JAY JAY FRENCH WANTS BARACK!

TWISTED SISTER’S JAY JAY FRENCH CREATES NEW ROCK ANTHEM FOR OBAMA SUPPORTERS, “I WANT BARACK”

Twisted Sister founder and guitarist Jay Jay French has created a rock anthem for a new political generation.  Recorded by Jay Jay French And Friends, “I Want Barack” is a rewrite using the template of one of the biggest anthems of the ‘80s and one of Twisted Sister’s biggest hits (“I Wanna Rock”).   “I Want Barack” is a rousing battle cry for Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.  It is expected to be featured at upcoming Obama rallies.

A lifelong political devotee, French comes from a long line of activists.  His mother Evaline French Segall ran the Upper West Side campaign headquarters for John F. Kennedy during his Presidential bid and was later the campaign manager for the first African American woman ever elected to the New York State Senate, Constance Baker Motley. 

With “I Want Barack”, French lends his support to Senator Obama in the best way he knows how – with a raucous rock song.  French commented, “Inspired by a deep desire to see Senator Obama elected President of the United States, I set out to create an anthem that could be sung in large gatherings as a rock n’ roll version of ‘Hail To The Chief’.”  The single is currently available for download on iTunes and Amazon.com and a new video can be seen on YouTube. 

PAID DUES INDEPENDENT HIP-HOP FEST SERIES EXPANDS

RAKIM, DE LA SOUL, GZA, BLACKALICIOUS, SAGE FRANCIS, LITTLE BROTHER, HIEROGLYPHICS, MURS & 9TH WONDER, BUCKSHOT OF BOOT CAMP CLIK, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH, KIDZ IN THE HALL, SOLILLAQUISTS OF SOUND YAK BALLZ AND BRAILLE CONFIRMED IN SELECT CITIES

The PAID DUES independent hip-hop festival, promoted by MURS 3:16 in association with Guerilla Union (Rock The Bells, Cypress Hill Smoke Out) and powered by SanDisk, has announced it has expanded throughout June with a festival series in New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Denver and San Francisco. Tickets to these additional dates go on sale SATURDAY APRIL 19.

After wrapping up its third sold-out annual Southern California festival date on March 22, artists included on the line-up such as SAGE FRANCIS, LITTLE BROTHER, HIEROGLYPHICS, BUCKSHOT OF BOOT CAMP CLIK, and YAK BALLZ will appear on these additional festival series dates as well. Also confirmed to join on select dates are RAKIM, DE LA SOUL, GZA, BLACKALICOUS, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH, KIDZ IN THE HALL, SOLILLAQUISTS OF SOUND, and BRAILLE with MURS & 9th WONDER to host. Check www.guerillaunion.com/paiddues for up to the minute information about talent lineup.

Artists BUCKSHOT, 9th WONDER, KIDZ IN THE HALL and BRAILLE have all signed onto the festival series in support of their upcoming album releases. BRAILLE’s The IV Edition is expected to hit stores April 15 with a release by BUCKSHOT & 9th WONDER titled The Formula to follow on April 29. KIDZ IN THE HALL are set to put out The In Crowd on May 13 to close off the pre-festival series releases.

Rolling into its third year, PAID DUES supports a fan base of a vibrant scene of underground hip-hop artists all on one platform. Called “A conscious hip-hop love-in…” by Flavorpill, it supports this genre of music largely shunned by the mainstream media. Here, advanced lyricism, stinging political commentary and quality DJ performances flourish in a seemingly parallel universe. In 2006 the first PAID DUES festival with a line-up featuring Felt, Aesop Rock, Living Legends, El-P, Hangar 18 and more, sold out with over 5,000 concert goers packing the Shrine Expo Center in Los Angeles. The following year MURS and Guerilla Union, along with performers Felt, Living Legends, Sage Francis, Brother Ali and others, teamed up again for the PAID DUES festival tour for over ten dates across the country. This summer, PAID DUES seeks to expand its national presence with its festival series in select cities.

