Hit Recording Artist Matt Brouwer Completes 18 City Fall Tour

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Black Shoe Records/Indie Extreme recording artist Matt Brouwer's latest CD, Where's Our Revolution, produced by Grammy award-winning producer, Michael Omartian, has already garnered rave reviews, radio airplay and concert dates across the USA and Canada, and it's not even been released in wide distribution yet! The promotional tour began in The Woodlands, TX on September 6th and ended November 12th in Nashville, TN with a total of over 38 concerts in front of more than 8500 people in 18 cities.

Brouwer has logged over 10,000 miles this Fall touring in Mississippi, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Colorado, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Tennessee. While out on the road, Brouwer did 14 live on-air radio interviews, performed on 3 TV shows and played live at the GMA Covenant Awards Show in Calgary, AB.

After a 2 week hiatus, Brouwer heads back out on his first 17 city Christmas Tour with concerts in Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Songs from Brouwer's A Merry Little Christmas EP will be featured during the upcoming tour interspersed throughout his growing catalogue of songs.

Brouwer has previously landed hits on the Billboard CCM records chart (I Shall Believe); CCM CHR chart (Water, Sanity); and the New Music Weekly Hot 100, AC, Indie AC, and Top 40 charts (Surrender). Where's Our Revolution, marks a huge step forward for Brouwer, being hailed by critics as an artistic and production triumph. The success of Beautiful Now, #1 on CRW Global AC chart and #1 on CanCon AC chart, points to a very successful run as the album is overflowing with a bevy of radio friendly pop singles.

"It's an honor working with Matt and his independent label, Black Shoe Records," said Indie Extreme CEO Kathy Douglas. "The Where's Our Revolution CD has been a result of several years of hard work and growth in Matt, both as a writer and musician. He is a unique individual with a clear yet gently confrontational message to his generation, one of love, hope and authenticity."

Brouwer's Where's Our Revolution is currently available in limited release throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as online, with a massive distribution deal in the works for 2009. For tour dates and the most up-to-date information on Matt Brouwer, visit http://www.mattbro.com, http://www.myspace.com/mattbrouwermusic or http://www.indieextrememusic.com/matt_brouwer

MusicDishTV: Amy Speace - Weight Of The World

Amy just released her first fully produced music video for her song Weight of the World. The video features soldiers from Airforce and Army units of the New York National Guard from Beacon area bases. This version of the song will be included on the upcoming Wildflower Records compilation "Got To Get A Message To You," to be released Jan 13 2009 (www.myspace.com/gottogetamessagetoyou). An acoustic version will be included on Amy's new CD "The Killer in Me", to be released on the same date. www.amyspeace.com

"Directed by Tom Moore, the music video for Amy Speace's "Weight of the World" is, in a word, compelling. Amy sings a tragic, true tale of the deployment of a soldier to Iraq in an absolutely powerful song. The video features real soldiers who give the song an even more personal touch. This video has the ability to evoke strong feelings about the War on Iraq and war in general. An absolute must-see." - Eric Hartline, MusicDishTV

MusicDishTV is more than an online video channel; it is the place to find out what's happening in the music world and hear brilliant new talent before they hit the radio airwaves. Artists & bands can submit their videos at http://tv.musicdish.net.

The Myth Of America Becomes America

POP CULTURE IS US: It Makes Us As Smart As It Makes Us Stupid And It Gave Us Election 2008. (At Least) Three Thoughts About The Election Of Barack Obama.

by Polar Levine for Yankin' The Food Chain, Polarity1.com

I feel pretty. I feel so cute. Cuddly-wuddly. Pristine. A baby's butt. I feel patriotic and it feels good to feel patriotic. Not a flag in the house and I don't care if we're USA-Number-One or USA-Number-Ten-With-a-Bullet. I'm just proud to be an American and that's realer than stuff.

What's more solidly amazing than the fact that Americans voted in record numbers to elect an African-American president is that, in the end, it made no difference what his ethnic or racial background was. It was almost a mundaneity. The man was perceived as the best for the job and so he was given the job. Common sense. What's all the fuss about?

