I keep myself busy and keep myself out of trouble by writing new songs. I am connected to my family, friends and fans and my Black And White Album and tracks are my life experiences. I live and breathe music and its in my blood and Rap - HipHop is the fire that fuels it.

My music has brought me many places around the world and I am going to take it further by completing my next album. Skies the limit when you put dedication and perseverance together. Just wait and see I will take us to even more places - nothing will stop me.

When I am done we are going everywhere twice or three times around the world.

http://www.damirworld.com

•  Sounds like fight music.

Trike is a duo, comprising of Stephen Taylor and Xania Keane. Stephen plays keyboard, digital guitar, trombone and sings. Xania plays fiddle, glockenspiel, keyboard, sings, dances (Irish/Quebecois style) and raps.

Trike's style is Synth-pop, New Wave, with various other elements. They are audience-interactive, teaching people dance moves they make up. Their songs are catchy pop songs, high energy and dancey. Onstage, there is a great deal of theatricality and performance.

Their influences are: Pulp, The Cure, Talking Heads, Devo, The Cars, Belle and Sebastian, old Public Enemy, Magnetic Fields and Joy Division.

There is a lot of humour in the music, and the songs are pretty bouncy/happy, although there are also a lot of bittersweet emotions in the lyrics.

Addicted to performing, Trike has played almost forty shows since the beginning of September in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, Canada.

Trike also won $20,000 on "The Gong Show" (a contest which was on radio and television) with their instructive-dance song, The Trikey, which enabled them to go on tour to Europe in the Spring of 2008.

Their album, "The New Album" was number six on the charts of Kootenay Coop radio for three months.

An autonomous collective of unsurpassed musical genius, Groovy Julia has appeared in many incarnations over the years. From acoustic buskers to formless jazz combo to horn-driven R’n’B outfit to roots rock ruffians, Groovy Julia has played to thousands, even entertaining some. Although some have said that Groovy Julia is the kind of band that gives rock a bad name, it’s an extreme characterization that isn’t entirely true. Best known for their hits… well… best known for their legendary… umm… best known for generally arriving at gigs on time, Groovy Julia continues to carry on in the tradition of The Who, in that they don’t know when it’s time to give up. Building momentum on sales numbering in the tens of their seminal opus, “Cry Like a Man,” the GJs play live sporadically, record occasionally and always rock with the best of intentions.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID

“Groovy Julia – A band best served cold.”
- Rolling Stone

“The sound of jackhammers smashing up the sidewalk outside my apartment was more pleasant.”
- Lloyd Bridges (Scuba World)

“Turn the volume down – way down - and wait for the enhanced DVD retrospective of these pretty boy gadflies.”
- “Q”

“We want them for the next swimsuit issue.”
- Sports Illustrated

“They’re nothing but a disagreeable mélange of syrupy treacle and discordant din. But with a doily here, some potpourri there and a few scented candles, they’d be a welcome addition at your next festive occasion. And that’s a good thing.”
- Martha Stewart

Learn it by Heart is a fresh new sound developed by spunky singer/songwriter Cara Cortese. Being the sole member of the band Cara has spent countless hours working towards perfecting her talent. Though the band is still in its beginning stages, with the help of ACOSM Records the production of Learn it by Heart’s debut CD is underway.

Cara spent her childhood moving around with her family, living in England, Singapore and of course her home country Canada. Since her parents now live in Australia, Cara lives in the beautiful city of Toronto with her twin sister.

While growing up, Cara was always a musician. As a child she was always the first to begin singing along with the radio, and certainly made sure she could be heard over her two sisters. When she finally got bored of not having all the attention on long car rides, Cara began singing harmonies, which began the next level of her musical interest. Finally, after many years of bothering her parents, at the age of 14 Cara received her first guitar. Her family anticipated that this would just be another phase that Cara went through, but to everyone’s surprise she spent many hours locked in her room teaching herself how to play the instrument. But in true Cara style, she never liked to take things slowly, before she had even mastered how to play more than four chords, she wrote her first song.

After finishing high school, Cara knew that her parents wanted her to have a post secondary education so she ventured off to Wilfred Laurier University to study Honours Arts. However, Cara spent most of her time in her dorm room writing new songs and experimenting with home recording. To gain experience in performing, Cara played at open mike shows and spent a lot of time in Toronto searching for any opportunity she could get.

While Cara is currently studying English at Ryerson University she balances the work load of school and music with pure determination. Though Learn it by Heart is still a green project, Cara’s hard work and continued song writing should make for a well-rounded debut CD.

•  Lovely
•  This song is addictive
•  Folky with a dash of...

Biography
From Grandpa I got my storytelling. His visits were rare, as he and grandma lived in St. Catherines Ontario, and we lived just outside Calgary, Alberta. They spoiled all 8 of us children (according to my dad) but the biggest gift Grandpa always gave us was to tell us bedtime stories of the “olden days”.

