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KRIS WARREN IS “BLOWING UP”

There is nothing Kris Warren won’t turn his hand to when it comes to spreading the word about himself and the projects which he is involved with. Not only is Kris a bourgeoning music star, he is quite happy to turn his hand to acting so don’t be surprised if you see him on the silver screen at the Austin Film Festival this year when he appears in Swill, ‘a film about a cop, a Priest and a liquor store.’ Driven by his ability to create music from whatever he is feeling, this Chicago based rising star has taken every step so far with purpose. From dropping out of college, which to some might seem ludicrous, Kris Warren has learned and grown from this path and is already ‘paying it forward’ by encouraging teens from the Chicago area to look beyond crime and street gangs for their path. Speaking to Skope, Kris gives us a bit of insight into his musical side but you can guarantee he will be back on the site very soon with more announcements of what he has going on in his challenging, yet extremely rewarding life. When you look back on your life, was there [...]

STEVE RYAN’S NEW ALBUM ‘BOUNDLESS MOMENTS’

Energetic is the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the opening track “Real Time” from Steve Ryans latest album “Boundless Moments”. Hearing an actual band is a refreshing change of pace for this writer, usually Singer/Songwriter types heavily rely on electronic arrangements to convey their lyrics and vocal abilities. Steve’s band is more than capable of crafting memorable songs that compliment his soaring vocals. Think Maroon 5 funkiness, Prince soul, Santana blues rock… you get the idea? Without further ado…Steve Ryan Skope: First off, congratulations on your last record making it to the top of the Amazon Charts. Can you tell us a little about that? Steve Ryan: That took me by suprise. I go into doing music for the love of it and don’t really think about the numbers. I have some loyal fans and it shows that they really appreciate the music enough to show support. Skope: Your new album “Boundless Moments”, what’s it about? Are your songs personal or more of a collection of stories? Steve Ryan: The songs are a mixture of personal and collection of stories. Although I’m inspirational, it comes from a place of a lot of pain and hurt. In fact, [...]

MAY 2013: MKM NOTES FROM THE SOUND TABLE

APPETIZER: As summer approaches, I impress upon you to stay abreast of what’s going on with my favorite people, like the Georgia Music Industry Association, where THE SONGWRITER comes first! We’re making some BIG THINGS happen, so log on and JOIN at www.gmia.org. My other favorite people include the ANYTHING BUT MONDAY girls. This hit group from London are the first women in the world to own a beer company – MIROSA BEER. MIROSA is a premium import strategically priced between Heineken and Corona, and has already been approved in major grocery store chains like PUBLIX and KROGERS. MAIN COURSE: As a unique and unprecedented marketing strategy, the girls are giving out private pre-IPO shares in their beer company to everyone who comes to their parties. They did it at the Buckhead End of the Millennium Mansion Party in December 2012, the Welcome to America Party in March 2013 and once again, on May 10th. The ANYTHING BUT MONDAY – MIROSA BEER COMPANY party was held on Friday, May 10th at the gorgeous Gallery Events Banquet Hall in partnership with You Stream Radio. My good friend, former Ruffhouse Records big-wig, Stephen Stone says, “This was one of the most amazing [...]

MAY 2013: TOKYO CALLING

One Ok Rock, usually written as ONE OK ROCK, is a major label Japanese rock band formed in 2005. The founding and current members, are Taka (vocals), Toru (guitar), Ryota (bass), and Tomoya (drums). The band originally had five members, but Alex, a 2nd guitar player was found guilty of groping a girl on the train, and was asked to leave the band. The group fuses various musical styles such as rock, heavy metal, pop, with melodic musicianship and expressive, often emotional and confessional lyrics. Although based in Japan, they write and sing songs using English lyrics. The band’s name, One Ok Rock, comes from “one o’clock”, which is the time that the band originally met for practice each Saturday. However, as the Japanese language has no L sound (causing foreign words with L to be pronounced with an R sound), they changed the “o’clock” to “o’crock” which was then separated to become “ok rock”. After forming, the band spent most of their time performing at live music venues and smaller festivals, rather than focusing on recording. Performing at locations all over the country, their fan base grew due to their energetic sound and live performances. Writing lyrics that express [...]

