A Family Valentine With Jon Samson And Lucy Kalantari At ShapeShifter Lab

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180537

Award winning children’s artist and music therapist, Jon Samson, has teamed up with Lucy Kalantari to deliver a rare and enchanting musical performance for families at ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY, February 15th at 11:00 am – Love & Joy: A Family Valentine.

“[Jon Samson] will get little heads bopping without alienating grown-up listeners.”
–Timeout NY Kids

Jon Samson, two-time ISC winner and NAPPA award winning artist, has moved the kindie community with his latest release, A New Kids Album. Featured in Time Magazine's TFK Family Edition, A New Kids Album is a selection of original and familiar stories with an abundantly rich sound and an ingenious delivery that quickly becomes an addictive treat for children and adults alike.

“The best jazz album of the year brings forth the roaring 20′s with no prohibition on juice boxes.” –Jeff Bogle, Cooper & Kid

Lucy Kalantari’s newest release, Pockets Full of Joy has been making some noise. Earning a spot in The Best Kids Music of 2014 by Cooper & Kid, Pockets is a collection of ukulele ditties with a 1920s flair about being a mom, love and babies. Her sound is sophisticated for adults and irresistible to babies. She’ll perform with her full lineup of drums, upright bass and clarinet.

ShapeShifter Lab is a large, open space perfect for listeners of all ages to enjoy the fun sounds of these two dynamic performances while dancing about. Enjoy hot cocoa, valentine’s treats and a chance to win an autographed ukulele!

For tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1128853

Love & Joy: A Family Valentine
Sunday, February 15th
ShapeShifter Lab
18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215
$10 advanced tickets
$15 at the door
(Free for children under 2)
Doors: 11am
Show Time: 11:30am

Lucy Kalantari - www.LucyKalantari.com
Jon Samson - www.CoCreativeMusic.com

CHRIS DIAZ To Perform At The TEXAS ROCKFEST In Austin

If the pressure of being a new artist in this ever-changing music industry landscape and balancing all the time and dedication it requires of a musician today, while going for a masters degree at the University of Texas and trying to hold on to any normalcy in life with family and friends isn’t enough, singer/songwriter Chris Diaz seems to take it all in stride; especially the exciting news that he will be performing on the Main Stage (7th St. and Neches St.) in downtown Austin, TX with headliners at the 13th Annual Heart of Texas Rockfest (www.TexasRockfest.com) on Saturday, March 17th 2012 @ 7:30pm during SXSW week. Perhaps it was his brush with local stardom on the radio in his hometown in the Dallas metroplex area as a freestyle and hip-hop artist before he matured into a singer/songwriter drawing on the classic influences of The Beatles and Elton John and capturing the attention of dedicated fans and music bloggers that affords Chris the opportunity to be so laid back in times of extreme pressure (a good thing for his bandmates who look up to him for guidance in these situations). Riding on the ever-growing popularity and positive industry reviews of his new album, The Ride Home, and his growing popularity in the live, downtown Dallas music scene, Chris says he’ll take these once in a lifetime opportunities like performing at this years’ Texas Rockfest in Austin on the 17th and put on “one hell of a show” with his talented band made up of some of the top musicians on the Dallas scene. “Rocking out to a fresh, new audience in Austin at the Rockfest and winning them over one fan at a time, is a challenge I welcome and an opportunity to expose my music to an audience eager to discover talented, new independent artists and bands.” Chris Diaz’, The Ride Home, is available on CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon. Email: info@nightroadsent.com Website: www.chrisdiazmusic.com Music: soundcloud.com

PMT Seasonal Showcase Company Presents Walk With Me: A Journey Into The Light, The First Evening-Length Performance By J. Chen Project

Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108508469182818

On Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at 8 PM, PMT Seasonal Showcase Company presents J. Chen Project in its first evening-length performance, Walk with Me: a journey into the light, at the PMT Dance Studio at 69 West 14th Street in Manhattan. Walk with Me, commissioned by PMT Seasonal Showcase Company and choreographed by Jessica Chen, comprises seven individual pieces that tell one story. Dedicated to bringing other art forms into her repertory, Ms. Chen has collaborated with a community of artists, including a novelist, a video artist, a composer, and several photographers to create an athletic and emotionally evocative performance. Chen's choreography blends a wide range of genres including classical, modern, street, and cultural dances, set on dancers with training from the Ailey School, Purchase College, Montclair State University, and other renowned programs.

