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Experimental Musician Billy Yfantis Releases Sci-Fi/Space Album “Entering the Solar System”

For Immediate Release

Experimental Musician Billy Yfantis Releases Sci-Fi/Space Album “Entering the Solar System”

9 Songs For The 9 Planets Of The Solar System and One track featuring original sounds from Mars! 

Athens, Greece – Experimental musician and author Billy Yfantis, releases the Sci-Fi/Space album entitled “Entering the Solar System”. The album features 9 instrumental tracks composed for the 9 planets of the Solar System, plus 1 track called “Landing” consisting of re-worked sounds that were originally recorded on the planet of Mars by NASA. The album was composed and recorded in Athens, Greece by Billy Yfantis who used a mix of virtual instruments and field recordings. Each track represents the sonic aesthetic perception of each planet while “Landing” is the re-editing of sounds created by InSight’s robotic arm as its camera scanned the surface of Mars.

The Solar System was formed 4.6 billion years ago from the collapse of an enormous interstellar cloud. The majority of the system’s mass consists of the Sun along with the other 8 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The whole scientific concept was a major influence for Billy Yfantis who is deep into Science since he is an active researcher of the University of West Attica. Billy commented on the new release: “Although my Ph.D. research is on a different field, Astronomy and Space have always been my passion. I believe that it was time to explore Space musically through the path of the virtual music technology.”

“Entering the Solar System” Tracklist:
1. Earth
2. Jupiter
3. Mars
4. Mercury
5. Neptune
6. Saturn
7. Sun
8. Uranus
9. Venus
10.  Landing

Listen to the new album here:  
Napster: https://at.napster.com/artist/billy-yfantis/album/entering-the-solar-system
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7AY7LQ27eJ37zidpbk68N8?si=Lt0-eJajQYq4fDyiIedrDQ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrNqKZOKdN-lJYufpqMWJA

Billy is already working on the creation of several promotional videos to visualize the Sci-Fi experience of the new album. In the meantime, check out a promotional video for the older track “Floating in Space” (The Noisy Whispers Compilation album) that was recently posted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYXic9xT1s

The new album features Space music with songs that vary from Film Music, Ambient, to Krautrock. The only way to understand the spirit of the album and visualize this interstellar exploration is to follow the instructions:
Grab your headphones!
Relax!
Tune in!
Enjoy an out of Space experience!

About Billy Yfantis
Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis holds 2 Master Degrees in Information Technology and is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of West Attica by conducting research on e-government. Billy has been working on music since the late 1990s by experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. Billy is playing digital keyboards, but prefers to express his artistic dream through the electronic sounds that come from unusual machines. He has experimented with the recording of vacuum cleaners, electric blenders and other strange sounds that have resulted in musical releases. Moreover, Billy has authored books on music, business and science while from times to times he speaks about the electronic governance at scientific conferences all over Europe.

Famous Quotes

Krautrock legend Harald Grosskopf (Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze, Cosmic Jokers): “I always like electronic music made by younger musicians who consequently follow their personal instinct, rather than trying to copy what’s already been made in the past, in the spirit of: Whenever you meet Buddha kill him. Keep on tracking Billy!”

Tom McLoughlin (Director of the movie “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives”): “I really dug his music!! VERY cool stuff!!” 

Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep): “I like the track ‘Waiting for the battle.’ Great riff. I can see this as soundtracks to Psycho – punk movies and the like.”

Steve Whitfield (Producer and engineer of The Cure, The Mission UK): “This music is crying out to be used in films but at the same time it’s great to just sit back listen and immerse yourself in them without any moving images and let your imagination run wild!”

Discography
1. Entering the Solar System (Full album, 2020)
2. The Noisy Whispers Compilation (Full album, 2019)
3. The Mysterious Trip (Digital single, 2018)
4. Dust Not Found (Digital single 2017)
5. Crossing The Line (Digital single 2016)
6. The Electric Blender Session (Digital single, 2016)
7. The Missing Link (Digital single, 2015)

Bibliography
1. Is Prog Rock Really Progressive? (2020)
2. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I (2019)
3. Metal Goes Science: The Academic Metal Bibliography (2017)
4. Disadvantaged Populations And Technology In Music (2017)
5. City Streets Of Europe (2017)
6. Punk Goes Science: The Academic Bibliography Of Punk (2015)
7. The Lost Lyrics (2013)
8. The Commercial Exploitation Of Color As A Consumer Stimulus (2013)
Find Books by Billy Yfantis here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vasileios-Yfantis/e/B00JNNL306/

Contact details: 
E-mail:  Byfantis@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billyyfantis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Cleopatra Records Unveils The Official Soundtrack To The Long-Awaited LYNYRD SKYNYRD Biopic, STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash

For Immediate Release

Cleopatra Records Unveils The Official Soundtrack To The Long-Awaited LYNYRD SKYNYRD Biopic, STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash

Los Angeles, CA – After a long legal battle that made national headlines, STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash, the full-length film that re-tells the story of the infamous 1977 plane crash that killed several members of Southern Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd, will finally see the light of day as it is released to video-on-demand services. In conjunction with the film’s release, the official soundtrack will be hitting digital music platforms as well as retail stores on June 26th. Comprised of both selections of the film’s orchestral score as well as original music inspired by the band, the Street Survivors soundtrack offers a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the historic significance of the events depicted in the film. Highlights include a superb rendition by blues rock legend Pat Travers of the classic J.J. Cale song “Call Me The Breeze,” which Skynyrd covered on their sophomore effort Second Helping (1974), as well as music performed by the sons of Skynyrd drummer, and survivor of the 1977 crash, Artimus Pyle. The soundtrack will be available on both CD and limited-edition vinyl in your choice of either blue or white!

