VERBATIM Check them out on Facebook and listen to their first recorded song, "Desire & I."
FOUR NIGHTS GONE Come to their album release show, more info here!
MUSIC AGAINST BULLYING This show is very important! It is in memory of recent suicide victim Amanda Cummings. Please come out and support her friends and family.
Band Spotlight If you've never heard of the band Moving Mountains, I suggest you look them up immediately or read the interview I had with their singer Greg. Doing an album review Waves is on the things to do list. Anyway, check out their new video for "Cascade" below.
Another band that has been brought to my attention recently is, The Body Rampant. I was sent their music video for "Sativa." They recently released their new album, Transient Years on April 5th. I'm not sure who they remind me of yet (which is a good thing), but they have that same Moving Mountains feel to them. I guess for the time being we will go with Armor for Sleep meets a melodic Taking Back Sunday. Check out their very interesting video below.
A'tris song of the week As usual, I will remain faithful to my buddy Mason of A'tris and update you all on the song of the week project. Can you believe they are up to week 21 already? Keep up the good work boys! Check out 20 and 21 below.
Playdough Releases New video Don't worry my hip-hop heads, I have something for you too! Check out Playdough's new video for "Ya Heard" featuring Mr. Dibbs vs. the Black Keys. Read my interview and review of his album here.
Jon Santos of Fallzone Releases a Teaser My favorite producer, Jon Santos of 1176 Studios, gave us a little promo of what's going to be on the new Fallzone album with a backyard BBQ rendition of "Dance with Me." Give it a listen below.
Oh yeah, and this too
New Episode of Hollywood Girl Speaking of Jon Santos, have you seen the show he works on, Hollywood Girl? Congratulations are in order because Hollywood Girl will soon be featured on a local channel out in California. Courtney Zito, keep up the good work! Watch the new episode below.
Process of Fusion Last but certainly not least in my heart, check out my band in the Aquarian Weekly (click that). Special shout out to Dave Incognito for the hook up. Also, for anyone wondering on the status of the new album, it's almost here. It is completely finished, we are just in the process of creating artwork and getting some background stuff taken care of. Listen here for the first two singles.
Also, check out a side project of mine with singer/songwriter Matt Beck, called Cross Town Rivals. Listen to our first single "Fool Me Twice" here.
The final project I worked on in my group was on the long-term affects of music piracy on the music industry, labels, and artists. Looking at the trends of music from 2000 to 2011, we wanted to capture the general feeling and decline of music sales since online servers like Napster and Pirate Bay. We set out to see if people were downloading illegally more than they were purchasing. To no surprise, the answers, surveys, and studies we did all pointed to people illegally downloading with seemingly no conscience about it. Why do we need anything else if it is in front of our fingertips in seconds and it's free? This is why a multi-million dollar band like Metallicahas to sue Napster for copyright infringement. I conducted three short interviews with three people covering different plains of the music industry. The three professionals interviewed are: Scott Vollweiler-owner of Broken Records Magazine, Mason Taylor-singer/songwriter and front man of indie rock band A’tris with expertise on social networking and music marketing, and Jon Santos-formerly signed by Wind Up Records in the early 2000’s with then band, Sevenwiser. I asked them all the same seven basic questions, and though biased because of their position within music, they gave great answers. The questions were:
1. What are your general feelings about music piracy?
2. Do you think it hurts or helps the artists?
3. Ultimately is piracy more of a problem for labels or artists?
4. What are ways artists can use piracy to their advantage if any?
5. Do you think it can be stopped? Should it be stopped?
6. Do/would you yourself download music illegally?
7. Do you think having something like iTunes deters people from downloading music?
Scott Vollweiler is the creator of Staten Island’s own Broken Records Entertainment. Within the company, Vollweiler has a magazine, recording studio, photographer business, and various other ventures. In just six years time the company has grown exponentially, and the magazine has featured some of the worlds biggest musicians like Aerosmith and Carrie Underwood to name a few. Vollweiler is no stranger to piracy. He was formerly in a band himself and is quite aware of the difficulties that come just with being a musician; let alone being in a place to create music.
His views on music piracy, as expected are strictly against it saying, “Music piracy is wrong. I know the music business is crooked, but bands that are trying to make it are losing their opportunity.” He explains that piracy can only hurt musicians and labels because newer bands will not receive the same support as major ones. He feels that although there are possibilities of piracy helping, it is unlikely saying, “A billion dollar corporation can easily go broke. Look at EMI, they've been bought twice.”
Vollweiler goes on to say that piracy will never be totally gone because “There’s always loopholes on the net.” He then admits he himself has illegally downloaded music in the past, but stopped once he started the company. He was able to understand the struggle of an artist a lot better. Lastly, he doesn’t feel iTunes deters people away from illegally downloading but instead provides a “happy alternative.”
