DIGITAL PLAYGROUND SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH RILEY STEELE
February 29, 2008
Digital Playground, the award-winning studio and leading provider of world-class content to the adult genre, is pleased to announce it has signed an exclusive deal with Riley Steele(TM), making her the newest and youngest addition to the studio’s elite roster of world-renowned talent.
So impressed with the new starlet, the studio has made plans to debut her first boy/girl scene in the upcoming “Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge,” feature directed by award-winning director Joone, beginning production next month and slated for release in September 2008.
Samantha Lewis, Digital Playground CEO comments, “We are thrilled to have signed Riley Steele. Gorgeous, athletic and very engaging, Riley is the total package and the perfect compliment to our contract star roster. She is fully committed to this venture and I know our fans will love her. I look forward to working with Riley closely and nurturing her career here at Digital.”
Riley Steele(TM) comments, “Digital Playground is a class act and by far the best. Everything Digital Playground does is about quality with the emphasis always being on their contract stars, and it shows. It’s not every day a girl gets the opportunity to sign with the best and I’m so excited. Samantha and Joone have been amazing and I’m so happy to call Digital Playground home.”
Joone, Digital Playground Founder and award-winning director confirms, “Riley is Digital’s fresh new face. She’s beautiful, all natural, intelligent, and very spirited. We love that she’s athletic, playful and has the ability to explore a full range of looks. Her initial photo shoot was amazing and I cannot wait to have her on-set for ‘Pirates II.’ We welcome Riley Steele as Digital Playground’s newest contract star and look forward to introducing her to the industry and presenting her to our loyal DP fans.”
HAIL TO THE CAB!
February 29, 2008
LAS VEGAS-BASED BAND SET TO UNLEASH DECAYDANCE/FUELED BY RAMEN DEBUT
Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group The Cab has unveiled details of its eagerly awaited debut album, entitled “WHISPER WAR.” The album – which includes the online smash, “I’ll Run” – will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on April 29th.
“WHISPER WAR” was recorded late last year with Matt Squire (Cute Is What We Aim For, All Time Low) producing and additional production by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy). The album expertly melds The Cab’s avowed love for the soulful pop stylings of Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, with a punk and rock ‘n’ roll sensibility informed by such bands as Blink-182 and The Bled.
Signed to Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen on the recommendation of labelmates Panic At The Disco, the Las Vegas-based quintet quickly made a regional name for itself with its piano-infused modern pop-rock sound. The Cab then exploded throughout the online community, with its initial demo version of “I’ll Run” logging more than one million plays on the band’s MySpace page (www.myspace.com/thecab).
The Cab has now drawn national attention for its fresh sound and vision, with Alternative Press declaring it to be one of the “100 Bands You Need To Know” in its upcoming April issue. In addition, the band was featured in Blender’s annual “Hot Report.”
Currently on the road with fellow Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group Cobra Starship on “The Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour,” The Cab has slated a full-tilt schedule for the foreseeable future. Next, the band will herald the release of “WHISPER WAR” with a spring trek alongside We The Kings - dubbed the “Long Hair We Don’t Care Tour” – kicking off March 26th at Gainesville, Florida’s 1982 Bar (see attached itinerary). Also on the agenda are festival appearances at Austin, Texas’s annual South By Southwest extravaganza in mid-March, and a eagerly awaited appearance at the upcoming Bamboozle, set for May 3rd at New Jersey’s Meadowlands.
For up-to-the-minute news and information, please see the band’s official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/thecab, or visit Fueled By Ramen and Decaydance Records at http://www.fueledbyramen.com/ and http://www.decaydance.com/.