Grandpa’s stories usually involved exciting stuff like runaway teams of horses, shooting at wolves, or somebody getting body parts torn off. His tales were filled with gestures and sound effects. He really had a way of bringing them to life. And he listened when a kid told him a story. He made you feel your stories were important.

From Mom and Dad I got music. My Dad and my other Grandpa were both musicians. Grandpa Hubele (of whom I knew very little) was a very good organ player. My dad played fiddle in his early years, touring around southern Alberta with a country dance band. He and Mom would, very occasionally, play duets on fiddle and piano when we were little kids.

I can remember waiting til my parents went out. Since I was the oldest, I often babysat my brothers and sisters. I would sneak into Dad’s fiddle case to take out the fiddle and play it. Except I was always trying to make it sound like a guitar, and I played it like one.

We moved back and forth across the country, from Ontario to Alberta and back many times as I grew up. Dad kept trading up for jobs, and I was in a new school almost every year. I became a loner and a rebel. I turned to humor to make up for my small size. I’d find the biggest kid in class, figure out how to make him laugh, and I didn’t have to worry about the rest of the bullies. It pays to have friends in high places.

I believe I had an undiagnosed hearing problem caused by a trauma (now confirmed as a severe hearing loss). I never could quite understand the lyrics on the radio which was always on in our house, so I made up my own.

My earliest memories were of crossing the big empty fields which made up the neighborhoods of my youth, singing at the top of my lungs and making up words as I went along. My mom says she could pick me out of the flocks of kids coming home from school. I’d be waving my arms and singing to myself as I walked across the prairie.

I started writing songs in a serious way when I was 21 years old. A friend, who had been showing me how to play guitar, and I went out to live on the beach on Vancouver Island at Pacific Rim Park. I was picking away when a simple line kept repeating itself in my head. I wrote it down, and in ten minutes I had a song. It seemed to open flood gates, and for the next 2 or 3 years I wrote a song or two a week. I average about a song a month now. But, they are better songs.

(over)

Biography, page 2

To write successfully, I usually have to be alone, have all my chores done and time on my hands. Words and melody most often develop at the same time. It takes from 10 minutes to 1 hour to write a song. It takes me two weeks to learn it. I like to wrap a song around a good story line. They always come from my own experiences.

I was fascinated with the blues from the get-go. I came in through the back door. J.J. Cale, then Hot Tuna. Then B.B. King, Freddy King, and Muddy Waters.

When I heard Bonnie Raitt play slide guitar, I was gone. I had to learn how to do that. I followed her trail back to Mississippi Fred McDowell. “You want rock, you gonna have to put me in a rockin’ chair. I plays the straight and natural blues.”

I also paid attention to the songwriters, my favorites being Paul Simon, Harry Nillson, Willie Dixon, and Tom Waits.

My interest in jazz developed through my association with other musicians like Calgary’s late Chuck Tracy, a gruff, funny, kind of crazy lounge musician. He introduced me to Tom Waits, Mose Allison, and Fats Waller amongst others.

As well, it became a habit to listen to the great Alberta radio station CKUA on Saturdays. Bill Coull’s Jazz Show was a fifteen year course in ‘Everything You Should Know About Jazz’.

I also have a life-long addiction to comedy movies and comic books. One of my Dad’s jobs was as a projectionist in a small town. Once a week on Saturday night the local community hall was turned into a theatre. I was very young (3 years til 7 years old) but those old black and white 16mm movies of the Marx Bros, Chaplin, and W.C. Fields remain deep in my psyche.

I think this was a great influence on my writing. Most of my songs have a little humor and a strange twist to them.

I have worked as a laborer and heavy equipment operator and truck driver since leaving the University of Calgary after 4 years of unrelated courses and wandering interests. Previous to that, I had worked at the CPR as a ticket clerk. I began working at age 14 at the steel mill where my father worked. I did not graduate from high school.

I have written songs for 32 years. Recording began for me in 1978 with the Acme Sausage Company with Holger Petersen broadcast on CKUA. Since then, I have been on countless radio and tv programs. I have recorded 6 albums of original material, and I just finished recording my demo for the 7th, and most exciting, CD - ‘Down In Davis Bay’.

•  Somewhere down the midnight cafe

'Soulful. Unique. Amazing.'

This is how listeners describe Heidi McCurdy’s voice.

'Sultry jazz-pop with groove and an attitude.'

This is how they describe her songs.

With hip rhythms, thick harmonies, clever lyrics and an eclectic array of influences (soul, jazz, world) Heidi’s music enchants listeners, and compels them to sing along. Her song Fickle Mind won first place in the Write On ’97 songwriting contest. In May 2004, her song Placebo earned Honorable Mention with international Song of the Year. She has won numerous awards on Garageband.com including Best Female Vocals and Track of the Day.