Stream the single: https://orcd.co/pyletribe_black_creek

Pre-order the album: https://orcd.co/street_survivors

Track List:
1. Southern Feeling (Last Day) – Marshall Pyle
2. Wish – Lorenzo Green
3. Black Creek – PyleTribe
4. Curse – PyleTribe
5. Rattlesanke – PyleTribe
6. In Memory Of – Bryan Mabry & Chris Leuzinger
7. Street Survivor – Scott Raines
8. 6 Souls (Score)
9. Call Me The Breeze – Pat Travers
10. Last Flight (Score) [CD ONLY]
11. A Remembrance (Score) [CD ONLY]
12. Rescue (Score) [CD ONLY]

Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
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Los Angeles CA 90025
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“She Who Must Be Loved” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by AJ True Now Available

For Immediate Release

“She Who Must Be Loved” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by AJ True Now Available

Composer and musical director AJ True’s soundtrack to Erica Glynn’s film, “She Who Must Be Loved,” has been released digitally. The film offers an intimate portrayal of the director’s own mother, Freda Glynn: a vibrant and tenacious Kaytetye woman from central Australia. This film won “Best Documentary” at the 2019 Sydney Film Festival.

“She Who Must Be Loved” is a documentary that tells the epic life story of Alfreda Glynn – 78 year old Aboriginal woman, stills photographer, co-founder of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA), and Imparja TV, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, radical, pacifist, grumpy old woman, who in equal measure loves the limelight and total privacy.

ABOUT THE SCORE:

“For this film, Erica wanted a minimal, organic and-at times-haunting sounding score. The smaller budget allowed for a limited number of instruments, which was a good thing for a film like this. A dialogue heavy documentary, it was important that music stayed out of the way as much as possible. Each cue was approached first as a soundscape, with various keyboard and electric guitar elements added later as colour. I used lots of vintage keyboards, organs, synths, harmoniums and my 1916 upright Beale piano. Recorded mostly in my bedroom in September 2018.” – AJ True.

AJ True is an APRA Award nominated composer and musical director for film, TV, and theatre. One of Australia’s most versatile and experimental composers, his scores are organic and modern, blending traditional instrumentation with electronic elements and textures. AJ seeks to write music that serves the story and the vision of the director, this often results in minimal underscore that carries an emotional weight. He frequently collaborates with a team of highly experienced musicians and award winning personnel including; Liam Egan (sound design), and Dave Hammer (music mixer). His recent credits for screen composition include: “She Who Must Be Loved” (dir. Erica Glynn, 2019),
“Truth Be Told; Lest We Forget” (dir. Erica Glynn, 2018), “Jirga” (dir. Benjamin Gilmour, 2017), “Paramedico” (dir. Benjamin Gilmour, 2012).

In 2019, his debut feature film score for the Australian drama “Jirga” was nominated for “Best Music” at the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, and the coveted “Feature Film Score of the Year” at the 2019 APRA/AGSC Screen Music Awards.

“She Who Must Be Loved” – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by AJ True
Format: All digital platforms including band-camp released May 10, 2020.
Country: Australia
Genre: Stage and Screen, Instrumental, Experimental
Style: Soundtrack/Original Score
Duration: 24mins (9 tracks)

LEAD SINGLES:
“Elders of Kaytetye Country”
“Alice Springs Telegraph Station”
“Reflecting at Hatches Creek”
“Freda’s Theme”

PERSONNEL:
All tracks written, performed, engineered, and produced: AJ True at ‘The Cabin’, Wyong Creek, NSW, September 2018.
Mixed and Mastered: Dave Hammer, October 2018.
Album Design: HQ Covers, April 2020.
Film Sound Designer and Sound Mixer: Liam Egan
Film Music Mixer: Dave Hammer
Film Producer: Tanith Glynn-Maloney SINCE 1788 PRODUCTIONS
Film Writer/Director: Erica Glynn

FILM CREDITS:
SINCE1788 PRODUCTIONS WITH SCREEN AUSTRALIA AND NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TELEVISION AND THE ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL
“SHE WHO MUST BE LOVED” WITH FREDA GLYNN
EDITOR KAREN JOHNSON DOP KATHRYN MILLISS SOUND DESIGN LIAM EGAN COMPOSER A.J. TRUE
PRODUCER TANITH GLYNN-MALONEY WRITER/DIRECTOR ERICA GLYNN

To purchase:
https://music.apple.com/au/album/she-who-must-be-loved-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1513989858
https://open.spotify.com/album/4CE2rBfoTYA9NyCE9n1znE
ajtrue.bandcamp.com

For more information:
https://ajtrue.net
facebook.com/ajtrue

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Genesis Guitar Legend Anthony Phillips THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT Remastered & Expanded Digipak Edition To Be Released July 24, 2020

For Immediate Release

Genesis Guitar Legend Anthony Phillips THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT Remastered & Expanded Digipak Edition To Be Released July 24, 2020

• A NEW REMASTERED & EXPANDED EDITION OF THIS ALBUM OF A LIVE RADIO PERFORMANCE 
• WITH THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BONUS TRACKS
• FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK & NEW ESSAY BY JON DANN

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered and expanded edition of THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT by original Genesis guitarist and celebrated solo artist and composer ANTHONY PHILLIPS.

