Vincent Van Gogh “loved life so bad, his paintings had twice the color other paintings had”. So sings Jonathan Richman (on Rockin’ and Romance).

And that tells you something about musician Allison Crowe.

A modern lover of music, blogger Muruch frames it like this: "There's really no way to convey through mere words how much the music... moves me, or how I want other people to listen to and adore it as much as I do. Allison sings with such an intensity of emotion, it's easy to see why she's often quoted as saying 'Why music? Why breathing?'... that kind of artistic passion seems extremely rare these days."

"I love singing for people," says Allison Crowe. "It's a way to connect and share with others. Communication is crucial. Just being able to do what I do, to write and sing and perform, makes me feel not only alive, but incredibly lucky. Knowing at any moment everything could change, I don't take one second for granted."

Born 26 years ago, on an island, in the harbour city of Nanaimo, B.C., today Crowe's reach is global. The audience for her music videos and song downloads numbers in the millions.

"Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with," says UK music industry journal Record of the Day. "She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing."

When this phenomenon 'from the islands' reached the mainland she steered a path clear of what Joni Mitchell knowingly calls the record industry’s “style inventions”. With Ani DiFranco and Loreena McKennitt as models Crowe created her own label. Since 2003, Rubenesque Records Ltd has released five critically and commercially successful albums: Lisa's Song+ 6 Songs; Secrets; Tidings; Live at Wood Hall; and This Little Bird.

"The first thing you notice about Allison Crowe is her voice. Rich and dark, it seems to come from a place most singers can only dream of accessing. Then there are the songs. Filled with raw passion and accompanied by Crowe's eloquent piano playing," writes Clodagh O'Connell (The Courier). Hers is a joyous sound: "Elton John meets Edith Piaf."

A sensation at the UK’s John Lennon Northern Lights Festival, “Canadian angel Alison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," says The Scotsman. Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", noting her performance “put hairs on the back of your neck! She brought the house down."

A true grassroots success, Crowe’s praised not only as a singularly talented songwriter - on themes personal as well as worldly - and as a visceral performer, but, also, as a supreme interpreter of song. Her vital takes on such 21st century standards as Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Joni Mitchell's "River" are applauded as "truly transcendent". Her Tidings CD, a mix of traditional carols plus songs of joy, peace, and redemption from the secular songbook, is an emerging classic: "music for the season and all time".

"Her voice celebrates the music with a bluesy rock-gospel intensity; her controlled vibrato, silken rasp, and powerful projection rivet your attention. This is no casual background music. be prepared to be amazed," says Hamline University Professor Of Law - and CD reviewer - Carol Swanson. "Every song radiates sincerity, creative flair, and emotional intensity."

”It takes a lot of self-confidence to tackle Aretha (Franklin)'s version of 'I Never Loved a Man...' but Allison does and nails it just as good as the Queen of Soul herself. Her piano playing is equally exquisite," says Bob Muller, curator of song covers at JoniMitchell.com in his review of Crowe’s newest album, This Little Bird. He sums up: "Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today."

David Powell, Welsh-based tech writes: "I'm listening to 'Effortless' on (Allison Crowe's) This Little Bird album with my Pro-Ject headphone amplifier turned up about a quarter more than on most modern records. It sounds fantastic because unlike most modern records it hasn't had the **** compressed out of it to raise the loudness."

Vocalist, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, engineer, producer and arranger, Allison Crowe now lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia and Corner Brook, Newfoundland. From these home-bases, (spanning the full 7000 km breadth of Canada), she tours steadily, earning a reputation for exciting live shows that stir together her original songs with much-loved interpretations in an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, Broadway, gospel and soul.

"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe," says Robert Reid in The Record.

"Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit," says Ross Hocker, long-time public broadcaster with NPR affiliate WGTE. Hocker, whose musical taste embraces Thelonious Monk, Bela Bartok and Charles Gounod, calls Allison Crowe's live performance "the most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life."

"In an entertainment world that increasingly genuflects at the altar of instant fame, Crowe seems an anomaly, building her career slowly and carefully," notes Adrian Chamberlain, of Canada's Times Colonist newspaper.

"Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make," says Allison Crowe.

You can lend an ear...