In the early ‘90’s, Heidi co-founded the world/funk band Yellow Belly, which released an independent CD, completed two cross-Canada tours, and had several songs top the charts on MP3.com and college radio. Yellow Belly shared stages with The Bare Naked Ladies, Papa Wemba, Steele Pulse, and 54-40.

Following that project, Heidi created her own ensemble of top musicians, and has been performing funky originals, jazz standards and neo-soul favourites ever since. She has also been a featured vocalist with the Alexander Browne Orchestra and Johnny Ferreira and the Swing Machine, and a guest with Brickhouse, Soul Stream, Jason Mitchell and Kia Kadiri. She has performed in Europe, the U.S.A., and Canada, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in 2005.

Audiences love Heidi for her unpretentious persona and soulful performance, her winning blend of natural talent and professional skill. Listeners everywhere are instantly transformed into long-term and loyal fans.

•  One of the best
•  Where has this girl been...
•  Poppitty pop
•  pick it up and move...
• Great Song!

POTION 13, Independent band from Montreal, Quebec.

So much is happening, visit our official website at www.potion13.org to be up to date with all the action!

The band is: Danielle Langlois (vocals), Brian Harps (guitar).

Potion 13 started in the year 2002.. Our first album "Porte-bonheur" (lucky charm) came out in november 2002. It was recorded at Media Musique studio in Montreal. Since then:
65 appearences on TV of our show (recorded nov. 2005) at the Metropolis.

More than 250 radio shows have played our songs. More than 300 websites host an artist page for our band, more than 350 host our MP3, so many have a link towards potion13.org, all that leaded to over 1,000,000 downloads of our mp3, all over the net, all over the globe.

Our songs were on more than 100 charts grabbing first position on many of them.

2 interviews on radio, one on Radio-Canada and one on CISM.

An interview for UrbaniaTV on TV5 World, One on Bande a part tv. Our music was featured on BikerTV season 3.

We made the front page of Revue On roule, Les Nouvelles de l'Est and Journal de Rosemont.. More than 11 interviews (news papers, zines...) more than 15 supers reviews of our album Porte-bonheur that is distributed in Germany and also available in many Montreal stores like FreesonRock and on the net.

26 shows, one with the Gala BoxeRock, in the sold-out Metropolis, one at the Molson Park, where, 5,000 people were "quebecoitiser" celebrating the Fete nationale de la St-Jean, The Freedom party, ...These shows attracted thousand of people. That made possible 4 supers nice reviews of our shows, one on Quebecpop.com.

Thanks to all of you that helped us, from near or from far, in the rising of Potion 13. We, sincerely, appreciate it!!!

VERSION FRANCAISE (Sans accents...)

POTION 13, groupe independant de rock lourd quebecois!!!

Le groupe est compose de Danielle Langlois (voix), Brian Harps (guitare).

Le groupe commence en 2002. En Novembre 2002 arrive la sortie de l'album Porte-bonheur, enregistre au studio Media Musique a Montreal. Depuis:

Plus de 65 apparitions a la television du spectacle (enregistre en nov.2005) au Metropolis sur Canal Vox.

Plus de 250 emissions de radio ont joue nos chansons. Plus de 300 sites internet affichent une page d'artiste pour Potion 13, plus de 350 hebergent nos MP3, une multitude affichent un lien vers potion13.org..., ce qui a decoule a plus de 1,000,000 de telechargements de nos mp3, un peu partout sur la planete.

Les chansons de Potion 13 sont apparues sur plus de 100 palmares atteignant la position #1 sur plusieurs d'entre eux.

Une entrevue tele avec UrbaniaTV diffusee surTV5 Monde (sept.2007), une avec Bande a PartTV. On peut entendre notre musique dans la saison-3 de BikerTV.

2 entrevues radio, une a Radio-Canada et une a CISM.

Le groupe a fait la une de la revue On roule, de Les Nouvelles de l Est et du Journal de Rosemont.. Plus de 11 entrevues (journaux, zines...) et plus de 15 supers belles critiques de l' album Porte-bonheur qui est distribue en Allemagne et aussi disponible a Montreal dans plusieurs magasins dont FreesonRock et sur le net.

26 spectacles, dont un dans le cadre du Gala BoxeRock, dans la salle comble du Metropolis, un, au Parc Molson ou 5,000 personnes furent quebecoitisees dans le cadre de la Fete nationale de la St-Jean, Le Freedom party,...Ces spectacles ont attire des millier de personnes, au grand plaisir de tous! Ce qui a aussi permis 4 supers bonnes critiques de nos spectacles, dont une sur Quebecpop.com.

Restez branche et partagez l'ascension notre groupe de rock lourd francophone independant sur la scene internationale!

Potion 13 est un groupe professionnel et energique avec des accessoires et un visuel unique! Leur but premier, offrir aux spectateurs une soiree des plus memorables!