Originally released in May 1995, the album featured highlights of a live solo performance by Anthony which was recorded on March 21st 1993 as part of the Living Room Concert Series for the US Radio program Echoes, a daily program of contemporary instrumental music. The show was broadcast on 120 public radio stations in America on 25th June 1993.

For the performance Anthony selected a number of acoustic guitar and piano pieces for the performance, drawing mainly on tracks originally released on the albums The Geese and The Ghost, Private Parts and Pieces and A Catch at The Tables, along with two pieces from New England, the eighth volume in the Private Parts & Pieces series and a solo 12-string version of the first movement of a Guitar Quintet that he had composed in 1976, which had subsequently been scored with parts for strings and wind instruments; “Conversation Piece.”

Unavailable on CD for many years, THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT has been remastered and expanded to include three previously unreleased tracks recorded for the original broadcast, “Jaunty Roads,” “Let Us Now Make Love” and “Lucy: An Illusion.”

This Esoteric Recordings edition restores the original artwork and includes new liner notes by Anthony Phillips archivist Jon Dann.

TRACK LISTING

1. REAPER
2. WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS
3. HENRY: PORTRAITS FROM TUDOR TIMES
4. CONVERSATION PIECE
5. FLAMINGO
6. FIELD OF ETERNITY
7. SISTINE
8. LIGHTS ON THE HILL
9. LAST GOODBYES
10. COLLECTIONS
11. SLEEPFALL
BONUS TRACKS
12. JAUNTY ROADS
13. LET US NOW MAKE LOVE
14. LUCY: AN ILLUSION

Released July 24, 2020.


To purchase: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/anthony-phillips-the-living-room-concert-remastered-expanded-digipak-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Prog Ensemble Staring Into Nothing To Release Second Album “Love” With Guest Appearances By King Crimson’s Trey Gunn & Zappa’s Mike Keneally

For Immediate Release

Prog Ensemble Staring Into Nothing To Release Second Album “Love” With Guest Appearances By King Crimson’s Trey Gunn & Zappa’s Mike Keneally

Produced by Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, GWAR, Steve Morse, Bozzio/Levin/Stevens)

Southern California based Staring Into Nothing wields a foundation of melodic progressive rock to explore new musical and thematic terrain. Founders Steve Rogers (keys and vocals) and Kurt Barabas (bass, vocals and guitars) take a Steely Dan-esque approach to music creation, using the studio and a revolving cast of world class collaborators to create music that observes and scrutinizes the human experience.

Staring into Nothing’s latest album “Love” probes the multiplicity and evolution of romantic love. The album was produced and mixed by Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Steve Morse, Ulver) and features an awesome line up of collaborators including Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Santana, Ringo Starr) on drums, Victor Bisetti (Los Lobos) on percussion, Mike Keneally (Zappa, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani) on guitars, Trey Gunn (King Crimson, John Paul Jones) on Warr Guitar, Dave Nachmanoff (Al Stewart) on background vocals/acoustic guitar and Danny T. Levin (Iggy Pop, Twenty One Pilots, Vampire Weekend) on horns. With this album, Murphy and the band sought to refine the melodies and structure of the songs even further than the previous album and provide ample room for the various collaborators to bring their voices to the album. While the compositions by Rogers and Barabas make up the core of the music on “Love,” the music was completely transformed by all the collaborators. The creative process allowed everyone involved to mold its final sound and spirit, and created space for stunning contributions, most notably several remarkable solos by Keneally and Gunn.

Says Steve, “We were trying to explore the varieties of romantic experience from a mature perspective that recognizes its not all good and not all bad, but its all we have. In the end, the message is uplifting because over time love endures and transitions into something even more fulfilling when it becomes legacy and a common set of memories and values. We recorded this album differently than our first one. We worked more closely with the producer, Ronan Chris-Murphy, during the actual arrangement of the songs and benefited from his insights, ideas and contributions. Ronan also brought a commitment to making the best album we could by bringing top shelf musicians to the project like Mike Keneally, Trey Gunn, Gregg Bisonette and Dave Nachmanoff. Also most of this album was recorded in our own studio in Costa Mesa California.”

Watch the video for “Ashes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96M8D2DW4Gk

“It was a real pleasure to be involved with this project, working with the band and Ronan to find ways to tastefully enhance the impact of these beautifully melodic, emotionally charged songs. I found the songs inspired and inspiring, and I loved the experience of playing on the album.” – Mike Keneally

“Super day and a half of recording. I loved being in the room with these guys stretching out on these songs. Great to hear it all come together.” – Trey Gunn

“A project like this is really exciting as a producer. The band already had strong material with a lot of emotional depth before I got on board, so we had a lot of great raw material to work with. The fact that the band is just two guys, that are open to new ideas, meant we were able to have a lot of fun developing the material and bringing in the right players to explore those ideas. I very intentionally brought in guest musicians that are more known as artists in their own right than being session guys. I knew from working with all of them before, that if I gave them a platform to explore they would bring great things to the project. They did not disappoint. They all brought the musicality we were all hoping for, while enhancing the emotional aspects of Steve and Kurt’s compositions.” – Ronan Chris Murphy, Producer-Engineer (King Crimson, GWAR, Steve Morse, Bozzio/Levin/Stevens)

Staring Into Nothing have crafted their own sound, but their love of strong melody and virtuosic musicianship has drawn comparisons to artists such as Marillion, Porcupine Tree, Flying Colors, early Genesis, Pink Floyd and Rush. Bassist Kurt Barabas is a veteran of the progressive rock scene. He was a founding member of Magna Carta Records artist Under the Sun as well as Amaran’s Plight with Nick D’Virgilio (Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Spock’s Beard). Kurt was also a founding member of Roswell 6, who recorded the album “Terra Incognita” that accompanied a science fiction novel of the same name written by Kevin J. Anderson. “Terra Incognita” featured a who’s who of musicians, including James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Michael Sadler (Saga), John Payne (Asia), and David Ragsdale (Kansas).