MUSIC MANAGERS, BOOKING AGENTS, CONTRACTS, & MUSIC ATTORNEYS

I. Music Industry Managers, Booking Agents, Music Attorneys - Over 240 Recommended Music Managers and Consultants - Over 80 Recommended Music Booking & Talent Agencies - Over 80 Recommended Music & Entertainment Attorneys “The Music Industry Management & Booking Directory is an investment that could pay off many thousand-fold financially…” ~ Ray Cavanaugh – Skope Magazine – Boston, MA Price: $11.95 (Regular $19.95) — Purchase URL: www.secure-ebook.com:80/ebook.jsp?book=MUSI-SFLV35-016 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guaranteed Printable e-Book Instant Download – PDF (Sale ends May 23, 2013) II. 10 Essential Music Business Contract Templates for Music Producers, Artists, Managers, Songwriters, Indies & Studios 1. Producer Declaration Contract Agreement 2. Songwriters Split-Sheet Agreement 3. Mechanical License Contract 4. Producer Royalty Agreement 5. Artist Producer Contract 6. Recording Studio Agreement 7. Payment Agreement 8. Producer Manager Agreement 9. Master Recording License 10. Co Publishing Agreement Contracts are editable in MS Word DOC format Instant Download Price: $19.95 — Purchase URL: http://www.secure-ebook.com/ebook.jsp?book=MUSI-PXWN06-319 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guaranteed Printable – Instant Download – MS Word .doc format http://www.secure-ebook.com/ebook.jsp?book=MUSI-PXWN06-319 III. The Music Powers Professional 4-Pack Want A Better Deal? – click below to Bundle & Save Go to: http://musicpowers.com/id228.html For more information, contact us at: www.musicpowers.com

JIMMY RAE QUESTIONS STOLEN IDENTITY ON ALL ACCOUNTS

Watch your back because here comes Stolen Identity stealing the show! SI is a trio of two female singers and one male vocalist with crazy good harmonies and one Popilicious sound. This UK-based group mixes Pop and Dance to make up one fun ‘n’ bouncy groove. Promoting their debut single “Entice You” due out this summer, Stolen Identity is hoping to explode on the scene. Get ready to meet Holly, Mikey & Nicci during this interrogation where we will get answers once and for all! J Rae: First I just gotta ask an off-the-wall question to start things up and that is whose identity did you steal and why did you do it??? Stolen Identity: That would be telling; for all you know it could be yours!!! J Rae: Okay, so now that we have got that unofficially squared away (as I immediately check my bank & credit card statements) what does the name Stolen Identity personally mean to each of you? Stolen Identity: Holly: There’s no personal meaning to it; it’s the name of our band and people really seem to like it and they remember it! Nicci: I just really like it as it sounds fun and pop [...]

JESSE SAUNDERS RELEASES “CHAMELEON”

Featured on the 3rd installment of Jesse Saunders’ OLD SKOOL NEW SKOOL compilation series is the DUB version of his new single CHAMELEON. The Originator is back again, this time to take you on a musical journey with his new single CHAMELEON! Herbie Hancock was the inspiration for this Jazz meets Funky booty shaking HOUSE MUSIC release. The DUB brings all the elements of a non-stop, sweat fest on the dancefloor together, while the BASEMENT MIX takes you back to the groove that started it all! Alessandro Otiz lends his hand to the Summer Mixes. Buy: http://traxsource.com/#/title/220992/chameleon Buy: http://www.beatport.com/#release/chameleon/1087006 Known as the “Originator” of House Music, Jesse Saunders wrote, produced, performed and mixed the world’s very 1st house record “ON and ON” on his upstart record label Jes Say Records out of Chicago in 1984. His previous single NOW THAT WE FOUND LOVE garnered major radio play and over 20,000 PLAYS on Sound CLoud! This one is destined to be even bigger! Broken Records: http://www.brokenrecords.us/news/chameleon-jesse-saunders.html SoundCloud Link: http://soundcloud.com/brokenrecords/sets/chameleon-jesse-saunders

