NEW YORK (www.songsalive.org) - The international songwriting organization, Songsalive! (
www.songsalive.org), and the musician/music industry organization, Just Plain Folks (
www.jpfolks.com),
will hold a songwriters showcase every last Wednesday of the month at
the Paper
Heart Gallery in Phoenix. The showcase, hosted by Mary
Lemanski (
www.marylemanski.com) and Carey
Slade (
www.careyslade.com),
will feature both local and touring songwriters performing original
songs in all genres.
Doors will open at 8 PM. Show will begin at 9 PM.
Cover is $3.00 for all ages. Musicians and music industry professionals
are invited to come early and network. The Paper
Heart Gallery is
located at 750 NW Grand Avenue, on the corner of Polk and Grand.
Songsalive!
is a non profit public benefit corporation (under 501(c)(3) in
California U.S.A, and a not for profit organization in N.S.W Australia
- dedicated to the nurturing, support and promotion of songwriters and
composers worldwide. Songsalive! is run by songwriters for songwriters.
It acts as an epicentre, a heart of the international songwriting
community and music markets, bridging the gaps, tapping songwriters
into the pulse of the business and at the same time giving them and
their music the support they deserve. Songsalive! gives life to songs,
provide opportunities for collaboration, create awareness about
original music, promote and educate through an amazing network of
programs designed especially for songwriters and original music.
Support Songsalive! and help energize the business of songwriting and
music. Join the Songsalive! network and become a link in the chain.
Just
Plain Folks is an ever-growing group of Songwriters, Recording Artists,
Music Publishers, Record Labels, Performing Arts Societies, Educational
Institutions, Recording Studios and Engineers, Producers, Legal
Professionals, Publicists and Journalists, Publications, Music
Manufacturers and Retailers and about every other type of member of the
Music Industry. Its members have won Grammys, Emmys, CMA Awards,
Academy Awards, Clios and about every local and regional music related
award there is. Its members belong to and are staff and board members
of the finest
National and International organizations such as NARAS,
BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, SOCAN, PRS, NAMM, AES, NARM, NAPM, NAC, SGA, AFM,
Indiegrrl, TCG, CMA, MWI, NSAI, TSAI, LAWIM, ISA, TAXI and most of the
regional and local songwriter and music industry organizations around
the world.
Just Plain Folks goals include: 1: To provide a
networking environment of inclusion and cooperation between our members
for the benefit of the group and individuals involved. 2: To share
wisdom, ideas and experiences with others who have been there, and to
help educate those who have yet to make the journey. 3: To form
long-term relationships with a myriad of other industry professionals
whose talents and efforts need a venue to be enjoyed and benefited
from. 4: To set the example for the world of the power of the Internet
and total freedom of communication, when it is not restricted by the
boundaries of the corporate world, or damaged by the adversarial nature
of the music industry in general. 5: To show others that deep down, we
are all much more alike than different. The thoughts and hopes and
dreams we all share are much the same whether we are Grammy Winners,
Hit Songwriters,
Industry leading
Superstars in our fields, or we are
an 11 year old kid with a new dream, or a 78 year old who still dares
to dream! 6: And the most important goal: To have a lot of fun doing
it! "We are all in this together."
February 23rd Songwriters Showcase Lineup
James Hurley (
www.jameshurleymusic.com)
Originally
from the Monterey Bay area of California, singer/songwriter James
Hurley has played on three continents and toured extensively in the
U.S. An accomplished guitarist and passionate singer, his music is a
unique blend of Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Folk, and reflects a romantic
optimism that is refreshing. With songs that range from the whimsical
exhuberance of "The Sun And The Moon", to the tender and sentimental
"
Whisper",
James intrigues the listener's ear with subtlety and elegant
sophistication - An understated, yet compelling performer with
something to say, and an arresting way of saying it.
J.D. Stooks
Leaving
his punk roots behind, Tempe musician J.D. Stooks is embarking on a
solo journey with the release of his debut album "This Evening's
Ashtray.'' On the CD, Stooks, current guitarist for punk-rock outfit No
Gimmick and Ben Kweller look alike, mixes heartfelt angst with a
melodic alt-country sound. "It's a real sad bastard record,'' the
25-year-old singer/songwriter says. "I broke up with someone and I
wrote a sad record. That was my goal though.'' Stooks wears his heart
on his sleeve like it's a badge of honor on this five-track EP, which
was ably produced by uberproducer Bob Hoag (The Format, Before Braille,
Fifteen Minutes Fast) at Mesa's Flying Blanket Studio. "I got sick of
playing punk rock so I listened to all the old records that I used to
listen to and busted out some vinyl and got more in touch with the
music that I used to be into,'' Stooks says of his inspirations. And
who were some of his inspirations? "I listened to a lot of classic
stuff like Bob Dylan, The Beatles,
Cat Stevens and Fleetwood Mac,'' he
says. "I also listened to a lot of
Ryan Adams and Wilco.'' Stooks says
that his ex-girlfriend was a major inspiration for the album. "Sitting
down and actually writing stuff out that I was going through helped
me,'' he says. The musician utilized local Cheers-like watering hole
Casey Moore's � which Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins cites on a track on
the groups self-titled DreamWorks album � as a writing studio of sorts.