Following the break-up of Under the Sun, Barabas starting wring new material with longtime Under the Sun fan Steve Rogers. The two found they had instant and synergistic creative chemistry and set to work creating a trilogy of concept albums that delve into the complex facets of the human experience.  They released their first album “Power” in 2017, which explores the many ways power is used to manipulate, control and subjugate people. It was produced and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Elton John) and features drumming by Matt Chamberlin (A Perfect Circle, David Bowie, John Mayer).

Here’s what the press has said about Staring into Nothing:

“Staring into Nothing melds the epic structure of prog rock with the tuneful moodiness of new wave.” – Huffington Post

“With, perhaps, a little further polish or fine-tuning, many of these songs wouldn’t be out of place on an album like Pink Floyd’s The Wall.” – The Big Takeover

“The nice blend of melody and atmosphere will please fans of prog classics like Rush and Yes, as well as modern titans like Steven Wilson and Opeth” – Alternative Nation

“…should appeal to anyone with an interest in prog rock and even casual fans of the genre could find things here to love about it.” – Sputnik Music 

“Staring Into Nothing is a trio from California who have a very modern prog sound. Musically, they remind me a bit of a mix of Steven Wilson and Roger Waters.” – Progressive Music Planet

“The Prog-Rock-esque powerhouse brings down the house with an eclectic and unique record that will blow your mind.” – Modern Mystery Blog

In support of their new album, Staring Into Nothing has budgeted four videos for the album and have completed the first two. They continue to work on the final two, but they got caught up in the virus lock-down that shut down the video shoots in March.

In closing Steve has this to impart, “That relationships matter even though they can be hard to maintain at times. Also that there is redemption for any of us who stray from the past. That redemption often comes to us through the people we love.”

To purchase Staring Into Nothing’s “Love”: 
https://staringintonothing.bandcamp.com/merch

For more information: https://www.staringintonothing.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Award-Winning Pop Singer-Songwriter Jann Klose Returns with New Single “Pilot Light”

For Immediate Release

Award-Winning Pop Singer-Songwriter Jann Klose Returns with New Single “Pilot Light”

Award-winning artist Jann Klose’s new single and music video “Pilot Light” has passed 1,000,000 views on YouTube. The video was shot during lockdown after the passing of Jann’s manager Gary Salzman from Covid-19 related illness. Jann asked his current NYC band members to tape themselves at home playing along to the track. A music video was quickly produced, edited and released early May and has since gone viral on YouTube.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/bk391xGhe7g

In a time when people are in search of comfort and hope, Jann Klose has created a pop rock song with a catchy melody, driving acoustic guitar and edgy, substantive sound. Produced by David Schoenwetter at his NYC home studio the song is moving, emotive and highlights Jann’s powerful vocal range.

Says Jann: “The song was written during a breakup but when we lost Gary and the song was scheduled to come out within days of his passing, I felt that the approach had to completely change. My NY team at Big Management and I decided to dedicate the song to Gary’s memory. Since everyone was on lockdown we scrapped an earlier version of the video and reshot it with self tapes from home.”

Most recently, Jann had two songs placed on movie soundtracks, including his hit duet “Love You the Most” with Alicia Madison in the movie “Married Young” (Amazon) and “Let Me Be Brave” in the film “One Little Finger” alongside contributions by Quincy Jones, Siedah Garrett and Julian Lennon. The music video for “Love You the Most” has since passed 1.5 million views and streams on YouTube and Spotify alone and was included in the coveted New Music Friday Spotify curated playlist.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/EV7V8BOPPzM

Jann comes off of a packed couple of years. In 2018 he released his 6th studio album, IN TANDEM (Gallo/Sheer/SONY) to rave reviews. Singles “Pour the Champagne” and “Take Me 2 Forever” charted in the Top 20 on several FM stations and Spotify curated lists, passing over a million streams. The album, recorded in Jann’s childhood home of Johannesburg, South Africa featured collaborations with Annie Haslam of Renaissance fame, SA star artist Karen Zoid, Peter Gabriel, Tim Buckley lyricist Larry Beckett and many more.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/CFJtr45WvyA

BACKGROUND: 

JANN KLOSE is an award-winning* pop singer-songwriter, who has released six albums and two EPs. Klose was raised in Kenya, South Africa, Germany and the United States. Jann is an ambassador for Desmond Tutu’s TutuDesk campaign and Brick by Brick Uganda. He is the singing voice of Tim Buckley in the movie “Greetings from Tim Buckley” (Universal). His songs have been heard on the Grammy® nominated “Healthy Food For Thought” compilation, charted in the Billboard Top 10 compilation “Action Moves People United” as well as MTV Cribs and movies “Dead Broke” (Warner Bros) featuring Paul Sorvino. He has performed as an actor and singer in touring companies of Broadway musicals, including “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” and “The Who’s Tommy” as well as made for TV movies, voice overs and commercials.

Jann tours year round in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia and has opened for and collaborated with a wide range of artists including Pat Benatar, John Oates of Hall and Oates, Suzanne Vega, The Yardbirds and founder Jim McCarty, Rosanne Cash, Paula Cole, Brett Dennen, Shekhinah, Amanda Black, Carrie Newcomer, Ann Hampton Callaway and sister Liz Callaway, The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn, Gary Lucas, Jeffrey Gaines, Elliott Murphy, Rusted Root, Pete Seeger and Les Paul.

