ROYALTY ADMINISTRATION
The iFn has been proud to have Ani DiFranco's RIghteous Babe Records on the client list over the past several years. Ani DiFranco has written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows, captured the imaginations of legions of followers, and jammed with folkies, orchestras, rappers, rock and roll hall-of-famers, jazz musicians, poets, pop superstars, storytellers and a martial arts legend. She’s “fixed up a few old buildings” and minimized her carbon footprint before it was trendy – from installing a geothermal heating and cooling system in the renovated church that her label calls home to using organic inks on all the t-shirts she sells. But nothing she’s done in her 18-year career has garnered more attention than a business decision. Since Ani bucked the major label system in the early-‘90s, opting to release her music on her own terms, the self-described Little Folksinger has been the subject of all kinds of hyperbole. She’s been called “fiercely independent” (Rolling Stone), “inspirational” (All Music Guide), and “the ultimate do-it-yourself songwriter” (The New York Times), As the cracks in the music industry get larger and more big-name artists follow Ani’s lead – Radiohead, Madonna and Nine Inch Nails among them – maybe people will just start calling her “smart.” As important as Righteous Babe Records is to the singer/songwriter/guitarist, she’s more than happy to trust like-minded people with the business and revel in the complete artistic freedom it provides. On her new album, Red Letter Year, she takes more advantage of this freedom than ever before. Conceived, sculpted and refined over the course of two years – a lifetime compared to a typical Ani recording session – the album is an impeccably crafted, multi-layered sonic achievement. And while the extra time is a big reason for Red Letter Year’s captivating musical depths, the people in Ani’s life play an even bigger part – her partner and co-producer Mike Napolitano (Joseph Arthur, The Twilight Singers, Squirrel Nut Zippers) and her one-year-old daughter Petah Lucia (gurgling, infectious laughter, wide-eyed innocence). Love, family and home are three of the album’s most prominent muses, resulting in a dozen songs that exude warmth and renewed vigor. For several years to come, musicians will be making headlines as they jump the major label ship and take charge of their own destinies. Having been there and done that, Ani DiFranco will be more than happy to just sit back and make art. Much more here.
ARTIST/PRODUCER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
OFFWORLD, INC: Bill Laswell ranks among the most prolific bassist/producers in the world today and has produced or played on literally hundreds of recordings. Laswell's music draws upon many different genres, most notably funk, various world music, jazz, dub and ambient styles. According to music critic Chris Brazier, "Laswell’s pet concept is 'collision music' which involves bringing together musicians from wildly divergent but complementary spheres and seeing what comes out." Moving to New York City in 1978, Laswell quickly became part of the thriving New York music scene. Among his earliest efforts was the avant-funk group Material, and the punk-experimentation of Massacre. As a collaborator or session player, Laswell played along with John Zorn, Fred Frith, Gong, Elliott Sharp, the Golden Palominos, and notably on Brian Eno and David Byrne's 'My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.' His solo debut, 'Baselines', was issued in 1982. His artistic and commercial breakthrough came via Herbie Hancock's 'Future Shock' album. Laswell produced the album, played bass on all the songs, and co-wrote most of the material. Its track "Rockit" has frequently been regarded as a pivotal starting point of hip hop and turntablism. Coaxing Ginger Baker out of semi-retirement, Laswell gave the drummer's career a new boost. He likewise brought Sonny Sharrock out of semi-retirement and produced some of the guitarists most acclaimed recordings. 1992 saw the recording debut of another Laswell group, Praxis, featuring enigmatic guitarist Buckethead. Laswell continues to hybridize music styles of disparate world cultures. Tabla Beat Science is one such fusion, joining classical Indian instrumentation with modern electronic production. Laswell has remixed the works of Bob Marley, Miles Davis and Carlos Santana. He has also produced such artists as Jah Wobble, Matisyahu, Ramones, Motorhead, Public Image Limited and Angelique Kidjo. He produced Yoko Ono's 'Starpeace' album, including the hit single "Hell in Paradise", and also collaborated with Nona Hendryx and Peter Gabriel. Laswell has also participated on a collaboration with Sony Media Software on a new box set Loop Library: The Bill Laswell Collection. Laswell also remixed the 'Year Zero' song 'vessel' for Nine Inch Nails. The iFn is proud to have Bill and Offworld, Inc. on board. Look for the debut of Bill's new band, METHOD OF DEFIANCE at the Montreux Jazz Feistval this summer. For the true Laswell freaks there is a great fan site here: silent-watcher.net.