Potion 13...boisson ideale pour une soiree ensorcellante!!!

Envoutement guarantie

Un gros merci a tous ceux qui nous ont aide, de pres ou de loin, dans l'ascension de notre groupe, nous apprecions beaucoup!!!

Israel Suicide was originally born in Ireland, and has gone on to travel the world finally landing in Canada.
Having toured with Chris Cornell, Audioslave, the White Stripes, the Von Bondies and many more major label bands Israel was signed by 8 Ohm Records in Vancouver.
Israel's voice has been described as "Chris Cornell meets Bono in a hellish evil nightmare." by Jeff Henning of RollingStone.
"An evil incarnation of bombastic violence starving for serenity..." says Henry Rollins.
Israel sings about pain, torment and injustice....love, guts and glory.
"It's all there in the "NEW" sound of 2008" says Paul Goebel of Metal Force magazine.
But don't take our word for it.....let Israel burn your brain at www.myspace.com/israelsuicide
Go on....I dare ya!

"When I was a kid I remember my mother saying it's OK to be a non-conformist. I thought that was somewhere between a capitalist and a communist..."

ARCTIC - the band and/or solo project of Marcus Martin - is all about duality. His childhood in Yellowknife, a small gold mining town in the Arctic region of Canada's Northwest Territories, was a stark contrast to his experiences in a private UK boarding school. He grew up in the land of lakes, trees, rocks and ice with true wilderness spirit and is equally at home sharing his ARCTIC adventures in any big city, where there are more people on one street than in his whole hometown.

Coming from the Tom Morello school of guitar texture, he has learned to challenge the listener by layering unique sounds usually found only in the electric guitar world. As a loop-based acoustic artist he tours with an 80 lb. effects pedalboard - not traveling light compared to most acoustic singer-songwriters.

His live set is where this duality takes flight, as he constructs each song before the audience, piece by piece. Influenced by both 70's progressive rock and conventional songwriters of the day, ARCTIC bridges a world of opposites together. He layers haunting melodies on top of his arrangements, improvising like a jazz artist, intertwining vocals and guitar into a chilled and airy soundscape.

"I think it's hard not to be an environmentalist, growing up on the land."

His environmental message is not watered down and mixed into his music: they are separate entities. His music is an introduction; it is the common ground between him and the listener. As many will attest, he does his best to meet everyone after his show to say hi. You never know where the conversation will go, but people always want to know more about the ARCTIC - both the region and the band.

Marcus is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

•  Compliment

Parlour Steps

Nine Mile Records presents Parlour Steps, a band that is creating something new: Thought-Rock! This is art-damaged beauty, music that is both stormy and playful; reflective of their west coast Canadian home of Vancouver. This is music that makes you want to move while making you think.

Within the modern, popular landscape, influence is drawn from emotional rockers Arcade Fire and The Pixies, combined with the lyrical elements of Sufjan Stevens and Tom Waits. Unafraid of asking big questions and taking musical risks, the world is taking notice of this exceptional band.

“Thieves of Memory” has been chosen from over 15,000 entrants as a winner in the world renowned International Songwriting Competition, placing Parlour Steps, and in particular chief songwriter Caleb Stull, in the international spotlight.“Thieves of Memory” can be heard on the Adidas Website and was just released internationally on the Sonicbids Listen Vol. 2 Compilation, raising money for hurricane relief as well as showcasing some of North America’s best independent talent.

They can be heard on the Canadian television drama “Whistler”, now syndicated in the U.S.

Nine Mile Records will be releasing Parlour Step's fourth full-length record “Ambiguoso” in Feb. 2008, to be distributed internationally by Burnside Records.

Radio play, podcasts, and web-streaming have launched the band’s music to listeners across the continent. CBC, college, and university radio play, in Canada and the U.S. has seen Parlour Steps charted in the top fifty played and requested artists in their format.

2007-08 is seeing Parlour Steps touring Canada and the U.S. in support of their new record, furiously playing to all open ears.

A complete electronic press kit, including MP3's, press clippings, and the band's latest news can be found at http://www.parloursteps.com/

Parlour Steps compact discs are distributed through Burnside Records, Scratch Records in Canada, online at cdbaby.com, or any of the major digital download sites (iTunes, MP3.com, etc).
Bookings are done through Rob Perron at File Under Music,

, tel. 604.628.5275

Contact the band at http://www.parloursteps.com/

Rio Bent is carving a new niche in the genre of punk rock. With powerful female vocals, intense guitars and explosive percussion Rio Bent is kicking out elegant raunch for the ages.

Winning over audiences wherever they play with a riveting ‘can’t take your eyes off them’ stage show.

They’ve appeared nation-wide on Much Music, toured from Vancouver to Montreal and shared the stage with such indie-punk greats as the Mad Caddies and the Black Halos.