ISRAEL: MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

“Shirim Bakikar” (Songs in the square) was held on Sunday, April 14, 2013 in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. Songs in The Square is the main ceremony of the Tel Aviv municipality to mark The State of Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8uWdencL3M With well over 10,000 people in attendance, the concert and ceremony included some of the biggest and best musicians Israel has to offer. The line up included: Idan Raichel, Moshe Peretz, Ethnix, Ivri Lider, Yehuda Poliker, Izhar Ashdot, Yardena Arazi, Yigal Bashan, and others, who sang in memory of Israel’s fallen. Between musical performers were speeches, by among others, the mayor of Tel Aviv… and videos played on screens next to the stage and around the square with pictures of the fallen, and interviews of their loved ones. Not your usual concert experience, there were no applause after the musicians performed, just lots of solemn reflection, along with lots of tears… including plenty by this reporter/photographer… Special thanks to the San Diego, CA based non-profit A Culture of Peace… as well as producer Ayelet Vardi, and Director Jack Maizel for making these pictures and this story possible Written by: Gary Jacobs [...]

THE WOES OF A TRAVELING BAND

The perception of a traveling band to someone who has never been in one, seems glamorous and adventurous. Truth is, it is rarely glamorous but often adventurous. The stories are endless, you have to live it to understand. However, I’m sure we have all been in this predicament at one point or another. The rain was relentless pounding on the streets like needles through a pin cushion. The temperature was dropping and our clunker decided it was not going to crank. Our hearts sank. It felt like we were stuck in a horror movie, looking at all our equipment and thinking of the show we needed to get it to; a sense of defeat fell over us like the rain spilling on the van’s windshield. Here we were, stuck in a dingy hotel room in the middle of no where, in a foreign country about 30 kilometers from our gig. We had no idea where we were or how to get to where we needed to be and time was running out. It was on all our minds, the work, time and energy that we put into getting to this point and playing this show was crucial for our musical [...]

FIDELIS NEW SINGLE “I COULD DO BETTER” DESTINED TO BE CLASSIC

Fidelis is an up and coming songwriter and singer with a flair for hooks with soul. Part neo-soul, pop, piano and even country blues, Fidelis’ single demonstrates that you don’t have to follow the rules to create something articulate and memorable. Skope: Tell us a little about your single “I Could Do Better”. Is it a personal story? Fidelis: On some level it is a personal story, you know as the name implies it’s about a relationship I had a while back, but I wrote the song quite a while ago just after the relationship ended. Skope: Who do you identify most with as an artist? What influences you to write? Fidelis: One of my favourite artist would be Neyo. I think he has great writing but I get inspiration everywhere, from real life situations to other artists such as Usher Frank Ocean, Neyo etc. Skope: Are you a musician as well as a singer? What instruments do you play? Fidelis: At the moment I only play the guitar but I’m in the process of learning the piano. Skope: Did you work with a producer or do you have a home studio setup? “I Could Do Better” MP3: http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ok1rglr264/could_do_better_3.mp3 Fidelis: [...]

SINGER SONGWRITER ALLIE FOX BUILDING HER OWN “IVORY TOWER”

Country music has recently managed to cross-over into the mainstream scene with great ease. Acts like Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson and Garth Brooks have proven this to be true. An independent artist from Michigan is paving a similar path for herself. Allie Fox was a hidden gem just waiting to be found. At the age of nine years old she took up the guitar and has not put it down since. When she turned eighteen she applied for a job at Music Today in Virginia. Working there became a spring board for her into the music industry. One of the best perks for working with Music Today was that Allie had the opportunity to be backstage with acts like Dave Matthews, Madonna, and Bonnaroo. Her plans were soon diverted after a close friend of hers died in a car accident. She quickly returned back to Michigan and began working for Magnolia Records and Entertainment. The owner happened to be close friends with Allie’s father who was also a musician. He played with a zydecco band that did national tours. The owner and her father mapped out a plan to set up a blues festival. She in turn joined them on [...]