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
MARK WOOD: As an electric violinist, Mark Wood is a highly acclaimed international recording artist who has released six CDs of his highly original music, showcasing his unique approach to the electric violin - playing on his own line of patented instruments; he has toured and recorded with many of the industry's most prominent performers, such as Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Everclear, Victor Wooten and members of Dream Theater, Shinedown, and Anthrax. Mark is an original member of the symphonic rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra; receiving two platinum and three gold records from his work with them. Mark also toured with Billy Joel and was with him for both historic final concerts at Shea Stadium, sharing the stage with Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, and Roger Daltry. As an inventor, Mark created the first solid body electric violin in the early 1970’s and established WoodViolins, a company whose mission is to make Mark's incredible instruments available to the general public. Mark is known as the “Les Paul of the violin world” (a phrase first coined by PBS) and Wood Violins has established a formidable reputation in the electric string world with its hand-crafted custom instruments. The company stands behind its claim to have made the most important change to the violin in 400 years and is often referred to as the “Stradivarius of electric violins.”NBC’s The Today Show recently aired an extensive feature focusing on Mark’s Electrify Your Strings™ music education program - which he loves doing along with his partner singer/songwriter Laura Kaye - and his talented son Elijah on drums. It's so nice to have Mark, Laura and Elijah on board! Check out the links - Mark and his family are beyond amazing!
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
FUNMACHINE MUSIC, INC. - DAWN LANDES: Listen to dawn's music and you hear something quite rare. Whether it's in her wordplay, her kaleidoscopic live shows, her soundtrack work for motion pictures, or the studio-wizardry she's picked-up as a recording engineer, it's clear that she's an artist with a unique vision. Dawn came to New York City in 1999 and did a cannonball into the music scene. What started as a job getting coffee for engineers has blossomed into a truly enviable resume; among others she has worked with Phillip Glass, Ryan Adams, Hem, Joseph Arthur, The Earlies and Josh Ritter in the studio. Working late into the night, and often sleeping at the same studios she was working in, Dawn began producing and recording her own songs after hours. After meeting the band Hem in the studio, Dawn joined them on the road as an 8th band member (vocals and glockenspeil) and opening act. Her first full-length, "dawn's music" was released in France in 2005, and since then her music has become the stuff of whispers and internet buzz, and her touring schedule has put her on the road with artists such as Feist, Susanne Vega, Josh Ritter, Jose Gonzalez, Le Tigre, Rainer Maria, Andrew Bird, M83, Jane Siberry and Shannon Wright, Martha Wainright, The Swell Season......(the list goes on). Her shows have the guileless and vibrant quality of a work of art in constant creation. Recently, Dawn penned the end-credit song for the movie "Savage Grace" starring Julianne Moore and plucked the WST Bluegrass band from a BBQ in Austin, TX to help her record her version of the Peter, Bjorn and John classic, "Young Folks." Rumor has it, James Blunt liked it so much he covered Dawns cover of the song! Dawn appears susceptible to a little musical schizophrenia. Reminiscent of the raw traditionalism of Woody Guthrie and the experimental alt-folk lyricism of artists like Joanna Newsome, Dawn plays a variety of instruments (8-dollar guitars! pink accordions! glockenspiels! optigons!). Dawn also plays the part of the unassuming pinup girl for the roots renaissance. Her second full-length album Fireproof is available in Europe through Fargo Records and in the U.S. through Cooking Vinyl or through Amazon US, Amazon UK and iTunes. Dawn's song "I'm In Love With The Night" was featured in the ABC series Six Degrees and her "Suspicion" music video is currently viewable on YouTube, along with many others (29 at last count). "Winter Passing", a full length feature film starring Ed Harris, Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschannel features two of Dawn's songs - "Kissing Song" and "You Alone." Dawn has completed work on her first full length filmscore, and her song "Toy Piano" has been featured in an episode of Showtime's "Californication". The best way to try and keep up with Dawn is at: www.dawnlandes.com.
CHECK OUT DAWN'S NEW PROJECT:
The girls' sound is reminiscent of the great Girl Groups of the 50's and 60's, inspired by The Ronettes, The Caravelles and The Andrews Sisters. This record is packed with sure-fire hits, 12 original songs and a few covers including an amazing version of "You Don't Have to be a Baby to Cry" made popular in 1963 by The Caravelles and an oh-so-sweet a capella rendition of a song that Lauren's mother learned on her honeymoon. Go here for much more!