*Recipient of 4 Independent Music Awards, Grammy® nomination “Healthy Food For Thought” compilation.

For more information:
jannklose.com
facebook.com/jannklose
instagram.com/jannklose
twitter.com/jannkloseband
youtube.com/jannklose

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Todd Rundgren To Launch Live Virtual Television Series “The Todd’s Honest Truth”

For Immediate Release

Todd Rundgren To Launch Live Virtual Television Series “The Todd’s Honest Truth” 

Todd Rundgren, dubbed “Rock’s Renaissance Man” in 1972 by Rolling Stone, will be premiering his bi-weekly live interactive virtual television series “The Todd’s Honest Truth” on his 72nd birthday, June 22, 2020 at 6pm PDT/9PM EDT. A new episode will then go live every other Friday beginning July 3 in the same time slot.

Famously outspoken and opinionated (he was among one of Bill Maher’s most frequent guests on the original “Politically Incorrect”), Rundgren will host the show live from his Kauai property, interlaced with his throwing to pre-recorded packages shot in front of a green screen to provide mood-appropriate settings (a recurring segment dubbed “The Word of Todd”, in which he will be waxing eloquent on any number of topics). He will also be answering audience questions in real time, there will be a live chat window open for viewers to interact, and Todd will encourage audience members to submit content which he will curate in between shows and select standouts for inclusion on upcoming episodes.

“Forty years ago I reserved a transponder on a satellite, hoping to broadcast to homes across the world. Apparently, that satellite got lost or blew up or something so a dream was put on hold… until now! And I don’t even have to leave my house!!!”, Rundgren explained.

The virtual box office to purchase tickets for “The Todd’s Honest Truth” episodes is open as of today: https://onlocationlive.com/category/honesttruth .

The series is being produced in partnership with Future Beat, the leading company producing VIP package experiences for concert tours — futurebeat.com. Todd’s longtime manager, Panacea Entertainment chairman Eric Gardner, is executive producing. In addition to an unlimited number of “general admission” tickets priced at $15 per episode (which includes access via VOD for anyone who missed a live stream), forty virtual one-on-one meet & greet packages will be available for $95 per episode, which will include shipping of an item of exclusive series-related merchandise.

In other news, Todd Rundgren and some well known guest artists are re-recording his 1973 anthem “Just One Victory” and giving it away for free to the Democratic National Committee for use by candidates throughout the US running for public office this fall. Participants include Joe Walsh and Paul Shaffer, along with Don Was, who is co-producing with Todd.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front Nazz, the quintessential ’60s psychedelic group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, Runt. But it was 1972’s seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him “Rock’s New Wunderkind.” It was followed by such landmark LPs as The Hermit of Mink Hollow and A Wizard, A True Star;  evergreen hit singles include “I Saw The Light,” “Hello It’s Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.”

Full bio and Producer Discography below.

photo credit: © Lynn Goldsmith

TODD RUNDGREN

A Wizard, A True Star. The title of Todd Rundgren’s 1973 solo album aptly sums up the contributions of this multi-faceted artist to state-of-the-art music. As a songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, and interactive artist (re-designated TR-i), Rundgren has made a lasting impact on both the form and content of popular music.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front The Nazz, the quintessential ’60s psychedelic group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, the legendary Runt. But it was 1972’s seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him “Rock’s New Wunderkind.” It was followed by such landmark LPs as The Hermit of Mink Hollow and the above mentioned A Wizard, A True Star, as well as such hit singles as “I Saw The Light,” “Hello It’s Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.”

In 1974, Todd formed Todd Rundgren’s Utopia (renamed and reconfigured in 1976 as Utopia), an entirely new approach to the concept of interactive musicianship, and embarked on an extensive round of touring and recording. Standout Utopia offerings included Oops! Wrong Planet, Adventures in Utopia, and Oblivion. Along the way, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia combined technical virtuosity and creative passion to create music that initially, for millions, defined the term “progressive rock,” and subsequently, as Utopia, the term “powerpop.”

Rundgren’s myriad production projects include albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Psychedelic Furs, Meat Loaf, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall And Oates. Rounding out his reputation as rock’s Renaissance Man, Rundgren composed all the music and lyrics for Joe Papp’s 1989 Off-Broadway production of Joe Orton’s Up Against It (the screenplay commissioned by The Beatles for what was meant to have been their third motion picture). He also has composed the music for the hit film Dumb and Dumber, as well as a number of television series, including Pee Wee’s Playhouse and Crime Story.

In 2009 Rundgren performed his iconic 1973 album A Wizard, A True Star in concert in its entirety for the first time ever, and several years later did the same with a double bill: Todd & Healing. He has toured with Ringo Starr as an erstwhile member of the AllStarr Band since 1989, and continues to perform with symphony orchestras both domestically and internationally. In 2018 he toured North America with original Utopians Kasim Sulton and Willie Wilcox for the first time in 33 years. His long-awaited autobiography The Individualist, was recently released; he’s currently in the second year of the world’s first hybrid concert/book tour highlighting music across his 50-plus year career.

In 2017 on successive weekends he was awarded honorary doctorates from both the Berklee School of Music and DePauw University.