BRAVE by NUMBERS captures the essence of intense, powerful, inspiring music. The heartfelt singing and thundering guitar of ROBB HILL are blended with outstanding rhythmic bass from ANDREW HAY, and the heart pounding drums from one of the best in the business. BRAVE BY NUMBERS brings alternative rock to the table unlike most. The passion of the music and lyrics is felt with every strum of the guitar and pounding fury of the drums. BRAVE BY NUMBERS continue to create music that has a raw, energetic edge that pushes for more than is usually found in today's radio-friendly poppy songs. Brave By Numbers also has plenty of mellow, sensual songs as well. Your foot will be tapping and you'll be singing along to their upbeat songs. Check out upcoming shows & news at WWW.BRAVEBYNUMBERS.COM

Back To Earth 31st of OCT

The Album , Back to Earth will be released worldwide on the 31st of Oct 2007.
Project Opus and Tunetribe will be the first to have the whole album for sale in downloadable format.
Hard CD copies will follow much later as we raise the funds to press them.
ITs taken me over a year to get 30+ minutes of music im happy with.
With little more than a Pod , guitar ,drum kit and PC we have produced a decent instrumental album which im actually pretty proud of.
Thank you everyone who has supported me during the whole ordeal, especially all my good friends on myspace and Project opus, you know who you are.

Get Signed up with Project Opus so you are ready to buy the album come Halloween

Lavaman is about my life, songs of deep personal meaning. Sometimes cryptic , enigmatic and we hope always entertaining! Hopefully these song will be special to you, but for other reasons. We are taking it out on the road soon, and i cant wait to melt some faces down the front rows! And whats the name Lavaman all about? That's another story my friends for another time! But i can assure you, im the original and have the documents to prove it ,lol All the best and hope to see you on the road.

•  Meaningful Guitar
•  God bless Strawberries
•  Freakin Genius

Saturday, February 23, 2008
Album Review: Antiqcool Review by 17 Seconds

Album Review: Antiqcool -'Songs Of Hope And Despair' (Sicknote Records)

This is Antiqcool's second release, the follow-up to 2007's Digging For Gold. Who Antiqcool are is a mystery, neither the sleeve nor their MySpace suggest as to whether it is a one-man project or a band, the sleeves mention Pete but that is all. It is hard to know where they are based, though I'm guessing the north of England.

And what of the music? The sticker on front of the CD reads 'THe Police arrest Fleetwood Mac defended by Crosby, Stills and Nash in Simon and Garfunkel's Crowded House.' This is quite an accurate description; there are no kriss-krossing guitars here, nor apocalyptic beats or howling demonic exhortions to burn in hell.

Still reading? Good. This thirteen track collection of songs is a gorgeous, initiallly slight but more and more enticing and addictive with each listen. This is truly independent music, not because it has guitars on it, or isn't on a major label, but is genuinely music that exists for its own sake, out of time, and all the better for it. I've played it several times since it arrived in the post several days ago, and not only do I enjoy it more with every listen, but Mrs. 17 Seconds is also enjoying it too.

If there is one thing that detracts from this album for me, it's that while the album is pretty sublime, the record appears to have been produced so carefully that you start to miss the absence of a few rough edges that might actually add even more to this record.

No matter. I've been enjoying listening to this, and I think come the summer it will be on the stereo even more frequently.

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..>

Antiqcool CD Review

http://bristolrock.co.uk/ By Moose

Two full length CD's to review here, 2007's Digging For Gold, and the brand new release Songs Of Hope And Despair.
Last years collection of 14 songs is chock full of simple chilled out grooves, jazzy guitar refrains and multi-tracked vocals - the sort of thing that would be perfect while lazing by a pool with a jug of Pimms just trying to forget about work/debt/war (delete as appropriate…..). There's a distinct 60's feel to the vocals on occasions, reminding me from time to time of early period Pink Floyd, or perhaps very early Genesis - but with the dramatic keyboards and pounding drums removed.

The guitars drift into Dave Gilmore territory on more than one occasion, while there are a couple of tracks on which Andy Summers-esq arpeggio type runs pop out as well - and that's before the Police-like reggae of Getting On Back To You kicks in. The material has a very personal feel, with themes generally having a very uplifting quality to them, if perhaps lacking a little in the "excitement" department.

