UK Progressive Rock Ensemble Galahad Releases Highly Anticipated New CD ‘Battle Scars’

For Immediate Release

UK Progressive Rock Ensemble Galahad Releases Highly Anticipated New CD ‘Battle Scars’

London, UK – ‘Battle Scars’ is the new studio album from established English progressive rock band Galahad just released on Avalon Records. The CD was recorded, engineered and mixed by Karl Groom (Threshold) at Thin Ice studios. ‘Battle Scars’, Galahad’s seventh studio album, shows the band evolving from their well received and critically acclaimed 2007 album ‘Empires Never Last’. ‘Battle Scars’ is the first of two new albums from Galahad scheduled for release this year.

‘Battle Scars’ contains a myriad of styles from rock and prog through to techno, ambient and dance sounds via classical arrangements. Throughout, the production is modern and pristine, incorporating powerful, direct guitar riffs, lush keyboard arrangements and occasional quieter passages of subtle beauty, melding together to create an often massively epic sound. “I guess the whole gamut are in there,” explains vocalist and founding member Stuart Nicholson about the album’s variety of themes, “frustration, anger, disbelief, reflection, the acceptance of reality, fighting spirit against the odds, hope for the future, negativity, positivity and more besides.”

‘Battle Scars’ is Galahad music for the 21st Century: very much looking forward but also showing occasional and affectionate nods to the analogue past.

In recognition of the band’s 25 year plus history, a new recording of their classic song “Sleepers” is included as a bonus track on the CD and download version. “I think the whole package works really well,” says Stuart, “the monochrome graphics and images with the odd splash of red here and various pieces of pertinent imagery match the atmosphere of the music perfectly.”

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the listening, as the band suggests: “Go on, give it a whirl, leave your preconceptions at the door and play it loud! We know it’s our best album yet, and hope you agree.”

Galahad’s ‘Battle Scars’ is available on CD, digital download and limited edition high quality 180gm vinyl LP in a gatefold sleeve.

In closing Stuart Nicholson had this to impart to Galahad’s devoted fans of many years: “I hope you like what we have come up with, and if you know us well you’ll realize that we try and make each album different from the previous one, but still include certain Galahad traits. Plus, I’d like to thank all those who have shown patience and stuck with us – it is greatly appreciated by the band.”

Galahad:
Stuart Nicholson – vocals
Roy Keyworth – guitars
Spenser Luckman – drums
Neil Pepper – bass, guitar & keyboards
Dean Baker – keyboards

Avalon Records: band@galahadonline.com PH: +44 (0)1202 870084

Visit the official website at www.galahadonline.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, glassonyonpr@cs.com PH: 828-350-8158

The Gonzo Daily Interview with Ant-Bee

Yesterday teatime I did one of the most intriguing interviews of my career so far. I spoke to Billy James, who – apart from being the main publicist with whom I have been dealing in recent months, is also main man of Ant-Bee – perhaps the most singular artist on Gonzo (and that is up against some stiff competition).

I have a copy of his/their most recent album Electronic Church Muzik and it is one of the most challenging and interesting things I have heard in ages. The list of guest contributors is very impressive with more Gong, Focus and Mothers of Invention alumni than you can shake a stick at. Billy is pictured below with Gilli Smyth from Gong.

I couldn’t wait to talk to him…

Jon: I think it’s jolly good. I was surprised how with such a wide and diverse collection of people you’ve got playing on it how cohesive the whole thing sounds

Billy: You have to remember that I’ve been working in sound collages for many, many years – that’s one of the things I do – I am really into editing and dubbing things and sound collages. Almost like the way Zappa used to do it on Only in it for the Money – that one piece The Chrome Megaphone of Destiny – have you ever heard that piece?

Jon: Yes

Billy: I’ve always found that type of material very inspirational and also very interesting and just working with sound collages, you know – musique concrète – and so the other thing you have to remember is that the previous album was Lunar Musik which Gonzo is going to be releasing with the rest of the back catalogue, which took three and a half years to make. This last record took me ten years to make, so I had a lot of time to think about how things were going to be in song order and a lot of the structuring.

There’s a reason why it took so long to do it but I did have quite a bit of a time to figure out how pieces linked together and then some of them sort of cosmically linked together in their own way, you know, once I started working with them, but there’s a bit of a dynamic thread through it. It’s almost a sort of stream of consciousness type of a record, sort of examining the spirituality of man and woman and that’s what it is all about.

Not really laying any sort of trip to you, it’s just a trip. Not feeding you anything, it’s just something there to eat if you can figure all that out, but anyway that’s what it is. It did take a long time to work and this and that. Do you want to know why it took so long?