"This story is a journey from darkness into light," comments Chen. "The world is going through a difficult time right now—financial crises, natural disasters, the list goes on. I am hopeful that it will all turn out to be good in the end." Inspired by an incident in which she and her father miraculously avoided a catastrophic collision on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles after their tire blew out, Chen envisioned a dance work that was "a metaphor for dying—but also a metaphor for living. When you survive death, you decide to live. You are essentially reborn." She translated her near-death experience to the stage by creating the seven individual dances, each of which represents "a different moment, a different experience that changes you. We will use choreography and video and audio material to take the audience on a journey."

Chen is "truly honored and grateful" to PMT Seasonal Showcase Company and founder Pavan Thimmaiah for this commission. "PMT gave me my first opportunity to showcase work in New York City in 2008, which was a springboard for my career. They provided me with a professional production crew, a warm audience, and three sold-out performances." Chen, who has been teaching contemporary dance at PMT since late 2009, describes the studio as "a safe home for me to experiment and develop my voice as a choreographer. It makes perfect sense to premiere my first evening show there, and these performances will help me take J. Chen Project to the next level."

The mission of J. Chen Project is to unveil extraordinary, authentic artistry through the empowerment of movement and the expression of choreography. Its goal is to foster dialogue among dancers, choreographers, and audiences on ways the dance community contributes to creating solutions to issues facing humanity today. This season includes performances at festivals that include DUMBO Dance Festival, the HATCH, Solar Powered Dance Series, Amnesty International's Human Rights Arts Festival, Choreographer's Canvas, Green Space Blooms, and Hawaii's National Dance Week.

Jessica Chen is a New York-based choreographer. She holds a bachelor of arts in global studies with emphases in socioeconomics and politics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. A California native, she moved to NYC to study at The Ailey School and has worked with choreographers who include Earl Mosley, Julian Barnett, Camille A. Brown, and Juan-Antonio Rodriguez of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and members of Naganuma Dance. As a commercial dancer, she has toured internationally with hip-hop artist and America's Best Dance Crew judge Lil Mama and appeared in a Marc Ecko commercial with Vanessa Hudgens.

Founded by dancer and choreographer Pavan Thimmaiah, PMT Seasonal Showcase Company is a nonprofit organization that stages professional productions featuring some of today's best choreographers, dance companies, and artists from TV, video, stage, and film. The company provides its performers with opportunities for exposure, with many acts using the PMT stage to achieve greater success, performing in prestigious venues and attracting media attention. It also offers its participants rehearsal space, professional photography services, and program advertising at no cost, and selected acts receive individual, full-length showcases. Additionally, the company prides itself on its ability to offer heavily discounted tickets to underprivileged young people who would not be able to afford to see performances of this caliber. Its primary goal is to provide the best possible experience for both its performers and its audience members.

Kirsten DeHaan EP Gains Momentum On College Radio

Url: http://www.kdlocal.com
Sound: http://kirstendehaan.musicdish.net

Alternative Rock singer/songwriter Kirsten DeHaan's EP "Thorns On A Crown" has begun to impact college radio in the Northeast, with over a dozen stations adding tracks from the October release. Kirsten will be making live appearance on Wednesday, November 11th at 5:30-6:30pm at WESU (Wesleyan College, Middletown CT - http://www.wesufm.org). Fans can help support Kirsten by calling the studio request line at WESU - 860 685 7700.