Mason Taylor, the lead singer of A’tris is not in a signed band, so while his views on piracy tend to agree with Vollweiler’s, he finds a hope in it. When asked what his general feelings on piracy are, he said “It would be nice if people paid for music.” Interestingly enough, Taylor feels that while piracy hurts the artist, he also feels it greatly helps as well. He doesn’t doubt piracy negatively impacts the whole industry, but thinks there are ways for musicians to capitalize on it. “I don't believe that encouraging piracy is beneficial to artists. Promotions involving free or discounted digital components are a better solution in my mind as they can be structured advantageously for fans and bands. For example, an artist may offer a free download in exchange for a fan's e-mail address,” he said.
Sure enough, this is exactly like something A’tris is doing. Every Tuesday A’tris records a new song and releases an accompanying video for it on Youtube. Youtube is of course a free service, but A’tris also offers the instrumental track for free download if you join the mailing list. In the mailing list A’tris suggests listeners to take the solo track and record their own versions or covers of the song. Also in the email, they encourage the listener to check out and purchase some merchandise. At the end of the 52-week period of songs, A’tris will take the top viewed videos they released, and create an album off of those. This is a way to get fans involved with the creation of an their favorites band’s recording process. It’s a good way to entice an audience to give you a chance. They feel involved and want to invest in you.
As far as sites like iTunes and Amazon, Taylor had a lot to say,
“…Convenience is king. I believe that, if people are empowered to legally consume music when they want, the way they want, we will see piracy continue to decline. Already e-retailers like iTunes provide a frictionless solution for purchasing music. With Amazon and Google offering cloud locker services, and Apple rumored to debut a similarly but potentially more feature-rich option, I hope that we will see piracy further reduced by choice.
On a side note, I believe it's interesting to note that Amazon and Google currently offer their services without label support. Apple is reportedly the only company that is moving into the cloud space at this time with signed agreements from the four majors. Choice is key. If people have more options, they may choose to exercise them.”
Taylor seems to be on the verge of something great, and really understands the concept of being an independent artist. A’tris will have no problems in continuing on with the growth of their music.
Jon Santos is a former touring and signed lead singer of once popular band Sevenwiser off Wind Up Records. Santos has heard his music played on The Punisher Soundtrack and in the movie Cursed. In addition to this his music has been featured in video games MVP 2004 I and Nascar 2005. He currently works as a producer/engineer and videographer/photographer in his Whitestone, Queens studio, 1176 Studios. At the moment he is filming a short show series on Youtube that has just been picked up by a small cable network, Hollywood Girl. Clearly Jon is no stranger to the music industry and media in general. More so than my other two interviews, he’s been there and done that. He perhaps had the strongest and almost angriest type of reactions to the questions.
His general feelings about music piracy are bluntly honest as he says, “ I’m really not a big fan of that. I don’t understand how people can feel good about themselves when they steal someone’s work. It’s the same thing as walking in to Best Buy and just taking the CD right off the shelf and walking out the door, is that right?”
Like Taylor, Santos feels that piracy is two fold as far as helping or hurting, “If a new upcoming band gets themselves out there a bit more by letting their music out for free and they pick up a few hundred or more fans then great for them. The problem at that point is you can’t track your sales and numbers and you can’t build much of an income to float the band.” Santos also believes that piracy has mainly killed the label, which in turn destroys the artist. Now instead of making money on music, the label takes a big chunk of what a band makes on touring and events, let alone having to split the money with your band mates. “Not unless you are Lady Gaga or any of them other big time artists that are making 90 million a year from sales and have crazy live shows, [are you making money]…good luck with that,” he said.
Santos feels very strongly about stopping piracy but isn’t quite sure of exactly how saying, “How about everyone just walks around and starts stealing people’s homes, taking their cars, not paying for anything; what will be the future for any of us at that point? Can it be stopped? Not unless we stop technology and revert back about 20 years.” He doesn’t think it can be stopped in full, but thinks it can be slowed.
These three music professionals have seen music from the inside and out and obviously know where the trends of music are going. The future is certainly not clear, but it has become increasingly difficult for an artist to make any money on their craft. Santos told me the most money he has made in music is through his placement in movies and games. I remember meeting Taylor and asking him what he thought the keys to getting your music heard was, he said “placement.” All of the ideas are the same, but none of the direction is clear. In the long run, music for sure is in a down place just like the rest of our economy. It’s up to the future of music to try and turn it around like A’tris is trying so hard to do. To quote Clay Shirky, “Nothing will work, but everything might.”
