News

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman today announced the ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO – the first and only national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing that is designed to bring together music creators with music industry professionals who want to work together to achieve greater success. The EXPO will take place April 20-22, 2006 at The Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Marilyn Bergman (“The Way We Were,” “The Windmills of Your Mind”) will be among some of the most accomplished songwriters, composers and producers in the world participating in the conference, along with Glen Ballard (“Man in the Mirror”, “The Space Between”), Stephen Bray (“Express Yourself,” “Into the Groove”), Bruce Broughton (Silverado, Warm Springs), Desmond Child (“Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Livin’ La Vida Loca”), Hal David (“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Close to You”), Mike Elizondo (“In Da Club,” “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”), Michael Giacchino (Lost, The Incredibles), James Newton Howard (Batman Begins, The Sixth Sense), Jimmy Jam (“No More Drama,” “That’s the Way Love Goes”), The Dust Brothers’ John King (Fight Club, “Where It’s At”), Johnny Mandel (“The Shadow of Your Smile,” “A Time For Love”), Rick Nowels (“The Game of Love,” “White Flag”), Rudy Perez (“Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti,” “Vivir Lo Nuestro”), Linda Perry (“Beautiful,” “Get the Party Started”), Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell), John Shanks (“Pieces of Me,” “Somebody Like You”), Jimmy Webb (“Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman”), Matthew Wilder (“Beautiful Disaster,” “Break My Stride”), and Paul Williams (“Rainy Days And Mondays,” “We’ve Only Just Begun”), with many more participants to be announced.

All songwriters, composers, producers, publishers and music industry professionals, regardless of affiliation, will benefit from this unique creative event, which will be presented in a stimulating format designed to facilitate personal interaction, education and networking. Programs will include, panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, mentoring, song critiquing, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and more. Detailed information, including early bird pricing and registration, can be found at www.ascap.com/expo.

“This is a must attend event for all serious music creators working to achieve greater success,” said Marilyn Bergman. “In keeping with the long tradition of ASCAP’s top songwriters and composers helping to nurture those starting out in the business, attendees will have the opportunity to hear music legends talk about their craft and the chance to interact with them in a variety of settings. They’ll walk away with the knowledge, tools and contacts to maximize their success and inspire their work.”

“ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization owned and governed by its music creator members, and the most trusted organization among songwriters and composers,” said Jimmy Jam. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the first conference focused exclusively on songwriting and composing.”

LCD Soundsystem, the New York outfit responsible for one of the year’s catchiest dance-floor numbers, “Daft Punk Is Playing in My House,” will hit the studio this December to record the follow-up to their self-titled spring 2005 debut.

Currently touring the U.S., frontman James Murphy says he’s aching to get back to work with production partner Tim Goldsworthy and start exploring the next offering’s one-word theme. “It’s ‘silver,'” he says of the concept, completely serious — although he won’t explain just yet. And in terms of process, Murphy wants to take a very specific approach: “I want to do it in layers, like I do remixes. I want to make the songs and put them aside, then remix them and throw things out and change it a lot.”

The album is due out in a year’s time, and Murphy says he’s already composed a number of the songs in his head — “all the parts and everything.” He plans to let those brain symphonies loose over the holiday period. “The stuff in your head is very vulnerable, so if I make a demo, the thing in my head would be erased and be replaced by this demo,” he explains — sounding a bit like Mozart in Amadeus. “I try to go from thought to getting in [the computer] as quickly as possible, and then I can listen to what it is.”

Although Murphy and Goldsworthy, as DFA Records, created an influential hybrid of punk and dance music, Murphy shrugs off the idea of a new release being radical. “Everybody who makes a record thinks they’re going to change the world when they finish it,” he says, laughing. “It doesn’t.”