Songs Of Hope And Despair shifts the focus slightly to the vocals, with a more pronounced harmony to most of the lead parts. There's definitely a Beach Boys influence in there somewhere - especially on Vows Were Made Of Glass, with a couple of the backing vocal arrangements reminding me of Good Vibrations, but again minus the excitement or energy the boys from the West Coast of the USA managed to produce. The Mamas & The Papas increasingly popped into my head too - you know, California Dreaming?? Pearl has a slightly more modern pop feel to it, while I'm Getting Love also departs slightly from the nearly horizontal laid back stuff that makes up the majority of the 13 songs on offer.

At the end of an extended listen I'm left kinda feeling that the main Antiqcool man Pete could do with a couple of not quite like minded muso's to collaborate with - someone that could inject a touch of variation to the material, and perhaps a shift of gear or two now and again. Don't get me wrong, there's some quality writing going on here, and the performance and recording can't be faulted either. It just all feels a bit too self indulgent, which I know probably sounds more of a criticism than I'm really intending.
If songs to chill out to are your bag, check out either of these CD's. If you need your music to get your heart racing, as I generally do, then look elsewhere……..

Moose.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Review by Paul from Leeds Music Scene

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61472460

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..> ANTIQCOOL

For any artist/band to produce two full albums in two years, is a credit
to their work ethic, include the quality of each album and you become
aware of the passion and belief of the artists involved.

The band in question is Antiqcool, their first CD "Digging For Gold"
combines smooth and slick guitar-work, with consistent vocals. The
influences of Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash shine
throughout, while the band still retain an originality within their music.

The recently released second album "Songs Of Hope And Despair"
gives a feeling for this reviewer of the late sixties and summer of love
harmonies. With the emphasis taken away from the guitar, and handed
more to the vocals, this brings a "feel" of a Simon and Garfunkel /
The Beach Boys experience, which can never be a bad thing.

The strength of their lyrics is shown throughout the CD, especially
on the track "I Can See Where You're Coming From" which would
be relevant in any decade.

Both albums are an ideal antidote to the stressful world we try to
survive in, let the harmonious tracks drift you to a better and more
welcoming oasis.

In a take, take world, it makes a refreshing change to see an up and
coming band not losing site of reality, with 100% of artist profits,
generated by the sale of "Digging For Gold" and "Songs of Hope and Despair"
to be donated to the
Great Ormonds Street Childrens Hospital Charity.

Their CDs are inspired by the people and places of the north east, the
north east should be proud of this band and their music.

Antiqcool
Album:Songs Of Hope And Despair
Label:Sicknote
Website: http://www.antiqcool.co.uk
The profits from both this album and the band's previous release are going to Great Ormond
Street Hospital Children's Charity, but don't let that be the only reason you go for

"Songs Of Hope And Despair".

You might also want to consider the 60s west coast folk
sensibilities, the almost Simon
and Garfunklesque vocals. This is the second album
from Antiqcool in as many years, some 27 songs in total and
not a duffer in hearing distance.
Modern Americana with a California flavour.
It's a bit of summer sun to blow away the chills
of winter. Forty years out of time and as fresh as yesterday.

Review by Neil at Fatea Records

http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/

Featured Artist 2/2008

ANTIQCOOL
For this month, we're taking it down a notch and enjoying some
sweet, smooth sounds courtesy of ANTIQCOOL. Kiddies, I can pretty much
guarantee your parents will not only like you listening to this
music, but they will try to swipe your albums. It's something to
bond over, and no one will scream at you to turn it down; in
fact, listening to them on my computer generally gets me
requests to turn it up! This group hails from the
United Kingdom, and whoever it was that told them to write
about what they know did a great thing. All of their songs are
meaningful and intelligent, and they all come straight from
the heart.

Also a credit to the group is the fact that they have released
two albums in two years: the first being Digging for Gold; the
second being their brand-spanking-new, just-released
Songs of Hope and Despair. It is a credit to both their aesthetic
and their work ethic that they have done this with absolutely no
sacrifice to quality and meaning in their music. If I was a mother
to any single one of them, I would be exceptionally proud. The
music realm is a very cutthroat business, and you have to admire
those in it who not only make it, but make it on merit and hard
work like ANTIQCOOL has!