“We are very proud to continue this partnership with Murs by expanding the Paid Dues independent hip hop platform to a festival series in select cities. We are introducing Paid Dues as a festival series with acts whom we feel champion the independent hip hop scene. Rakim and De La Soul not only pioneered the hip hop movement, they epitomized the DIY spirit long before the trend became common,” states Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union. “Add in the rest of the bill and you have a platform of artists that truly illustrates what Paid Dues is about. With SanDisk’s ongoing support, the mission to both educate conscious music fans to capture and share content; and empower artists to produce and share that content in new ways continues to strengthen our community to ‘Wake Up Your Phone’.”

Murs adds short and sweetly, “It’s summer. It’s Hip Hop. It’s going to be a good time.”

Pre-sale tickets will be available through www.guerillaunion.com/paiddues on Thursday, April 17 and through www.myspace.com/paidduesfestival on Friday, April 18. After, general on-sale begins Saturday, April 19. See www.guerillaunion.com/paiddues for on-sale information in your area.

MILLENCOLIN REV THEIR ENGINE ON NEW ALBUM MACHINE 15

Revered Swedish punk rock outfit Millencolin are back with Machine 15 – their first record in three years and the follow up to 2005’s Kingwood.  The album will be released on May 6th, through Epitaph Records.

With an impressive string of releases behind them, nearly two million records sold worldwide and having shared stages with the likes of Blink 182, the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, the Örebro based quartet of vocalist/bassist Nikola Sarcevic, guitarists Erik Ohlsson and Mathias Färm and drummer Fredrik Larzon show that they are on top of their game. 

While upholding the classic Millencolin sound, they chose to diversify, evolve and progress on the new album.  The explosive result is pop infused punk at its all-time best with driving beats, anthemic choruses and irresistible melodies that prove the band is back to kick ass and take names. 

“I think it’s great. It’s different from what we’ve done before and we’re stoked,” guitarist Mathias Färm enthuses. A perfect example of this willingness to try new approaches is the first single “Detox” – “Ripe with harmony vocals, an infectious melody that gives nods to both the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and seven chord changes,” Erik Ohlsson explains.

For Machine 15, Millencolin re-teamed with producer Lou Giordano (Sugar, Taking Back Sunday, Plain White T’s), who previously worked with the band on 2003’s Home From Home. “We wanted the kind of crisp sound that Lou is notorious for. Plus we have a great chemistry with him,” guitarist Erik Ohlsson adds.

Mixed in Berlin by Michael Ilbert, who lent his skills to records by the likes of The Hives and Roxette, Machine 15 achieves the perfect blend of skillful and contagious music. “This time, especially, it feels like we have something extraordinary to present,” vocalist Nikola Sarcevic adds.

www.Epitaph.com
www.Myspace.com/Millencolin

I HATE KATE EMBRACE THE CURSE ON DEBUT ALBUM

Embrace The Curse out June 24, 2008 on Glassnote Records

The Orange County quartet I HATE KATE have announced they will be releasing their Glassnote Records debut, aptly titled Embrace The Curse, on June 24th.

The twelve rock gems on Embrace The Curse were recorded with veteran producer Linus of Hollywood and platinum producer Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182, Sugarcult), and reflect singer/guitarist Justin Mauriello’s life lessons and personal mantras.

Mauriello began penning tunes for a side project and creative outlet in 2004, and when he parted ways with his previous band, Zebrahead, I Hate Kate was fully realized. The band name reflects his dislike for a friend’s then-girlfriend (named Kate), with Mauriello admitting “she was the most evil, vile and soulless woman I ever met in my life.” The name began as an inside joke, but as the band began to build momentum, it stuck.

Since forming, Mauriello and band mates Jeremy Berghorst (guitar) and Scott Hayden (bass) have shared the stage with My Chemical Romance, Saosin, Unwritten Law, The Bravery, Plain White T’s, Shiny Toy Guns and Social Distortion, to name a few. Mauriello’s existing fanbase has also allowed I Hate Kate to tour overseas, headlining shows in Japan.

Embrace The Curse is full of upbeat rock songs, including a cover of Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom,” but it is also full of personal reflections that are very relatable.