The full EP is available for download on MusicSubmit and Music Alley.
http://www.musicsubmit.com/KirstenDeHaan
http://www.musicalley.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=4f2fe79a84a45d84282f77206084c1a1

"I fell in love with Kirsten's music immediately! Her voice is a rare combination of edgy, sultry, sexy and bluesy that still rocks you to your feet! I'm a fan! And we are proud to have her music on BBS Radio!" Douglas Newsom, CEO of BBS Network, Inc. (BBS Radio)

- WOZQ (Smith College in Northampton, MA) - ADDED 11/03
- CIUT (Univ Toronto, ON) - ADDED 10/5, "1984"
- WRTC (Trinity College, CT) – ADDED 10/19
- WESU (AAA) (Wesleyan College, CT)- ADDED 9/29
- WFCS (Central Conn State, CT) – ADDED 10/21
- WAMH (Amherst Coll, MA) - ADDED 10/12
- WZBC (Boston College, MA) - ADDED 10/12
- WTBU (Boston Univ, MA) – ADDED 10/19
- WMUA (Univ Mass, MA) -ADDED 10/12,"1984"
- WBER (AAA) (Monroe Univ- Rochester NY)- ADDED, "Ms Daisy"
- WHRW (SUNY Binghamton, NY) – ADDED 10/19
- WRHU (Hofstra, Long Island NY) - ADDED 10/6
- WUSB (SUNY Stonybrook, Long Island NY) - ADDED 10/6
- WARC (Allegheny Univ, PA) - ADDED 9/29
- WCLZ (South Portland, Maine) - ADDED I'm Coming Home 10/10 & The Night Shift 10/20

"Thorns On A Crown" is by far her most mature work to date. In the current etch and sketch environment of musicians singing to beats generated by machines, it is refreshing to find an artist who wholeheartedly exudes meaning and truth, a feat that only a genuine musician can accomplish. She may be considered a newcomer to the music industry, but there is enough raw passion, talent, and promise on "Thorns On A Crown" to say definitively that Kirsten DeHaan will around for many years to come.

"Thorns On A Crown" Tracklisting:

1) 1984
"1984" skillfully maneuvers its way from beginning to end as DeHaan puts her vocal range along with a knack for soothing tones to good use, singing in a soft, but gutsy manner. The guitar playing over a catchy beat works well with her voice to produce a sultry and graceful fusion of folk and rock.

2) Double Or Nothing
DeHaan produces a well-crafted, solid folk-rock tune with passionate delivery over a foot-tapping guitar melody in "Double Or Nothing." The sharpness of her lyrics and gritty tone gives the song a freshness That will keep any listener engaged, even after multiple plays.

3) The Night Shift
"The Night Shift" delves into the very familiar territory of love as DeHaan's candor and humility together make this song easy to relate to. DeHaan's voice captures the feelings of a woman waiting and thirsting for love. Even the silences between notes seem to shout out her vulnerability.

4) I'm Coming Home
A piercing harmonica complements the delicacy in DeHaan's sweet voice in "I'm Coming Home." The layered sound and musicality gives a classic rock feel that is emphasized by the 'call and response' between DeHaan and the harmonica.

5) Ms. Daisy
"Ms. Daisy" builds a sweet melody around the idea of hope. Initially, the song seems inconspicuous and gentle, but DeHaan's voice is so melodious and colorful, it quickly works its way into the listener's heart and soul.

About Kirsten DeHaan
Kirsten DeHaan is a true jack of all musical trades. Not just a talented singer/songwriter and guitarist, she promotes her music via her label SirLady Records, does various philanthropic work for American soldiers in the Middle East, and is a strong and active proponent of the New York indie music scene.

DeHaan stomped onto the indie music scene to rave reviews in 2004 with her first album release "Conform." Critics compared her music to that of Nirvana, U2, and Belly. Her music has been downloaded over 1 million times via various peer-to-peer sites and featured on the hit reality shows Made and My Super Sweet Sixteen. Declaring "Conform" to be one of the most popular records next to the Killers and Ashlee Simpson by FreshFarmMusic.com, DeHaan was among five artists chosen for Men's Vogue/Hennessey Flaunt Your Taste Critics Choice Awards.

Bethany And Rufus Roots Quartet To Perform At New York's Joe's Pub

New World/Folk/Roots group The Bethany and Rufus Roots Quartet will be performing songs from their live 12 track CD "Live A Fip" at the New York's Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. The Roots Quartet includes the duo Bethany and Rufus (Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia), along with Fulani flutist Yacouba "Denke Denke" and Afro Haitian drummer 'Bonga' Jean-Baptiste. "Live A Fip" was released in Europe on October 22nd as a co- production with Radio France and Daqui Records.