As for their sound, it is very reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach
Boys, with a slight jazz and reggae along with the classic rock. This
group is an aural holiday to the realm of vintage. Just like their
name, they are the best of the antique and modern, beautifully
blended with a twist and cool! Retro is in, and this group is
definitely partaking in full-on musical retro-joy with charmingly
(and deceptively) simple melodies that sooth the savage beast
and calm the soul. If you're having a lousy day, if you feel a
little blue, if you're running ragged... take a minute and listen
to ANTIQCOOL! Your nerves will soothe, your heart will stop
racing, and pretty soon you'll find a smile on your face and
peace in your mind. This is a great band to listen to to prevent
road rage, and a wonderful group to meditate to.

Your humble web-mistress' faves? "The Storm" with it's deep
baseline, rock-n-roll top riffs, and Fleetwood Mac sound is at
the top of my list! Following close behind that are
"Brothers Are Made This Way", "Beautiful Mind", and
"Oh Mary" from Digging for Gold, and "My Avatar" and
"Englishman Out in the Midday Sun" from their new
release Songs of Hope and Despair. While we've yet to
see if ANTIQCOOL will be the next British Invasion, they
are well on their way to a shining star of a career!

Review by Mousie

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/mousie/spooky/deathsong.html

Links for ANTIQCOOL:

Digging For Gold on CDBaby.com
Songs of Hope and Despair on CDBaby.com
ANTIQCOOL on GarageBand.com
ANTIQCOOL on Podshow.com
ANTIQCOOL's MySpace Blog
ANTIQCOOL on MySpace
Don't forget to look for their CD Digging for Gold on iTunes!

..>

Monday, February 25, 2008

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..> Antiqcool

Review by Demo's Reviewed

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=177407807&blogID=361230828

With the fantastic album 'Songs of Hope and Despair' this jazzy rock band could
be on to something here, and manage to produce an album that not
only has a high level of quality throughout, but puts across several different
sounds, styles and songs.

'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sits comfortably in the Beatles
deep groove of easy going, feel good music, whereas
'Vows Were Made Of Glass' comes across in a slightly catchier vein, with
a clever opening and an enjoyable feel.

With 'Just Another Groove On A Forty Five', however, the album has
its first stand-out track. This is majestic, and the quality of the track
cannot be ignored.

There are some rockier tracks to compliment the more opo inspired
gems elsewhere here, with 'Pearl' and 'Got To Make That Call' showing
promise, and with 'I'm Getting Love' they possess a funky, stylish number.
Their repertoire is quite vast.

However, all previous tracks are trumped by the album's end track.
'My Avatar' is fantastic, boasting hypnotic drumming and a simply
fantastic vibe. It's a great way to end the album.

Their MySpace page features tracks that underline their talent, so
it's well worth checking out for yourself. If you can get your hands
on this album, go for it.

Antiqcool - Drifting Through My Mind

Review by ONE LONELY HORN

http://onelonelyhorn.blogspot.com/

Placing a prominent sticker on the front of your new
release that lists the bands that have influenced the
recording does you no favours at all. It practically invites
the listener to spend their time spotting the references
rather than actually listening to the music. A particular
shame in the case of Antiqcool for Songs Of Hope And
Despair is anything but a lazy re-tread of already familiar
sounds.

The driving force behind Antiqcool is singer, song writer and
guitarist Pete Smith - further details are hard to come by -
but, as the album is inspired by the people and places of the
North East it seems entirely possible that he hails from that
particular neck of the woods.

The opening track - 'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sets the tone with
ethereal vocals layered upon lyrical guitar lines that put me in mind of the Isley's
Summer Breeze, and this relaxed, chilled out feel is maintained throughout.
Herein lies one of potential problems that Antiqcool face in their quest to be
noticed. Their airy, breathily light music just sort of drifts through your
consciousness on a first listen and, in the frantic, instant world in which we live,
runs the real risk of being ignored.

It is only on second, third and subsequent listenings that the strength of Pete
Smith's writing becomes evident. There is a lyrical strength here that is worth
exploring. And, if sometimes the imagery is a little naïve ('I was a pearl in the
middle of an empty shell, found me a home in the bosom of a girl who casts a
spell'), this is more than balanced by a fair share of honesty and tenderness
('Going home, now I'm feeling alone, Got Some pictures in my head to call my
own'). Add to this a strong melodic talent and the vision to experiment with
chord structure and texture and you have much to admire and like.