THE CAB On Tour 2008
2/23-3/8 “The Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour”
w/Cobra Starship, Metro Station, and We The Kings
3/26-5/2 “Long Hair We Don’t Care Tour”
w/We The Kings, Valencia, and Charlotte Sometimes
MARCH
1 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
2 Norfolk, VA The Norva
4 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel
6 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore @ The Theatre of Living Arts
7 Lancaster, PA Chameleon
8 Farmingdale, NY Crazy Donkey
13 Austin, TX PureVolume.com Ranch
14 Parkway Plano, TX South By So What? Festival
15 Spiro’s Austin, TX
26 Gainesville, FL 1982 Bar
27 Pensacola, FL Sluggo’s
28 Nashville, TN Rocketown
29 Little Rock, AR The Village
30 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory
APRIL
1 Tucson, AZ The Rock
2 Phoenix, AZ Modified
8 La Jolla, CA Porter’s Pub
9 Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk
11 Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep
12 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground
13 Iowa City, IA Picador
14 DeKalb, IL The House Cafe
15 Covington, KY The Mad Hatter
16 Louisville, KY Bulldog Cafe
17 Augusta, GA Sector 7G
18 Wheeling, WV Troy Theater
19 Wilmington, NC Soapbox Lounge
20 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
21 Columbia, SC New Brookland Tavern
22 Norfolk, VA The Norva
23 Baltimore, MD The Ottobar
24 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
25 Altoona, PA Jaggard Union
26 Williamsville, NY Club Infinity
27 S. Burlington, VT Higher Ground
29 Providence, RI Living Room
MAY
1 Allston, MA ICC Performance Hall
2 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
3 East Rutherford, NY Bamboozle @ The Meadowlands
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ON ASTRALWERKS MAY 27th
February 29, 2008
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES AND COACHELLA CONFIRMED
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Midnight Juggernauts are proud to announce the release of their long-awaited debut album Dystopia on May 27th through Astralwerks. Complementing this release will be an extensive U.S. Spring tour and Coachella appearance. These are the same live shows that garnered extensive critical praise from the press and fans alike when they supported Justice, so do not miss your chance to see them!
The guys (Vincent Juggernaut, Andy Juggernaut & Daniel Stricker) originally started making music together casually in a friend’s studio, songs of which can be heard on their upcoming release. The guys could not have imagined what was just around the corner for them. Equipped with select tracks available on their Myspace, the band soon began to tally up countless virtual friends and requests. Shortly thereafter, a chance meeting with Parisian Ed Banger’s Justice took place and after hearing the album and seeing them live, they promptly urged the trio to join them on a voyage across the United States during the fall of 2007.
With this opportunity to perform outside of their homeland, all ears were certainly eager to hear what these fellows had to offer. Midnight Juggernauts certainly did not disappoint and soon became a familiar name and sound in the USA, leaving music fans yearning for more. With their intense dance-oriented live performances, flirting with sounds reminiscent of E.L.O, Air and Eno-esque synth arrangements, it became clear to most that no one else sounded quite like they do. Consequently, record deals were offered and the press soon began to spread the word.
Now, Astralwerks is proud to announce the release of their already critically acclaimed debut Dystopia out on May 27th, a headlining North American tour with Shy Child supporting, plus a Coachella performance.
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES with Shy Child
4/22 Vancouver, BC Richard’s
4/23 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
4/25 Indio, CA Coachella
4/29 Denver , CO Hi-dive
5/2 Chicago, IL Double Door
5/3 Toronto, Ontario Anti
5/4 Montreal, Quebec Les Saints
5/6 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/7 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
5/9 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
http://www.midnightjuggernauts.com/
www.myspace.com/midnightjuggernauts
BUN B SOPHOMORE SOLO ALBUM “II TRILL” DUE ON APRIL 29TH
February 29, 2008
CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL TOUR, AWARD WINNING RAPPER TEAMS UP WITH MICROSOFT ZUNE
Hip Hop Legend Bun B and one half of the award winning duo UGK readies for the debut of his highly anticipated sophomore solo album, II Trill, which will be released on April 29th courtesy of Rap-A-Lot/Asylum.
Upon the heels of success with UGK’s 2007 seventh album release of the 26-song, two-CD set, UGK (Underground Kingz) which claimed the #1 spot in the country and presented the duo with two Grammy nominations for the soulful smash hit “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” featuring Outkast, Bun will finally introduce the follow-up to his critically acclaimed and Gold Certified debut solo effort, Trill which was released in 2005 and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart.
