Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have chose a select group of 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.
My Pet Dragon
http://www.sonicbids.com/MyPetDragon
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Todd from MPD – I’m gonna celebrate as if the Giants just won the Superbowl.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
MPD – We are really excited about coming up to Boston’s Middle East Upstairs on Friday, Feb. 24 and playing with our good friends In Like Lions, an amazing Boston band. We are also really amped to play March 28th at Santos Party House in New York with another great NYC act Hank and Cupcakes. We also will be headlining the Breckenridge Beer Festival in Colorado on April 14th. MPD Tour Dates at www.mypetdragon.net
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
MPD: We are promoting our latest single Moonshine off of our current LP Mountains and Cities. Its being played on independent radio stations all around the country right now and it feels awesome to be getting tweets and emails from people hearing our song in other cities that love our music.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Todd of MPD: The other guys in the band have other jobs but make it all work with their schedules, but I would say that at this point Reena and I are working around the clock on tour dates, promo, and writing new songs. Its pretty much MPD all-day-everyday for us.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Todd of MPD: Its the best feeling in the world for me. I don’t get nervous but I get really excited, sometimes over-excited. New songs are the only thing that keeps it all interesting for me personally. I couldn’t care less about all the BS that goes on with music behind the scenes. I love to get high off something new musically. Its by far the best drug.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
MPD: We are playing shows all across the northeast for a couple of months and we’re also headed to SXSW for some shows too. We are also stopping into radio stations, playing live sets with interviews. Also, our song Love Anthem, will be featured on the Music for Occupy Compilation with Ani DiFranco, Mogwai, Thievery Corporation, Jackson Browne, Devo, Yo La Tengo, Yoko Ono, & more and is set for release this Spring. We are looking forward to playing everywhere we can, growing as a band, and working on new material. We’re on iTunes, Amazon, Facebook, Bandcamp, etc etc. Check us out at www.mypetdragon.net
Adam Gilbert
http://www.sonicbids.com/AdamGilbert
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Adam Gilbert: Get 4 bottles of Crystal, find the nearest zoo, party with the monkeys while watching a Knicks game, its going to be fierce.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Adam Gilbert: I will most likely do a CD release party at Centenary College in the spring. The date is not set yet. I do things backwards sometimes usually the CD release party is exactly when you release the CD. I felt I wanted the fans to get to know the tunes first so then when we have the party they can be more familiar with the songs.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Adam Gilbert: I am currently promoting the new album, A Generation of Forgotten Kings. It is available on itunes, amazon, cdbaby.com. Intertwined with intimate personal songs the CD focuses on core values of accountability, responsibility, love, grace and an outward way of thinking that benefits someone other than one’s self. “The title is inspired by the greed of those who lost focus of what’s important. The future is important, the next generation are the kings and queens of tomorrow, we must be role models who lead selflessly. My hope is that some of these songs impact people in this manner so we can grow in such character.”
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Adam Gilbert: I devote a ton of my time to music since it is my full time job. I usually teach on average 30 students a week, music direct at a church, music direct shows, produce, mix, finding new avenues to promote and market, line up shows, play shows, find song placements, write. It really never ends there is something always on the list.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time? Adam Gilbert: Sure of course, anytime your presenting something that is very personal it can be nerve racking. But I also get excited to hear people’s feedback and hopefully it’s good feedback.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Adam Gilbert: I’m working on writing new tunes for an EP. They are more like art songs but with a singer songwriter approach. I will probably keep it mostly acoustic with piano, string quartet, acoustic guitar, and a couple of other orchestral instruments to elaborate on the sound. The main thing is I want to keep it creative and get away from traditional song format. I have 5 tunes written already but will write more and take the best 5 or 6. I am also writing music for the band as well to keep that momentum going. You can find me on itunes and www.adamgilbertmusic.com those would be the top sites.