Rio Bent is on the brink of releasing their debut full length CD, produced, recorded and mixed by Paul Forgues (Slayer, Hatebreed), Blair Calibaba (NoMeansNo, Propaghandhi) and Dave Rave Ogilvie (Nine Inch Nails, 54-40).

Graceful, tasteful and highly attractive,
Rio Bent is the grit and glory you’ve been waiting for.

•  the kids are alright
•  Pure Punk

“Won’t you come back home? Well, I don’t think so.” This telling exchange from “Run From Safety” epitomizes the ethos of Octoberman’s Marc Morrissette. In 2003, the itinerant songwriter abandoned his Vancouver home, took a break from his band, Kids These Days, and departed for travels through Asia and Europe. When Morrissette returned to North American shores, he arrived bearing a travel journal blackened with observations and reflections. These insights would soon become the basis of Octoberman’s critically-acclaimed 2005 debut, These Trails Are Old and New.

Embodying the sensibilities of Neil Young’s songcraft and Jack Kerouac’s travelogues, These Trails won widespread praise from Uncut, Maverick, The Globe and Mail and dozens of other publications. Just as Morrissette’s penchant for melancholic vocals and melodic guitar work caught the ears of critics, it won the hearts of audiences. The songwriter established Octoberman as a live institution in Vancouver, sometimes taking to the stage with a seven-piece backing band and on other occasions with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and harmonica. 2006’s seven-song, live-recorded Laguardia EP ideally encapsulated the intimacy and immediacy of these solo Octoberman performances.

However, employing a full band to expand upon his spare arrangements had opened Morrissette’s eyes to the possibilities for Octoberman’s second full-length album. Between March and August 2006, he retreated to three studios in Vancouver with co-producer and engineer James Henderson and captured his musical musings. Along for the ride were his regular backing band: Rob Josephson (drums), and Graham Christofferson (bass); as well as other common collaborators: Peter Doig (guitar), Leah Abramson (vocals), Shaun Brodie (trumpet), Kris Hooper (lap steel), Jason Starnes (keyboards), Mike Morrissette (vocals), Ryder Havdale (vocals) and C.L. McLaughlin (vocals).

Upon first listen, it’s evident that Run From Safety is not only an album title but also a bold statement of intent. It sublimely captures the sound of an artist abandoning the tried and true and striking out in unknown directions. While still fuelled by wanderlust, Octoberman’s music continues to remind us that not all journeys can be measured by distance alone. Run From Safety brims with inspired instrumentation, accomplished orchestration and newfound urgency. Furthermore, it sees Morrissette bringing the indie pop sensibility of his Kids These Days material back to the fore. Fans of Stephen Malkus’ wordplay, Bright Eyes’ earnestness and Elliott Smith’s tunefulness will find themselves readily enthralled with Octoberman’s latest offering.

“I need some inspiration in my life,” Morrissette confides in “By The Wayside.” Such motivation manifests itself with Calexico-like southwestern cinematics complete with brass flourishes. Such atmospherics resurface later with the tumbleweed menace of “Cisco Kid.” Meanwhile, a gift for clever turns of phrase is evidenced on “Run From Safety” which evokes lovelorn gypsy boys, grandmotherly gifts and jurisdictions that “bleed with conviction.” “No Qualms” attempts to offer assurances in the face of insecurities. “Elbow Room” provides an autobiographical account of helplessness. Elsewhere, the loping “Impossible Way” channels Bob Dylan while “Shit Just Falls Apart” offers astute indictments sugared by rousing pop. “Chasing Ambulances” brings proceedings to a heartfelt, whisper-quiet close.

Morrissette proves exceedingly skilled at conjuring both the wariness and weariness of a man who’s seen the world. Yet, despite intense explorations, he’s come away with little in the way of certainties or answers. Instead, every discovery begets further questions. It’s these quandaries and conflicts that continue to drive the man and his music. Once Octoberman made the decision to run from safety, turning back was not an option. Upon mastering his new album, Morrissette quit his job and embarked on a European tour that lead him through five countries in five weeks. He next crossed the Atlantic, climbed into his Volkswagen and toured the continental United States. One can only imagine the inspiring questions that were raised along the way.

•  Passionate folk song patriotism

It's Just A Number - FEB 14, 2006

OR, to buy individual songs for a buck-a-piece, go here:


DASHA on ProjectOpus.com

________________________________________________________________

The girl next door meets the devil that everybody pretends they dont know. With writing that is "...dramatic, dynamic, emotive, and unpredictable" (Gian Fiero - The Muse's Muse ), Dasha showcases her own style of modern day piano-centric rock in a very unforgettable way.

Dasha, a classically trained pianist, grew up listening to an unlikely mix of Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Pantera, Metallica, Tool, Faith no More and Guns n Roses. She wrote her first song when she was 13, received a FACTOR grant soon thereafter and currently spends most of her time on stage and in the studio with bands and as a solo artist.