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
THE GUGGENHEIM GROTTO: From setting out as Dublin songwriter circuit to building a devoted cult following in the U.S. with warm embraces from media and competitive iTunes charting, the band has captivated audiences and tastemakers on both sides of the pond - with its mix of poetic, often literature-inspired lyrics set to timeless, soaring pop melodies. The band’s debut album, Waltzing Alone, was self-released to immediate critical acclaim in Ireland, and its first promotional single “Told You So” rapidly became a firm favorite on Irish airwaves, reaching No. 12 on the Irish National Airplay Chart. In America, awareness of the band began to rise thanks to the support of DJs like David Dye at WXPN, Kate Bradley on XM50’s The Loft and Nic Harcourt at KCRW. TGG’s sophomore record, Happy The Man, made its digital debut at No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Folk Chart in October 2008. It boasts the band’s same signature mix of timeless, multi-instrumental pop/folk, but offers a greater maturity and a higher sense of self-consciousness - while delving into more sampling and electronic techniques. ' The Universe Is Laughing' was largely written and recorded in hotels and living rooms while crossing this wide country on tour, and it is an ode to lovers and madmen as much as a shout out to carnival hucksters and easy mystics. It celebrates the joy of falling in love and then forgetting what all the fuss was about. It preaches sticking to your guns, fighting the good fight and standing with your hands hung loosely by your side. It’s about marching, chopping wood, highways, girls wearing pretty dresses, sinking churches, ghost towns, chasing answers, getting drunk, rabbits and weasels, tiny white lies, the sun, the moon and the whole damn universe. It’s about dancing in the grey. “Perhaps what is different this time round is that those ideas are less visible at first glance,” said primary songwriter Kevin May. “But listen to the title track ‘The Universe Is Laughing,’ a paean to the mystery of the passage of time and our brief but beautiful existence. Or hear Mick’s powerful vocal on ‘Concentrate.’ He starts out a wounded lover but in the second verse he’s transfigured and sounds like a prophet, one who should be listened to." If you would like to learn more about The Guggenheim Grotto or their tour as a special guest of Ingrid Michaelson go here: www.guggenheimgrotto.com
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
ZACH DEPUTY: There is nothing out there quite like Zach Deputy. Zach is truly a one-man band. Hailing from the South Carolina coast, Zach Deputy’s family roots are in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. Cruzan rhythms and folk songs competed with blues and American roots music for space on the family stereo. Having toured the country in his late teens and early 20’s with a couple of bands that just didn’t inspire him, Zach Deputy followed his muse back to the Atlantic coast, where he began to craft his own approach to music as a solo artist. Zach embraced the creative freedom of performing alone, but soon realized it also had its limitations. Thus, he began to employ live looping as a means of filling out the sound. Zach Deputy is now a full band unto himself, made possible through simple technology, but delivered by a skill and mastery of technique, made pure through the injection of warm, charming soul. First and foremost, however, Zach Deputy is a songwriter, a shredding guitarist and a soulful singer with a 4+ octave vocal range. The Zach Deputy sound is essentially roots rock, but in his case the roots are in soul, calypso and dancehall, underpinned by driving hip-hop, rock steady, Motown and Stax backbeats created with his layered vocal beatboxing. On top of the backbeat, Zach Deputy’s nylon strings pull multiple duties as bass, rhythm and lead guitar. Riding over that, a plethora of sounds-- keyboard, steel drums and an entire horn section-- come pumping and grinding out of the speakers when Zach takes the stage. He is a one man dance party, but he can also bring an audience to rapt attention with a heartfelt love ballad. From his base in Hilton Head, Zach Deputy has been performing 250-300 shows a year for the last four years, and has expanded his base into the Northeast and Midwest over the last 12 months. There are literarally dozens of fabled Zach videos all over YouTube. The pace of growth has been startling, and look for a brand new record produced by studio ace Scott Jacoby in the very near future. Zach is simply a MUST SEE!
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
DAVID KRAKAUER is both a master of Eastern European Jewish klezmer music and a major voice in classical music. He has appeared with the Tokyo, Kronos, Orion, and Emerson string quartets, plus as soloist with the Weimar Staatskapelle, the Dresdner Philharmonie, the Seattle Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony and the Orchestre Lamoureux among many others. In December 2009 Mr. Krakauer premiered a new Klezmer inspired concerto written for him by the young Polish composer Wlad Marhulets as soloist with the Detroit Symphony. Major classical summer festival appearances include Marlboro, Norfolk, and Aspen. With his band, Klezmer Madness!, he has redefined the klezmer genre writing new music and employing many diverse influences including jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Major appearances for Klezmer Madness! include Carnegie Hall, Saalfelden, Marciac and the Venice Biennalle. As an artist who has consistently defied categorization, Krakauer has enjoyed major ongoing artistic collaborations with a tremendously diverse group of performers and composers including Dawn Upshaw, Itzak Perlman, Iva Bitova, Uri Caine, John Zorn, Fred Wesley, Abraham Inc, Osvaldo Golijov, the Klezmatics, David Del Tredici, John Cage, Danny Elfman, Socalled and George Tsontakis. His discography contains some of the most important klezmer recordings of the past decade including "The Twelve Tribes" (Label Bleu) that received the German Record Critic's Prize and "The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind" (Osvaldo Golijov and the Kronos Quartet/Nonesuch) that received the Diapason D'Or in France. Classical recordings are also available on Angel, Naxos and Deutsche Grammophon . Mr. Krakauer is on the clarinet and chamber music faculties of the Mannes College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Bard College Conservatory.