Amy McCarley
http://www.sonicbids.com/AmyMcCarley
Justin Levinson & The Valcours
www.sonicbids.com/justinlevinson
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Justin Levinson: We really appreciate the exposure from Skope! I’m going to take The Valcours out for appetizers and drinks at “The Farmhouse” in Burlington, Vermont. It’s one of our favorite spots in town.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Justin Levinson: We are really excited about our upcoming tour in March. We will be visiting New York City, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Burlington and LA. You can find all of our touring info at http://www.justinlevinson.com.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Justin Levinson: Our new record is called “This Side Of Me, This Side Of You.” The two singles are “Let You Go” feat. Will Dailey and “I Was So Wrong” feat. Liz Longley. We were excited to collaborate with such amazing artists. Both tunes have music videos available on the youtube links below. The March tour is in support of the new album.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Justin Levinson: I spend roughly 15-20hrs a week doing music related activities. Often times I find myself doing more work behind a computer screen than behind my piano. Currently I’m in full swing with a cyber pr campaign that I’m really enjoying. It’s nice to be able to interact with people in the industry and build authentic relationships. There are a lot of really good people out there promoting independent music..Skope being one of them!
During the day I work as a Community Inclusion Facilitator for folks with developmental disabilities. I run a television program called, “The Advocacy Team,” where my clients interview local celebrities and public figures in Vermont. I also edit a quarterly newsletter that focuses on advocacy and community inclusion for everyone. I love my job and the people I work with. I encourage everyone to see people for their abilities rather than their disabilities.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time? Justin Levinson: I still get nervous from time to time. Sometimes I fantasize about who might be in the crowd and put enormous pressure on myself. My good friend Rose Lucas told me, “You gotta rock for you.” So far it’s been my New Years resolution and it’s made all the difference. I feel so blessed that people buy my music and invite me into their homes, colleges and clubs. When it comes down to it I just love music. Ever heard Joni Mitchell sing her song, “For Free”? It really puts it all in perspective for me.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Justin Levinson: I’m not sure exactly what the plan after the tour is. We most likely will continue promoting the album until new material arises. You can find us at http://www.justinlevinson.com for updates. We’re also are on Last fm, Pandora, Sirius (Coffeehouse Station) and Muzak Radio. Check us out.
Dixon’s Violin
www.sonicbids.com/DixonsViolin
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Dixon: I am honored to have been selected! My life’s mission is to inspire people, and this is an opportunity to connect with new people that I would not otherwise have been able to myself. I feel very blessed to be on my path, and work hard at it. I recently heard this quote which really resonated with me: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Dixon: I am so excited about how this year is shaping up! In early March I will be performing at Luminaria – a very innovative 300,000-person contemporary art festival in San Antonio. In April, my Love and I are leading a Transformational retreat in Costa Rica. I’m still in negotiations with a number of major festivals, so I can’t spill the beans yet on some other exciting opportunities – keep an eye on my website (below)!
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Dixon: I very much focus on live performance. To my knowledge I am the only one in the world doing what I do, and it is very experiential. I do have CDs and videos, though it is so difficult to capture the energy – some things have to be experienced first hand. I am blessed to have shared some life-changing moments with people, and I am always looking for new opportunities to share live.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Dixon: Since musicians obviously enjoy making music, most people think that making music is just a form of recreation, something to be squeezed in between work or school. The reality is that being a musician is one of the hardest jobs you can ever have. Correction: the hardest SET of jobs. I act as my own booking agent (a half-time job by itself), my own promoter, marketing & social network manager, tour logistics manager, travel agent, accountant, recording engineer, video editor, and administrative assistant! “Full time” musicians actually have ten jobs and get paid very little. We do it anyway because there’s nothing that compares to those magic moments that can happen when you finally have a chance to share musical energy with people.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Dixon: Good timing – I’m about to try a new idea for the first time in front of an audience this weekend! I no longer get nervous about “making a mistake” (I’ve found there’s no such thing), but I get amped up and excited. I focus on the potential for inspiration. I can’t expect it, since you never know what’s actually going to happen, but I build my energy, carefully set my intention to share something deeply emotional, and let things unfold the way they will.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Dixon: I was honored to recently give a TED talk/performance and am excited for the video of it to be online soon! Meanwhile I am planning my 2012 travels and always keep my performance schedule up-to-date on my website (http://www.dixonsviolin.com) as well as on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/dixonsviolin). Thanks for connecting!
