Month: November 2009

BRIAN DOLZANI SELF-TITLED RELEASE FEBRUARY 2, 2010

With “a boy-next-door voice…” and an “approachable and slightly vulnerable” style (- New Haven Advocate), Fairfield alt/pop singer-songwriter Brian Dolzani has earned comparisons to genre luminary They Might Be Giants as well as comparisons to Colin Meloy, vocalist for The Decemberists. Brian Dolzani, his fifth release is available February 2, 2010 on his own indie…

AIR SUPPLY STEALS THE SCENE IN TV COMMERCIAL FOR DISNEY’S LATEST FILM ‘OLD DOGS’

Years after dominating the pop charts with their romantic perennials, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply are still making fans of all species fall in love. Released on the eve of Thanksgiving, Disney’s new movie “Old Dogs” with a star-studded cast including John Travolta, Robin Williams, Matt Dillon and Seth Green, features a…

DECEMBER 2009 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH”

    Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have got ten amazing musicians that will be speaking directly to the Skope readers. As always we encourage readers to dig deeper and check out their EPK’s.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB SIGN WITH GLASSNOTE RECORDS

GLASSNOTE RECORDS is proud to announce the newest band to join the independent label’s roster, Northern Ireland’s TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB. Releasing their debut overseas in February via Kitsuné/Co-Op, a North American release date for the album will be announced shortly. On the cusp of releasing a 7” single of the song “I Can Talk”…

STOLI HEADS TO NJ TO ROCK OUT WITH DOWNCAST THEORY

It was just so hard to get the wheels rolling after a long holiday weekend. I really need some authentic rock music to get me going. That is where the boys of Downcast Theory come in. These guys have been together since 2007 and have already released two CD’s and an LP independently. I found…

JUSTIN BIEBER BREAKS BILLBOARD RECORD

Nearly a half-year of the most intense fan frenzy ever witnessed for a new artist – focusing on his premiere quartet of Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits since July, “One Time,” “One Less Lonely Girl,” “Love Me,” and “Favorite Girl” – has resulted in an explosive # 6 Soundscan debut for RBMG -Teen Island…

NORAH JONES ANNOUNCES 2010 U.S. TOUR DATES

Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Norah Jones has announced U.S. tour dates in support of her critically-acclaimed new album The Fall, which was released by EMI’s Blue Note Records on November 17. The 36-city tour will kick off March 5, 2010. Please find all tour dates listed below. A select number of shows will…

GOREVETTE DROPS “LUSTFULLY YOURS” MP3 & VIDEO

With members of each woman’s bands in different cities, they originally conceived the idea of doing a punk cover band, playing their favorite songs from bands like the Buzzcocks and the Damned. That soon changed when Nikki brought her tune “Lustfully Yours” to the table.

BIZ TALK: BE A CONTENDER, NOT A PRETENDER

I was having with a local metal band concerning the importance of My Space hit numbers. I told them usually a download number over 100,000 will typically get an A&R’s attention pretty quickly. In fact the bigger the number the bigger the red flag. I told them – Usually a hit number over 1 million…

THE MESMERIZING SOUNDS OF BHADRA COLLECTIVE

Bhadra Collective consists of seasoned musicians who found each other because of a mutual interest in chant music. It is a collective of Toronto musicians representing a variety of cultures. We have members from African, First Nations Canadian, Palestinian, East Indian, Australian, and Eurpoean traditions.

SAVING ABEL ANNOUNCE PLANS TO CUT TOURING SHORT

Platinum certified rock band Saving Abel have announced they will be cutting the Class of 2009 tour short, removing the final week of dates from the group’s itinerary.   Saving Abel was forced to cancel three recent appearances in Michigan due to the hospitalization of front man Jared Weeks.   A nasty mix of diabetic…

SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: ALICIA KEYS “EMPIRE STATE OF MIND”

We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! ALICIA KEYS “EMPIRE STATE OF MIND”: SKOPE…

Paramore, brand new eyes

The last two years have been very life-changing for Franklin, Tennessee rockers Paramore, led by fiery-haired femme rocker Hayley Williams. Not only did they settle a permanent spot on the radio with the many singles that spawned from 2007’s Riot!, but holding the official single(“Decode”) for the hugest movie of 2008, Twilight, just made it…

Fun Fun Fun Festival 2009

More coverage from Austin… It is that time of year again folks. The air is crisp, the leaves are dying off in beautiful shades of fall, and some of the most entertaining musicians in the world are migrating to Austin Texas for the 4th Annual Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Austin City Limits 2009

Better late than never…. The beginning of fall this year was the perfect setting for ACL, which usually takes place at the end of summer. When you’re in Texas, its amazing the difference a few days make.

HALO GUITARS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS – 50% OFF!

Below is a list of all the Halo electric guitars and basses available to purchase online right now. Keep in mind Halo’s Black Friday Deals will sell out very quickly and supplies are limited, so be sure to get your order in before these items sell out!

