Category: News

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Benefit News

Join Eric Hutchinson and Barefoot Beach Rescue Project This Summer

The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project is a partnership between Barefoot Wine and the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. About to kick off its fourth year, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project is partnering with singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson to bring awareness and create a “barefoot-friendly” coastline.

The first cleanup of the summer will take place 4 p.m. on June 12 in Rockaway Beach, New York. Additional stops throughout the summer are listed below. Hutchinson will join volunteers on the beach during cleanups and perform live at special celebrations afterwards.

“I never pass up a trip to the beach. East Coast, West Coast – it doesn’t matter,” Hutchinson said. “I’m thrilled to be touring with Barefoot Wine this summer and playing for the awesome volunteers who give their time to clean up their local shores.”

2010 Dates with Eric Hutchinson

New York, NY (Rockaway Beach) Saturday, June 12

Austin, TX (Lady Bird Lake) Saturday, July 10

Portland, OR (Willamette River) Saturday, August 7

Miami, FL (North Miami Beach) Saturday, August 28

For more information on the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, click here.

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News

Poll of the Week: How Often Do You Want to Read About My Adventures?

On Monday, I debuted the first installment of my new column, “You Sing I Write Adventures.” I’ve received an overwhelming positive response and definitely know this is something I will continue to write. While the week I wrote about was definitely jam packed with events, not every week in the life of a music blogger is that exciting. I wish it was!

Regardless, I plan on keeping you filled in on who I’m interviewing, anecdotes about meeting bands and whatever else I think you might find interesting. If there is anything you’re curious to know, definitely reach out! With all that said, here’s this week’s poll:

How Often Do You Want to Read About My Adventures on YSIW? 

Weekly
Bimonthly
Monthly 
Other

Categories
Benefit News

GIRLS WHO ROCK: June 10 Benefit Concert for She’s the First

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been featuring interviews with many of the performers who will be showcased June 10th in New York at Santos Party House for GIRLS WHO ROCK, a benefit concert hosted by She’s the First. Artists include Kat DeLuna, Lenka, MoZella, Shontelle, Cara Salimando, Kelli Pyle and some surprise guests yet to be announced.

Shesthefirst.org leverages young women’s powerful platforms and social media networks to promote the idea that education gives every girl a chance to break barriers and become “the first” to achieve something. Proceeds of the concert will go toward sponsoring a girl in Tanzania via AfricAid.

For those of you not in New York June 10th, we’ll be broadcasting the concert live on You Sing I Write thanks to Livestream, so be sure to check back for more details. To purchase tickets click here and to learn more about GIRLS WHO ROCK, visit the Web site. You can read my interviews with MoZella, Shontelle, Cara Salimando and Kelli Pyle below and look for interviews with Kat DeLuna and Lenka in the upcoming weeks.

Related Links:
• Girls Who Rock: Meet MoZella
• Meet the Artist Who Inspired Girls Who Rock
• Girls Who Rock: Meet Shontelle
• Girls Who Rock: Meet Cara Salimando
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News

Help Nashville Flood Victims

Nashville saw much devastation and flooding the first week of May. As neighbors continue to band together to help rebuild what was lost, the national media is doing little to broadcast damages. It has been reported that this is the single largest disaster to hit Tennessee since the Civil War.

As I’m celebrating country music on You Sing I Write this week, I thought I’d bring to your attention just how bad things are in Nashville via a video I found on YouTube. After watching it, I’ve listed ways to get involved below.

Slideshow of photos of the devastation Nashville is facing.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjaQoOdJvI]

A recent press release announced that Taylor Swift donated $500,000 to flood relief. Currently, cleanup and repair is expected to cost more than $1 billion.

“Thousands of homes were damaged, along with some of Music City’s most important landmarks. Pleas to donate to relief organizations started early, and Nashville’s musical talent — from local bands and clubs to the biggest stars — are giving their time and money to the effort,” the press release stated.

GAC will air a telethon May 16 that will include Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins and other stars live from the Ryman Auditorium.

