, playing for thousands of people each year through out the USA at Festivals, Colleges, Youth groups, Public and Private schools, Rallies, Church events, Conferences, and many other special events, Through out the Midwest and beyond. Some of the bands LightSwitch has opened for are: Sanctus Real, The Afters, Steller Kart, Todd Agnew, Rush of Fools, Mainstay, etc.

Lightswitch is also known for their hit Song "WE ARE STRONG"

Why we do what we do,
Our desire to see people realize that God loves them and has a plan for them and to encourage them to live an uncompromised life for Him while living in a very compromised world. Our mission is to encourage this generation in their walk with God.

Lightswitch is now on iTunes!

With hook heavy songs, stuck-in-your-head melodies, and strong female vocals, Tripping West is what great Canadian indie rock is all about. The members of this West Coast band hail from Montreal (Alex and Orlando), Vancouver ( Tricia), and St. John's (Blair), and their appeal seems to be as widespread as their geographic beginnings. In their almost three year history they've gained rave reviews from around the globe, and a dedicated following. They've drawn comparisons to such bands as Blondie, the Cranberries, and the Pretenders, yet they've also clearly created their own unique sound and style. September 2006 marked the release of Tripping West’s first full length CD entitled "Scenes From Our Lives." This rich and surprising debut album has already gained great reviews from both the local and cyber music scenes. In fact, the only thing more compelling than their new CD is the fun, high energy performance of their live shows, if you're lucky enough to catch them...

•  Rock
•  I like it :)
•  verry good
•  Something different

The term "justmegan" plain and simply began as a stage name that was used to represent an 18 year old girl, Megan Carlson, a singer/songwriter from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This name has remarkably evolved from a one-woman-band to a tight, rock and blues group, with each member offering an essential, irreplaceable talent.

You might ponder, "is that a typo?" No! You have read correctly. "justmegan," all lowercase letters and one word, to boot, is completely deliberate. What started as a clear indication of a young woman establishing herself in the musical world, has grown into a close-knit group of musicians completely using their individual talents to accentuate her original songs. Together, they have created a very unique sound that blends blues, rock, and indie music with influences from various other genres to become quite the musical force. The name was originally intended, "Just Megan." to be certain people would know there was, in fact, just Megan: her guitar, her vocals, and her raw implausible gift for writing deep, melodic songs of well beyond her years. Her paradigms were entirely shifted, as her hopes of having a full band to support her music had finally come to pass. "I love to create independently. But, by no means am I the lime-lighter type. I firmly believe that as an artist, you have to be willing to be a team player and work together and compromise. You can't do it all on your own. When that begins, sadly, it's reflected in your music. They don't say two heads are better than one for nothing!" Carlson chuckles. "Besides, there's no feeling better than other musicians wanting to play TO you! It's easy to go strictly acoustic all the time," she articulates.

In June of 2006, the band released their first album as a unit, Blue Avenue, gaining a whole new entourage of fans and radio stations, as well as a well-known author from Alabama, "Quillan." "[The album] is a well "put-together" project [with] excellent music, well written lyrics, and good photo work. I highly recommend it," he raves.

In addition to writing and performing inimitable tunes for all types of listeners, the band is extremely passionate towards using music to benefit assorted organizations. In the past, a track off their debut album was featured on a compilation disc to benefit cancer research. Most currently, the band is working with Illumina Records. Their latest endeavor was participating in a "Rockers for Life" campaign to promote drunk driving awareness.

As if this now 22 year old front woman for "justmegan" isn't busy enough with creating music, she is a recent college graduate teaching elementary students, in addition to creating digital art for an accomplished author, while continuing to photograph as a side hobby. Her vocals have been compared to those of Pat Benatar, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, Tracy Chapman, Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders, Blondie, Joan Jett, Jewel, Ani Difranco, Lisa Marie Presley, and most recently, Aimee Mann.

Currently, the band has just released their second album, I Get What I Want, and their music is being played on over 100 FM radio stations, as well as numerous Internet stations, podcasts, and XM/Satellite radio. For more information, or to hear sample tracks, visit www.justmegan.net or check out their myspace site at www.myspace.com/justmeganmusic.

We are also currently on TONS of sites so please be sure to check them all out! (listed below)
Visit www.justmegan.net to see them all!

Darwen Online brings you the best mix of local music for you to listen to and download and also features other bands through our playlists.

View the monthly top 10 chart and support local bands by downloading and listening to their songs. The chart will be updated regularly throughout the month so check back regularly!

For bands, this is your opportunity to sell your work to your fans via downloads and see recognition in the form of our monthly charts. See our website for more information - Darwen Online.

Please click here for more information on our local bands and the latest chart positions.

•  A long winter...

Secrets in Stereo....Is it a band? Is it a person? For Nashville singer/songwriter/producer, Josh Ryan, "Secrets in Stereo" is a passion project. Recently, Josh has generated tons of buzz in the industry as a solo artist with his self described "progressive pop" sound. Much of that buzz was created when Nathan Walters of the platinum recording pop band, Plus One, and Nashville musician/producer/songwriter, Jason Collum, joined with Josh to co-write and co-produce his itunes-released debut EP, "Not Today." After a year of building momentum as a solo artist, Josh has come to a crossroads in the direction of his music. "I felt like the music that we were creating was bigger than me, and I didn't want to be confined to the solo singer/songwriter mold." Enter Josh's newest effort, "Secrets in Stereo." With 4 of the 10 tracks already featured on MTV shows like The Real World - Sydney, it seems Josh's feeling might have been right. But why the name? "It's always fascinated me that as singer/songwriters we lay out all of our most well guarded thoughts and insecurities for the world to hear and judge. When I perform, or my song is playing on the radio...I'm telling all my secrets to whoever will listen."