In 1998 Todd debuted his new PatroNet technology which for the first time allowed fans of a musical artist to subscribe directly to the artist’s musical output via the Internet. This caps a long history of groundbreaking early multimedia “firsts,” including:

• 1978: The first interactive television concert, broadcast live over the Warner/QUBE system in Columbus, Ohio (the home audience chose each song in real time during the concert by voting via QUBE’s 2-way operating system).
• 1978: The first live nationally broadcast stereo radio rock concert (by microwave), linking 40 cities around the country.
• 1979: The opening of Utopia Video Studios, a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility. The first project produced by Todd there is Gustav Holst’s The Planets, commissioned by RCA Selecta Vision as the first demonstration software for their new videodisc format.
• 1980: Creation of the first color graphics tablet, which was licensed to Apple and commercially released as The Utopia Graphics Tablet.
• 1981: Time Heals, the first music video to utilize state-of-the-art compositing of live action and computer graphics (produced and directed by Todd), becomes the eighth video to be played during the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981.
• 1982: The first live national cablecast of a rock concert (on the USA Network), simulcast in stereo to over 120 radio stations.
• 1982: The first two commercially released music videos, one of which was nominated for the first-ever Grammy awarded for “Best Short Form Video” in 1983.
• 1992: The first commercially available music downloads via CompuServe.
• 1993: The release of No World Order, the world’s first interactive record album on CD-i.
• 1994: The release of The Individualist, the world’s first full-length Enhanced CD.
• 1994: The world’s first interactive concert tour.
• 1998: Launches PatroNet, the world’s first direct artist subscription service – predicts that someday “music will be sold by the pound.”
• 2016: The production of the world’s first full length concert shot with multiple Virtual Reality 360º cameras.

TODD RUNDGREN PRODUCTION DISCOGRAPHY

ARTIST ALBUM TITLE YEAR
The American Dream The American Dream 1969
Great Speckled Bird Great Speckled Bird 1969
The Band Stage Fright 1970
The Butterfield Blues Band Live 1970
The Butterfield Blues Band Sometimes I Feel Like Smiling 1971
Jericho Jericho 1971
Half Nelson Half Nelson 1971
James Cotton Blues Band Taking Care Of Business 1971
Jesse Winchester Third Down, 110 To Go 1972
Mark “Moogy” Klingman Moogy 1972
Badfinger Straight Up 1972
The New York Dolls The New York Dolls 1973
Grand Funk We’re An American Band 1973
Fanny Mother’s Pride 1973
Grand Funk Shinin’ On 1974
Felix Cavaliere Felix Cavaliere 1974
Daryl Hall & John Oates War Babies 1974
Hello People The Handsome Devils 1974
Hello People Brick 1975
Steve Hillage L 1976
Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell 1977
Mark “Moogy” Klingman Moogy II 1978
Tom Robinson Band TRB2 1979
Rick Derringer Guitars and Women 1979
The Tubes Remote Control 1979
Patti Smith Group Wave 1979
Shaun Cassidy Wasp 1980
New England Walking Wild 1981
Jim Steinman Bad For Good 1981
Psychedelic Furs Forever Now 1982
The Rubinoos Party of Two 1983
Cheap Trick Next Position Please 1983
Jules Shear Watch Dog 1983
Will Powers Dancing For Mental Health 1983
The Lords Of The New Church Live For Today 1983
Zerra Zerra I 1984
The Tubes Love Bomb 1985
What Is This What Is This 1985
XTC Skylarking 1986
Hunter Dreams Of Ordinary Men 1987
Bourgeois Tagg Yoyo 1987
The Pursuit Of Happiness Love Junk 1988
La Ppisch Karakuri House 1989
Jill Sobule Things Here Are Different 1990
Hiroshi Takano Cue 1990
The Pursuit Of Happiness One Sided Story 1990
Hiroshi Takano Awakening 1992
Paul Shaffer World’s Most Dangerous Party 1993
Splender Splender (Mar ’99 release) 1998
12 Rods Separation Anxiety 2000
Bad Religion The New America 2000
New York Dolls untitled 2009
Lindstrom untitled 2012
Tame Impala Elephant remix 2012
Nine Inch Nails All Time Low remix 2013
Andy Bull Baby I Am Nobody Now 2013

CONTACT: paul@panacea-ent.com (805) 491 9400

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Intelligent Music Project V “Life Motion” Featuring Members of Rainbow, Toto, Asia and River Hounds

For Immediate Release

Intelligent Music Project V “Life Motion” Featuring Members of Rainbow, Toto, Asia and River Hounds

Featuring Simon Phillips (Toto /Protocol), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), John Payne (Asia) and Richard Grisman (River Hounds)

In these interesting times, when life puts a forced pause on us, most of all we need to lift our spirits, to feel alive. “Life Motion” is the fifth studio album of “Intelligent Music Project.” And this time in the band led by Milen Vrabevski, MD (author and producer) there are big world names – the drummer and co-producer of the release Simon Phillips, as well as the vocalists John Payne (ex-Asia) and Richard Grisman (River Hounds). Ronnie Romero, a singer who became famous for joining Rainbow in 2015, made his debut in it. And when we add respected Bulgarian musicians to this stellar team, it becomes quite clear that high class is being pursued at IMP.

“Epidemic, crisis, contagion.” Not a day goes by without hearing these words for more than a month. Indeed, the current situation is a test for everyone, but it also brings some positives – such as the opportunity to spend more time on (rediscovering) art.

Milen Vrabevski, MD says: “I would like my children to grow up with the ideas I share in my albums, and instead of teaching them lectures about those ideas, I use the language of music, which is very universal and easy to understand.”