“A lot of these songs reflect what I was going through at that time in my life. Murphy’s Law is so real in my life; if something can go wrong, it will. This album is me accepting that curse,” says Mauriello.

Expect to embrace the curse this summer, as I Hate Kate tour plans will be announced shortly.

www.myspace.com/ihatekate
www.glassnotemusic.com

Stoli Heads To Jersey To Do An Acoustic Set With Stacie Rose

Stacie Rose holds a special place in the heart of so many of us here at Skope. As we were all working to build Skope over the years, Stacie has been busy with her career. She is an exciting musician and I will guarantee you will hear her on the Top 40 one day soon. She is truly that good. Join me as we get deep with Stacie and talk all about her new album, Shotgun Daisy, coming out 5/13!

Stoli: I have been following your career for a while now. How do you keep that fire going to work so hard at your craft?

Stacie: Let’s see, fire. I am an Aries. A fiery Aries! Ask anyone. Let’s just say the fire is a given for me. Working hard at my craft comes easy because I love it. I also vowed a long time ago, that If I was gonna make records and do shows where there would be busy, humans attending. I would work hard to Not Suck & be really GOOD at what I do.

Stoli: At what point did you know that you were very talented and should do music as a  career?

Stacie: I guess shortly after college. I had been writing alot in school…and playing for small groups while getting up the nerve to really perform. People started coaxing me to play and encouraging me not to stop! I really enjoyed this sort of self-expression, as it truly did come naturally.

Stoli: Where do you come up with the inspiration for your songwriting?

Stacie: Mostly my experiences with people and the things I go through internally. Sometimes it’s an exterior story or scenario that affects me. The inspiration comes in waves. There is none for a while.

Then too much to handle. I find myself writing through the night, typing lyrics frantically and racing to my recorder with melodies and words.

The guitar becomes like another limb…Then the flood stops and I breathe. I have gotten used to the stop-go process and often anticipate the next rush.

Stoli: My favorite Stacie Rose song is, “Consider Me”. What does that song mean to you? 

“Consider Me”

Stacie: First off, Thank you! I guess I was tired of people being so self-absorbed. I had been caught in a web of people who could not seem to look outside of themselves to consider others. I decided I would write off those people, at least in my song. Songs often give you courage to say things that are otherwise difficult. I try to use my songs to hash out stuff and they often manifest themselves as lessons. Sometimes I learn from them. Sometimes I write another song!

Stoli: You are very beautiful as well as talented. How much does your looks matter in the music biz?
 
Stacie: That’s quite a compliment. Thanks again. I am not really sure how looks factor in. I have never truly been able to gauge that. I will say this…for years I was going for the “rock chick” look. I think it felt right at the time. But as my music has evolved. I have come to realize that a more feminine, less hard, less forced look is more becoming…at least it feels more synonymous with the music I make. The world can be a very superficial place. In any case, the audio/visual experience ought to be both stimulating and related.

Stoli: Your new album, Shotgun Daisy, is coming out April 15th. What are you doing to promote and spread the word?

Stacie: We actually pushed the release date to May 15. My team at Enchanted Records operates as a fairly grass roots entity, but we are all very dedicated to spreading the music. Perhaps it’s that Jersey gusto. I recently had one of the pre-released songs from the new record on Amc. This generated pre-orders and lots of fan mail. We are talking with different distributers right now and planning a record release show.

Stoli: How long and where did you record this new album?

Stacie: The record took about a year to make. I shuffled between my home in Jersey, Bass on Balls Studio in the Bronx and Defy Recordings in Chinatown, NYC. I often felt a little dizzy from the commuting. There was lots of road-rage, time spent with my iPod working out parts for songs, rushing up and down stairs, through subway stations and crowds on Canal St. to make sessions. It was a bit chaotic in general. But ultimately very inspiring working with producers Jeff Allen & and Robert L. Smith. We were a super-organized team, and tried to nurture each and every song. Casting the songs took time as well. Each person that performed on the record had a very vital role. 

Stoli: Your music has been heard on the television on such shows as THE HILLS, FX’s THE RICHES, and AMC? Would you say that has helped spread the word on Stacie Rose to new fans?