REBELUTION ANNOUNCES WINTER 2010 TOUR

iTunes and Billboard chart topping group Rebelution announces their headlining Winter 2010 tour alongside acclaimed reggae artist SOJA and critically acclaimed hip-hop legends ZION-I.   Continuing with their constant touring schedule, which saw them play over 70 shows and a dozen festivals this year, with their most recent trek across the country selling out many…

MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, 2009

JOHN MAYER TOPS BILLBOARD ALBUM CHART John Mayer’s Battle Studies debuts at number one on the Billboard album chart, selling over 285-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.   Andrea Bocelli holds down number two for a second straight week with “My Christmas,” while Norah Jones bows at number three with Fall.   Casting Crowns’ new…

JUSTIN BIEBER REIGNS SUPREME WITH THE TOP NEW ARTIST DEBUT OF 2009

Nearly a half-year of the most intense fan frenzy ever witnessed for a new artist — focusing on his premiere quartet of Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits since July, “One Time,” “One Less Lonely Girl,” “Love Me,” and “Favorite Girl” — has resulted in an explosive # 6 Soundscan debut for Teen Island star…

THERESA ANDERSSON NEW VIDEO “BIRDS FLY AWAY”

At the end of a successful year for swedish songstress Theresa Andersson, she decided to make a video for single, “Birds Fly Away.” A single off of this year’s exhaulted release, Hummingbird, Go!, the video invites viewers to the energized streets of her hometown, New Orleans.  

The Wheat Pool, Hauntario

Sombre bands often get backed into a corner. Listeners often feel that their records are only worth being heard on rainy, hungover Sundays. Such is the case with The Wheat Pool and their sophomoric release, the appropriately titled Hauntario. But there’s more to this Western Canadian alt-country outfit than just chugging tales of lost loves…

The Slew, 100%

Admit it: the idea of legendary Canadian Kid Koala teaming up with bassist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett (The original rhythm section of Wolfmother) has you intrigued at the very least. Yet there’s the distincy possibility you’re salivating beyond control. But the intriguing combination that The Slew are, there is the possibility that 100%,…

SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: ARTHUR NASSON “Princess Chardonnay”

We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! ARTHUR NASSON “Princess Chardonnay”: SKOPE IT HERE!

Castanets, Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beasts

I first got turned onto the “Freak-folk” genre a few years ago, while touring through a dank little record store instead of attending University classes. Now, the record that turned me onto the movement has faded into obscurity. But I’m quite sure had it been Castanets, also known as the musical stylings of Raymond Raposa…

Shaky Deville, Self-Titled

Named after the classic ’76 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, Shaky Deville are revvin’ their engines loud on this one.   Lead singer and guitarist, Matt (M.S.B.) DeVille fittingly enough, actually owned this car thanks to his dad.   “Best car I’ve ever owned” are DeVille’s exact words, but will this album be the best thing…

Bottle Up & Go, These Bones EP

Haven’t we heard enough of blues-punk power duos? If anyone ever asks you that question, ask them if they’ve ever heard These Bones, the debut EP from Brooklyn’s Bottle Up & Go. Sure, whoever you’re engaged in a conversation with might insist that Bottle Up & Go are a two and a half piece band.…

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON SOUNDTRACK RISES ON BILLBOARD 200

“THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON–ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK” rises this week on the Billboard 200, ranking #8 and selling more than 93,000 units in its sixth week on sale. The soundtrack, which debuted in October, has also received RIAA platinum certification for sales exceeding 1 million units.   “THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON” soundtrack, which…

SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Obie Trice “I Am”

We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Obie Trice “I Am”: SKOPE IT HERE!

MAJOR LAZER NEW VIDEO “KEEP IT GOIN’ LOUDER”

Major Lazer have just released a new and hilariously awesome video for their latest single “Keep It Goin’ Louder.” The video features Ricky Blaze and Nina Sky and was directed by Eric Wareheim from Adult Swim and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. The song has a pumping rhythm and hypnotic hook that is…

KICKBEND SPREADING FAITH.HOPE.LOVE

KickBends’ album “Faith.Hope.Love” is an eclectic journey through the blues, soul, pop, rock, country, and folk.   From the vintage record intro of ‘Gone’ to the futuristic ending of ‘The beat goes on’, the album is a timeline of modern music. KickBend is Jim Barney – bass guitar, Luca DiNicola – acoustic guitar & vocals,…

MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, 2009

LADY GAGA & JOHN MAYER TOP ITUNES CHART Lady Gaga’s latest single “Bad Romance” is the most downloaded single on iTunes.   The tune held off “Tik Tok,” by Ke$ha and previous number one “Fireflies,” by Owl City.   Meanwhile John Mayer’s Battle Studies is the most downloaded album, followed by Justin Beiber’s debut My…

TOKIO HOTEL NEW SINGLE “WORLD BEHIND MY WALL”/ VIDEO

Tokio Hotel took home the award for Best Group earlier this month at MTV’s European Music Awards where they also gave an electrifying performance of “World Behind My Wall.”   This guitar-charged ballad is their new, official focus track in the US and follows “Automatic” as the second single off of Humanoid.     Listen…

LIFEHOUSE “HALFWAY GONE” MUSIC VIDEO

Lifehouse have just premiered their new music video for “Halfway Gone” on VH1. Watch as friends and fans “magically” appear for a day in the park with the band in the Frank Borin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Good Charlotte) directed clip. “Halfway Gone” is the first single from their upcoming album Smoke & Mirrors, to…