LCD Soundsystem tour dates:

11/11: Nashville, City Hall
11/12: Atlanta, Earthlink Live
11/13: Asheville, NC, Orange Peel
11/14: Carrboro, NC, Cat’s Cradle
11/15: Baltimore, Sonar
11/16: Philadelphia, The Trocadero
11/18: Toronto, Kool Haus
11/19: Montreal, Society for Technological Arts
11/20: Boston, The Roxy
11/21: Atlantic City, NJ, House of Blues
11/23: New York, Nokia Theatre Times Square

Source rollingstone.com.

The fifth annual Austin City Limits Music Festival will rock Zilker Park on Sept. 15

MOFRO
Part storytellers and part musicians, JJ Grey and Daryl Hance emerge from North Florida’s Blackwater region as MOFRO, serving up sticky, soulful swamp stories of the not-so-typical oral tradition. MOFRO has single handedly made Redneck “chic,” exposing the label’s more appealing, and often overlooked, attributes; humble, grounded, connected, and oh so soulful. This annual new year’s event is always a treat for Jacksonville locals. MOFRO looks forward to bringing in the new year in the city that they love.

Friday, December 30th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Saturday, December 31st @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Freebird Live
200 North 1st Street, Jacksonville Beach
12/30 Tickets $18.00 and 12/31 Tickets $27.00 / 18 and over welcome
For more information please call 904-246-BIRD
www.mofro.net

RAILROAD EARTH
Using bluegrass tradition as a starting point, then exploring various musical idioms ranging from Celtic to Rock and Country to Folk, all infused with enduring lyrical storytelling and innate pop sensibilities, Railroad Earth has unearthed and delivered a truly original Americana sound. Right from their first shows in May 2001, word-of-mouth on Railroad Earth was instant and superlative, as evidenced by their rapidly growing and highly loyal fanbase. New Year’s Eve remains one of the band’s biggest nights of the year. This performance is not to be missed!

Friday, December 30th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Saturday, December 31st @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Theatre of the Living Arts
334 South Street, Philadelphia
Tickets are $20.00 except NYE tickets $35.00 adv $40.00 dos / All Ages Welcome
For more information please contact 215.922.2599
www.railroadearth.com

RICHIE HAVENS
Richie Havens’ live performance is as captivating as always; a passionate and inspiring display of timelessness and spirit. His concerts include music from Grace of the Sun as well as a broad selection of songs from his extensive repertoire. Richie Havens will bring the magic home with this very special performance serving First Night Montclair.

Saturday, December 31st @ 7:45pm and 8:50pm
First Night Montclair
205 Clairemont Avenue, Montclair
Tickets are $10.00 and $5.00 for 12 and under / All ages welcome
For more information please visit www.firstnightmontclair.org
www.richiehavens.com

STEVE KIMOCK
The Steve Kimock Band tours this fall in support of their long-anticipated studio album, Eudemonic. Together with 10-time Grammy winning drummer and composer Rodney Holmes, Eudemonic masterfully displays Kimock’s uncanny ability to balance passion and power with soaring grace. Like their studio work, the band’s live show is bold, inventive, and dynamic and as always, Kimock and Holmes have hand-picked a group of ace musicians, including Robert Walter (keyboards) and Reed Mathis (bass), for this very special New Year’s Eve event. Look for more special guests to be announced.

Wednesday, December 28th @ 9:00 PM (Doors at 8:00 PM)
Thursday, December 29th @ 9:00 PM (Doors at 8:00 PM)
Friday, December 30th @ 9:00 PM (Doors at 8:00 PM)
Saturday, December 31st @ 9:00 PM (Doors at 8:00 PM)
Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
Tickets are $25.00, except NYE $40 / 6 years or older welcome
Dinner tickets are $44.95, except NYE $59.95
For more information please contact the venue at 415-478-2277
www.kimock.com

THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT
The String Cheese Incident recently released their fifth studio album, One Step Closer, on SCI Fidelity Records. This New Year’s Eve The String Cheese Incident will join long-time San Francisco art/event promoters Anon Salon (the creators of “Burning Man Decompression” and the legendary “Sea of Dreams” NYE events) for one of the most over-the-top NYE events the West Coast has ever seen, complete with an incredible roster of live bands, DJ’s and dance collectives, performance troupes, cabaret and circus acts and art installations. All set within multiple thematic environments, this event promises something for people of every tribe.

