LGBT Music Festival To Spotlight Performing Artists And Songwriters In Nashville February 1-3, 2013

More than 400 performing artists, music creators and industry representing all genres of music and will visit Nashville's Music Row from Feb. 1-3, 2013 for the "LGBT Music Festival". Performers and songwriters will take the stage along Demonbreun and Division streets from noon-midnight Friday-Sunday at entertainment venues such as the Music Row Best Western Lounge.

The Music Row Best Western also will host music industry information tables, networking areas, and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Attendees can receive hands-on advice, critiques and training in the Music Specialty Info Areas on topics such as Career Critique, Products Critique, Recording, Publishing, Plugging, Legal, Records, Duplication, Distribution, Radio, Video, Broadcasting, Shop, Management, Promotions, Publicity. Productions... LBGT educational partners will be on hand to answer your music biz and industry questions. The education portion of the event is hosted by the Independent Music Association.

The "Valentines Carnival" will feature costumed dancing from 7 p.m.-midnight on Feb. 2, 2013 (Saturday) in the Music Row Best Western Lounge. Music creators can introduce their songs by performing scheduled or at "open mic" indoor stage locations in the vicinity and within walking distance located between Demonbreun and Division streets.

The 'LGTB Music Fest' is a wonderful networking mixer and career-building opportunity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender artists and songwriters from all levels of the music industry. More than 100 community industry/ volunteers will donate their time and resources to make this possible. Shows are open to the public.

All festival badge holders are automatically registered to attend the Music Specialty Info Areas, scheduled to perform if desired, attend all parties and other fest functions. Do one or all at your own pace! Festival registration is $300 for three days, $200 for two days, and $125 for one day. The general public can enjoy three days of live music with a $50 armband.

To register or for more information about the "LGBT Music Fest", visit www.LGBTMusicFest.org , or send an email inquiry to info@LGBTMusicFest.org , or call (615) 424-1491.

Music: http://songwritersfestival.com/musicdownloads/Spell_It_Out_To_You.mp3

Umphrey's McGee HD Live Stream Sunday, Sept 2nd At 10PM CST

LAPLIVE.TV announces the upcoming live stream of Umphrey’s McGee from the historic Congress Theater (in the band’s hometown of Chicago) on Sunday, September 2nd at 10pm CST.

Prior to the live show there will be exclusive content including a new band video premiere, live fan interaction, a band interview, and an interview with Umphrey’s McGee lighting director Jeff Waful.

Viewers of the LAPLIVE.TV live stream will enjoy high fidelity sound, HD video, and DVR-like player controls. The LAPLIVE.TV stream is viewable on major updated browsers as well as on mobile devices (iOS and Android), tablets, and through Apple TV on Airplay supported devices.

The live stream is available for purchase: $6.99 before September 1st and $8.99 after. The show will begin airing at 10pm CST and will be available to view for 24 hours after the end of the show.

The show can be accessed here: https://laplive.tv/watch/umphreys

Did The Idea For Ben Elton's "Stark" Come From Billie Reid's "Slaves"?

Back in 1999 when he was recording 'Ticket Out Of Dizneyland', Billie Reid remembered how he wrote 'Slaves Replacement Technology & The Neutron Bomb' in 1988. The next summer, Ben Elton's book 'Stark' was published, using a very similar theme. Billie pointed out that a couple he stayed with at a farmhouse south of Fremantle (who used to 'milk his brains then scoff') went on to rent from and stay with Ben and his wife Sophie: 'Ben's Stark appeared soon after,' said Billie.

Back then I didn't delve that deeply. However I did broach the issue with him in late 2010, asking if he thought Ben had 'borrowed' his idea. He suggested that it could just be a coincidence but 'it was more a case that great minds think alike'.

I wouldn't be so sure. My thoughts are that this idea quite possibly started with Billie. Those of us that know Billie would conclude that he wouldn't mention it unless he genuinely thought it. Had the connection not existed between Billie and Ben then the alarm bells would not have rung. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the seed for Stark came from Billie. With all respect to Ben (and bearing in mind that Stark is a 500-page novel and Billie's work is a brief lyric) the concept is remarkably close. The timing, the connection and the similar theme suggests he could well have been inspired by Billie.