The Hitchhiker
www.sonicbids.com/TheHitchhiker
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
The Hitchhiker: First of all we are thrilled of being selected Skope A2W, this is such a special for us because we are currently unsigned with lable. We are very interested in a boost of marketing & promtions through Skope of our album and above all we very hope to be signed with any good indie rock lable that fits us well with our music in United States or in United Kingdon.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
The Hitchhiker: We are definately touring band but because of situation where we settled, it’s quite difficult for us giging in United States or other countries for now until we are being signed with propper lable and settle in United States.(and we are desperately looking for this). We will giging on coming saturday 2012.02.25.
We are currently working on our second double album which we expect to be release at year 2012. (hope this double album be release through lable) Also we are planning to giging in Rodin Gallery in front of Rodin’s masterpiece ‘Gate of Hell’ and this live act will be released in DVD.
We are currently quite moved with the official invitation of the film The Metamorphosis (music score by The Hitchhiker) from Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) which will be held in LA coming May 2012.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
The Hitchhiker: We are promoting the most via our debut album ‘Insatiable Curiousity’ (rleased 2011) of our music.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
The Hitchhiker: We always think of our music, we always try to be professional in music.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
The Hitchhiker: We don’t get nervous when we playing we rather want as many opportuninty as possible to gig in festival and be signed with propper lable so that we can settle in New York.
Skeletons in the Piano
www.sonicbids.com/SkeletonsinthePiano
MACEDO
www.sonicbids.com/MacedoMusic
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
MM: We will celebrate by writing more songs! This gives us an extra boost of inspiration so naturally if we feel encouraged we will be extra creative.
It’s easy to feel like no one is listening to your music since there are so many other musicians but this is definitely a sign we are doing the right thing! Thank you. oh! and we’ll party!
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
MM: Yes, we have an acoustic set coming up at the Trip in Santa Monica, we will be playing new songs for the first time in a year and it will be us, Michelle & Melissa, singing, on keys and violin and our brilliant cellist. It’s on April 1st!
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
MM: Right now we are promoting our current album “Flags & Boxes”. It is playing on non-commercial radio all across the country right now. We plan on taking that around for a national tour and fortunately we have been writing and working on a brand new album right now which will be different from anything we’ve ever done.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
MM: We are lucky enough to devote almost all of our time to music. We are able to do it full time. We have both graduated from school (thank god) and now have hit the ground running. Michelle (I) practice piano for an hour a day at least, guitar for another hour. Melissa practices violin for an hour today and we both sing together at least 30 min everyday. The rest of the day is spent on writing or publicity. We have a very strong work ethic so that helps.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
MM: YES! it is so scary! We NEVER know whether or not people will like it. We could think it’s great song but every audience is different. Some are more supportive than others.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
MM: We are doing tons of radio interviews and plan on playing an acoustic set in Austin, TX. The details are coming up but we are online at www.macedomusic.com and we have a brand new music video CAUGHT at www.youtube.com/macedoentertainment
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
aime: Well, by thanking you for featuring me, and since I’m writing this on a Friday afternoon my Fiance and I will be opening a bottle of red wine later and sharing the news online about the feature. Then we will be reading and checking out the rest of the artists featured in your publication. We love hearing about new artists and music.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
aime: I’ve been in the studio recording two albums worth of material for the last 3 years. I’m in the process of finding label distribution (getting very close to this!) but in the meantime I’m starting to slowly get back on the touring bandwagon. I just recently performed at Create:Fixate’s 10th Year Anniversary Show “I Art You” out in California http://www.createfixate.com/ and I’m looking to perform at this years Lightning In A Bottle out in California as well http://lightninginabottle.org/ and slip in as a dark horse to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival out in Tennessee http://www.bonnaroo.com. Arts and music festivals are my favorite type of shows. You’re surrounded not only by great art but by fans open to a music experience that is wider than what the confines a regular venue can provide.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