II Trill will include guest features by artists that include Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, 8 Ball and MJG, David Banner, Rick Ross, Z-Ro, Mya, Mike Jones and Slim Thug. The Houston rapper also collaborated with hitmakers Mister Lee, Scott Storch, Jazzy Phae, Bigg Tyme, Black Out Movement, Clinton Sparks, Enigma and Chops to name a few.
Currently on a national promotional tour to promote II Trill and its first single, a JR Rotem produced track titled “That’s Gangsta” featuring Sean Kingston, Bun B is partnering with Microsoft Zune on a series of promotional events and programs focused on making a more direct connection with his fans through a strong presence on the road, at retail, and on Zune digital platforms. While on the road, he will be making appearances at several Boys & Girls Clubs . Bun is also a part of Zune Social, an online music community where he is able to share his experience on the road and interact with music lovers.
Fans can connect with Bun directly by visiting http://www.zune.net/bunb and http://social.zune.net/member/BunBIITrill.
Bun B tour dates are as follows (subject to change):
Feb. 29th - Fayetteville, NC @ The Palace
Mar. 1st - Richmond, VA @ High Lights
Mar. 2nd - Washington DC @ Platinum Night Club
Mar.3rd - 4th New York, NY Press/Promo
Mar. 5th - Cleveland , OH @ Boys & Girls Club and Metropolis
Mar. 6th - Indianapolis, IN @ Lilly Unit Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 7th - Detroit, MI @ Zoo Bar
Mar. 8th - Cincinnati, OH @Club Annies
Mar. 9th - 10th Chicago, @ IL Venue TBA
Mar. 12th - 13th Austin, TX @ South by Southwest
Mar. 14th - San Antonio, TX @ East Side Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 15th - Houston, TX @ Club Levels
Mar. 20th - Oklahoma City, OK @ Venue TBA
Mar. 21st - Kansas City, MO @ Venue TBA
Mar. 22nd - St. Louis, MO @ Mathews Dickey Boy & Girls Club
Mar. 26th-28th - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
Mar. 29th San - Francisco, CA @ Venue TBA
Mar. 30th - Oakland, CA @ Venue TBA
ABOUT BUN B
As one half of the duo, UGK, Bun B along with his long time friend, Pimp C put the south on the map in 1988 with their first album release The Southern Way. Since then, after two decades, the Port Arthur, TX natives and award winning pair have maintained a presence in the music world with seven major label released albums, mixtapes, indie releases and cameos on numerous prominent artists’ tracks. In 2000, they made a high-profile appearance on Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin.” In 2005, Bun released his first solo album Trill. The gold-certified CD debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. Bun is currently gearing up for his sophomore solo album, II Trill which will be released April 29, 2008. For more information on Bun B, visit http://www.zune.net/bunb or http://www.myspace.com/bunbofugk.
Stoli Razz Has Deep Conversation With Anna Nyakana
February 29, 2008
Anna Nyakana is a musician that we became very interested in after visiting her MySpace page. Her vocals and her delivery are simply amazing. With a deep family history and diverse influences Anna is worth giving a listen. Stoli had the chance to talk with this up & coming star and see where she is at.
Exclusive: The Spill Canvas Chat With Stoli Razz
February 28, 2008
The Spill Canvas are the new rock sensation to hit the major label circuit. These boys hail from South Dakota but are taking their music all over the world. They have a slew of tour dates and a new album, ‘No Really, I’m Fine’ out now! Check out what’s up with The Spill canvas!
The Spill Canvas- “All Over You”
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV3tLQ2uGzs
Skope: How did you come up with the name The Spill Canvas?
SC: In all honestly it was a little phrase that stood out to me in one of my random lyric journals. The name has also taken on new meanings for me personally as the years have passed. I like to leave the name up to the listener to make it their own.
Skope: At what point did you know that SIRE/One Eleven was interested in signing the band? What was your initial reaction?