ARTIST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
SILYA NYMOEN: According to Silya's new website here she says about her life: I always had a feeling New York would be my home. As a teen growing up in an Americanized Norway, I saw Gene Kelly on TV for the first time and woke up. I fell in love with him, the music, the sets, the dance, old Hollywood, New York, Broadway, America. I was obsessed with the fabulous old school American showbiz and I knew there was a sassy little brat inside me just dying to come out! Dalvador Sali is my invisible mentor. He lives in the hidden chambers of my mind and tells me to go for it when I feel I can't... And I do as he tells me. Always. He told me to start writing songs, to go to Sweden and live in the woods writing with other creative souls, to not piss my pants when the Swedes brought me across the Atlantic to write and not to go back if it all fell apart. He told me to stay and face the revolving realizations of myself. So I did. After being the successful musical sous chef writing ditties for other artists - including 2 singles that went gold internationally and a lead track for Disney starlet High School Musical girl Vanessa Hudgens - I am now the head chef with my own main dish, an album called "Peel Away." It's an organic soulful stew of old and new SiLyAsongs marinating in the inspirations of Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Bjork, Edith Piaf, Mike Patton, etc. The dish is served by an army of flapperinas led by Mae West which gives it a dash of sultry sophistication... there you go: SiLyAmusic!
INVASION GROUP, LTD.
CFO, ARTIST MANAGEMENT
INVASION is an innovative, aggressive entertainment organization. Through integrity, professionalism and unified teamwork, we guide our artists to realize their vision, creatively and financially. We are dedicated to maximizing the potential of our artists and ourselves. Invasion utilizes this ideal to achieve wholistic success.
The founder of the iFn has been the CFO of INVASION since 1989, and below is a partial listing of their artists:
CARAVAN OF THIEVES: Every time you turn around these days there seems to be some laughably tame musical outfit trying to pawn themselves off as "gypsies". Finally - something that approaches the real deal. Gypsy Swinging Serenading Firebreathing Circus Freaks! For the past three years, this Caravan of Thieves has roamed the North American continent recruiting a family of avid thrill seekers at their high energy shows. Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. It’s theatrical and humorous. It’s musical and intense. It entertains, it dazzles and it defies classification while welcoming the spectator to join the band throughout the performance in momentary fits of claps, snaps and sing-alongs. Right off the bat, Caravan of Thieves began to win immediate praise for their unique blend of gypsy swing and popular music, inspiring them to record and release the debut full length album “Bouquet” (2009). To accompany this collection of dramatic and satirical tales, they built an interactive stage set of percussive junk and the ragtag quartet took their newly animated show on the road, sharing stages with world renowned artists such as Dan Hicks, Decembrists, Ricky Skaggs, Tom Tom Club, Iron and Wine, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Tony Trischka, John Hammond, John Jorgenson and many others. The Caravan successfully connected with audiences on each of these diverse bills, proving their act to be understood and appreciated by folk, pop, rock and jazz audiences of all ages. Fuzz, Carrie, Ben and Brian have recently been residing in the highly innovative and sought after Tarquin Recording Studios. Set for release later this year, the latest Caravan of Thieves full length album project is sure to break new ground for the band - while continuing to satisfy the core family of “Freaks” they have been cultivating for the past three years.
GAIL ANN DORSEY: Gail Ann Dorsey is a top session bassist, songwriter and vocalist with an eclectic, impressive career spanning two decades. She has performed and recorded with artists such as The Gang Of Four, Louise Goffin, Sophie B. Hawkins, Tears For Fears, The Indigo Girls, Jane Siberry, Jeffrey Gaines, Dar Williams, Joan Osborne, The B-52’s, and the late Michael Hutchence of INXS. In 2007, she finished a stint on the road with Seal, and has been touring the U.S. with Gwen Stefani and Lenny Kravitz. However, Gail is probably best known for her contribution to the David Bowie band. She was recruited by David for his 1995 "Outside" Tour with Nine Inch Nails; since then, Dorsey has affixed her deep pocket, melodic bass and distinguished vocals to the 1997 "Earthling" CD, the 2002 "Heathen" CD, and the most recent release "Reality." She recorded ‘Planet of Dreams,' a duet with Bowie on the 1997 EMI UK benefit CD release, "Long Live Tibet." as well as several other live recordings, world tours, videos, and countless major media events. Gail, an established solo artist in her own right, has been working hard on the follow-up to her latest solo outing I Used to Be… Lots more available at: www.gailanndorsey.com
JAI UTTAL, WORLD MUSIC PIONEER: Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic east meets-west sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. From the hillbilly music of the Appalachian Mountains to the passionate strains of Bengali street singers, from the haunting rhythms and melodies of ancient India to contemporary electric rock sounds, Jai's music distills the pure essence of many diverse musical forms.