Plunkett: an English boy and an Italian girl.
Both Ian and Lara had a love for music from a very early age.
After studying music at Rome, writing and recording with the ambient project Ex Machina and alternative electro pop group Otero, Lara became a partner and A&R of the Dune Records, an independent italian label based in Florence.
Ian had always played in bands and after finally finding like minded musicians the electro pop/rock band ‘Pukromo' was born. In late 1999 Pukromo signed to Dune Records recording their debut album ‘Promise Me Kill Me' during 2000.
Life’s funny sometimes and although the label and band folded, Ian and Lara got together.
Frustrated by the mechanisms and ties of the music biz and tired of their ‘electronic’ past, they focused on their emotions, on themselves. Without any thought or the pressure of trying be anything other than that. Themselves.
In 2006 their debut album ’14 Days’ was released. An acoustic orientated, intimate album of alternative contemporary folk rock. The album received an unexpected critic and listener's acclaim through the internet leading them to being featured artists on some of the most important independent music sites throughout the world. Many of the songs have also since been used in two American independent films: Dave's Date (Forbidden Foot) by Natasha Guruleva (Accent Works) and A Hell Shared by Karl Rose (Current Production).
2008 sees the release of Plunkett’s second album ‘Folk Songs’. Contrasting its predecessor, although still remaining alternative contemporary folk rock, the sound and feeling of the album is much more direct with as much emphasis on the lyrics as on the music.

With a desire to only write songs and move people, Plunkett choose to remain independent artists and work outside of the mainstream music business.

Plunkett make Independent music for independent minds.

To know more about Plunkett and their upcoming releases visit their website www.plunkett-music.com.

•  Short and Sweet.
•  Simon and Garfunkle Like
• cool river

• Love it... Love chiwawa
• Old jazz greats quality
• Great vocal quality
• Great potential
• Great voice

Hello, Lovies, and welcome!

I'm a nutty musician who somehow got herself known in the European metal scene, even though I'm not really a super-mega-metal-diva girl. But that's not a secret. Not one I'm keeping, anyway!

You might know me from the various work I've done with other bands, but you might be surprised at what else I have to offer and I invite you to look around, have a listen and let me know what you think!

OK, now on to the more serious, official stuff. Enjoy!

xx
Amanda

Singer-songwriter with a razorblade edge.

In a business where image often overshadows substance, Amanda Somerville gives the industry CPR with a breath of sincerity through music that is so real, it's goosebump-inducing. The windows to this songwriter's soul are her songs, which are ambient and groovy, yet extremely radio-friendly. Combining heart and soul with hit songwriting, you're bound to be moved.

Since 2000, Amanda has resided and worked mainly in Germany and the Netherlands . In that time, she has independently sold over 7,000 CDs of her solo work and gained thousands of fans all over the world. She is currently engaged in both studio and live work in Europe and is exploring options for her latest solo album, "Windows."

Discography

Solo:
-In the Beginning there was... (Debut Album, 2000)
-Blue Nothing (EP, 2000)
-Never Alone (EP, 2003) sold approx. 5,000 copies in Germany .
-Aina: Days of Rising Doom (2003) - wrote concept and all lyrics, co-wrote music, worked as vocalist, vocal coach. Sold approx. 40,000 copies and garnered many new fans world-wide. Included several famous guest musicians such as Glenn Hughes, Sass Jordan, T.M. Stevens.
-Windows (release date unspecified) new solo album currently being finished

Other bands & projects:
-HDK - System Overload (due in 2008); co-writer, vocalist, co-producer, engineer
-Avantasia - The Scarecrow (due in 2007); vocalist
-Andre Matos - Time To Be Free (due in 2007); worked as vocalist, engineer
-Epica - The Phantom Agony (2003), We Will Take You With Us (2004), Consign To Oblivion (2005), The Road to Paradiso (due in 2007), The Divine Conspiracy (due in 2007); worked as vocal coach, vocalist, co-writer, engineer, producer
-After Forever - Invisible Circles (2004), Remagine (2005); worked as lyric editor, co-writer, vocal coach, vocalist, producer; After Forever (2007); worked as lyric editor and vocalist.
-Asrai - Touch in the Dark (2004): worked as lyrical editor; Pearls In Dirt (due in 2007); worked as songwriter, vocalist
-Ebony Ark - Decoder (2006); worked as vocalist, producer
-Kamelot - Black Halo (2005), Ghost Opera (2007); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Phaeno Science Center (2005); commissioned to write and perform song about and for the grand opening of science center by Zaha Hadid, Frank Oppenheimer and Joe Ansel
-Boehringer Ingelheim (2005); commissioned to write 2 jingles for new swine vaccine:)
-Edguy - Hellfire Club (2003), Rocket Ride (2005); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Shaman - Ritual (2002), Reason (2005); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Mob Rules - Hallowed Be Thy Name (2002), Ethnolution A.D. (2006); worked as vocalist
-Luca Turilli (Rhapsody) - Prophet of the Last Eclipse (2002); worked as vocalist
-Virgo - Virgo (2001); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
-Various other bands (Felony, Reverend Right Time and the First Cousins of Funk, Lunatica, Brainstorm, etc.)

• great song
•  Amazingly powerful
•  Haunting, yet sincere