Songs Of Hope And Despair is not yet the finished article. The production
does not always hang together as well as it could - and neither, more
worryingly do some the songs. This is best illustrated by 'Just Another Groove
On A Forty Five' - perhaps my favourite song and yet the most frustrating. It
has an inviting guitar intro, a strong opening verse, a powerfully understated
hook and a pleasantly melodic guitar outro, but too frequently meanders away
from the road it set out upon and, at over 6 minutes is too long.

The more I have played this album, the more delights I have found on it and the
more I have enjoyed it. If Antiqcool could find a sympathetic hand to lend a
little more focus to their ideas then the future could look very bright indeed.

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Web : www.antiqcool.co.uk

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool2

http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

•  Blah, blah, blah...

Derek and the Wonderdogs were formed in the winter of 2007 for a brief one-off show, playing just one song. Formed just an hour prior to showtime, the musical chemistry quickly showed itself, and they quickly learned the song just in time for the performance. It all went well, and the musicians decided to make this more than a one-off thing. Since then, they have played at a number of events, namely their school's film festival, and their multiple Improv Night events, for which they have become the house band. They soon began to forge their own sound, a unique blend of heavy blues-rock, jazz-influenced jamming, and a 70s singer-songwriter writing sense. Soon to be playing around LI during the summer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

United States of America (Press Release) February 8, 2008 -- MICHAEL STOLLAIRE PREPARES TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM, "HOLY AVENGER!"

February 8, 2008 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

CD Release Date: February 14, 2008. JetSpeed Records.

JetSpeed Records, the leading independent source for high quality music audio and audio/visual music programming, is proud to announce the release of the debut full-length album of Michael Stollaire via JetSpeed Records.

Recorded in Winter 2007, "HOLY AVENGER" captures the essence of the free-form poetry that Michael Stollaire is famous for, and its transformation into lyrical music that penetrates the listener's heart and soul. Recorded in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, "HOLY AVENGER" features a genre-spanning set list that includes the first single "Little Princess," the powerful ballad "I Can't Let You Go," the undeniable force of "Watch Her Walk," the pounding resonance of "Just Like Yesterday," the experimental hard-core rock of "Quest 4 Power," the face-melting guitar instrumental, "MGO," and others.

"Trinity" and "Holy Avenger" are available via iTunes and CDBABY.com here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mstollaire

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=261573972&s=143441

Artist Information, Sample Tracks, and EPKs here:

http://www.sonicbids.com/MichaelStollaire

http://www.MySpace.com/theankhproject

http://blog.myspace.com/theankhproject

http://www.michaelstollaire.com

Bonus tracks on the CD/DVD will include exclusive interviews with Michael Stollaire, along with live performances and promotional video footage, making this a must-have release for both fans and music enthusiasts alike. Stollaire's "TRINTY" EP was released by JetSpeed earlier in November 2007.

See Michael Stollaire and The Ankh Project on tour in 2008!
Look for upcoming shows at L.A.’s Whisky on Sunset Strip, New York City's Pussycat Lounge, and supporting national recording artists! Check out his JetSpeed Records official artist site for details:

http://www.jetspeedrecords.net/michael_stollaire/index.htm

For additional information please visit www.jetspeedrecords.com or contact Joey Little at JetSpeed Records directly.

For more information:

JetSpeed Records Enterprises
1626 N. Wilcox
Suite #605
Hollywood, CA 90028

(310) 487 - 9395

www.jetspeedrecords.com

"Trinity" and "Holy Avenger" are available via CDBABY.com here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mstollaire

For further information, including booking, interviews, etc., contact Michael Stollaire's management at:

1.818.31.ANGEL (1.818.312.6435)

###

Michael has been singing lead vocals, and playing lead guitar/keyboards in rock bands since the tender age of twelve, playing music ranging from 1950s rock and roll to full-bore thrash metal, and everything in-between. He picked up playing the guitar when he was fourteen and has been amazing audiences with his talents ever since. He began writing and recording in the mid-1990s, and has been a non-stop blur until the current day! His songs and style are inspired by artists like Nickelback, Creed, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Evanescence, Maroon 5, Nightwish, Van Halen, Asia, Boston, Def Leppard, Dream Theatre, Edenbridge, ELP, Judas Priest, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, and ZZ Top.