Eventually this experimentation led him to the work of India's National Living Treasure, Ali Akbar Khan. At the age of 19, Jai moved to California to become a student of Khansahib for traditional voice training and to learn the sarod, a 25-stringed Indian instrument. Later he traveled to India where he was deeply inspired by the Bauls, the wandering street musicians of Bengal. Jai settled among them, communicating only through music, which ultimately helped establish his unique style.
During these early visits to India, Jai also met his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and spent time with many great beings of both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. He became deeply absorbed in the practice of kirtan, the ancient yoga of chanting, or singing to God. This form of prayer became the core of his musical and spiritual life.
In the last few years, chanting has brought him to Israel, Fiji, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland and India. Jai released a live kirtan CD entitled Nectar to begin to chronicle these powerful events.
Finally, in February of 2002, Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra released Mondo Rama on Narada Records. The product of several years of deep musical and self-exploration, Mondo Rama has been called Jai's most personal expression to date. Combining Brazilian influences, Hebrew prayers, Appalachian Blues, Beatles psychedelia, and, of course, Indian music and chants, Mondo Rama explodes from the speakers in celebration and rebirth. Mondo Rama went on to be nominated for a Grammy as “Best New Age Album” of 2003.
Jai is continuing to tour regularly and bring his unique message to the world. Check out www.jaiuttal.com
MARC COPELY: Marc Copely has been sowing new seeds as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer since the age of 19. The Worcester, MA born talent was shaped and bred on the blues, launching his professional career by performing with legends like B.B. King, James Montgomery, and James Cotton. His energetic and soulful performances in multiple genres have been commanding attention ever since, electrifying audiences across the globe. Copely’s long anticipated second solo effort, Harp & Plow, has been released this month on Valcope Recording/United for Opportunity. Recorded in just over a week at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, NY, Harp & Plow captures Copely in his most raw and live form, with songs recorded in only a few takes, and minimal revisions. This free-spirited quality is a refreshing artistic leap from the heavily edited, “auto-tuned” music era that saturates today’s airwaves. Copely is no stranger to the recording industry. In 2002, he was signed to RCA Records and released his critically acclaimed solo record Limited Lifetime Guarantee. His first single received steady radio play and quickly boosted him into the national spotlight, prompting appearances on VH1, MTV2, and features in publications from Billboard to GQ Magazine. He toured as a solo artist supporting Coldplay, Our Lady Peace, Vanessa Carlton, and many others. As a songwriter and producer, Marc developed an admirable respect, notably co-writing the songs "Breathe Into You" with the legendary Carole King and "Something Beautiful" with Tracy Bonham and Greg Wells. His songs have been heard on "Late Night with David Letterman", "Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", "Brothers and Sisters", "Gray's Anatomy", and others. Marc continues diverse collaborations on the stage and studio that have included: Bono and The Edge, Linda Eder, Indian percussionist/producer Karsh Kale, R&B sensation Maiysha, The East Village Opera Company and "Handel's Messiah Rocks" with the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Keith Lockhart. Currently, he is on a national tour as guitarist with 80’s icon Billy Squier. More here.
THE ABRAMS BROTHERS: This young Ontario-based bluegrass band - comprised of John, 18, James, 15, cousin Elijah, 18, and Brandon Green on banjo - pairs a rich musical background with a youthful exuberance that separate it from the pack. Though young, the band has already racked up some impressive credits, including being the youngest Canadians to appear on Nashville's iconic Grand Ole Opry in 2005. The Abrams Brothers has graced stages overseas, touring Europe in 2006 and playing the European World of Bluegrass Festival, as well as performing at the 2007 and 2008 Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival in Israel. In 2005, the group was named Emerging Artist of the Year at the Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards, and in 2006, it received the Daniel Pearl Memorial violin, given to especially gifted young musicians. The band has been featured in publications like Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Now and Maverick Magazine and has appeared on CBC Radio, PBS Virginia and CKWS Television. This year The Abrams Brothers recorded its third release, Blue on Brown, which is a tribute album to folk legends Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie, with Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Chris Brown. United For Opportunity will officially release the album of bluegrass gospel covers in Canada on October 21st and in the U.S. in early 2009. Plans of a nationwide U.S. tour in 2009 are in the works, and dates are soon to come. For now, the band will be performing a string of dates in Canada, and hitting the International Bluegrass Music Association Annual Conference in Nashville.