Stacie: YES- For Sure. Everything helps. The press, TV placements, live shows, podcasts, radio… TV reaches so many people. I get a lot of hits on my website/myspace page and inquiries in general whenever there is a TV placement.

Stoli: The music consumer is buying more music online than at the record store. Did you set up a digital strategy for the new album as well?

Stacie: Yes. We are currently talking with new distribution companies. For starters, the record will be available on ITUNES, CDBABY, AMAZON, RHAPSODY, INDIE911, and  AWARESTORE.

Stoli: Would you say that living in New Jersey so close to NYC has helped you network your music to the power people?

Stacie: Network yes, yes, yes! POWER PEOPLE?…I don’t really know who they are. I have aligned myself more with musicians and producers I respect. I guess I haven’t really played the “industry game.” There are a few industry people I have met along the way that have been helpful and insightful praising my writing/voice and have tried to steer me in the right direction. It seems the power is more in the hands of The artist these days. I have always felt that the power was mine anyway. I’ve pushed, and pushed to make things happen.

Stoli: What is your most proud music moment since you wrote your first song?

Stacie: Not sure that there is one single defining moment. I think it’s a collection of moments like when people sing along to my songs, or tell me how they have been OD-ing on one of my tracks on their iPod. I was very proud and flattered when Shawn Mullins decided to sing on RUN OUT (a song on the new record) He is an artist I truly respect. I also went to Jamaica recently to work on a track with the Reggae/Dub/Pop/artist Garrison Hawk. That was very cool.

Stoli: Where can all the Stacie Rose fans go to buy a copy of ‘Shotgun Daisy?’

Stacie: One of the Sites listed above like Amazon.com or ITUNES, or they can contact my label directly at info@enchantedrecords.com

Stoli: What can we look forward to from Stacie Rose for the rest of 2008?

Stacie: World Domination!!

www.stacierose.com
www.myspace/stacierose

JIMMY IOVINE HAS HIGH HOPES FOR SWITCHES

Interscope Records artist Switches released their debut album Lay Down The Law on March 18th and will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight April 10th!

Video stream of “Drama Queen”:
WATCH HERE!

Audio stream to the first single, “Lay Down The Law”:
LISTEN HERE!

“Well, the idea was a band, but we’re really a neurotic bunch of obsessive compulsive weirdo’s,” Switches singer Matt Bishop says.

The neurotic obsessive-compulsive weirdo’s, pulled through impressively and way fantastically, and on March 18, 2008 Switches released their debut album, Lay Down The Law, produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith) on Interscope.

Strangely, Switches, who now all live in London, came together naturally and easily. Matt grew up in Southend (a low-rent seaside town, something like the old Asbury Park neighbourhood) and formed the band while at college: he just sent a group email and chose the people whose responses he liked best. Even if they didn’t like the same music.

http://www.switchesmusic.net
http://www.switches.imeem.com
http://www.myspace.com/weareswitches

NIK FREITAS READY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM - SUN DOWN

Photo: Ryan Krauter

Nik Freitas’ Team Love debut Sun Down - equal parts wry, warm and sonorous - is the end product of several years of ups and downs. Freitas writes, plays, engineers and produces every note on his records. Not that he’s got a lot of expensive gear. A visit to his Poppy Peak studio/shed reveals that Nik is working low-budget minor miracles, The kind of miracles one receives via hundreds of hours on Craigslist. Sun Down will hit stores on May 8.

One listen to Sun Down and you know you’re hearing a certain hard-won grace.It all began several years ago for Freitas, when a co-worker sold him an antique piano that was “used by a street musician before the dawn of the Casio.” Nik taught himself how to play the thing, and it became the cornerstone of his three earlier records, Here’s Laughing at You, Heavy Mellow and Voicing the Hammers.

Sun Down is a succinct, concentrated record that will take the listener from Paul Simon’s Graceland to David Bowie’s Hunky Dory. Each song - each moment - is endowed with a striking mix of self-possession and gravity. There is no reaching, no going for the gold, just ten lovely four minute thesis statements.