On June 22, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw will host “Nashville Rising,” a benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The lineup includes Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Lynyrd Skynrd, Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Luke Bryan.

If you would like to help, there are three ways to make a donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund:

1. Visit redcross.org to donate online

2. Call 1-800-REDCROSS

3. Make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999

Categories
Features News

New Music Seminar Introduces the New Music Business

At a recent industry night, I learned about The New Music Seminar, a two-day, three-night conference with the purpose to connect and inform music enthusiasts on how to achieve success in the music business. Whether you’re an artist, manager, business executive, label or promoter, the seminar promises you will learn five things:

1. The secret to leaving your millions of competitors in the dust
2. How to turn your music dreams into reality
3. A whole new way to see the music business that will give you opportunities you never new existed
4. Simple strategies to build your touring business
5. The newest technologies and techniques to market yourself and manage your business

Each day includes numerous panels, presentations, mentoring sessions, live music and networking opportunities. Speakers for the NYC conference on July 19-21 include Pandora, Reverbnation, Myspace Music, CMT and many more. The Artist Movement “conducted” by Margaret Cho will feature superstar artists discussing how they got their break and tips on how to apply what worked for them.

I was intrigued, and sold by last year’s video recap. I think you will be too.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7DBCRD6Q9Y]

A recent press release on the seminar stated: “Artists have never had so much power to control their own careers and build their success. This affordable event gives artists and their representatives the knowledge, tools and connections to step into the tomorrow’s music business today. Delegates all receive the New Music Business Guidebook filled with important do’s and don’ts by the experts, tips, information, forms and essential websites and blogs.”

For more information and a complete schedule, visit newmusicseminar.com. Register by this Friday for the discounted early bird rate.

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News

Free Download of the Week: Athlete’s “The Getaway”

Last month, I reviewed UK-based band Athlete‘s latest album, Black Swan. The group has been garnering quite a bit of attention and are featured as iTunes free download this week. You can watch their new video for first single, “The Getaway” below and download it via iTunes here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZZIKZUusrs]

Athlete return to the US this summer. See complete tour dates below.
MAY 31 Hoboken NJ – Maxwell’s
JUNE 01 New York NY – Bowery Ballroom
JUNE 02 Cambridge MA – Middle East Downstairs
JUNE 03 Philadelphia PA – Johnny Brenda’s
JUNE 05 Brooklyn NY – The Bell House
JUNE 06 Vienna VA – Jammin’ Java
JUNE 07 Toronto ONT – Lee’s Palace
JUNE 09 Chicago IL – Double Door
JUNE 10 Minneapolis MN – Triple Rock
JUNE 12 Denver CO – Bluebird Theatre
JUNE 14 Seattle WA – Crocodile Cafe
JUNE 15 Vancouver BC – Venue
JUNE 16 Portland OR – Mississippi Studios
JUNE 17 San Francisco CA – The Independent
JUNE 19 San Diego CA – The Casbah
JUNE 21 Los Angeles CA – Troubadour
JUNE 22 Phoenix AZ – Rhythm Room
JUNE 24 Dallas TX – Cambridge Room @ HOB
JUNE 25 Austin TX – Stubbs Bar-B-Q
JUNE 26 Houston TX – Walters On Washington
JUNE 28 Birmingham AL – WorkPlay Theater
JUNE 29 Atlanta GA – Vinyl
JUNE 30 Chapel Hill NC – Local 506
JULY 01 Pittsburgh PA – Club Cafe
Categories
Benefit News

Save the Date: June 10 Benefit Concert for She’s the First

My friend and colleague Tammy Tibbetts is the founder of She’s the First, a global education campaign. She’s the First leverages the young women’s powerful platforms and networks on social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) to promote the idea that education gives every girl a chance to be “the First.”

I met with Tammy and Cynthia Hellen two weeks ago to discuss planning a benefit and quickly fell in love with the cause. The three of us are working together to host a benefit concert for She’s the First on Thursday, June 10 in NYC. We’re currently in the process of booking four to five female artists to perform, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know in the comments!