INVASION RECORDS
INDIE LABEL
THE LATE, GREAT, BILL HICKS: The founder of the iFn has been working with the "Invasion" group of companies since early 1989, and our clients, Invasion Records, signed Bill to his first record deal in July of 1989. Invasion Records subsequently released what many critics still believe are his finest works: 1990's Dangerous and 1992's Relentless. At the time, Invasion worked very hard in the U.S. and via their London office to establish Bill in the U.K. His comedic rants were arguably ahead of their time, and for various reasons, the Brits seemed to "get" Bill, even before many of the U.S. audiences found themselves jumping on the Hicks bandwagon. Today, Bill is perhaps universally recognized as one of the greatest comedic geniuses of all time. Sadly, he died in 1994 at the young age of 32 fighting pancreatic cancer, but his legacy and the documentation of his incredible rants and raves live on. Bill was above all a truth seeker, and fought hard to uncover the truth in every aspect of society and his own life; both on and off-stage. Bill possessed the remarkable ability to force you to look at life and events from a totally different perspective, and somehow managed to find a way to make it funny. Bands who have made dedications to Bill include Radiohead, Tool and Rage Against the Machine, to name a few.
There are volumes about Bill Hicks posted all over the web. Bill deserves a few minutes of your time, especially if you have even a passing interest in stand-up comedy, or perhaps more importantly, you are curious about a brtilliant man's 'relentless' quest for the truth. NEWS FLASH: Russell Crowe has purchased the rights to the Bill Hicks life story and the script is underway. Will Russell Crowe be playing Hicks? Stay tuned for details.
UNITED FOR OPPORTUNITY
INDIE LABEL , MUSIC DELIVERY & DISTRIBUTION
United For Opportunity (UFO) is an organization of experienced, independent-thinking music industry activists that have come together to create a new model for a record label/music distribution company. A company founded on the principles of a fair deal, hard work, transparency and realistic expectations, whose mission is to foster the art of artist development in conjunction with motivated career-oriented artists. Harvesting our years of experience operating in the independent music sector as artist managers, lawyers, publishers, booking agents, and producers, we have formed UFO to support independent and disenfranchised artists who desire to maintain control of their music career. UFO Has brought in well-respected and powerful industry partners like eOne for the world, Sugaroo for Film and TV placements and Bug Music for music publishing administration. The alliances that have been created will enable UFO to gain prominence as the new model for a record label/music distributor while still retaining the true grassroots artist development methodology that is the seed of the UFO concept.
UNITED FOR OPPORTUNITY
AFFILIATED LABELS FOR MUSIC DELIVERY & DISTRIBUTION
INDIE LABEL
INNERHYTHMIC: The Innerhythmic imprint - founded by musician and producer Bill Laswell as a critical proving ground for radically new, and in fact, revolutionary sound - was first conceived as an alternative outlet for musicians from a variety of different backgrounds who are dedicated to exploring the recombinant possibilities of music. Let it be known that a spectre is haunting what has chosen to identify itself as the music industry. It is a spectre recognized by many names, but which, as dictated by the insatiable need for immediate understanding in today's hyper-accelerated and connected world, can be called "radical innovation" for now. With a scope of influence that welcomes the traditional and "trance" rhythms of far-flung cultures as openly as the hip-hop, dub, jungle, jazz, funk and electronic cyber-styles emanating from the DJ underground and beyond, the label stands out as an active realization of the "collage system" - a system where entirely new forms can emerge almost at will from fusions of the familiar.