Legendary drummer Simon Phillips (Toto, Protocol, Mike Oldfield, The Who) gave two solos for the songs “Reflecting” and “Rising” on “Life Motion,” with music co-producers Dr. Vrabevski, Simon Phillips and Ivo Stefanov.

Read the recent interview with Milen Vrabevski, MD: https://bit.ly/2XIS3mA


Milen Vrabevski, MD

“An unexpected album that reminds of a mix of Alan Parsons Project, Christopher Cross, Toto and The Night Flight Orchestra.” – Music In Belgium

Watch the new video for the song “Every Time”:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/451542284956185/videos/180540773220643/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-YjbjWkOTg

Intelligent Music Project IV “Sorcery Inside” is another entirely Bulgarian music project of the creator of “Intelligent Music Project” – Milen Vrabevski, MD. It includes legendary musicians such as Simon Phillips (Toto), Carl Sentans (Nazareth), Richard Grisman (River Hounds), John Payne (ex-Asia) and Joseph Williams (Toto), who have left their incomparable handwriting on the 12 compositions by Milen Vrabevski, MD.

Simon Phillips participated in the recordings not only on drums, but also as a music co-producer, together with Milen and Ivo Stefanov. The recordings were made in the fall of 2018 at Brotheryn Studios, California, by Simon Phillips and Ernest Tibbs (drums and percussion), Jesse Siebenberg (guitars, vocals) and Dave Palmer (pianos).

“Indeed, the cast of the Intelligent Music Project resembles an ensemble of the elder statesmen of rock, featuring a collection of decorated artists like Toto drummer Simon Phillips and Asia lead vocalist John Payne. The evident talent of each individual member of the band shines through at various points during the album Throughout it all, the production stands out for its silky smoothness, stitching together each aspect of the band’s throwback sound with commendable dexterity. ‘Sorcery Inside’ clearly attempts to be a modern-day alternative rock album, at times trading the traditional electrical-guitar driven sound for more experimental substitutes.” – The Stanford Daily

The European tour of Intelligent Music Project and Milen Vrabevski, MD with the participation of Simon Phillips (Toto), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow) and Richard Grisman (River Hounds) started on February 21 from Bulgaria. The first concert of the tour was held in Varna, followed by Plovdiv and Sofia, and the tickets completely sold out. As part of Dr. Milen Vrabevski’s Intelligent Music Project, Phillips, Romero and Grisman presented their latest albums, “Sorcery Inside,” as well as the album “Life Motion.” The star trio were joined by some of the best Bulgarian musicians in the person of Stoyan Yankulov – Stundzhi, Biser Ivanov, Bobi Kosatkata, Ivo Stefanov, Ivaylo Zvezdomirov, Slavin Slavchev, Lina Nikol, Samuel Eftimov.

Intelligent Music Project’s first online concert: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2659255330960351

“Working on this project with Milen Vrabevski was so much fun and I find his enthusiasm for music is so uplifting.” – Simon Phillips

“The chemistry and magic is bound to happen when you have great players and great songs.” – John Payne

“Working with Milen was pretty exciting, he is a great professional and composer and I will be back for the next album for sure!” – Ronnie Romero

To purchase: 
https://intelligent-music.com/shop/ – general
https://intelligent-music.com/product/intelligent-music-project-v-life-motion/

More info about Intelligent Music Project:
Web: https://intelligent-music.com/
YouTube:  https://bit.ly/2Jr4w7K
Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/2w0XyDw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intelligentmusicproject/
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Legendary Alice Cooper Group Drummer Neal Smith To Release New Album of Retro Pop Songs “POP 85/95”

For Immediate Release

Legendary Alice Cooper Group Drummer Neal Smith To Release New Album of Retro Pop Songs “POP 85/95”

Legendary Alice Cooper Group drummer Neal Smith will be releasing a new album on June 1st, 2020. Neal’s new Retro Pop album is titled “POP 85/95” signifying the music style and time period in which Neal wrote these songs between 1985 and 1995.The songs and album concept are totally sexy and politically incorrect. Neal’s “POP 85/95” songs represent all aspects of relationships, falling in and out of love in a simpler bygone era before Coronavirus, politically correctness and the new world disorder.

With the onslaught of glam hair bands and heavily homogenized rock of the 1980’s, Neal Smith, Hall of Fame Drummer and founding member of the original Alice Cooper Group, was looking for a new direction for his songwriting. Inspired by another drummer, songwriter, singer Phil Collins, Neal turned from writing hard rock to a slicker, more pop rock songwriting style. In the late 1980’s he took four of his new songs into the studio and recorded them. One of the songs “Secret Eyes” helped land a recording deal with newly formed record company called Grudge Records. Along with Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper fame), Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult fame), Charlie Hune (Ted Nugent fame) and lead guitarist Jay Jesse Johnson (also known as “Triple J”), a new band called “Deadringer” was formed and signed by Grudge Records. Deadringer recorded an album in 1989 called “Electrocution Of The Heart” featuring the single “Secret Eyes.” The album and Deadringer were all short lived after Grudge Records quick demise. After Deadringer and well into the 1990’s, Neal continued writing songs with Jay Jesse Johnson (“Triple J”) in this pop rock style.

Decades later, well into the New Millennium, Neal was searching through his archives of music and found those songs that he composed and recorded with ‘Triple J” between the years of 1985 and 1995. Inspired by “Triple J’s” amazing lead guitar work, Neal polished the songs and brought them back to life with the help of two of his best friends, Peter Catucci (bass guitar of Killsmith) and Rick Tedesco (guitarist/engineer). Now, much to the excitement of his fans worldwide, Neal Smith’s “POP 85/95” is available digitally and on CD!