aime: As I mentioned I’m currently in the process of finding label distribution for my next album, but in the meantime I’m digitally re-releasing a remastered version of my first album released in 2007, titled “Place Your Hands Over Your Eyes”. I received such a great reception for the album when I first released it-radio appearances and performances and lots of airplay from college and internet radio stations. I figured doing this will be a great way to warm up for the next album. A sort of tiding up by going back and giving the album a new sheen it does not have because at the time I was still learning quite a bit about producing. After that I will be doing appearances at college radio stations and music festivals to promote it.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
aime: I have a day job but fortunately it allows me to have flexibility to go on gigs, and most importantly, spend tremendous amounts of time on composing and producing. I’d say if there is a week when I don’t spend at least 40 hours, then I feel I’m not spending enough time improving my craft and tendering my compositions. I firmly believe that a great composition requires passion and a great deal of attention to detail. For that to happen you need to commit a great deal of time.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
aime: It’s funny you ask that. I’ve been playing live for years but my first gig in 2012 was also the first in two years due to spending most of my time in the recording studio. In addition a great deal of the songs I played were also new songs I was performing for the very first time. So, to go from being a recluse in the studio to playing in front of hundreds of people that only a fraction of them are your friends was quite exhilarating both in a nervous and exciting kind of way. But I think the key to overcome being nervous about playing new songs is to make sure that any song that leaves the confines of the studio is strong enough to be played out there in the first place. Otherwise it’s not worth bothering playing the song in the first place.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
aime: Long term everything is up in the air until I find label distribution for the next album and the label and I decide how far and wide we’d like to promote out to but in the meantime I plan to stay fresh and play in a number of festivals well into the summer including the ones I already mentioned. I will be mostly in the West Coast playing at different venues and interviewing for college radio stations. Keep an eye out for the digital re-release of the first Aime album “Place Your Hands Over Your Eyes”. Updates on the album and live dates can be found on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aimespace. You can also find my music including some excellent remixes I’ve made for different artists like Radiohead, Beyonce, David Byrne and Brian Eno, Boards Of Canada, and Minus The Bear” at soundcloud at http://soundcloud.com/aimespace.
SICMAN of Virginia
www.sonicbids.com/SICMaNofVA
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
SICMaN of Virginia: Two words: Tupperware Party. Who’s in?
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
SICMaN of Virginia We’re preparing for the most important gig of our lives, Sico De Mayo at New Belmont House Of Smoke in the Ghent area of Norfolk, VA. We are in the process of auditioning Mariachi bands to perform with us. Other than that we just finished our Mini World Domination National Tour of the Region in which we performed at the legendary Poor House in Raleigh, NC.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
SICMaN of Virginia The thing we’re promoting most is our brand new album “Stale As It Ever Was”.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
SICMaN of Virginia Every waking moment, and some non-waking moments.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
SICMaN of Virginia Never, we always look forward to trying new things on stage. We don’t consider ourselves a “jamband” per se, but we definitely have a big improv element to our live show.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
SICMaN of Virginia We are currently planning another regional tour this summer, and we are beginning production of our next album. http://www.SICMaN.com
Shara
www.sonicbids.com/Shara2
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Shara: I am going to write a song about overcoming the rejection and finally seeing success. It’s going to be called “This is Me Now”. Seriously, there is a lot of rejection and a lot of pushing to get ahead in the music industry, and I am just excited for media interviews and reviews!