Dasha spent just over a year with a Vancouver hard-rock band called SoWhatNothing. Dasha was the core songwriter as well as singer and pianist in this original band. SoWhatNothing quickly received a lot of attention in a very short time. A few of their most notable accomplishments included receiving a full clothing sponsorship from MACHINE Clothing out of Toronto ON, playing 30+ live gigs in 9 months, touring to Toronto, receiving frequent radio play on Vancouver's rock giant 99.3 CFOX's Indie Night In Canada, playing twice Live On Air on CFOX (6 O'Clock Rock Report as well as on Indie Night In Canada), and playing live on local TV show Urban Rush.

After gaining a great deal of experience and creating a bunch of new fans, Dasha opted to go solo and pursue the music that suited her most; a little bit of rock, a little bit of aggression, a little bit of hook and a whole lot of passion.

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:


2005 - Dasha received a FACTOR Professional Demo Award for 3 new songs

2006 - Released Full-Length CD "It's Just A Number"

2006 - "Atheist" was added to indie104.com in Los Angeles

2006 - Received a feature interview on LOCALS 102.7

2006 - Dasha and her band secured a clothing endorsement with APARTMENT CLOTHING, an innovative company that retails at such notable chains as Holt Renfrew and Bloomingdales, as well as several other reputable shops throughout Canada, the US, and Japan.

2006 - "Downhill" receives airplay on 99.3 CFOX's Indie Night In Canada

2006 - Received a feature spotlight and interview on PROJECT OPUS

2006 - December Featured Artist Profile on ONLINE ROCK

2006 - December Featured Artist Profile on CATSASK MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

2006 - Winner of 3 Muse's Muse Awards 2006 MUSE'S MUSE AWARDS


2006 - "The Last Time" #1 Song on PROJECT OPUS.com

ALBUM REVIEWS:

"Dasha's writing talent is immense and her potential for industry success is enormous...she is simply on another level. Both the music and publishing industries will strike gold when they get their hands on her catalogue. Congratulations on completing a project that is commercially strong, artistically developed, and musically sound." (Gian Fiero - The Muse's Muse - READ MORE!)

"What a perfectly-expressed declaration of emotions. Dasha Postnikova's collection of tunes are soaring, cascading realms of power balladry. Move over boys, here come the ladies. Postnikova's voice is rough yet still undeniably feminine, and in its stronger moments not unlike Alanis Morissette." (Andy Scheffler - CORDMAG.com - READ MORE!)

"Dasha's powerful, personal vocals and melodic piano style is supported by a solid band. Listening to her, we discover a full rock sound that grabs you with its power and then treats us to some interesting arrangements. Its classic, but not at all predictable." (Project Opus Team - ProjectOpus.com - READ MORE!)

"As unique as her name, Dasha's music is a brilliant compilation of grace, exquisite talent, intellect, rock and freedom. Compared to Tori Amos, Alanis Morrisette and Fiona Apple, Dasha Postnikova far exceeds the comparison in her own rights. Her strong classical training shines in a fabulous rhythm of rock, and heartfelt lyrics accomplished by life experiences." (L. Fine - Northeast In-Tune Magazine - READ MORE!)

"When the first few chords rung out...I knew Dasha was about to hit me with something special. Her songs are so well written, listening to them is a real treat. The overall musical composition is so engaging when she lets go. Wonderful piano, guitar, hard rock melodies and extremely powerful lyrics bring her basket of musical goodies right to the senses. " (Cats Ask Reviews - Featured Artists on Catsask Music & Entertainment - READ MORE!)

View Dasha's EPK

ATHEIST has been added to indie104.7 FM iRADIO in L.A. - America's No. 1 Independent Radio Station. Please help me out by requesting it!!

_____________________________________________________________






ROXY FEB 14, 2006 - Andy Scheffler

Downhill

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The Last Time

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Empty

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Thank you Patrick & Adrienne for the video footage!!

•  written
• The Best
• Beautiful...
•  Very soothing but also emotional
• So many levels to this...

Ottawa, Canada-born singer/songwriter John Allaire became first know to Canadian audiences with his alt-rock band in the '80s and '90s, The Town Cryers. After spending two decades touring North America and performing alongside other international acts with The Town Cryers and other bands, John put out his first solo recording in 2003, Crime and Punishment. In 2005, John teamed up with his backing band, the Campistas, and released Thank You Waitress!, an album that went to the top of many college and university radio stations across North America and garnered a particularly large audience in Europe.
Summer 2007 sees the release of John’s third solo album, Ghosts of the Royal Motel, with the accompanying North American tour in the Summer and Fall 2007.
For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk stories, sprinkled with wit and edgy instrumentation, often drawing comparisons as far-ranging as Neil Young to Joe Strummer. He has been the recipient of national songwriting awards, such as the CBC Telefest award for best independent video, PROCAN top independent song release, and album of the month by Canadian College and University Radio Association.