These will be SCI’s last shows until Summer 2006. Performing each night will be The String Cheese Incident (full two-set shows on each night, stage time approx 9 PM), The Dresden Dolls, Yard Dogs Road Show, Lauren (Bassnectar), El Circo, Vau du Vire Society and much, much more to be announced.

“Sea of Dreams”
December 30th and 31st
Concourse Exhibition Center
8th and Brannon, San Francisco
Ages 18 and over welcome
Tickets on sale Wednesday, November 9 at 10 am MST at www.baselineticketing.com
www.stringcheeseincident.com

UMPHREY’S MCGEE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KELLER WILLIAMS
Umphrey’s McGee’s relentlessly inventive music has garnered them attention as one of today’s hottest young acts. The band’s second DVD release, Wrapped Around Chicago: New Year’s at the Riv, was recorded in their hometown on December 30 and 31, 2004 at the Riviera Theatre. The two disc set, which hit streets on October 18, 2005 (SCI Fidelity), offers almost four hours of performance and b-roll footage that captures just what the buzz is all about. Umphrey’s McGee will celebrate another great year on the road by rocking Chicago into next year. This time at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom.

One man band Keller Williams will open the shows. Using innovative looping technology and innate musical genius, Keller’s live solo performances pack more music on one stage than a full fledge rock ensemble might.

Friday, December 30th @ 6:30pm (Doors @ 5:00pm)
Saturday, December 31st @ 6:30pm (Doors @ 5:00pm)
The Aragon Ballroom
1106 West Lawrence Avenue and 4800 North, Chicago
Tickets are $30.00 except NYE $60.00 / Ages 18+ Welcome
For more information please contact 312.561.9500
www.umphreysmcgee.com
www.kellerwilliams.net

Galactic is proud to announce some very special shows they are planning in honor of their hometown of New Orleans. On December 31st the band returns to the Crescent City and to their surrogate home, the historic Tipitina’s Uptown, to celebrate what is sure to be one of the most emotional New Year’s Eve shows of their 10-year career. While a Galactic New Year’s show is always one of the band’s most anticipated annual events, this one in particular takes on special meaning as it marks the band’s first show in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina swept through the region. The band has been particularly affected by the tragedy, having not only been forced from their home, but also from their recently built studio. Galactic is proud to be the first high profile, national show to be held in Tipitina’s since the tragedy. This show will be in classic Galactic fashion with plenty of special guests and two sets of music, making it a must-see New Years event. A $3 surcharge will be included on all tickets sold to benefit the Tipitina’s Foundation which is dedicated to preserving the culture of New Orleans. For more information on this foundation, please visit tiptinas.com

On November 18th & 19th, Galactic’s “10-Year Invasion Fall Tour” tour will culminate with a pair of unique performances at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club. Dubbed “9:30 in New Orleans”, these tour-ending shows will be a New Orleans style party featuring improvisational collaborations, a multitude of special guests and covers of classic material. Legendary vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Neville will make special appearances with Galactic throughout both nights, as will The Stooges Brass Band, who will also open the night of the 18th with a traditional, celebratory NOLA brass band show. The following evening will begin with a special performance by Robert Walters, who will be joined by Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio of Galactic.

When Howard Stern escapes FM radio on December 16th for the uncensored world of Sirius Satellite Radio, New York loses more than its most famous shock jock — it also loses K-Rock, the last major station to regularly play new rock music. On January 3rd, former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth will take over Stern’s WXRK-FM morning show, and the station will switch to talk radio, leaving classic Q104.3 as New York’s last remaining commercial rock station.