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Shara: I have been in the studio for the past 4 months, working on my debut EP. Shows will be coming up soon for the spring and summer!
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Shara: My debut EP “Born Tonight” is out Spring 2012 via D1 music and its a 5 song EP. There will be acoustic and pop versions of each of the 5 songs (two covers and three originals).
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Shara: I devote two nights a week in the studio and many hours each day to write, create, etc. I also own a makeup studio at The Pierre Hotel in NYC.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Shara: Of course! I get nervous playing for fans in general. You always want everyone to love you and there are a lot of doubters out there. But after the first minute, I am ready and raring to go!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Shara: “Born Tonight” out very soon!! Please support. You can find me on twitter.com/sharastrand or
www.sharastrand.com. Also www.facebook.com/officialsharastrand.
NOVA
www.sonicbids.com/novatribe
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
NOVA: I AM HONORED, it means to world to me and my NOVATRIBE family! I will PROBABLY celebrate by buying myself a new video game or something. HA! Maybe go back to Pittsburgh and throw a party wit my peoples!
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
NOVA: I have a TON of performances in the works right now, but this second I’m primarily focused on my new album “SUPERNOVA” that I’m about to release on June 11th this year.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
NOVA: Currently my record “Bang Wit It” is very important to me and it’s a GO! GO! GO! record. I want the world to embrace the vibrant vibe and then it’s the album “SUPERNOVA” that I am releasing absolutely FREE on June 11th, 2012.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
NOVA: I am out of school, I work at a radio station now. I’ve met Big Sean, J Cole, Snoop, you name it. My job IS music. I devote EASILY over 50+ hours a week on my music personally though, be it promotions or working on records, or keeping contacts, or trying to book shows, building original web content, collaborations, etc. Its my passion and love.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
NOVA: I don’t. Fans to me understand when dealing with NOVA that…..i MIGHT go left and do something new….i might do something you might be used to….i might sing….i might rap….i might do a mix. My fans are smart enough to know that the music I make is versatile and can go any direction. I just HOPE they love it, but end of the day it’s my therapy to make my music.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
NOVA: “SUPERNOVA” my new album will be available June 11th, 2012 at www.novatribe.com and look for me on youtube at
youtube.com/novavideoonline IT’S CULTURE CRAZY! You can find me on twitter also @iamnovatribe.
ZenElephant
www.sonicbids.com/ZenElephant
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Zen Elephant: Yep! We’re constantly on the road in Europe, for up to date gig listings please visit our website www.zenelephant.co.uk
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most?
Zen Elephant: We’re just about to release our new single “Good to be reminded?”. Later this year we’ll be recording our debut full length album in Germany!
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Zen Elephant: Zen Elephant is a full time job for most of us! But we do odd jobs on the side to keep cos we’re still broke…
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Zen Elephant: I can’t speak on behalf of the others, but personally i get more nervous playing a song that people know than one people haven’t heard before. It’s always exciting playing new material… my favourite song is always the last one we’ve written!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Zen Elephant: As i mentioned earlier, we’ll be recording our debut album later this year which is bloody exciting! And as always, we’ll be hitting the UK festival circuit hard as well as our first gigs at European festivals. To get the latest info on these dates please check our site regularly at www.zenelephant.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube and Myspace (which noone really cares about anymore – probably cos it’s owned by Justine Timbewlake).
Kelly Waters
www.sonicbids.com/KellyWaters
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February/March 2012?