WELCOME TO THE ZU

OnPlanetZu is creating a scene all their own in LA, delivering high energy dubstep mixed with punk and hiphop. With a new single “Speakers” out and gaining an onslaught of new fans daily, OnPlanetZu is one of those rare acts that you just can’t help but rock out to, tap your foot or raise a metal fist, with MC and songwriter Zu demanding you listen and turn it up. It’s like Run DMC for the A.D.D. generation, good times are going to be had, damnit, so you better get on board! We had the chance to get inside Zu’s brain for a moment and here’s what we learned so far… SKOPE: It was just a few short years ago that dubstep was an underground subgenre, now, it has pervaded into every aspect of our media and culture. It is mainstream America’s new punk rock. What is it that attracted you to dubstep and how did you incorporate it into a hiphop style? ONPLANETZU: I’M ORIGINALLY A HIP HOP HEAD. WHAT DREW ME TO DUBSTEP WAS THE BEATS. I WANTED TO TAKE THE BEATS AND INTENSIFY THE DANCE, NOT WATER IT DOWN, BECAUSE I WANTED TO KEEP THE PEOPLE DANCING AND [...]

A BRIEF HISTORY OF STRING INSTRUMENTS

How have string instruments developed over time, and what have been some of their key innovations? From the earliest lyres played thousands of years ago, to the influence of Middle Eastern music on instruments like the rebec, and through to the developments in electric guitars and violins in the 20th century, the following represents a brief history of how string instruments have developed over time, and what instruments acted as forerunners to what we use today. The earliest recorded string instruments were discovered to have been used in Ancient Mesopotamia in 2500 to 3000 BC – lyres were stringed instruments that had a wooden body and bows, and were held against the body. Lyres provided the basis for what we understand as the classical harp, and have been reproduced in the 20th century, with the originals stored in locations like the British Museum. During the medieval era, stringed and bowed instruments began to emerge around several designs; in the Middle East, the rebec used a half pear shape and three strings for vertical playing, and acted as an important precursor to the violin. The fiddle also originated during this period as a three to fivestring instrument with a larger body [...]

NEED A NEW/REVAMPED WEBSITE FOR FREE? (5/1/2014)

As a musician / band / artist, like any business, your website IS the window to you. Facebook, twitter etc is fine, but to be taken seriously in the music “business” you have to have a professional looking website. This of course can be costly and that’s why we love this fresh approach that web specialists DCI are offering. “For some years now we have taken a very different view on working with clients. We build 100% bespoke websites for FREE – yes you are seeing it right. We know it is really tough for upcoming bands / artists to lay out big money, so we don’t charge a penny upfront, we instead charge a minimal fee of $25 a month for the ongoing upkeep of the site, which means for that very small fee, you have a team of professionals looking after your online presence and if you think that it good, also know that the people running your site for you manage bands, work with labels and more, so you will also receive advice about your music, your career, social media, promotions, getting radio play and more – it’s like having your own personal music manager! Nothing upfront, [...]

Steve Ryan, Boundless Moments

Inverting a quote from a 19th -century poet, Georgia native Steve Ryan is a “dreamer of music, and maker of dreams.” Picking up the piano as a child, then guitar & singing as a teen, he now draws on inspiration that enters his brain while dreaming or in full consciousness. Boundless Moments is his...

The Black Clouds, Better Days

Formed in 2004, The Black Clouds of New Jersey have been pouring some Seattle-ish grunge on the Garden State. Their latest release, Better Days, is a rockin’ howl of discontent. The “Intro” offers a melancholy but melodic electric guitar riff with some distortion. “No Reason” starts out with this guttural bass line, then...

For fear of being too cliché, lets just agree to agree that fortuitousness often goes to those who see moments and seize them. Such was the case when songwriter Steve Ryan was stood up at a studio by an artist he was to be working with. Left with a block of studio time and...

Glen Naylor, “A Five O Clock Shadow”

Coming from the southern part of Australia, Glen Naylor has released “A Five O Clock Shadow,” a song about the universally tragic theme of war casualties. Naylor knows about this subject far better than most: her own husband is a disabled combat veteran. Additionally, her father and grandfather fought in World Wars I and...