Bethany And Rufus Roots Quartet @ Joe's Pub
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street, NY
between East 4th and Astor Place
http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,4875

One reviewer describes "Live A Fip," as "like nothing you've ever heard before. Styles from everywhere and anywhere come together seamlessly. One hears distinctly Afro-Cuban rhythms pop under driving bass lines, folksy lyrics and screaming flute. "Death Don't Have No Mercy" is particularly characteristic of this mixing and meshing. The cello is inescapably funky, the bongos complexify the rhythms, the flute line seethes with fiery reverberance, and Bethany's vocals lament the world in a way that only American folk music can."

Bethany as the daughter of legendary 60's Folk singer Peter Yarrow (Peter , Paul & Mary) draws from the many songs that her father collected as part of the seminal folk movement of the 60s. Yacouba has dug deeply into the folkloric Hausa, Djerma, Peul and Songhai traditions of Niger and Bonga is the descendant of a very rich lineage of Vodou ceremonial drumming and song. Bonga has also traveled extensively through Haiti collecting and learning the different manifestations of Haitian song and folklore. Rufus has taken the cello into previously unknown realms and is noted for his collaborations in African, Arabic, and American music forms and also has a solo CD Songs for Cello on the Daqui label. Individually all of the members of the group have been instrumental in expanding the role of traditional forms in their respective musics. It is with this background that they have come together to create a sound that although based around the song forms of American traditional music reaches back to a common root that has inspired everyone involved.

http://bethanyandrufus.musicdish.net
http://www.bethanyandrufus.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bethanyandrufus
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=152608

To request mp3 tracks for review as well as interview requests, contact:
Eric de Fontenay
MusicDish
bethanyrufus@musicdish.net
+1 718 278 0662

Polarity/1 Video: Lisbon's Quorum Ballet - Music From The Other Side

Polarity/1's Fulano De Tal is easily one of the most impressive songs in Lisbon's Quorum ballet, The Other Side. This piece allows for an aggressive, yet romantic interplay with the choreography of the dancers while keeping a dark cryptic mood for its audience. Another reassuringly exceptional piece from Polarity/1.

Watch Fulano De Tal

Land O' Debbies adds an alluring sound to the soundtrack of Lisbon's Quorum ballet, The Other Side, and highlights the song with accents of media that permeate the air. Polarity/1 takes inspiration from all forms of art to produce this unique piece of music where chaos and politics are swallowed and spat back out among unconventional electronica and extraordinary melodies.

Watch Land O' Debbies

Music From The Other Side is the soundtrack for a dance performance by Lisbon's Quorum Ballet [based on Polarity/1s music]. The Other Side's principal objective is to fuse the style and art of the dance of Lisbon and New York. The work is the collaboration of choreographers Daniel Cardoso, Jonathan Hollander and Thaddeus Davis, artistic directors of Quorum Ballet, Battery Dance Company and Wideman/Davis Dance, respectively.
http://polarity1.musicdish.net

The music of Polarity/1 is exactly what the name suggests: conjoined opposites -- a mash up of new: cutting edge electronica/hip hop/nu-jazz and old; roots music of America (blues, funk, country, early jazz), Brazil (samba, pagoda, etc.) and West African groove science. Polarity also describes the dual streams of Polarity/1's musical output: songs and instrumentals.
http://www.reverbnation.com/polarity1

Amy Speace To Perform At The North Star Cafι On July 5

Americana-rock recording artist Amy Speace will be giving a performance at the Portland, Maine's North Star Café on July 5 to promote her upcoming album "The Killer In Me," set for release by Wildflower Records on June 30.

Sunday, July 5 - 7 PM
THE NORTH STAR CAFÉ
225 Congress Street
Portland, Maine
(207) 699-2994
www.northstarmusiccafe.com
$12 cover

The show will follow her album release party at New York's Joe's Pub on June 19 and performance at the Philadelphia's famous World Café Live on July 3. The Killer In Me has already received high praise, with Billybop CD saying it's a "strong and enjoyable album full of emotive songs" while Whisperin and Hollerin describe her "as one of Americana's most promising new talents."