Michael was fatally infected with FM radio that was playing constantly throughout his childhood, in the house and in the car, along with a scattering of Beach Boys 45s that he inherited from his Mother. He began playing guitar and writing songs around 14 years of age. Magazines, posters, CDs, cassettes and records were constantly scattered throughout his room, and a dream is born. Picture him sitting alone in a room playing and singing into a cassette recorder. Then, he was involved in a seemingly endless string of bands, where he cut his teeth and his unique style was germinated. Then, he moved to California in the mid-90s, following his heart and career. Over the next 15 years or so, he played and recorded with a chain of club rock bands, as well as many solo performances and recordings. Currently writing a book of poetry, based on existentialism and romantic meanderings, with a working title of “Better Late than Never.”

"Trinity" will be pre-released at the first stadium concert of the 2007 "Holy Avenger" tour on August 25th , 2007 at the "Summerfaire '07 World Peace Concert" at The Orange Show Stadium in San Bernardino, California, along with a half dozen Midwest dates in mid August! “Trinity’s” official release will be in November 2007. The full-length CD, "Holy Avenger" will see its official release on Valentine’s Day 2008, where it will be available at iTunes, eMusic, CD Baby and select retail stores around the world, along with every date and venue associated with the world tour to support this ground-breaking release!

CONTACT:

Michael Stollaire
12407 Moorpark Street, Suite 102
Studio City, CA, 91604, USA
1.818.31.ANGEL (1.818.312.6435)

http://www.myspace.com/theankhproject
http://www.SonicBids.com/MichaelStollaire
http://www.purevolume.com/michaelstollairetheankhproject
http://www.michaelstollaire.com
http://www.musicsubmit.com/MichaelStollaire
http://eventful.com/michaelstollaire

The Southern Urge was born on Vancouver Island in a basement near the University of Victoria in early summer, 2005. Three local musicians were at their campus pub having beers and checking out the open mic players. They were already in a band known around Victoria but “creative differences” in the band had led to their search for a new singer. There they found Ryan Evans and asked him to come out to front the band. After a few practices in the basement they hit the bars at UVIC and in downtown Victoria. The story continues to unfold today…

The Southern Urge is Ryan Evans (vocals/guitar), Tony Garossino (lead guitar), Jonny Milstein (bass/congas/clave/harmonica/backup vocals), and Cameron Duron (drums).

Ryan, who was living in Halifax, had been frequenting the L.A. scene meeting with producer and friend Sheila E after she had taken notice of his songwrting skill a few years previous. During the summer in B.C., and after a couple of rehearsals with the Southern Urge, it was undeniable that there was a definite chemistry between the friends who embraced his songwriting; the L.A. scene would just have to wait.

With the speed of Jimmy Page and the originality of Trey Anastasio, Tony was able to add energy to the solid progressions penned by Ryan. Cam’s drumming style, reminiscent of Jazz-Fusion masters like Carter Beauford, Dennis Chambers, and Steve Gadd, is a rhythmic extension of Ryan’s aggressive acoustic playing. Add solid bass grooves locked to the beat by Jonny and you have an original song by The Southern Urge.

The band’s first EP entitled “…until it hurts” was recorded over one night at Vancouver’s Art Institute, and is scheduled for release this summer. The disc includes the songs, “I am a rolling wind”, “Gimme all your love”, “See you move”, “Better time”, and “Been around”.

All of the songs offer a diverse range of sounds, which is representative of the diversity in the group. From a rocker out of Halifax, to a guitar wizard from Texas, to a drumming inferno from Toronto, to a killer bass player from Vancouver – They all come together to produce something very special.

The band has had extensive experience in Victoria's live music scene. As a band with a social conscience they have headlined benefit concerts around Victoria for such organizations as: Rock for Rwanda, The Tsunami Relief Effort, Engineers Without Borders and Children of War. After securing an opening spot at Steamer’s Pub, one of the biggest and best know live music venues in the heart of downtown, the band has been a monthly headliner on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Felicita’s, Uvic’s campus pub, has been a local home for the band. On January 21st 2006, UVic hosted it’s first ever winter SUB party. The entire Student Union Building was converted into a five-stage venue for 2,500 people. Some performers featured were Moka Only, Mobile, and The Armchair Cynics. The Southern Urge was given the longest time slot that night, playing for three full hours and ending the night for a sold out crowd.

Individual members have different amounts of recording experience. Ryan has recorded his own demo as a solo artist, working with session players and recording his own compositions. Jonny has had experience recording with two previous bands, as well as many other small session projects. Tony is familiar with home recording, and cam’s first major experience was the current EP.