Barbara Kiss, From Me To You

Barbara Kiss’ debut album on Roadhouse Records showcases a little something for everyone, especially in the pop and rock genres. Barbara is an upcoming artist from Hungary, which was surprising to me considering just how American the title track “Catch Me” sounds, like something Taylor Swift or Pink might record. “And You Are” jolted...

Canary Burton, Piano Music from Cape Cod

Drawing on her extensive background and jazz & classical influences, Cape Cod resident Canary Burton has released an album of piano music. Burton and her inspiration have traveled from Idaho to Wash. DC, before settling at the sandy tip of Cape Cod’s Wellfleet, where her melodies might summon the ghosts of shipwrecked whalers from...

Flow Zen, Assorted singles

California-based multi-musician Flow Zen is going it alone with five new solo tracks, spiking Dub Step with a range of elements from organic instrumentation to Hip-Hop facets, in what is an interesting experiment in electronic music. The drive behind the melding of genres is apparent on the bio page of his web site: “Genres...

Gatsby’s Green Light, Annalee

Social awareness and anecdotal storyline come together on Gatsby’s Green Light’s debut EP, Annalee. The six-track album is the forerunner to the larger forthcoming full-length, Forever Smile. The vein of the album follows title character, Annalee and a host of characters she meets that prep her for her dual role of “Mother Earth and...

My Secret Island, Evil Fire

I said I was going to get to the bottom of My Secret Island on the last review (http://www.skopemag.com/2012/09/16/my-secret-island-i-miss-the-day-maxi-single), but I have to say that I’m still working on that. Well, what I do have for you though is My Secret Island’s new single and video for “Evil Fire”. Made up of Mark Van...

AUTOMATIK EDEN, Self Titled

This is Automatik Eden’s latest self titled debut EP release released in 2013. 2 core members include: Multi-talented Members, David Crocco and Cela Scott Developed the Band While Working behind the Scenes with Top Acts from Eminem and Beck to Incubus Meet the Band: https://www.facebook.com/automatikeden Label: Music Connection Automatik Eden is one release that...

Jiggley Jones, No Spring Chicken

Music doesn’t have to be loud and insane in order to be awesome. The concept of rock is slowly changing and that’s the case in the sound of acts such as Jiggley Jones, where dirty is changed into clean, and noise disappears for something quite beautiful and inspiring. This can be found in “Baby...

The Como Brothers Band, Still Waters

They have already been helping and producing other artists without yet getting into the real big leagues. When a group does that, you can only expect awesomeness, and in the case of these two brothers, they’re no exception. When you look at these two guys, surely you may expect some cute boy band, some...

The Weekenders, Don’t Plan On

This might offend somebody, but sometimes the truth can hurt some people’s feelings; but here’s a group that could easily become the next big rock’n’roll band. “Yankee Easy Sugar” from The Weekender’s new album Don’t Plan On kicks off the record in a pretty interesting, powerful way. Their sound is almost like a combination...

Rick Devin, Old School 2: Rock Hits of the 60s & 70s

Throwback, Tribute, Compilation, Cover album… whatever you may call it; the premise of contemporary artists doing songs from ago will always be met with mixed reviews. Some revel in a modern-day, revamp version of a classic; purists feel some things need not be tampered with. I approach each (and all covers) from the standpoint...

Matthias Sturm, Luna Park

“Progressive Electro-eclectic” may be the most apt descriptor for Paris-based artist, Matthias Sturm’s latest outing. Laced with spots of modern day electronic psychedelica, Luna Park will indeed take listeners to the moon. Diverse instrumentation (live and generated), narrative style lyrical delivery and an eerie ethos to the tracks, makes this one far out and...

Artist: Chance Hayden – Album: Family Tree

Most would agree most popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound & image. There’s something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel...

Tryezz – Atmospheres (Art of the Scenic Groove)

Finding expression through both sonic and visual mediums, the artist known as Tryezz operates with the motto “always a student.” This is a good motto to live by, as people can always stand to attain further mastery in the art or craft they practice. Tryezz believes that “there’s always something to learn…always something new...

Bulletproof Snow, Punished for my Innocence (EP)

Bulletproof Snow is a 4 piece Rock band from of all places Detroit, Michigan. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the sad but true, reckless realm of musical expression. Their latest EP release “Punished for my Innocence” is an action packed collection of melodic rock that reveals all the a-typical conventions...