SC: Well we are actually signed to just Sire now and 111 was the indie label we started on a few years back. In any event, when a label is interested in taking your music/passion to new levels, it’s always exciting. We are very pleased with our position right now, business-wise.
Skope: What is the process for getting ready to record a new album? Are you pleased with the musical production?
SC: Well we took off about 3 months around the winter holidays to begin the writing process and after roughly 30 songs/demos we began preproduction with our producer, Neal Avron, in Hollywood. Looking back, it was the single most amazing expirience we’ve ever been through as musicians and human beings. I’ve never been more proud of something I’ve accomplished….its a good feeling.
Skope: You have been touring at an incredible pace, what do you enjoy the most being on the road?
SC: Getting paid for playing music with my friends, seeing the country, and meeting amazing people. It’s fairly obvious how awesome it is.
Skope: Were your families supportive of your decision to be musicians as a career?
SC: Our families are amazing. They support endlessly and we couldn’t do it without them.
Skope: What is your favorite city in the USA to perform and why?
SC: Unfortunately that question is too difficult to answer, but I CAN say however that getting to play music to music supporters and fans everywhere is my favorite.
Skope: How did The Spill Canvas’ band members all come together and create a band?
SC: After starting spill as an acoustic outfit, it remained that way for about 2 years until I finally began to piece together the right members that make out the full rock line up today. We all live music, and as time went on, it became obvious we wanted to do it as a living.
Skope: What was life like in South Dakota prior to being in a succesful band?
SC: Pretty much the exact same. We’re just human beings doing the best we can, and our small hometown keeps us grounded. Success will obviously always bring on negative outsiders that want to bring the ship down, but we have never paid any attention to that, nor will we ever.
Skope: What are the clear advantages to being on a major label as opposed to an indie?
SC: The basics here are better distribution, and a wider array of resources to tap into to make the project live up to it’s fullest potential.
Skope: The whole music scene is evolving with technology, do you still see fans using CD’s in 10 years from now?
SC: Maybe, but I never would have guessed the ipod, so my predictions are probably pretty useless.
Skope: What can we look forward to from The Spill Canvas in the next 6 months?
SC: Lots and lots of touring to support the brand new record. Come out and have some fun with us!
Skope: Thank you and much luv!
www.myspace.com/tsc
WATCH LENNY KRAVITZ LIVE!
February 28, 2008
Lenny Kravitz recently played a show at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre. MSN music is broadcasting the performance online starting at 2pm EST!
Watch it here:
http://music.msn.com/lennykravitz?GT1=MUSIC1
Links:
www.lennykravitz.com
www.myspace.com/lennykravitz
http://youtube.com/lennykravitz
http://www.facebook.com/lennykravitz
Stoli Razz Chills Out With Kevin Michael
February 28, 2008
Kevin Michael is the new voice of the majors. This artist has got soul and rhythm for days! He was on the road with Maroon 5 so we sent Stoli to check his live show in Boston. Kevin was cool enough to kick it with Skope too.
Skope: You have worked with many other artists like Wyclef and Lupe, who is an artist that you have not worked with that you want to?
KM: Kanye West
Skope: How did it feel when you found out that Atlantic wanted to give you a record deal?
KM: I’m actually signed to Downtown/Atlantic records…so I was signed to Downtown first and foremost…I don’t know…it felt relieving…it felt right…it felt like I was one step closer to where I need to be in life.
Skope: How would you descibe the music scene in Philly? Chester?
KM: Well the music scene in chester is pretty non-existent…a few…me…Sean Garrett has a connection there…but as of recent…people of the “here & now” generation…not much is going on like back in the old days…Philly’s music scene is pretty cool…we are a very tight-knit community…everybody sorta knows everybody else…great musicians and singers…a lot of tradition and legacy…gamble & huff…”neo-soul”…we are good!
Skope: How long have you been rocking that major afro? It’s awesome…
KM: The past five years!
Skope: What 2 albums besides your own do you like to listen to?
KM: Brandy…Full Moon and Afrodisiac!