Check out my brothers in Eyes of Tragedy! They just made a rocking video to their song "Rapture." Word on the street is, they are also looking for a lead singer, so if interested contact them!
A'tris Song of the Week 11 & 12
Week 11
Week 12
Again, great work A'tris, I think I may have to interview Tiger Darrow. She is an amazing singer, and complements Mason's vocals well.
Incognito and DePalma and Romolus X Records and ARK News
Incognito Theory record will be out in summer 2011 and Incognito and Depalma will debut in May. Also, adding to the family is two new band members for ID. Mindy Kern has joined on the bass and Daniel Eng on drums.
Also some exciting news from CEO of Romolus X and ARK: Dave Incognito has been named as the A&R guy for the company, and will also be working in promotions. Another big announcement is the joining up of 1176 Studios and the ARK. Jon Santos will now be working with Romolus X, and hopefully branching out recording more artists. This joint venture is very exciting and good for the surrounding area of bands and musicians.
Process of Fusion Break Contest info and Poster Contest!
Where will you be April 2nd? If you said the Crazy Donkey at 4:40pm to see my band in the final round of the Break Contest for Bamboozle, that's an amazing guess. Shameless plug aside, it will mean the world to me if you could come out and support my band. Tickets are $12, and if we win we play Bamboozle! It's a life changing opportunity and we are very close.
Secondly (not sure if that's a word), we need fans to take the default pictures on our sites and post them up in various places. Take a picture of you placing the flier in whatever place you want and send it to us! In turn we will send it to the Break Contest and somehow get more points.
A'TRIS WEEKLY MUSIC, WEEK 9 & 10 Week 9 "Spit You Out" starring Courtney Zito
Week 10 "Letters From Home" featuring Tiger Darrow
Update from Dave Incognito
"IT is going into ark studios in March to start recording drums for our debut ep, Vengeance is Mine, coming out late spring on Romulus X Records. Also, IT just had an interview done with Dave Incognito for Rockeyez Magazine. Special thanks to Brian of Rockeyez and uncle Frank of Metal noize inc . Incognito & DePalma update- ID is going in the studio to record there self titled ep coming in spring 2011 as well.
PRESS RELEASE FOR EVENT IN MANHATTAN Neal B. (That Theatre Show, NealB.tv) will debut a new half-hour segment segment entitled, "THE BEST OF NY THEATRE" at the 18th Original GLBT Expo. The segment will take place at the Video Lounge on March 12 & 13, 2011 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
THE BEST OF NY THEATRE will consist of musical performances and interviews from some of New York most talented performers. Expect to hear stories of pride, favorite tunes and new material!
Scheduled to appear (Performers Subject to change):
Check back at:http://www.nealb.tv/1/expo/for an updated list of performers
Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00pm
- NOREEN CRAYTON (National Tour of Rent, Independent Music Award winner)
- RICHARD DeFONZO (VH1's "Boys Will Be Girls", Tribute Artist)
- TERESE GENECCO (MAC Award Winner, Longest running nightclub act on Broadway)
- PAUL GOLIO & TINSEL (Ventriloquist)
- REBECCA LARKIN (Broadway's Avenue Q & South Pacific)
- TRACY McDOWELL (Rent on Broadway)
Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 12:30pm
- KING ASWAD (Rent the National Tour & Hollywood Bowl, Recording Artist)
- TITUSS BURGESS (Broadway's The Little Mermaid and Guys & Dolls)
- NOREEN CRAYTON (National Tour of Rent, Independent Music Award winner)
- NATASCIA DIAZ (Broadway's Man of La Mancha & The Capeman)
- JENN FURMAN (National Tour of Wicked)
- LUIS VILLABON (Naked Boys Singing, Associate Choreographer "A Chorus Line" National Tour)
The will be is open to the public. The 18th Annual Original GLBT Expo will take place at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York at 655 West 34th Street. Tickets are $15. For information and directions, please call:212-216-2000orhttp://www.originalglbtexp
Neal B. is no stranger to covering entertainment in front of the camera. As a TV personality, host and actor, he has appeared on TV, radio and in newspapers. He is an expert in covering events and celebrity interviews. His site, NealB.tv, primarily covers positive stories in the media including celebrity interviews, red carpet events, charity events, hot-spots and undiscovered gems of New York City, and more.
Among the long list of events he has covered: The 2010 Official Academy Awards Party in New York, The 2010 Drama Desk Awards, 2010 GLAAD Media Awards, Minty Python (a benefit featuring cast members of "Sex and the City"), etc.
He has also interviewed such talented artists such as: Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver, Anne Hathaway, the cast of "Glee", Cynthia Nixon, Johnny Weir, Jesse L. Martin, Broadway's "American Idiot".