Consider this "an ecstatic journey into known and unknown worlds of sound." In an era of electronic and digital technologies, and in an age where the boundaries between human and machine have become increasingly blurred, whatever distinction that remains between real music and sound effects is collapsed and mutated into a transcultural, international formation. Electronics transform listeners into electribes, and yet the "tribalness" of traditional sonic technologies is understood to be already futuristic, with or without the aid of circuitry. With this vision, Innerhythmic delivers an almost unimaginable range of sonic collaborations, gathering musicians of truly masterful ability and opening a new vista on today's electro-acoustic frontier. Put simply, this is a past that arrives from the future to scramble the present; drum-and-bass, dub, mutant hip-hop, harmolodic fusion, new jazz, world and otherworld musics all connect to expand the potential of the experience. Artists on Innerhythmic include: Bill Laswell, The Last Poets, Shine featuring Buckethead, Bill Laswell and Shin Terai, Buddy Miles Express, Zillatron, Charged featuring Eraldo Bernocchi, Toshinori Kondo and Bill Laswell, Revelator featuring Raol Bjorkenheim and Nicky Skopelitis, Gonervill, Praxis featuring Buckethead, Brain and Bill Laswell and James Blood Ulmer. Be sure you catch the video of Laswell "live" with Buckethead here: Laswell Live with Buckethead
INDIE LABEL
A musical, sonic, aesthetic, mind and body experience, at once structured, spontaneous, precise, random, brash, beautiful and above all unforgiveable. In the present age, which prefers the sign to the signified, the copy to the original, representation to reality, the appearance to the essence, only truth is sacred, not illusion. Change is the will to change. The business of music is more often than not a world of small minds and little soul, where success is dicated by the ability to locate trends and accordingly manufacture the most lucrative product available. In this context, the lowest forms of capitalism ermerge in insidious ways: the isolation and ghettoization of easily controlled genres and the encouragement of planned obsolescence as ways to keep up the flow of product become the techniques for success, vision, integrity, significance and expression. The driving forces behind the creative act are sacrificed as mere obstructions to the working of business. Bill Laswell has made a life of fighting these forms of decadence and stasis in the name of creativity, change and magic. Consistently challenging beliefs in various networks and levels of the status quo, delighting and angering fans and critics alike. His work is based first and foremost in darling and original ideas wht consistently transcend existing boundaries of genre, geography, culture and context.
DOUGLAS RECORDS
INDIE LABEL
DOUGLAS RECORDS: UFO has signed on to handle the digital distribution for this rich catalog. Now into his fifth decade, label boss Alan Douglas has worked with many of the century's underground greats, from Lenny Bruce, Timothy Leary and The Last Poets to Eric Dolphy, Miles Davis and, most controversial of all, Jimi Hendrix. Douglas Records features a number of ecclectic and rare performances by artists as diverse as Jerry Garcia, Dizzy Gillespie and John McLaughlin. There is the Wildflower 3 CD jazz set recorded in seven sessions in 1976, and With A Heartbeat featuring Pharoah Sanders and Bill Laswell. Hear what happens when India's most acclaimed flute player meets western orchestration in O Soul Song by Hariprasad Chaurasia & Ken Lauber. And, check out Operazone, the redesign which features production by Alan Douglas and Bill Laswell in a re-imagining of opera. There is also Jazzonia, chronicling the evolution of jazz singing in the bop era, and Geri Allen's Three Pianos for Jimi which includes a brilliant interpretation of Jimi Hendrix's compostion "Cherokee Mist;" a track never recorded by Jimi, but lifted from a rehearsal tape of his before he died. Jazz Memories, music of the Jazz Masters and classic Herman Leonard photos, combine for a can’t miss double disc musical anthology. The beautiful 72 page 8"x10" book that accompanies the 2-CD set includes 35 full-page photographs of the jazz immortals who are featured. The array of featured artists is astonishing - Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Gerry Mulligan, Milt Jackson...and the list goes on. These incredible recordings have been culled from the vaults of such major jazz labels as Verve, Blue Note, Riverside, Prestige and Emarcy. On its own, this collection would be a fine addition to any library, but with the book, it's an absolute necessity. The photographs include some of Leonard's most memorable and important portraits. If you would like to get some more info on this incredible collection go to www.jazzmemories.com and if you want to check out the entire Douglas catalog, it is at, www.douglasrecords.com.
INDIE LABEL
EUSONIA RECORDS, LLC: There are only two kinds of music - good music and the other kind. This concept, first made famous by Duke Ellington, then later by Jimi Hendrix and countless others, is the inspiration behind Eusonia Records. Amidst a crumbling monolith formerly known as the record business, and an infinite landscape of disposable, indistinguishable artists and albums, Eusonia is dedicated to creating and releasing timeless, artistic, trend-setting music, regardless of restrictive genres, categories and radio formats. Borrowing liberally from Greek and Latin roots, the word Eusonia means “home of good music”. Founded in 2007 by Grammy Award-winning Producer/Writer/Engineer Scott Jacoby, Eusonia is a pioneering independent label that creates records that artists want to make and that people want to hear – a simple idea, yet so rarely executed. At Eusonia, art comes before commerce, innovation before mimicry, integrity before celebrity, music before everything.* At Eusonia, music comes before everything. On Earth, it doesn’t. Eusonia Records donates a portion of its profits to various international and environmental charities. Please visit www.eusonia.org to contribute or to learn more about how our music gives back. Congratulations to all involved for the Grammy Nomination for debut artist "Maiysha."