Email: d@billiereidmusic.com

Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) Pop-Rock World Fusion

That's right: Feminist rock in Ladino. The Judeo-Spanish language born in the Middle Ages is the perfect vehicle for articulating an utterly contemporary sensuality, defiance, wisdom, and love. It's a living language, a lively tradition heard in a generation of new voices from New York to Jerusalem.

One voice leads them: American-born Ladino singer and songwriter Sarah Aroeste, who has spent a decade expanding the possibilities of contemporary Ladino song. The classically trained, pop-savvy vocalist channels generations of poets and wild women in slow-burning, passionately produced original works on Gracia (Aroeste Music; Release Date - May 22, 2012). Backed by flickers of flamenco and gorgeous pan-Mediterranean melodies, by lush strings and purring guitars, Aroeste's airy, potent voice and intense engagement with her lyrics invigorate age-old wedding songs, hot love ballads, and tributes to history's unsung heroines.

Gracia is Sarah Aroeste's third album in Ladino, and includes many of her own original Ladino songs. In the title track ("Gracia"), Aroeste tells the neglected story of Dona Gracia Naci, a 15th-century Spanish answer to Harriet Tubman, who boldly saved Jewish families from the Inquisition and who epitomizes the strength and courage of our foremothers. In another song, Aroeste reimagines the wanderings of her Sephardic ancestors through the eyes of the traditional figure of the morena, the dark-eyed nomad girl, traveling for centuries and drained of her beauty by a harsh world ("Chika Morena"). Using a variety of eclectic source material throughout the album, Aroeste writes a song encouraging one to harness strength in the face of all odds ("El Leon Ferido"), which takes its inspiration from Samuel Ha-Nagid, an 11th Century Judeo-Spanish poet who was facing adversity in his own time. And yet another song is based on a contemporary feminist hip-hop poem, Wild Women, and calls out to the world to embrace women in all their wonderful complexity ("La Comida La Manana"). Complementing these songs are others of universal themes such as family, marriage, loss, facing demons, holding on to hope and more.

Produced with Shai Bachar (Ishtar Alabina, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Sheila Jordan), and recorded in NY and Tel Aviv, the 11 songs on Gracia (both the original ones and a few radically reinterpreted classic Ladino folksongs as well), are a mix of feminist, experimental, raw, rock-beat, energetic, empowering, electronic, retro-chic, Mediterranean-infused and fine-crafted, detailed sounds. In addition to a 16-piece string ensemble highlighted on many of the tracks, there are also special guest voices and featured artists including Vanessa Hidary (the Hebrew Mamita), Amos Hoffman (Avishai Cohen band), Roni Ivrin and Mark Kakon (Idan Raichel Band), Nir Graf (Noa, Rita, Shalom Hanoch), Oz Noy (Cyndi Lauper, Phoebe Snow, Bill Evans), Samuel Torres (Lila Downs, Arturo Sandoval) and many more.

Altogether, Gracia is Aroeste's most daring album yet and brings Ladino music one more step forward from the past into today. Determined to prove that Ladino is not a dead language, Aroeste shows through Gracia that Ladino is, indeed, very much still alive.

Email: music@saraharoeste.com

International 5 Blazes Through Mediabase Charts And Locks In Distribution

Brooklyn born independent artist International 5 has been blazing through the MediaBase charts as his single "Mean Fitted Game" approaches 175 documented spins.

During a recent interview on The Business report on KRYC Rhythm 105.9 FM the dexterous lyricist shared "My strive for success is powered by my passion for music, I've been doing this for years now".

Although, the many are hearing International 5's music for the first time in some parts of the world; the artist has made headlines with credible publications such as The Source, Yo Raps, WSHH and has even been the #1 contestant in Lil Waynes Making the Next Hit reality TV show.

In addition to the unsigned artist's recent MediaBase surge; International 5 has one more accolade to add to his of accomplishments. GiGi Capone PR has secured music distribution for "Mean Fitted Game" this week in 82 Countries and 1000 outlets worldwide for the quickly emerging artist.

The artist proudly states " I'm heading for the Billboard charts next and you can quote me on that".

