ASCAP LAUNCHES 'BILL OF RIGHTS FOR SONGWRITERS AND COMPOSERS'
Michael Gaither list: Grass Valley and KVMR this weekend / newpodcast interview
Talk about one extreme to the other: Last weekend I helped judge a karaoke contest - "American Idol"-style at the Boardwalk Bowl in Santa Cruz.
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NEO-SIXTIES GARAGE BAND EVIL MARIA RELEASES FIRST ALBUM
Self-Titled Album ‘Evil Maria’ Released Through Spill Records
LOS ANGELES, March 2008 - After releasing and touring behind three CDs on his Spill Records label, singer/songwriter and guitarist Evren Goknar named his rock band Evil Maria for his fourth release. Their music is best characterized as neo-sixties garage pop, infusing edgy rock elements with pop and early new wave. Bands such as Elvis Costello and The Attractions,
The Kinks, The Pixies, and Nirvana influence their music. Add in his clever lyrics and strong melodies and you get "inherently catchy, consistently enjoyable and melodically proficient" songs as described by Performing Songwriter Magazine.
Evil Maria’s sound is framed by the pumping and driving rhythm section of Pete Finestone (Bad Religion) on drums and June Kato on bass. The Farfisa organ adds a certain "B horror film vibe" to the album. Finally, Evren’s vulnerable and resonant voice creates a familiar sense of empathy in the listener as he rants and croons his way through the stories and
observations in the songs.
Spill Records’ fourth release, ‘Evil Maria’, is filled with brooding melodies in minor keys, and embellished with poignant vocal harmonies. The album is packed with eleven radio-ready songs containing wry observations of Los Angeles/Hollywood urban life in the new millennium. The songs tackle a range of subjects including the Hollywood dream machine, illegal immigration, love
lost and broken, and profiles of compelling characters. For example, "Along the Way" explores the machinations and remorse of a serial killer, "California" is a story about the hopes that drive an immigrant to risk his life, "Hand of God" examines the Hollywood myth of life transformation from ordinary to celebrity, "Kiss Your Scars" suggests that we let go of past pains and
press on amidst life’s constant changes.
When asked why he named the band Evil Maria, Evren says, "It is a reference to the 1927 Fritz Lang film ‘Metropolis’. The heroine in the film is named Maria and she is the voice of workers who toil underground, below the metropolis to keep it running for the king. As the workers become rebellious, the king conspires with a scientist to make a cyborg version of Maria to
deceive the workers and thwart a revolt. I refer to the cyborg as Evil Maria. To me, independent musicians are like those workers, toiling to be true to one Maria (our artistic vision), while avoiding the misleading temptations of a false one."
For interview opportunities, more information or to receive a promo copy of ‘Evil Maria’ please contact Howie Simon at (323) 822-0884 or HowieS2000@sbcglobal.net
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CDDVD Now! lowers prices on retail ready CD Production.
December 30 2007 – Castro Valley, CA
Through January 2008, independent musicians and labels can save money on the production of their Retail Ready CDs as CDDVD Now! lowers prices to $888 for 1000 CDs.
“We know that independent musicians don’t have a lot of money to spend on the production of their CDs and we are dong our part to help” says CDDVD Now’s President/Founder Phil Peretz. “We also know that many independent musicians and indie labels also need marketing help so we are including our Center Stage Package at no additional
charge. We want to make sure that these independent artists have all of the tools needed to succeed.”
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Paul Lavender Receives 2008 Music Industry Award From Texas Bandmasters Association
The 61st annual convention of the esteemed Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA) was held July 27-30 in San Antonio. At a spirited awards ceremony to conclude the show, Paul Lavender, vice president of instrumental publications for Hal Leonard Corporation, received the organization's prestigious 2008 Music Industry Award.
The mission of the TBA is to assist its member in achieving the highest standards of instrumental music education. Throughout his nearly three decades in music publishing, Lavender has echoed that sentiment.
For Hal Leonard Corporation, the world's largest and most innovative music print publisher, Lavender directs the product development and marketing of performance publications for orchestra, concert band, marching band and jazz ensemble, as well as instrumental books, collections and methods. He supervises the creative work of the industry's most respected composers and arrangers,
overseeing more than 600 new publications a year.
Lavender is also one of the most widely played writers today. He has contributed more than 1,000 arrangements and compositions to the educational and concert repertoire. He co-authored and edited Hal Leonard's highly successful Essential Elements 2000 method for beginning bands. His association with renowned film composer John Williams has produced the prestigious John Williams
Signature Series, featuring Williams' authentic film scores and concert music for professional orchestras.
Lavender comments on the honor, "I proudly accept this award as a representative of Hal Leonard Corporation. We are extremely grateful for this recognition, and we feel confident that our partnership and support of TBA - and the many fine friendships forged from it - will continue for years to come."
The Texas Bandmasters Association Music Industry Award has been bestowed since 2000. Past recipients recognized for their commitment and dedication to music education include Remo Belli, Bill Ludwig, Fred Fruhauf, Vito Pascucci and others.
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