Upcoming shows: April 11 – Darcy’s pub (Victoria)

Additional info/songs/pics: visit www.ryanevansmusic.com

•  Hard rock. Great Hook.
•  Great lyrics
•  Great song - mediocre recording

"Phenomenal, one of the best unsigned albums I've Heard" 5/5- Adam Harold. Rocksomething.com

Award winning rock outfit Voodoo Johnson are one of the brightest new prospects in the unsigned British Rock scene! Voodoo Johnson are a melody driven rock band set to make an overwhelming impression both on the music industry and audiences alike.

Voodoo Johnson have been formed from the cream of the unsigned scene with all members having much experience at all levels of the industry.

With a steadily growing fan base, the band continues to captivate audiences with their energetic live shows and songs that you cant seem to get out of your head. Voodoo Johnson hope to build on their previous accomplishments and prove why they are set to be one of the most talked about rock bands in the country.

Voodoo Johnson Lead Guitarist Carl Gethin is a past winner the Gibson sponsered 'Riffathon Studio' guitar competition judged by legends including Jimmy Page, Brian May and Dan Hawkins!

With a growing reputation as one of Vancouver's hardest working alternative hard
rock bands, Dreams of Treason comes armed and ready to rock the party. From their monumentally loud and often sold-out live performances to their ear splitting and intricate recordings, Dreams of Treason is poised to take over the hard rock scene in Canada. Teaming up with long time friend and producer Larry Anschell (Nickelback,
Pearl Jam), 2006 saw the release of the band's first full length CD, Slave's Desire; a 70's arena rock inspired affair with more than enough modern grit to bridge the generation gap.

Dreams of Treason were offered a premium showcase at New Music West 2007 in the wake of a wildly well attended Western Canadian Tour as Vancouver's own IMU Productions took notice of their aggressive work ethic and die hard rock star ways! Also
taking notice of the band's growing success was Toronto's Heroes Gone Bad Entertainment which soon joined the Dreams of Treason camp, providing the group with a set of Canadian tour dates and radio appearances (summer 2007).

With strong internet radio play supporting the acoustically driven "Everything Ordinary", Jean Larrivee Guitars USA soon offered Dreams of Treason guitarist Alex Whitcombe with an endorsement and an offer of a long term partnership.

Serving an up-tempo blend of exotic rock flavours, Dreams of Treason's debut, "Slave's Desire" screams to life with the feisty lead track "Take Me There". Power rock ballads such as "Everything Ordinary" and the psychedelic love song "Surrender" provide balance to an eclectic CD that is much more than a product of its influences (ok, ok, you just might hear a little Led Zeppelin; a little Radiohead and maybe even a dash of
Metallica sprinkled throughout, but that isn't a bid thing, is it???)

Vocalist, Chris Wright's enormous pipes showcase the sonic union of arena bravado with a cerebral lyrical style reminiscent of John Lennon, while the rhythm section of Dave Robinson (bass) and Adam Todd (drums) provide impossibly infectious grooves throughout the disc.

As founding members of the Vancouver Band Alliance, Dreams of Treason were regular guests on local reality TV show: A New Rock Reality which chronicles the life & times of Vancouver's underground rock personalities. With growing media support in the UK, Dreams of Treason have been featured on English radio show Monochrome Museum and thanks to support from DJ's Moll & John will make their debut across the pond by the new year.

For more information or Booking Dreams of Treason, please contact:

Peter Bobak
Heroes Gone Bad Entertainment
647.400.5619

TV/FILM Licensing: Noteborn Music (USA)

Endorsed By: Jean Larrivee Guitars USA Inc.

Safe As Houses, the 2nd release from Vancouver's math majors, is an avant-punk "Dark Side Of The Moon". At once invoking the tech-rock artistry of Mars Volta and the stadium majesty of Led Zeppelin or Queen, The Approach have created a seamless work of elegant power. Three songs from the album have recently featured in the award-winning CBC series "Make Some Noise". Featuring members of The Red Light Sting, Closed Caption Radio, Portico, and Donkey Engine, the supergroup takes rock into an unconventional realm, creating moody recorded works driven with an innovative use of dynamics. Their first studio album, Wings Of Monarchs released by Flyer Records, topped many Canadian university stations such as CITR, CHSR, and CAPR, for numerous weeks.

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