PERFORMED WITH…
Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan Leech, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Lynn Miles, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more…

John’s vocals have been compared to Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom), Joe Strummer (The Clash), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Paul Westerberg (Replacements) and many others of this ilk. His songwriting echoes that of Neil Young, Paul Westerberg, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) and Elvis Costello.

For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk-influenced stories and the solo show incorporates quick wit, banter and a direct connection with the audience. His straightforward guitar and harmonica styles are reminiscent of early coffeehouse troubadours like Dylan and Donovan. Each show is different from the last, with changing arrangements (acoustic and electric accompaniment), material choices and the stories he relates.

John has shared the stage with: Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan, Lynn Miles, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more...

AWARDS
CBC Telefest top independent music video in Ontario
Top independent video in Canada 1989 as selected by MuchMusic
PROCAN (now SOCAN) independent songwriter award for "Cry at Night"
Canadian College and University Radio Assoc. top album of the month - "All's Well"

That was then...
Starting his professional music career in 1984, John has been in a number of bands, including the award-winning "The Town Cryers", a band that reached the number one spot on seven radio stations in Canada with their first release in 1987 called "All's Well".

Allaire toured the country with the Cryers all the while releasing their 1989 CD, "Surprise Surprise", which included a supporting video for Allaire's song "Never Bin Hurt B-4". The video won honours as top independent video in Canada in 1989. The CD also had the dubious pleasure of being the first release in Canada by an independent band on the emerging CD format.

The Town Cryers parted ways in 1992, but not before recording a whopping 18-track CD called "Stanley's Cup".

In 1995, John founded the alt/punk band The Mercy Miners, playing with such signed recording artists as Econoline Crush and Nada Surf. The Mercy Miners released a 10-song CD called Knuckle Sandwich in 1997.

In 2003, John released his first solo effort called Crime and Punishment. The album was a 12-song collection and, while not doing much in the way of charting on radio stations, the CD sold more than 1,000 copies (admirable for an independent release), including copies numbering in the hundreds on the east coast of Canada and the USA.

John's latest release "Thank You Waitress" is out now and is garnering rave reviews as his best career work.

Who are the Campistas? John's band of studio and live musicians include: Jeff Tanguay, Bass, Breeze Smith - drums, Glenn Torresan - guitars, slide guitar, Tony Dunn - keyboards, sax, Valerie Daley - flute, Juan Gratton-Dominguez - horns, Tom Simpson - percussion, Zeke Smythe - drums and programming, Thomas Marsdon - cello

There is one true guarantee in life: death.
The beginning is simply prey for the end.
The Art of Dying is your life to live.

Lacombe, Alberta. Population: 9,384
Calgary, Alberta. Population: 860,749

Two guys in a high school band risk everything to drive out to Toronto in pursuit of a good gig.
After a year out east they move to Vancouver for a new perspective.
The two guys from Calgary meet a singer from Lacombe busking on a street corner.
An instant connection is forged.
The three of them make demos, play live shows, mess around with programming sounds,
and become a tight unit.
They make a record together called ‘Inverse’, and tour endlessly to prove their point.
They write.
They meet a producer who becomes an unofficial member of the band.
The four of them sift through songs and begin tracking a new record.
A drummer from New Westminster joins the band.
The two guys from Calgary are guitarist Greg Bradley and bassist David Mariacci.
The singer from Lacombe is Jonathan Hetherington.
The producer is Darryl Romphf.
The drummer is Flavio Cirillo
The band is Art Of Dying.

A.O.D. has just finished recording their first full-length record, which will be in stores in January 2006.
The first single ‘Get Through This�? is available now on itunes.

artofdyingmusic.com

•  I'm showing up at your...
• awesome!
•  Can be real? -Yes, it...
•  Playlists Work for this song
•  Fire it up!

Dreaming in Silence
Mexican Guitarist Singer Songwriter with Cuban roots performs a spirited hybrid of African and Latin rhythms exuding Dogma and Ritual. He is an entirely compelling performer and continues to reap fans internationally with his powerful songs and authentic solid guitar playing.

Combining modern post punk/pop rock and indie, Sweetheart's music comes straight from a time when "Elvis Lives!" did not refer to the King himself, but to the new prince of new wave: Elvis Costello.

The boys in Sweetheart are currently in the studio, recording the follow up full length to last year's "Username" EP, which solidified their future as an established rock act on the west coast of British Columbia in a city where the radio is dominated by music that sound more like an early 90's Seattle then a late 70's New York.

This album has been a long time coming for Sweetheart. These 4 friends have struggled through a year of life's adversity, calmly, and taken all that pain and triumph into the studio. The music that is being made on this album is much more of a testament to the strength you need to cope with the everyday and still be able to look yourself in the mirror and laugh.
...And maybe to realize your dreams...