Skope: Would you say that being a musician is a big plus with the ladies? Have you ever got lucky strictly based on your status?
KM: A gentleman never kisses and tells!
Skope: How much of your real world experiences are parlayed into your music?
I would say about 40% of it is autobiographical…the rest is fantasy and/or other people’s personal lives…sorry bff!
Skope: Are you pleased with how your album came out?
KM: Yes!
Skope: What can we look forward to from Kevin Michael in the next 6 months?
KM: Hopefully people will actually know who the hell kevin michael is…that would be nice, lol! Alot more promotion…CD…singles…going overseas a lot more…just basic world domination, lol!
THE VERONICAS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM – HOOK ME UP — ON SIRE RECORDS IN MAY
February 28, 2008
The Veronicas — Aussie twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso — will release their second album, an electro-pop confection entitled Hook Me Up, in May 2008 on Sire Records.
The album represents a stylistic leap from the girls’ 2006 debut The Secret Life Of… by swapping the latter’s pop-punk leanings for Hook Me Up’s dance friendly, beat-driven feel that showcases the sisters’ expert song craft, organic vocal chemistry, and sophisticated sense of humor. Those qualities have led The Veronicas to huge success in Australia. Hook Me Up is well on its way to double platinum status Down Under with sales of 130,000 and has spawned their first #1 single with the title track. The Veronicas debut album, The Secret Life Of … sold more than 300,000 copies, scored three of their five Top 10 singles, won a slew of awards (including a coveted ARIA), and made the Brisbane natives, now 23, international stars.
“It’s been more than two years since we wrote the first record so our musical tastes have changed a bit,” Lisa says. “We’ve been living in Los Angeles where we got into the whole electro-pop rock scene. When it came time to write the new album, we were really inspired by it musically.” Adds Jess: “We didn’t want to make a record that was the same as the first. We definitely wanted to create a different sound for ourselves and reinvent The Veronicas.”
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, mostly in Lisa and Jess’s Hollywood Hills home, Hook Me Up led the pair to collaborate with a host of top-notch hit makers, including Shelly Peiken (Christina Aguilera), Greg Wells (Mika), John Feldmann (The Used, Good Charlotte), and the legendary Billy Steinberg (Madonna), and their Secret Life collaborator Toby Gad, who also wrote Fergie’s 2007 hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
“With Toby, we’d gossip and tell him all the drama in our lives,” Lisa says. Adds Jess: “That’s why a lot of the songs we wrote with him come across as emotional and dramatic. I’d have to say this record is even more personal than the first one, which was hard because the first record was very much us.” The collaboration resulted in eight tracks, from the album’s first single “Untouched,” to such razor-edged epics as “This Is How It Feels” and “Revenge Is Sweeter,” through to the funky “Take Me On The Floor” and “Popular.” “It’s a very upbeat dance record, though there are a few ballads on there,” Jess says. “It came out exactly how we wanted it to, so we’re stoked.”
Hook Me Up is the beginning of a new chapter in The Veronicas’ stateside career. The Secret Life Of… was released by Sire Records in February 2006 and debuted at Number Three on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. Named an AOL Breaker band and called “Australia’s rockingest twins” by Blender, the girls were also praised by Entertainment Weekly for making “most of their female pop-rock rivals seem like jugheads.” Indeed, critics agreed that the Veronicas were “the real thing,” as the New York Post put it.
The Veronicas have recently completed a tour of Australia and are now gearing up for the U.S. release of Hook Me Up. Tour plans for the summer TBA.
Cobra Starship @ Culture Room
February 28, 2008
Cobra Starship flashed their indie-pop decadence and put on a dance inducing performance at Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale last night. Flat-ironed hair and skinny jeans were in abundance. The crowd was predominantly high school girls with a love for floppish-haired boys, tight pants and the sensitive antics of emo dance phenoms. The sing alongs sounded like a Catholic school girl choir at its most fervent. Also performing were Metro Station, We The Kings, and The Cab. Check out the photos below.
You can also see the gallery here:
Cobra Starship Gallery