Kelly Waters: I think I will have an enormous bottle of vodka!! Then tell everyone I know about Skope Mag.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Kelly Waters: I have just played Arlene’s Grocery NYC, and I am playing at Googies lounge on the 6th of April, but I’m working on more gigs for the rest of the year right now.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Kelly Waters: I am currently promoting a 5 Track EP ‘High & Dry’ that was produced by Glen Chapman of Twinjo Entertainment. We’ve been working on the tracks for a while and it’s my first real release on iTunes. Very exciting.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Kelly Waters: I work as a waitress in the city, and I sing my whole life away. At work, at home… wherever… but I definitely try to spend time everyday doing online work and promoting. And at least 3 times a week rehearsing.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Kelly Waters: Yes. I get nervous playing old songs for the 60 billionth time!! Lol. But seriously its always nerve wracking to see if a new song is received well.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Kelly Waters: I am working with a couple of people on getting more shows, not just in NYC but trying to branch out to more cities in the US. I’m from the UK so I definitely want to go back and do more shows over there too. I have my EP out on iTunes but I’m currently writing new stuff and feeling out where to go next musically. I have been lucky enough to be chosen to do a video with some wonderful guys in England (F-stop Academy and Hangman Studios) with a nice budget from Sony UK. So we’re hoping to shoot that in NYC around June. Should be a lot of fun.
I’m online at www.kellywatersmusic.com, www.youtube.com/kellywatersmusic, www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Waters/11054682326?ref=tn_tnmn
Poor Mans Poison
www.sonicbids.com/PoorMansPoison
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February?
Poor Man’s Poison: A good drink never hurts!
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Poor Man’s Poison: Shows to take note of: We will be playing at the UC Davis Annual Picnic Day Celebration on April 21st, Apple Store in San Francisco on May 4th, Avila Beach Farmers Market May 11th, The Seasons Performance Hall in Yakima on May 26th.The San Francisco Free Folk Festival June 10th, The Hotel Utah on June 10th. We kicked off our 2012 Tour by playing the historic Hanford Fox Theater and becoming the first local band to ever sell out the venue (1077 seats!). We were also fortunate to play at the ECO Lounge/Music Saves Lives events at The Sundance Film Festival and The Oscars. Additionally, we were nominated for “best acoustic/folk artist” for the 2012 Artist in Music Awards.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Poor Man’s Poison: We are hard at work promoting our two albums, Poor Man’s Poison and Friends With The enemy. We will soon release the live DVD / CD combo Live At The Fox.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Poor Man’s Poison: We all work and some of us attend school. We devote most of our free time to music because it is our lives. As the reach of our music expands, we try and balance the business side of things while still leaving time to collaborate creatively. We have been fortunate enough to have an amazing management team working with us to maintain the overwhelming demand. We owe them EVERYTHING!!!!!!
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Poor Man’s Poison: We don’t really feel nervous. It’s rare that we are surprised anymore actually.
We have played some of the oddest scenarios imaginable but that’s what makes this crazy journey so memorable. We live to play. We feel most at home on stage just doing what we love!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Poor Man’s Poison: We have a lot of things on the horizon and in the works. Most we can’t talk about yet, but it has already started out to be an incredible year for us. We can’t wait for our live album / DVD to release along with the new material we are working on for the third album. You can find us on any of the popular internet sites like iTunes, Facebook, Youtube, Rhapsody, Napster, Emusic, Amazon, Reverbnation, Twitter etc. Just google Poor Mans Poison!
The Exception
www.sonicbids.com/exceptionmusic
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February/March 2012?