K-Rock is just the latest casualty for rock radio. Listenership declined sixteen percent from 1998 to 2004, according to Arbitron, despite a slight resurgence for the first half of 2005. Major rock stations in Washington, D.C., Miami and Houston have folded in the past year and a half. In February, Philadelphia’s twelve-year-old modern-rock fixture Y100 switched to hip-hop, and in June, New York’s thirty-three-year-old oldies station WCBS-FM fired its veteran DJs and transformed into the new format, Jack, which plays a jukebox-style mix of pop and rock hits from the last three decades. “It’s like a slap in the face,” says Doug Podell, operations manager for Detroit rock station WRIF-FM. “Those stations were just so big, with so much rock history — and it was wiped out in a matter of moments.”

To read more visit rollingstone.com.

ThinkFilm has nabbed worldwide rights to “Awesome: I F***in’ Shot That,” a kaleidoscopic Beastie Boys concert documentary shot mainly by 50 fans on hand-held Hi8 cameras at New York’s Madison Square Garden, according to president and CEO Jeff Sackman.

The film was directed by Beasties rapper Adam “MCA” Yauch, using his favorite alter-ego, Nathaniel Hornblower. “Frantic” is the word Yauch used to describe the footage, which he assembled from material recorded Oct. 9, 2004, by fans, six Beasties friends using DV cameras and two high-quality tour video cameras offering bird’s-eye and long-distance views.

Yauch and Jon Doran produced the project via their Oscilloscope Films for about $1 million, which is likely to rise as music rights are cleared. The film has been submitted to Sundance in hopes that it can raise its profile on the festival circuit before a spring release.

“Pre-production was like three days,” said Yauch, who was inspired by logging on to message boards where his young fans posted. “Some kid put up video from his phone at eight frames a second,” he said, and that inspired his low-res video/high-quality audio vision. None of the 50 cameras was lost to fans, Yauch said, “but granted, we took their driver’s licenses.”

Source billboard.com.

Jamie Masefield and Doug Perkins have announced a special gig. On Thursday, Dec 1, the two will be performing an intimate acoustic show at the Cutting Room in Manhattan. The two artists have been playing together for 15 years, but this will be the first time they’ve brought it to NYC. Unlike the Jazz Mandolin Project, Masefield and Perkins will be playing their own versions of well known bluegrass and jazz tunes (everything from Bill Monroe to Django Reinhardt) as well as some originals.

Details:
Jamie Masefield and Doug Perkins
The Cutting Room, 19W 24th St. NYC. 212-691-1900
Thurs Dec 1, 10:00pm
$15
thecuttingroomnyc.com

Dinosaur Jr. – who has never before released a DVD – has finally announced plans to issue an official Dinosaur Jr. DVD release. This full length concert DVD, which will feature the band in its original line-up, will be filmed at New York’s legendary Irving Plaza on December 2-3, and at other shows along the band’s Fall Tour. The DVD will be directed by Gold In Berlin, which is run by Mascis’ own brother in-law, German filmmaker Phillip Virus. With unfettered access to this famously elusive band, fans can expect complete backstage access to Dinosaur Jr.’s recent reunion tour, one-on-one interviews, behind the scenes goings-on and a full set of performances of Dinosaur Jr. favorites. The DVD will be packed with bonus materials that any fan of the band – seasoned or brand new – will find thrilling and entertaining. Look for the DVD to be released during the first half of 2006.

Dinosaur Jr.’s current list of tour dates is as follows:

Tues November 29 Chicago, IL Metro
Wed November 30 Chicago, IL Metro
Thur December 1 Millvale, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre
Fri December 2 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sat December 3 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sun December 4 Cambridge, MA Middle East

Anti recording artist BLACKALICIOUS have announced the next leg of their national concert tour in support of their latest album The Craft. Balancing deep thought with visceral impact, The Craft features 15 new tracks and is the group