"I would sit there and write a lot,'' he says. "Stuff would just come
pouring out of me.'' Stooks, a Casey's regular, also used the bar as a
backdrop for his album cover and artwork. And though the CD broaches
heavy topics such as depression and heartbreak, Stooks says that he's
really not that depressed in every day life. "This album is kind of a
bummer one,'' he says sighing and pushing a lock of red hair out of his
eyes. "It's not something you throw on before you go out and party.''
The Meat Department (
www.themeatdepartment.com)
Serving Size: 30 minutes
Servings per show: 1
The Meat Department is:
1 part Chuck Roast
1 part Angus Beef
We
contain no vitamins or minerals that could be helpful to your life. We
do offer a good dose of laughter and can enlighten your soul. Forged in
the fiery sands of Arizona, The Meat Department began as a cover band
doing obscure Ween songs. The two fellas soon realized that they had a
niche and began writing their own songs. Their mission was to take over
open mics all over the valley. One week later, they realized that their
mission needed to be on a much grander scale.
Apollo (
www.mcapollo.com)
Apollo
is a 21 year old versatile music artist who could be the next biggest
thing in the hip hop scene. He is one of the most versatile artists who
is influenced by all forms of music. With the ability to spit raw
lyrical punch lines that'll get the streets buzzing and the combination
to make commercial platinum club hits, this hip hop artist will
withstand the test of time. Destined to be more than a 'rapper', but a
household name, who's life will be remembered years to come.
Apollo
was born in Jerusalem, the home of Christ. Raised in New Jersey his
whole life, he was quickly influenced by the New York scene. When he
was just 14 years old, MTV invited him to perform on MTV'S "The Cut"
hosted by "Left Eye" Lopez. The series was canceled just a few weeks
before his performance, leaving the young legend crushed.
He
later moved on and started rocking venues and competing in battles
across the tri-state area. In his first battle, he was defeated by
Immortal Technique, which inspired him to get his skills up. Apollo
then went on to battle on LIVE television on 'Metro Channel's "Studio
Y' hosted by Monie Love & DJ Scribble. He ended up battling twice
and performing once on the live television show. Shortly after this
incident, Apollo and his family fought through 4 months of
homelessness. This situation forced Apollo to take this art form
serious. He ended up dropping out of school, but returning to get his
GED and attended St. Peter's College & BCC where he studied music
business. Apollo got his name up in the battle scene being a finalist
in the 'Ultimate Breakdown' twice, winning the Jersey City MC Battle
three times in a row, finalist in the NJIT MC
Battle 3 times in a row,
etc. he became a force to be reckoned with.
Apollo competed in
the 2001 Interscope Records sponsored Talent Showcase and won "Best
Solo Artist". He has also performed at Epic Records and Colombia
Records showcases and even sat down with the president of Rawkus
Records. In 2003, Apollo got his big break by performing on "Showtime
at Apollo" He also is a spoken word artist and has performed at spots
like 'Bowery Poetry Club, Euphoria, Nuyoricans along with the
accomplishment of winning first place in the 'Black History Month
Poetry Contest' and being a semi-finalist in the
National Teen Poetry
Slam (where 1000's of teens competed). His work was published in
Poetry.com's International Book twice in a row and also published in
the Urban Word Poetry Book. Apollo has been featured on over 30
websites and held the NUMBER ONE SPOT on
the NATIONAL MP3 CHARTS for two weeks straight!
In
2004, Apollo ventured out of his home state and moved to Arizona. It
was a very risky move, going from New York to Arizona (especially for
hiphop). But his hunger and drive drove him to being one of the most
known hiphop artists in the entire state. Within 4 months, Apollo
battled at
America West
Arena at the AND1 Game in front of 15,000
people, won the 2004 Source Magazine's Unsigned Hype Champion, battled
on Power 92.3 13 times and got retired into the 'Hall of Fame', was
featured on 3 radio shows in Phoenix's # 1 hiphop station, and got his
song played every hour of every day on MG'S Morning Madhouse.
Nowhere
in history has an artist moved to another state, where virtually nobody
knew him, to being the most known artist of that state within a few
months. That's pure drive and dedication to his craft.
MTV recently contacted Apollo for possibly starring him on their hit series TRUE LIFE.
Currently,
Apollo is in touch with producer DJ Shok (who's produced for DMX, Busta
Rhymes, Eve, Jadakiss, P Diddy, Loon, Big Pun, etc). He remains well
connected in this game, and understands the music business aspect of it
too. Labels are starting to knock! It's not a matter of 'if', but
'when'; and which label decides to knock the hardest. Apollo's
understanding, patience, and confidence is the reason the right deal is
bound to come to this musical genius.
Apollo has a large
following and a HUGE national buzz already. Combining the 350,000
downloads on the internet (plus every friend they've played it for).
The 1000's of people who were at
America West
Arena and Madison Square
Garden, the 300,000 people who heard him on Power 92.3, and the 3
million people who heard him on NY'S Hit
Radio station, Z100. It seems
like he would go platinum just on his buzz alone!
With his
versatility, original flow, life story, message, and marketability, the
right offer is bound to come to this musical genius. Lives WILL be
changed.
