Indie4Life

SANDRA JAMES SONGWRITING CONTEST

Sandra James was a poet, songwriter, singer, environmentalist as well as a noted humanitarian activist and she is being posthumously honored with a new songwriting contest. All details about this contest can be found at www.sandrajames.com. Songs should reflect the deceased artist's message and passions: positive changes involving children, music, peace and the environment. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2010. 

DAVID LYNCH DIRECTS VIDEO FOR AFGHAN-AMERICAN SINGER

Renowned filmmaker David Lynch has dusted off red velvet curtains from Twin Peaks' The Black Lodge for a new promo reel he directed and shot for Afghan-American singer Ariana Delawari. The promo debuted on Lynch's DLF.TV on Feb. 2nd. Dressed in an array of Old Hollywood costumes, LA-based Delawari sings snippets of a number of songs from her debut album, Lion of Panjshir, released by Lynch's own record label. 

GUITAR CENTER PRESENTS YOUR NEXT RECORD WITH SLASH

Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com) has announced Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record with Slash--an unsigned band competition that provides emerging artists the chance to win an opportunity to record a 3-song EP with legendary producer Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, Megadeth) and have Slash write, record and perform on the winning artists' single. Submissions are due by April 30, 2010 and bands across the United States are invited to send in their music. Visit www.yournextrecord.com for a chance to thrash with Slash. 

MC SEEKS NY CLUB REVIEWER

Music Connection is seeking a Club Reviewer in the New York City area to review one artist per month for upcoming issues of Music Connection magazine and musicconnection.com. Reviewer will set up, review and photograph artists and bands in live performance at prominent NYC clubs. Reviews are approx. 400 words each. Pay is $25 per review after publication. If interested, please send brief cover email and attach one or two music-related writing samples to markn@musicconnection.com. 

 

HAITI BENEFIT SATURDAY IN HERMOSA BEACH, CA

The historic Lighthouse (30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach) is hosting a full-day benefit on Jan. 30, for an orphanage in Haiti. The benefit will feature several South Bay cover bands, including former MC employee Mara (performing with her band Mara and the Big Rock Stars) as well as special guests to help raise money. The bands will cover music from classic rock to blues and families are welcome all day, so you can bring the kids and make a real difference for kids thousands of miles away. For more information or if you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, please visit www.childhope.org. 

ASCAP "I CREATE MUSIC" EXPO RETURNS, ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS

Music legends Quincy Jones, Bill Withers and chart-topper John Mayer will lead the list of speakers at the fifth annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO. The three-day EXPO will once again take place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 22-24 in Los Angeles, CA. The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is a leading conference for songwriters, composers and producers. It covers all genres of music and includes panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, One-on-One sessions, song critiquing, networking events, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances and more. For further information, and to register, please visit www.ascap.com/expo. 

 

Review: R U Willing - Contemporary Christian/Urban Gospel CD

"R U Willing" is like a rich caramel macchiato meets smooth silk chocolate pie while curled up in front of a roaring fireplace on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It just makes you feel good and uplifted! There are plenty of urban and smooth-jazz laced tracks that will make you ask, "Since when did Gospel start sounding that cool?" 

And there are surprise twists along the way like the dance and rock infused "Nothing Is Impossible" which is pumped with pure energy. And just to set the record straight that Anita has not departed too far from her roots, she includes an admirable nod to timeless gospel on the contemporary version of Mahalia Jackson's "He's My Light."  

Anita Myles was named a finalist in the 2007 Independent Music Awards and wrote 9 of the 10 songs on her project. This prolific singer/songwriter is not afraid to explore emotions and moods or to depart from the norm and explore a new path in her genre. She and husband, Y'dell Myles, served as executive producers while teaming up with Bill Moss, Jr. from Detroit to produce a gem of a debut CD, "R U Willing."

Blair Lott Band

Blair Lott Band

Music Promotion via MusicSubmit.com

Webpage: http://www.blairlott.com

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Description: A curious cross sonically between Led Zeppelin, U2, The Church and Husker Du, with a literary edge that compares to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Jeff Buckley. Fantastic.

Biography: The deep, expressive singing voice of Augusta, Georgia’s own Blair Lott has long been a familiar sound to music fans in the Southeast. Now Blair has teamed with some of Atlanta's most creative musicians to create a new EP, Midnight (Set for Tea) Management: Sarah Peters Sarah.Peters@blairlott.com

If you’re interested in interesting music try this one out of Atlanta, Georgia called the Blair Lott Band. This new sextet is centered around the songwriting talents of longtime recording artist and Atlanta resident Blair Lott. Lott is known for his rich baritone and his brooding, literary songs that first appeared several years ago with the band Ruben Kincaid. Today, his songs take on new heights with a tapestry of swirling guitars and booming drums and bass. A curious cross sonically between Led Zeppelin, U2, The Church and Husker Du, with a literary edge that compares to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Jeff Buckley. Fantastic. The band features Eli Wendkos on Bass, Mark Evers on Guitar, Stacey Cargal on an un-worldly sounding Lap Steel, Ryan Taylor on Guitar and Keyboards, and Mitch Sosebee on Drums. The sense of ensemble is captivating and draws you into Lott’s unique world of songs. The CD is Midnight (Set for Tea), a 6 song work that bears a remarkable continuity. It is available for purchase online at Amazon.com, iTunes, Napster, etc. The songs can be previewed at www.myspace.com/blairlott. Enjoy.

COACHELLA FESTIVAL IN FULL EFFECT

Dates for the 2010 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival have been confirmed: Friday, April 16, Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18, 2010 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. Festival organizers initiated a pre-sale and layaway plan for those interested in planning their travel in advance of the lineup announcement. In addition, the 2010 Coachella will offer concert-goers expanded camping options including car, RV and traditional tent camping. For more information on festival tickets and camping options, please visit www.coachella.com.

ALAN PARSONS DEBUTS RECORDING VIDEOS ONLINE

You can't put a price on knowledge, and there are over 40 minutes of free HD video on the new Alan Parsons site www.artandscienceofsound.com for his Art & Science of Sound Recording project. Interviews, clips and one minute previews of the first six sections from this epic video series on recording are all pearls of wisdom from the man who began his career at Abbey Road with the Beatles, and who went on to engineer the Dark Side of the Moon before embarking on his own multi-platinum career as a producer and artist. For more information visit www.artandscienceofsound.com.