For more information or media requests please contact info@gigicaponepr.com

True Becoming Win A Spot At Uproar Fest In Scranton

After padding their resume with sets supporting active rock heavy-hitters such as Papa Roach, In This Moment, Pop Evil and more over the past several months, NEPA's own True Becoming announced today that they have won the regional competition to play at the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival at Toyota Pavilion in Scranton, PA on August 28th.

Out of the 1,651 bands competing nationally, True Becoming kept pace with front of the pack by placing 18th overall in fan votes when the contest officially ended. This earned the band members a chance to share the spotlight at the event alongside bands such as Shinedown, Godsmack, P.O.D., Staind, and more while playing on the Ernie Ball Stage.

The competition for the slot on the Scranton date of the festival was fierce with three other Northeast PA bands also placing in the top-20 nationally. Because of this, when the voting was complete, True Becoming lead vocalist Rich Allen thought that his band had just missed out on the amazing opportunity by a narrow margin.

"We were sure we'd be congratulating one of the other bands on their win." said Allen.

But then, True Becoming received an email with the subject "Congratulations Scranton Battle of the Bands Winner". As it turns out, Uproar Festival regional winners were not just determined by the fan votes alone. The competing bands were also judged on five categories: Originality of Material, Songwriting Skills, Sense of Innovation, Quality of Performance, and Public Appeal. The panel of judges included four of rock music's top industry professionals.

"We all feel so blessed and honored for the support from our fans," explained bassist Ed Stef. "And for us to have been chosen out of so many great artists is an honor upon itself."

With their win at this date of the Uproar Festival, True Becoming is now in the running (along with other regional winners at each date of the tour) for the grand prize of the Ernie Ball battle of the bands which includes a record produced by Jay Baumgardner (Bush, Evanescence, Papa Roach) and the opportunity to perform next year on the entire Uproar Festival's national touring schedule.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/TrueBecoming
Music: http://truebecoming.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/true-becoming-not-like-you.mp3

Review: "Better Days" By The Sons

"Better Days" is the second single released from the album "The Prime Words Committee" by UK based indie rock band The Sons. The simple sound of plucked strings on guitar, along with a fiddle, add flavor to the dance tempo country beat. The intro builds into a clever repeated musical hook, as the lead vocalist sings about the failure of hope and religion, with challenging imagery in his lyrics. The band has very rich harmonies like Crosby, Stills, and Nash. And the fiddle, bass, and drums are well played. The Sons are a five member crew hailing from Derby, England, comprised of Paul Herron, Lee Blades, Stewart English, Roger Millichamp, and Steven Herron. A nice antidote for all the noise of an election year. The best news of all? This song is free! Be a part of the 1 million downloads goal the band is trying to achieve. Cool idea... cool song.

Email: editor@musicdish.com
Website: http://www.the-sons.com
Music: http://soundcloud.com/musicdish/better-days-by-the-sons

Le Reverie Female Fronted Goth Rock Metal Band Release Long Awaited CD Dark Symphony

New Female Fronted Goth Rock Metal Band Le Reverie release their long awaited CD Dark Symphony. This 12 Song CD is an amazing combination of Symphony, Goth Rock, Metal and Progressive Rock. The first pressing of the CD will also include a free DVD of their Gothic Video Single of the song “Hold Me Down” now out on you YouTube at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44QY0xhxrg.

The CD will take you on an amazing journey through the Symphonic “La Naissance”, to the dark heavy progressive “Dark Symphony” to the tender ballad “Ghost of You” and the haunting tribute to Edgar Allan Poe himself “Raven”.

The band has been called a combination of Dream Theater and Evanescence. Martin Howell of Power Play Magazine in the UK says “Musically Le Reverie remind you of Evanescence.... tracks of well-played, well- sung and well-produced hard rock.”

Dave Attrill from MetalliVille UK’s Finest Rock and Metal Webzine says, “Le Reverie are like a girl fronted Dream Theater…they are impressive…

Music Connection magazine raves, “Le Reverie create musical dreamscapes by combining a classic metal sound with dark, rich Gothic overtones, Trance-inducing chord combinations embellished with powerful metal passages and lyrics that conjure up secret yearnings and fears make these songs memorable and like a poem by Edgar Allen Poe, this band’s lyrical obsession with ghosts, darkness and dreams will more than satisfy””

The CD is available at www.lereverie.com

Coming soon to iTunes!

Email: roc@lereverie.com