The buzz is beginning. The tours will be booked. The album will be in stores. You will be hooked.

•  It's just fun - and...
•  A new wave revival?
•  Talking Heads in the new...

BIOGRAPHY

There was a house in Calgary with its own name, “Rock Central"... 1997…

It was an old house; however, for the individuals living there, it was affordable. Cheap living, more beer, music - it made sense. There were pimps and hookers outside. There were crack addicts. No one complained about anything though. There wasn’t any reason to.

The Dudes played loudly and endlessly in their filthy basement.

They were in close proximity to the infamous ‘Calgary Stampede Headquarters’. Customers attending the Rodeo would park in the streets, the back alleys, and on front lawns. The Dudes realized that for one day, they’d have an attentive audience for their four rock songs (or what they called ‘songs’).

They built a stage in their backyard, and they put on a Do-It-Yourself rock show. ‘Rock Central’ was, and continued to be a yearly event. People would enjoy free pancakes. They also brought beer.

Soon after putting on the first ‘Rock Central’ show, The Dudes became the ‘fill-in’ band for a nearby pub. They would play for a pitcher of beer as payment.

In the beginning, the band’s shows would closely resemble a circus. Rubber tire tubes were harnessed around each Dude, and fastened to wherever a screw could be drilled in. The members would lean forward at an impossible angle, and be sprung back, all while rocking out on whatever was awesome.

They also had a mascot. The ‘Dude Bomb’ wore a large blimp-like creation on his head. It was constructed out of left-over couch cushions, tape, and an orange blanket. The band had fully embraced the DIY entertainment of those that had inspired them, they had no limits.

With a growing indie fan base, The Dudes began recording on an old reel-to-reel. In 2001 the band released their first limited-press CD, titled ‘This Guy’s the Limit’. They achieved University Radio airplay.

They also realized that they had an extremely well-crafted songwriter in their midst. Dan Vacon, the lead guitar player began stepping-up to the plate – and local and national indie audiences began to notice the band.

The Dudes went through an array of drummers including the host of a day-time children’s show, a country troubadour, and a ‘prince of nacho chips’. The band finally settled with Scott Ross, who has done a great deal in developing the band’s current sound.

Soon the band found themselves chosen to share the stage with bands like mudhoney, 54-40, Joel Plaskett, The Supersuckers. They had success, and great possibilities were being presented to them.

In 2005 the band signed with Load Music, and up-and-coming player on the independent music scene. Russ Broom, a Juno-nominated producer, engineer and songwriter, was contacted, and the band launched into there most promising recording they’ve made to date.

Armed with their new CD, Titled ‘Brain Heart Guitar’, The Dudes are determined to inspire and uplift their fellow humans.

Though, before that ever happens, a name change took place. (extend).

The Dudes will do whatever they can to bring the music to the people, and they mean it, honestly and sincerely.

•  Slick!
•  Thanks to Stewie
•  Good Song: Perfect Summer Tune
•  Perfect Pop

greetings opus people

rise up, the dawn has drawn it's self above the tree line and we ride for higher ground. You there leave the Chaos behind and press forward into warming light. Rock.

Vinson grew up in a musical family near Washington, D.C., studying classical piano from age seven until switching to the drums when he was 12. He played drums for three years in the All-County Jazz Ensemble during high school and subsequently held the drum chair in the University of Pennsylvania Big Band during college. After graduating from UPENN with a B.A. in Economics, Vinson came to New York City in the early 90's to study music at the Mannes College of Music in Manhattan, where he studied with Marvin "Smitty" Smith (of The Tonight Show Band), Vernel Fournier, and Norm Freeman (of the New York Philharmonic).

Vinson has performed in many clubs in the New York Metropolitan area, including the Blue Note, Smoke, Sweet Rhythm, 55 Bar, Birdland, Smalls, Detour, Cornelia Street Cafe, Cleopatra's Needle, and Trumpets of Montclair, NJ. An avid composer, Vinson also teaches privately and served on the staff of the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California from 1999-2001. He has toured throughout North America and Europe with his groups and others, and he appears on Matthew Fries' CD, Song For Today (TCB) and the Ganz Brother's release, First Steps (Extravaganza). Vinson also has three CDs out as a leader, Live@147, Consilience, and Awake.

In addition, Vinson has also worked with or played alongside with many of the great musicians in jazz, such as Grover Washington, Jr., Dakota Staton, Clarke Terry, James Williams, Donald Brown, Harold Mabern, Jr., Jamil Nasser, Ron McClure, Bob Mintzer, Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Mark Turner, Terell Stafford, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotundi, David Hazeltine, Joel Frahm, Dena DeRose, and Vincent Herring, and Candido Camero, among others.