A few years ago on a trip to São Paulo I spoke to a group of people, employing my very sloppy Portuguese, about 9/11 and how I co-founded a kids samba school in the neighborhood where the towers fell. During that trip I felt very self-conscious about being an American, realizing how rightly offensive this country had become to the rest of the world. I felt compelled to open my remarks with the disclaimer, "Não gosto de Bush" ("I don't like Bush.") and felt relieved by the ovation that followed. It's odd now to feel clean because I'm an American.

The entire human race appeared to be counting on us to elect Barack Obama. The enormity of that global hunger for a singular event made the idea of a McCain victory seem like a cosmic offense against the gravitational force of human history, the result of which might plunge humanity into a psychic black hole. They wanted an Obama victory in Europe, in the Muslim world, in Africa, Latin America, Indonesia and Japan. The reign of George W. Bush created a toxic human ecology so ubiquitous, palpable and identifiable that the antidote an Obama presidency could generate was irresistible.

I don't believe in magic but I believe the election of Barack Obama has created a rare historical moment for people to imagine the world moving toward the light and the USA will be able to lead the way. Symbolism aside (but not underestimated), more than any other American president Obama has the character, the intelligence and the bio to earn the respect and good will of the international community; an American president who has lived his life among "others" and has much of the world's blood flowing in his own veins. That makes him far more likely to instinctively understand the needs and the cultural dynamics that give a nation its form; and that understanding will allow us to interact without the arrogance and willful ignorance that has driven our foreign policy for so long. But our renewed international power will derive from a force more powerful than the abilities of Obama, the man. America, for the first time, will lead because of the undeniable and irresistible fact that the USA is a united collective of people representing every ethnicity and nationality on earth; we live together peacefully and we are exactly what we say we are. Have a look at our brochure. Looks pretty good? And you know it's the truth.

Subscribe to more articles by Polar Levine aka Polarity/1
http://www.polarity1.com
http://polarity1.musicdish.net

MusicDishTV: Ellee Ven - You Can Buy Me

Welcome to the animated world of ellee ven as she travels the world in search of the intangible qualities that life has to offer. I am sure you will enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed making it. Check out the before and after and experience groovetonics. www.elleeven.com

"The video for 'You Can Buy Me' by Ellee Van is one of the most innovative music videos in recent history. As Ellee sings this beautiful pop song, she is interspersed on top of a colorful world of animation. Ellee travels the world and sees things most of us could only dream about This is truly the definition of a must-see video - anyone who watches it will be talking about it for days!" - MusicDishTV

MusicDishTV is more than an online video channel; it is the place to find out what's happening in the music world and hear brilliant new talent before they hit the radio airwaves. Artists & bands can submit their videos at http://tv.musicdish.net.

a'tris Wins AirPlay Direct's "All Things Digital Alt. Rock / College / Indie Rock" Artist Contest 2008

Throughout the month of October, AirPlay Direct ran our FREE to enter "All Things Digital Alt. Rock / College / Indie Rock" artist contest. The winner a'tris will receive the Grand Prize package which includes:

* A fee waiver for the contest winner to carry their CD in Best Buy and one performance at a Best Buy branded event (value - priceless)

* A recording studio package fro a master quality EP (5 songs) from Slot-1 Studios (a $5,000 value)

* A full album mastering package from Skyline Sound (a $3,000 value)

* A professional microphone package from SHURE microphones (a $1,500 value)

* A 12 week national publicity / marketing package from Pres Pak Public Relations (a $9,000 value)

* A 6 week national radio promotion campaign to approx. 350 college stations from Powderfinger Promotions (a $1,400 value)

* A promotions and development package from iMergeAndSee Artists Promotions and Development (a $3,280 value)

* 'The Banquet' media promotion package from HyperDIY Media (a $2,400 value)

* A 'Featured Artist' advertising and PR campaign from Mi2N (a $750 value)

* 8 vocal lessons and a copy of Jeannie's vocal enhancement materials 'The Contemporary Vocalist' Series from Jeannie Deva Studios (a $1,000 value)

* A 'Featured Artist' advertising / promotion package from AirPlay Direct (a $1,500 value)

The Grand Prize Package is valued at over $28,000...!