Tour Dates:

Sat-Apr-26 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern - with David Dondero
Sun-Apr-27 Santa Cruz CA Crepe Place - with David Dondero
Mon-Apr-28 Merced, CA The Partisan -with David Dondero
Tue-Apr-29 Visalia, CA The Cellar Door - with David Dondero
Thu-May-01 Fresno, CA Tokyo Gardens - with David Dondero
Fri-May-02 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland - with David Dondero
Thu-May-15 San Diego, CA Concerts in the Park with Rilo Kiley
Sun-May-18 Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep with Rilo Kiley
Mon-May-19 Denver. CO Ogden Theatre with Rilo Kiley
Tue-May-20 Omaha, NE Slowdown with Rilo Kiley
Wed-May-21 Omaha, NE Slowdown with Rilo Kiley
Thu-May-22 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue with Rilo Kiley
Fri-May-23 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre with Rilo Kiley
Sat-May-24 Chicago, IL The Riviera with Rilo Kiley
Sun-May-25 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre with Rilo Kiley
Mon-May-26 Cleveland, OH House of Blues with Rilo Kiley
Wed-May-28 Toronto, ONT Pheonix Theatre with Rilo Kiley
Fri-May-30 Worcester, MA Palladium - with Rilo Kiley
Sat-May-31 Providence, RI Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel - with Rilo Kiley
Sun-Jun-01 Northampton. MA Calvin Theatre - with Rilo Kiley
Mon-Jun-02 New York, NY Terminal 5- with Rilo Kiley

http://www.myspace.com/nikfreitas

JON FOREMAN RELEASES SECOND HALF OF SOLO EP SERIES

Spring EP Digital Release March 25th, Spring & Summer Physical Release May 27th

Jon Foreman, frontman for the multi-platinum band, Switchfoot, continues his solo excursion into indie-folk with Spring and Summer, the second half in a series of seasonally-themed EPs. Spring will be available at all digital music stores on March 25th, and both Spring and Summer will be available digitally and physically on May 27th.

You can download “Your Love Is Strong”:
LISTEN HERE!

These releases step away from Foreman’s alt-rock roots, intimately reflecting his thoughts and feelings as an American troubadour. “Because of the autobiographical nature of these songs, they became a self portrait that was far too personal for a band to release,” says Foreman. “Tim, Chad and the rest of the band have been pushing me to get these types of songs out there for years. So I decided to let them go.”

The first EPs in the series, Fall and Winter, available now as a two-disc set, have been hailed by critics and fans alike. Performing Songwriter praised Jon’s “personal affinity for Dylan” and said “[his] weathered voice is a perfect tool for these melancholy tales.” HM Magazine proclaimed him “a man for all seasons” as well as a “talented wordsmith.”

With Spring and Summer, Jon leaves behind the chilly weather to step into the sun. From the first track, “March,” a decidedly buoyant mood is set with female backing vocals and twinkly glockenspiel over an oompah beat. “Baptize My Mind” uses expansive instrumentation, including brass fanfare and a woodwind solo, to capture the feeling of spring’s awakening. The ballad, “Your Love Is Strong,” starts off with an unassuming countdown that belies the power of the song that follows. In it, Jon’s voice soars above a vibrant cello and acoustic guitar accompaniment, eventually bringing the song to a crescendo of hope with a cascading chorus of voices.

These EPs are the debut releases from Switchfoot’s indie imprint, lowercase people records, in conjunction with EMI Music’s Credential Recordings. All four were produced by Jon Foreman with Grammy-nominated Charlie Peacock serving as the executive producer.