The Killer In Me, follows her 2006 breakthrough album Songs for Bright Street. While Songs won her a loyal international fan base, The Killer In Me finds the NY-based artist forging into deeper, darker lyrical and musical terrain, delivering an album of startling intimacy and resonance. "This is the record that I needed to make," Speace states. "In many ways, it was the hardest thing I've ever done. And in some ways, it was the easiest. Writing the songs was emotionally difficult, deep and intense--it was kind of an exorcism. But in the end, the songs flowed pretty quickly. You write the things that you’re afraid to say out loud."

Possessing a commanding voice, a distinctive melodic sensibility and an uncanny knack for nailing complex emotions in song, AMY SPEACE makes music that's both illuminating and effortlessly accessible. The Killer In Me's 12 soul-baring new songs maintain the effortless melodic appeal of her prior work, while delivering complex emotional insights that give the album startling intimacy and resonance. Speace recorded the album with her longtime producer and lead guitarist James Mastro, of Bongos/Health and Happiness Show fame, and her longstanding live band the Tearjerks, comprised of guitarist Rich Feridun, bassist Matt Lindsey and drummer Jagoda. The sessions took place at alt-pop legend Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium studio in North Carolina, with Easter lending his talents as engineer. Also on board is English rock icon Ian Hunter, who adds his distinctive vocals to a pair of songs.
http://www.amyspeace.com
http://amyspeace.musicdish.net

Bethany & Rufus To Play Third Thursday Coffeehouse Series

Cello & vocal, roots duo Bethany & Rufus will perform at the 'Third Thursday Coffeehouse' Series at The Blackrock Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 16. Presented by MoFolk Music Productions, Third Thursday Coffeehouse enters its 7th season presenting an exciting mix of folk music!

BETHANY & RUFUS | THIRD THURSDAY COFFEEHOUSE
Thursday, April 16, 7:30 PM
BlackRock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, Maryland
Info: 304-267-7963
Tickets: $22 (advance); $27 (door) - Purchase

"When Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia join forces on stage, watch out. The combination — or should that be combustion? — of their incredible talents sparks a fire-in-the-belly, soul-stirring experience with American folk music that lingers long after the concert ends. Bethany just happens to be the daughter of Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary fame)—and a powerful folk musician in her own right, able to re-invent the old songs and make them her own. Rufus started playing the cello as a three-year-old and has dared to go where few cellists have gone before—tapping into the heart of world music with the five-string electric cello he designed. Separately, they’re amazing. Together, they’re unbelievable." Third Thursday Coffeehouse

"Unbelievable!" is the word most used by audiences when first hearing Bethany & Rufus whose cello and voice duo breaks new musical ground, sliding with seamless ease between groove, jazz and a gritty, unvarnished approach to traditional folk music. With its often exuberant and sometimes achingly sad songs, their debut CD, "900 MILES" blends Bethany Yarrow's hauntingly beautiful yet explosively powerful voice with the mind-blowing, genre-bending cello playing of Rufus Cappadocia, pushing the boundaries of American roots music far into unexpected territory where intense groove meets sweet, heartbreaking soul.

http://www.bethanyandrufus.com
http://itunes.com/bethanyandrufus/900miles

MusicDishTV: Dan Manjovi - Things'll Get Better

Here, Dan Manjovi gives an energised live performance of his song, 'Things'll Get Better'. It's pretty standard concert footage, interspersed with close-ups of Manjovi's face and his hands as he taps out notes on his piano with great fervour. There are a few shots of the rest of his band, but the video focuses largely on the solo artist. In doing this, it also keeps the viewers attention focused completely on the inspirational words of the singer.

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.

MusicDishTV: Johannes Welsch - A Little Drum

Percussionist Johannes Welsch introduces a darbuka. Filmmaker Lester Alfonso produced a beautiful video about "A Little Drum" - and some things it does! www.indie-music.com/bands/Johannes_Welsch

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.

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