Proceeds of the concert will  go toward sponsoring a girl in Tanzania via AfricAid. Recently, AfricAid piloted The Kisa Project, an initiative that gives a Tanzanian teen a scholarship and enrolls her in a two-year leadership training program. The girls take digital storytelling workshops and learn to share their lives with their sponsors through videos. Everyone who attends GIRLS WHO ROCK will be co-sponsors for a girl in The Kisa Project and be able to connect with her via shesthefirst.org throughout the year!

For more information on She’s the First, be sure to visit their Web site and watch the video below. Tune into You Sing I Write for the latest updates and artist announcements. You can follow the makings of our benefit concert on Twitter here. Can’t wait to see you all June 10!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwrYyTl0YNI]

Categories
News

Supergrass Split After 17 Years

Hailed by music fans and critics alike as one of the most underrated bands of the 90s, after 17 years and six albums, it has been confirmed that Supergrass will officially split after four farewell shows.

NME reports the band was in the middle or recording their seventh LP. No word on whether the album will be released.

“Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years,” said the group in a statement. “We still love each other but, cliché notwithstanding, musical differences have led to us moving on and of course we all wish each other well in the future.”

Four farewell shows were announced for June. Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 16 at 9am (BST).

Glasgow Barrowland (June 8)
Manchester Academy (June 9)
London O2 Academy Brixton (June 10)
Paris La Cigalle (June 11)

I had the privilege of interviewing bassist Mick Quinn two years ago in Hollywood while visiting a friend. As part of my trip, she thought we should see a concert (of course!) so I set up an interview with Supergrass and covered the show for MTV’s You R Here blog. My first interview on the West Coast, my friends dropped me off at the venue while they took a stroll down Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

I chatted with Quinn about the band’s writing process, touring with the Foo Fighters, and recording his favorite Supergrass B-side backwards. Little did I realize, nearly two years later, I’d get an answer that would have me reading between the lines. But, it may provide relief for fans to know that though Supergrass have split, they won’t stop making music.


When do you feel will be the time that you’ll think, “Alright, I want to retire”?
I don’t know if I’m going to retire. You could come to the end of Supergrass and what you could do with that, it’d be interesting to branch out and try other things and then maybe come back to Supergrass late in the stage. I’ve always been interested in listening to music certainly, and still very interested in music generally. You get pissed off at things and then you go and see someone else play an amazing gig and it just makes you happy about being alive.

So, maybe Supergrass isn’t over after all. What do you think?

For my complete interview with Supergrass, click here. To read my review of their performance at Avalon in Hollywood  July 2008, click here.

Categories
News

Poll of the Week: How Do You Get Your Music News?

With Twitter now part of the everyday language and blogs taking over the Internet, I’m curious as to how music lovers get their news. Do you follow Justin Bieber trends on Twitter? Are you constantly adding new music blogs to your RSS feed? Let me know in this week’s poll! Feel free to add additional outlets in the comments.

How Do You Get Your Music News?
Band Newsletters
Blogs
Magazines
Twitter
Other
Categories
News

Watch Bon Jovi Concert Live From Your Computer

Jersey boy Bon Jovi kicks off his 2010 tour tomorrow in Dallas, Texas, and is offering fans something special. Tomorrow, Sunday, April 11th fans worldwide can tune in and rock out along with the group and their sold-out Texas audience, courtesy of a webcast powered by Ustream.

Along with four, live, streaming songs, the free concert webcast will feature a special pre-taped concert reel that includes footage of Kid Rock joining Bon Jovi on stage in Detroit, plus numerous Bon Jovi TV episodes.

To watch the band rock Texas starting at 5 pm PDT/6 pm MDT/7 pm CT/8 pm EDT tomorrow visit Ustream, BonJovi.com or Facebook.

Additionally, if you’re in a band and want a chance to open for Bon Jovi, be sure to visit www.BonJovi.com/ourstage to sign up. Music fans can vote for their favorite band through April 30th and the winner will get a 20 minute opening slot!