Riff Action Family – “Doors”

From the longstanding cultural bastion of Russia’s Saint Petersburg comes Riff Action Family, a band formed in 2009 when, like nihilist radicals of a bygone era, they met in a coffee shop. Instead of political subversion, however, they plotted to perpetrate a brooding alternative rock. Legend has it that the band’s first rehearsal was...

Armored Theory, Armored Theory (EP)

Review: In this overly saturated genera/market with a plethora of artists coming out of the woodwork, armed with nothing more than a PC, Microphone, a loud guitar and a crappy sounding CD – it’s nice to know there are a few bands that can still rock out These so-called artists I speak of manage...

Amie Penwell, Under City Lights

The first time I heard Amie Penwell was four years ago when I had the opportunity to review her record ‘King in a Temple’ for Skope Entertainment (http://www.skopemag.com/2009/02/20/amie-penwell-king-in-a-temple). I knew then that this talented artist had major potential and that she had a promising future ahead of her. Five years have passed since her...

The Diemakers, Detroit Recordings

Rife with Punk and Rock leanings, The Diemakers have released their new EP, Detroit Recordings with acclaimed engineer, Jim Diamond (White Stripes, The Sights). As of late the band has been in a state of flux with the addition of Sharon Harris, wife of founding member, Dominic Harris. Her presence brings a Punk vibe...

Richard Tyler Epperson, Falling Between The Stars

The multi-faceted approach is the best way to describe the new LP from Utah Indie Richard Tyler Epperson. Veins of radio-friendly Pop are there. Strange Electronica a la Radiohead is there. Melodic leanings are there. Five different record stores would all have this in different genres; and they’d all be right. It’s just that...

David J Caron, Thru Ever Ending Black

Ireland’s David J Caron, who has already garnered half-a-million combined YouTube views, has released a double-album consisting of 28 tracks. One minute into the track, “It Gathers,” the pace changes greatly, as this ass-whoopin’ guitar riff takes the forefront. The speaker is striving to divine some meaning in the skies: “Look up thru the...

David G. Cortes, Time Away EP

Mexican native and Houston resident David G. Cortes went from drums to guitar, to piano, and finally to bass. Having gained proficiency in these four instruments, he also acquired the tech savvy to record each, and then blend them into a vibrant medley for his EP Time Away. “And Then I Met You” has...

The Bullbuckers, When Push Comes To Shove

The island groove sounds of Reggae, Dancehall and Dub meet the American born sounds of Ska, Jazz brass and Big Band on The Bullbuckers debut album, When Push Comes To Shove. The album illustrates a diversity of instrumentation, style and songwriting in what plays out as simply fun, dancey, groovy tracks. Listen: http://open.spotify.com/artist/2frDbHyTof4YAedLRCF2qS “Otis”...

Aoede, Is Love A Fairy Tale?

After acclaim for her album, Skeletons of the Muse, San Fran singer/songwriter Aoede (pronounced “A-E-D) decided to tap her personal muse once more and parlay the tracks from the album into a tween fairy tale disc. She penned an accompanying script that tells the story of Aoede, the first muse of song from Ancient...

Didges Christ Superdrum, Alien Technology

True to its name, the title track to this album does indeed begin in otherworldly-sounding fashion. About a minute in, the tone changes, and it begins to sound like something you might hear in a commune of Nepalese monks – not quite otherworldly, but definitely not something you’re apt to hear at Madison Square...

Rog and Glenn releases new CD (Close the Club)

Roger Brandon and Glenn Hubbard (Rog and Glenn) just released their latest CD entitled Close the Club in 2013. This dynamic duo hails from North Carolina. This latest work is the result of a weekend improvisation session which we later edited and layered. It came from the idea of “wouldn’t it be funny if...

Truth Table, This Is Not A Casino

Hailing from NYC, Truth Table’s debut album demonstrates that you can be creative and still write a catchy song. TT’s winning combination of talent shines throughout this little altrock gem, carrying on tradition while forging ahead with...

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