INDIE LABEL
INNERTAINMENT: Innertainment is a unique specialty indie label, featuring concept projects which are contained in fully illustrated, hardcover, limited-edition musical gift books. The initial project, Beauty Gone Wild was conceived and fulfilled by artist Leah Waybright. Beauty Gone Wild introduces an intriguing concept, by exploring musical interpretations of the myth, magic and folklore of flowers. From ancient times, flowers have been used for medicine, perfume, decoration and even food. Leah is an enviromental activist and has recently earned her "Master Gardener" designation from Cornell University. She is also a member of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers and has been instructor of Floral Design at the New York Botanical Garden, for over 25 years. SHe is also the curator of the Wildflower Island at Teatown Lake Reservation- a magical island that features rare and endangered native plants and flowers. In the research phase of Beauty Gone WIld, the romantic floral imagery unfolded before her eyes and she felt inspired to compose lush, beautiful music, focusing on the dramatic content revealed in the stories. Some flowers may appear delicate and beautiful but ooze poisonous, highly toxic nectar. Still others may bear nettles or thorns as a painful reminder of their tragic origins. Leah's compositions show off her classical piano training and background. When it came time to record the tunes for "Beauty Gone Wild", Leah recruited bassist and producer Rick Kennell, best known for his work with Happy the Man. Rick brought in ex-Happy the Man buddies guitarist Stan Whitaker and drummer Ron Riddle. On wind controller, Gary Blu was the man for the job. Gary has worked extensively with Donald Fagen and Steely Dan. Rounding out the line-up is Gerardo Velez on timbales and congas. The record was mixed at Bear Tracks in Suffern, New York, by Doug Oberkircher. Doug is best known for his work with Spyro Gyra and Dream Theater. For much more on Beauty Gone Wild you can visit Leah's website at: www.leahwaybright.com
INDIE LABEL
NATION BEAT: Brooklyn-based world music act Nation Beat released its latest album, Legends of the Preacher, July 15 on UFO-distributed label Modiba. The ever-eclectic album features a fusion of Brazilian and American musical styles, not to mention talents; Grammy-winning band The Klezmatics appear on three of the album's 15 culture-amalgamated tracks. Nation Beat's refreshing, inimitable blend of genres on Legends of the Preacher has caught the attention of a wide array of press. On August 1, Legends of the Preacher was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" program. Jim Farber of the NY Daily News embraced the album, saying, "roiling rhythms of maracatu (indigenous to the Brazilian city of Recife) flail around country fiddles that sound like they came straight out of Nashville [to create] a blissful mix." The Village Voice described the album as "a multi-cultural dream...joyous, revelatory, and socially aware," while The New York Sun stated that the "sophistication and unadulterated passion the group brings to its enterprise elevates the sound into the intoxicating."Keeping in mind their musical and social roots, Nation Beat is donating ten percent of the proceeds from Legends of the Preacher to Recife, Brazil-based NGO Corpos Percussivos, a school of music and culture for underprivileged youths.
INDIE LABEL
SERAH: Serah remains loyal to the Africa that has been her muse since dedicating a year-and-a-half of her life to working in a drought area there. The continent that inspired the wild beauty of Flight of the Stork and the magical Senegal Moon ignites A Thousand Candles with the exceptional musicianship of Serah's longtime friend and Senegal native, Wasis Diop (vocals, guitar), Richard Bona (a.k.a. Bonayuma) (backing vox, ad-libs) of Cameroon, and famed Ethiopian singer Gigi, who contributed backing vocals and wonderful ad-libs. Serah co-produced the album with Dan Marnien, with additional co-production expertise from Diop and David Sancious (Sting, Eric Clapton, Seal). A Thousand Candles sparked the return of Serah stalwart and session player extraordinaire Michael Landau (James Taylor, Joni Mitchell), who not only plays guitar on every track, but who studies the lyrics as if they were poems from an anthology, drawing from the language that his six-string will speak. New arrivals to this considerable circle of musicians: bassist Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell) throws some heat, while Steve Tavaglione brings his wistful saxophone along with the exoticism of the ewi, deduk and Turkish clarinets. A rising star in her own right, Serah's daughter Grace brings beautifully textured backing vocals to several of the songs. "Artists need artists," Serah theorizes, not specifically in reference to the gathering of this tribe of vibe, but speaking directly of the big picture. "We're wanting connection; we're wanting the Great Spirit to make us feel meaning and value, and there's no one who doesn't feel it." A Thousand Candles is such a connection, and through its songs we feel the meaning and discover the value that too often eludes us. A Thousand Candles is a thousand different things, defying tidy genre categorization with a willful and imaginative eclecticism. Yes, its proud foundation is world music, but it's painted in rich hues of folk, pop, spirituality and inspiration, each and all a telling facet of the diverse artist who personifies them. "Comfort and gratitude are the things that I hope to give people through this music. Where we find these gifts, they are light in the darkness, and A Thousand Candles burn". Please visit Serah's website for more at www.serah.com
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