He has been seen on The Wendy Williams Show, KathyGrffin.net, Patricia Field Online, RTL Germany, OnLocationVacations.com, among others. He has also been a frequent contributor to Out & About With Nofar Kimchi, The Comedy Point with Soul Joel, and ArtofTalk.tv,
Says Neal B. of his background: "I am a testament that things do happen for a reason. I was born in Colombia, South America. When I was merely a baby I was adopted by the two most generous and amazing people. I have lived in the New York City area for my entire life. I have taken advantage of the culture and I love soaking in all the arts and city life!"
His positive, fun outlook on entertainment and life is exactly what Neal B.
plans on sharing with his audience.
Lastly, check out a blog I was interviewed on about Staten Island music
My apologies to A'tris for not posting your video last week, so you get a double shot this week. (Mason will yell at me for saying sorry, so here's your warning- don't do it!)
Those videos are week 7 and week 8 of the new song a week project. Keep up the good work!
Hollywood Girl Season 1 Trailer
Hollywood Girl even has a IMDB Page now! See it here
Also, be sure to check out POF's producer, Jon Santos and his new music project here
"The new EP, The Long Road, by Jon Santos will be online this spring. Jon hits his studio Feb 26 with good friend Bobby A on drums to record a few songs he has been working on the past year.[He] will also re-record a few songs off the fallzone album because he wants a better sound and now that he has a much better studio to bang out a better bigger recording."
Be sure to contact me for tickets for Saturday's Bamboozle Break Contest. My band is in the 2nd round. We go on at 10pm at the Crazy Donkey.
Drew Torres by Amanda Hernandez for Kaoz Photography
If you like Ska, reggae, acoustic rock, and elements of sing-song rap, then maybe... just maybe you can hang out with Drew Torres.
Drawing influences from Bob Marley to NOFX, Torres also throws a bit of his life into his music. All mixed together, this creates a wonderful blend of truly dynamic and original music. This is Drew Torres...
(A condensed version of this interview will be featured in a new section of Broken Records Magazine entitled, "In the Mix with 1176.")
When did you know that music was your thing?
Well, I always had a love for music, being my father was a musician, so he introduced me to a plethora of genres at a very young age. Thanks Dad!
Growing up, who did you aspire to be like until you came into your own?
I fell in love with Green Day's Dookie album in '94. I always wanted to look cool like Billie Joe. He did it like no other, and WITHOUT the long hair and grunge look which was so mysteriously popular at that time...
Speaking of coming into your own, what is your style? I hear reggae, rap, ska, rock. What do you consider yourself?
Reggapkarock... (he laughs) I don't know, I grew up listening to all styles of music so I incorporate as much of anything as I possibly can. I guess if I had to call myself anything, I'd be a fusionist?
What are some artists that people have compared you too? Who do you compare yourself too?
I get Brandon Boyd from Incubus quite frequently actually. A few people have told me I remind them of Jason Mraz as well. I'm cool with both. Its a little difficult to compare myself to anyone musically since I'm on such a mission to create as much of my own unique style as I possibly can. So rather than utilizing other artists' style, I try to incorporate the genre as a whole and the underlying factors that make the genre what it is.
How did you get involved with Jon Santos of 1176 Studios?
An old friend of mine, Mo, actually introduced us. I came to the studio, we laid down "This Bottle" and never looked back, thus bringing Welcome To The Present to the vast world of music. That Jon Santos is a good man.
Drew Torres by Amanda Hernandez
What's the biggest show you've played venue wise? Capacity wise? Knitting Factory, when I opened up for Gym Class Heroes. The sound was great, the crowd was great and the memories have been everlasting.
What's your biggest rock star moment? Biggest failure moment?
Hmmm... Well my fans in the Bronx always make me feel like a rock star... singing along to my songs, dancing, and just enjoying themselves. It's the little things like that that make me feel invincible. My biggest failure has to be playing a VERY inappropriate song at a memorial show, so embarrassing. I had to apologize to the person's grandmother. I wanted to bury my head in the sand.
Have you been on any tours? If so where and for how long?
Yes! I went on tour two summers ago, hitting the West Coast states-Utah, Nevada, Phoenix, etc. It lasted a few months. The kicker was getting back home and getting to play the Myspace tent at Warped Tour in NY and NJ. That was a great homecoming.
Why should people listen to Drew Torres?
I work hard on trying to create something beautiful for the masses. So BUY MY CRAP!
Anything else you'd like to add?
Keep posted at DrewTorres.com and Myspace.com/drewtorres for any upcoming shows, albums, collabos, etc. Much peace and love!