US Tour Dates
4/08: Indianapolis, IN @ U. of Indianapolis
4/11: Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
4/12: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
4/16: Iowa City, IA @ U. of IOWA
4/17: Poplar Bluff, MO @ Black River Coliseum
4/18: Montgomery, AL @ Troy State
4/19: Hattiesburg, MS @ Reed Green Coliseum
4/20: Huntsville, AL @ Spraggins Hall
4/25: Ft. Myers, FL @ Germain Arena
4/26: West Palm Beach, FL @ Sound Advice
4/27: Charlottesville, VA @ Charlottesville Pavilion
5/01: Ocean City, NJ @ Ocean City Music Pier
5/02: Stamford, CT @ Palace Theatre
5/03: Piscataway, NJ @ Rutgers University
5/04: Rochester, NY @ Robert’s Wesleyan
5/10: Santa Clara, CA @ Paramounts Great America

KOCH RECORDS TO RELEASE NEW MIXTAPE BY LOUISIANA HIP HOP ARTIST MAX MINELLI

THE REMEDY HITS STORES ON MAY 13th, 2008

KOCH Records announces the release of a new mixtape by Southern hip hop star, Max Minelli. The Remedy will hit stores on May 13th, 2008.

The first single “U Gotta Luv Me Baby,” will be sent to radio shortly.   

Known for his strong lyrics and noticeable twang, Minelli, a Louisiana native, made a name for himself at an early age.  He recorded his first rap song at the age of ten, and at the age of 13 went on to join the group Concentration Camp. The group was signed to the hugely successful label No Limit Records, helmed by Master P, and sold over 100,000 albums.  Since then, Minelli has released several independent albums. Get Served, his fifth and latest album, sold over 10,000 copies independently.

On signing with KOCH Records, Minelli says, “I feel like they believe in me, like I believe in myself.”

KOCH Records General Manager Alan Grunblatt adds, “In the course of my career I’ve had tremendous success with artists from Louisiana such as B.G., Master P, and C-Murder.  I think Max Minelli could be the next in that line.”

The Remedy also features production by Happy Perez, who has worked with Master P, Young Bleed, Baby Bash, Chingo Bling, Lil’ Boosie, and many more, and will be producing most of the album. 

Additionally, a new studio album is slated for late 2008.

www.myspace.com/maxminelli
www.kochrecords.com          

JD, DEF JAM, & TAG BODY SPRAY FORM A LABEL

Jermaine Dupri and Island Def Jam Music Group Launch New Hip-Hop Label in Partnership with TAG Body Sprays

Groundbreaking Partnership Brings Unique Opportunity to Emerging Hip-Hop Talent

Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) and Procter & Gamble’s TAG brand announce the formation of a new hip-hop record label, TAG Records.  The new label will be led by hip-hop mogul Jermaine Dupri, who will act as president of the New York-based venture.  As president, Dupri will set the creative vision for the label and play an integral part in identifying and developing its musical talent. 

This is a milestone for the music industry as TAG Record’s artists will be supported with a multi-million dollar marketing effort that is unprecedented for any new artist, including television, print, radio, digital and event marketing.

“Today, we make history in the music industry with TAG Records,” said Jermaine Dupri, president of TAG Records.  “This label is going to provide new artists with a chance of a lifetime.  New artists will receive ten times the typical marketing support – a first in the industry.  I’m hand selecting and molding these artists to make history in hip hop.”

The launch of TAG Records is part of the TAG brand’s initiative to cultivate relationships with the urban community through the development of programs that provide opportunities for aspiring hip- hop talent.

“We’re very excited about our partnership with IDJ and the broad platform it provides for creating artistic opportunities within the urban community, said Alex Keith, general manager P&G Deodorants. “We’re confident the partnership will make a positive impact and bring opportunities to undiscovered urban creativity and vision.”

“This partnership marks an industry first.  This is a breakthrough model that will set the stage for innovative collaborations at Island Def Jam Music Group,” said Jeff Straughn, vice president of strategic marketing for Island Def Jam Music Group.  “This is a non-traditional approach that blends our most valuable assets: the artist and their music, with the power of brand marketing.”

TAG Record’s first artist will be officially announced in May.  The artist will be given a unique opportunity to merge their music with personal brand marketing. 

In addition to an album release, the TAG Brand will showcase TAG Record’s artist and Jermaine Dupri across various TAG brand advertising and marketing initiatives throughout 2008.

The TAG and Island Def Jam Music Group partnership was forged and managed by New York - based ACME Brand Content Company, TAG’s branded entertainment agency of record.

For more information on TAG Records and the announcement of its first artist, visit www.tagrecords.com.

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