Exception: I am definitely excited about this opportunity, so I will celebrate with my fans and release a free download to show my appreciation for the fans getting me to this point.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Exception: April 7th, I will be performing with a major artist to be named later at Spring Break in Lake Havasu City, AZ. I will also be performing live on The Real Radio Show in Long Island, NY on May 28th.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Exception: I am currently putting together a demo of some of my best songs from throughout my entire career to pass out for free on my upcoming college promotional tour in the Fall. I will be traveling to several major colleges across the eastern US to interact with fans and personally see that the word of my music gets spread. I also have 4 professional album releases on iTunes, Amazon, etc.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Exception: It?s sickening how much time I devote. I work and go to school, then come home and spend anywhere from 2-6 hours a day working on new music, promotional campaigns, etc. I don?t ever want to look back and think I could have done more to further my music career. I truly have a passion for it, and I definitely take every step necessary to give myself the best chance at success.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Exception: Definitely. Because, the funny thing about this business is that, some songs that you write, you think ?This song will be a hit.? And then it doesn?t get much reaction. But some songs that you don?t expect much reaction from, become major hits. So performing a new song is definitely exciting and nerve-racking because you never know what kind of response you will get.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Exception: I?m always adding new shows, radio features, and other exciting events to my schedule, but Spring Break in Lake Havasu, AZ is definitely a huge opportunity, as well as my features on The Real Radio Show in New York and on ArtistFirst Worldwide Radio. I?m really excited about these events and hope to add more major opportunities in the future. My music can be found on my website www.Theexceptionmusic.com, or Facebook at facebook.com/exceptionmusic and Twitter @Exceptionmusic.
The Potential Lunatics
www.sonicbids.com/ThePotentialLunaticsband
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February/March 2012?
The Potential Lunatics: Cake and candles and maybe party hats. Some pin-the-tail on the donkey, and we’re going to crack open a 1994 Apple Juice box from our cellar.
Also put it all over our social media sites, website, newsletter, word of mouth too.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
The Potential Lunatics: We’re playing with the Dollyrots March 30th at the Madhaus in Long Beach CA. It’s all ages, and a lot of cool bands are on the line up!
April 29th at diPizza’s in Long Beach, with Bonfire Madigan and Evan Greer
We’re also playing at the Smell in LA, May 12th w/ the Shondes (from Brooklyn) and of course we’ve got our tour!!
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
The Potential Lunatics: We’re headed up to Seattle from Southern CA, in May for our first tour! Hitting Olympia, Sacramento, San Fran, and Berkeley + other rad cities.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
The Potential Lunatics: A guestamation of 15 hours per week (probably more) We’re homeschooled so we do our work at home when we’re not doing band things.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
The Potential Lunatics: As if! We don’t really get nervous on stage that much anymore.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
The Potential Lunatics: We’re doin’ more shows, releasing an EP, starting to work on our second record, and tons of other big surprises hehehe
You can check out our website
www.thepotentiallunatics.com
also:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Potential-Lunatics/53492416944
http://www.myspace.com/thepotentiallunatics
http://www.reverbnation.com/thepotentiallunatics
http://www.youtube.com/thepotentiallunatics
http://www.twitter.com/tplband
Jensen
www.sonicbids.com/Jensen
Skope: How will you celebrate being Skope A2W for February/March 2012?
Jensen: I will celebrate with a 12 pack of Miller High Life and a box of Dutch Masters. And maybe some whiskey…definitely some whiskey.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up that we should take note of?
Jensen: Yes I’ll be doing a tour this June down the east coast and out to the mid-west.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Jensen: I just put out an EP called “Dear My Former Self” and I will be releasing another EP in late April/May. Im going to put out a new EP every few months until I can’t think of anymore songs.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Jensen: Music is what I do for a living and it’s what I’ve been doing for a living for the past 7 years or so. Whether it be with songwriting (I just wrote a song with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20) or with relentless gigging, as long as I can pay my rent with music then that’s all I need man.
Skope: Do you get nervous when playing new songs for fans for the first time?
Jensen: Haha no just the opposite. I always get wicked excited to play new shit for people, I like the instant feedback.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Jensen: I will be touring solo and with my band (Mission Hill) all spring and summer. I’ll be releasing another EP in late April/May. To be honest I don’t even know what Im doing tomorrow nevermind what Im doing in the next few months. But I do know that Im just gonna keep writing songs and playing live music until I die or get voted President.
Websites:
sonicbids.com/jensen
www.thisisjensen.com
Jensen: Thank you very much for the write up Skope, I’m pumped to be a Skope A2W. I heart you.