Based out of Boston, MA, this foursome keeps it real and down to earth, using music as an uncontrived conduit for self-expression. "Every musician wants to feel like they're unique and doing something that's never been done before," say the members of a'tris. "But let's face it: you need to use an agreed-upon vocabulary to describe your music to others. As a musician, you have to come to terms with this as a necessity to discuss your music." Heavily influenced by the jazz, classical, and progressive rock genres, a'tris not only gives us music as a language, but also as a soundtrack to our lives. "Music and film are inherently intertwined," says Taylor. "I frequently look to film for inspiration and hope that my music has a bit of cinematic flair."

Listen to and download "broadcast-quality" tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/atris

Kelly Flint's Upstairs Sessions With Special Guest Amy Speace

On Tuesday November 18th, 2008, 7:30 PM, Kelly Flint hosts the Upstairs Sessions, upstairs at the Living Room (Googie's Lounge). Kelly's very special guests will be Amy Speace (www.amyspeace.com) and David Jacobs-Strain (www.davidjacobs-strain.com).

If you haven't experienced the unique format of the Upstairs Sessions, here is a brief description: Kelly Flint has created and hosts a series called the "UPSTAIRS SESSIONS" at the Living Room in NYC on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9:30. One part live performance, one part talk show: The “UPSTAIRS SESSIONS” features musical performances by two artists interspersed with intimate and open conversation between the artists and host. Discussion topics include but are not limited to the artist's song writing processes, musical experiences and the inspiration behind their songs. The evening includes an open forum between the artists and the audience.

The UPSTAIRS SESSIONS
Tuesday November 18, 2008
7:30 to 9:30 PM
The Living Room/Googie's Lounge
154 Ludlow St.
NY, NY 10002
(212) 533-7237
www.LivingRoomNY.com

Born to the Breed by Amy Speace - musicdish

Amy Speace has already won a loyal grass-roots fan base, thanks in large part to live performances that merge warmth, humor and emotional immediacy, and to a tireless touring schedule that's already taken her across the United States. She's also won considerable critical acclaim, with The Village Voice observing that Speace is "taking her Americana away from twangy contemplation toward tangy confrontation" and noting that she's "not another of those breathy would-be child poets, but a real singing writer of songs." Time Out New York stated, "Amy Speace plays sweet, twangy folk music with a clear voice and an innocent vulnerability," while The Nashville Scene noted that she "balances wry humor with open-hearted honesty." And renowned Nashville critic Robert K. Oermann, writing in Music Row, dubbed her a "new star."
amyspeace.musicdish.net

Bethany & Rufus' Live Performance of 'Sail Away Ladies' (MP3)

"In this live performance of 'Sail Away Ladies', Bethany & Rufus are clearly on top of their game. Bethany's haunting vocals are top-notch here and Rufus's clever cello playing is wonderfully complemented by percussionist Bonga Jean Baptiste and Mady Kouyate playing the kora. This is roots music at its finest." - Eric Hartline, MusicDish

Download Free MP3 of the "Sail Away Ladies" (live)

Sail Away Ladies by Bethany & Rufus - musicdish

Bethany & Rufus - Sail Away Ladies - "Spirit of Woodstock"

"Stunning." (Goldmine Magazine) "Remarkable." (Jazz Times) "The real deal." (Allmusic). "Extraordinary... Brilliant" (All About Jazz)

BETHANY & RUFUS are all these things... Called "a splash of sunlight between the grey cracks of mediated culture" by the UK Guardian, the cello and voice duo have kept their production spare and focused on the depth of soul in the roots music they inhabit like few others. In their hands, old aching mountain songs, gospel cries of redemption and reckoning, and the deep groove chugging of a freight train holler come alive again with an urgency and energy that have electrified audiences all over the world.
www.bethanyandrufus.com