Hall of Fame Drummer/songwriter/singer Neal Smith on “POP 85/95” CD:
(founding member of the Alice Cooper Group)

In the 80’s and 90’s Rap, Hip Hop, Pop and even Rock music was being recorded with synthesized programmed drums. I understood that this was a new wave of recording percussion. But what I did not like was many of the synthesized drum tracks were being programmed by engineers and musicians who were not even drummers. Disappointed and inspired by that fact, I began a new phase of songwriting by programming synthesized drums on my recordings. The last eight songs on my new CD “POP 85/95” is a collection of songs I wrote from that era featuring synth drums I programmed myself.

To purchase:
http://nealsmithrocks.com/store
https://nealsmithpop8595.hearnow.com

For more information:
www.nealsmithrocks.com
http://nealsmithrocks.com/store
https://www.facebook.com/NealsmithRocks

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Nick D’Virgilio Releases New Video & Single “Money (That’s What I Want)” From Forthcoming Album “Invisible”

For Immediate Release

Nick D’Virgilio Releases New Video & Single “Money (That’s What I Want)” From Forthcoming Album Invisible

Album special guests include Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) / Paul Gilbert (Mr Big, Racer X) / Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) / Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) / Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) / Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings / Steve Hackett) / Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and more 

A distinctive cover version of “Money (That’s What I Want)” has been made available as the second single from Invisible, the forthcoming new solo album by the American drummer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nick D’Virgilio (NDV). The first ever hit on the Tamla Motown label in 1959 has seen notable covers in the past by the likes of The Beatles and The Flying Lizards, with NDV stating: “I’ve always liked this song, with the original version by Barrett Strong being my favorite. I wanted my take on it to be dark and brooding with a cinematic sound, so I came up with a way to build an end with chords that kept climbing until a nice climax, while parts for orchestra were arranged that built a great sound on top. One of my favorite parts of the song is when I’m whispering a bunch of slang terms for money. I sang the whole song like a person that is going a little crazy and that section was a perfect fit.”

In regard to how the song fits into the narrative flow of Invisible, he explains: “Lyrically, the words fit perfectly. The song comes at the point in the story where the protagonist has decided to leave his dead end job and venture out into the world to try and discover the meaning of his life. He wanders into a shop and sees the person behind the counter looking dishevelled and depressed, prompting him to ask ‘is everything OK? Why are you here? If it’s that bad, why don’t you go home?’ Those questions prompt the response that they need money. They are stuck in life’s trap just like him, and he swiftly realizes that he is not alone in feeling alone.”

Invisible is the second solo album by the California born but Indiana based NDV and comes almost two decades after his debut solo offering. He describes his new record as “a collection of songs that make up the story of a man who is unhappy with where his life has ended up. He finally decides to take the scary step of leaving everything behind so he can go and find the meaning of his life.” He continues: “Throughout my career I have been in many different places. Over time the word ‘invisible’ kept coming to mind and it got me thinking of people that truly have the hardest jobs in the world, or no job at all. The outliers. The ones we all take for granted. The ones we will never know but if they were not there then our lives would not be the nearly the same. Over time I amassed lyric and song ideas with the idea of writing a concept record on the subject.”

Keen to establish that “this is not your typical drummer record,” NDV states that “’Invisible’ is a rock album with various musical flavors thrown in because the songs were formed with the story in mind. A classical prelude that uses various themes from the whole piece sets the stage. From there comes a mellow ballad outlining the story and then it is on to the adventures of the central character. The main thing making this record did for me was to reaffirm my strong belief that we are all here for something. We all have a purpose.”

With the recording process split between the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (including full string and brass sections) and the world class Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Invisible boasts star turns from luminaries such as guitarists Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Steve Hackett), plus keyboard players Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Jem Godfrey (Frost*).

NDV’s debut solo album, Karma (2001), had appeared midway through his tenure with US progressive rock titans Spock’s Beard, with whom he started out as drummer upon their inception in the early 1990’s before taking on additional lead singer and live frontman duties in 2002 for four studio albums prior to his departure in 2011. At the time, this was partly in order to continue touring as drummer, singer and assistant bandleader with Cirque du Soleil, with whom he played over 1400 shows over a five year period until 2014. He has also been the drummer with the award winning UK band Big Big Train since 2007 and performed with world renowned acts such as Genesis (appearing on the Calling All Stations album) and Tears For Fears (with whom he toured for over a decade).

Upon ending his stint with Cirque du Soleil, NDV relocated to Fort Wayne to become the face of the drum division of world leading music technology and instrument retailer Sweetwater Sound, explaining that “it has exploded and I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people while building new lifelong relationships. I’ve also had the chance to play on so much great drum gear – it is Disneyland in that regard! Many of my old bands and music compatriots have been there to record or do workshops, which is icing on the cake.”

The release of Invisible now begins yet another fascinating chapter in NDV’s multi-faceted career, which he concludes “has taken many twists and turns. I have been able to live out some major musical fantasies, seeing some of the highest highs as well as some of the lowest lows. It has been a wild ride that is not over yet!”

A full biography of Nick D’Virgilio can be downloaded here: bit.ly/3cJvX9N

NICK D’VIRGILIO (NDV) : photography by Erick Anderson (eafoto)

Nick D’Virgilio’s Invisible will be released on June 26, 2020.

To purchase: 
www.nickdvirgilio.com/shop/
burningshed.com/store/english-electric-recordings/nick-dvirgilio_invisible_cd

For more information: nickdvirgilio.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com