Jon: Uh huh

Billy: Originally studios – you know the studios that I was working in where I was living in one city about ten years ago after Lunar Music came out and did quite well actually and I went and I toured with the main songwriter and one of the founding members of the Alice Cooper group, Michael Bruce. And there was other projects that I was involved in before I started working on it. But anyway, when I started working on this record, the studios I was going into was very expensive and so with not having the backing of a record label at the time, the two records that I did came on Taste and Divine records which was My Favourite Vegetables and then Lunar Musik which came out in 1998. I didn’t have any backing from a record label and the type of music I do there’s just not that many labels that understand what I’m doing and the commercial potential – as with Zappa’s music, there’s no commercial potential – even I find quite a bit of it, but…

So at any rate, it was up to me to finance the thing as the bottom line and going in the studios that are like $60 to $70 an hour and then you’re only able to go in at certain times – you can’t block book space, and in between a lot of other projects I was working on and being hired to work on – so I was only able to go in there maybe a couple of times every couple of months, every few months, and movement was very, very slow.

Finally I relocated to another city in North Carolina where I’m at, which is called Asheville which is sort of like a mini hippie town in the mountains of North Carolina. I purchased a recording console and set up my own studio and I proceeded then, and this was probably about three years ago, so we’re seven years in. Every single night, for two years straight – just about two years straight – I would record. And I worked and worked and I have hundreds of different versions and all kinds of material and, you know, so what you get out of Electronic Church Musik is only a fraction of some of the pieces I was working with editing together and …because I have another two albums’ worth of material but I don’t know when I’ll finish them up.

So at any rate I was able to work every single night for two years just about as well as doing my publicity work and put together Electronic Church Musik. Finally I was able to do the whole thing here, really; edit and put everything together and most of the tapes, with the other musicians were all sent to me either – you know they were so long ago.

Peter Banks sent me his tracks on DAT tape so I had to find someone who had a DAT player that dubbed those over. Jan Akkerman, I think he originally sent me his piece on cassette, and I think I had to transfer that over. I believe it was and I think it was the same with Michael Bruce….. it was so long ago, it was like in the 90s – we were still using cassettes. High grade cassettes, you know. CDRs were expensive back then so some of the mediums are different mediums, and some of them later on came as CDRs and then some through the computer – mp3 type stuff, so I had all kinds – I still do – I had hours and hours of material to work through from these artists that I’ve either worked with in the past or recorded with or I had done publicity for and so they got to know me in that respect and then got to know that I’m a musician and my music and were impressed with it and decided they want to work with me, so there’s different ways a lot of these musicians I work with.

So anyway, a couple of years ago I finally had the chance to work with it, put it together , spend night after night and a million mixes and finally came up with what you have there. I wouldn’t say it’s 100% of what I like. You know, there’s certain things you go back and I was still learning the recording console at the time, so that was the other thing. I think now when I listen to it that there are certain things that I would have remixed and done just a little bit different, but you either have to put a stop or a finish date or end up pulling a Brian Wilson’s Smile and you never finish it. So I just had to say finally this is it. It’s the best I am going to be able to get right now. I’ve got to put an axe on it and get on with it and get on to something else. And that’s what churned out. And the reviews, other than maybe a couple of odd ones in the Netherlands oddly, everywhere else: Greece and Germany and a lot of great ones in the UK and several good ones here in America. All rave reviews, so it’s been very good and I’ve done several interviews for it, and that’s just what it is. Just another piece of Ant-Bee history that is out in the world right now.

Jon: Did all the contributors that you worked with do their stuff individually and just send it tapes to you, or did you actually record with any of them?

Billy: Some of them did and some of them didn’t. When I was living in Los Angeles I worked with some of the original Mothers of Invention – this was back in I guess 1990, so I don’t know how many years that is. 20 years ago or something like that – Bunk Gardner, and Don Preston and Jimmy Carl Black. And so that material was actually recorded. Some of the stuff I use even to this day was recorded back then. I had Bunk actually come out to my house in Encino, California and I paid him a fee and had him blow horn for three hours. So I have hours and hours of him playing clarinet and flute, you know, just so I knew I’d be using it 30 years later.

And I still do. I’m still using all this material. He also had tapes of him and his brother Buzz from the 70s that are just free form jams that he also gave me carte blanche to use certain sections of that and added them together and use things. And then also Don Preston. When I was out there I went over to his house- well actually it was like a studio, a king of weird studio/apartment in Los Angeles and he had a work room and we sat in there and I gave him some musical ideas and this and that and we worked together recording that out there, which I am still using. Some of the stuff he’s sent over to me recently as well.
Some of the material I did with Michael Bruce was when we were on the road – we were able to go into the studio several times and I was able to get him to record some things as well and then, like I said, the Peter Banks stuff and Jan Ackerman and David Allen – all that type of stuff was sent to me. Gilli Smythe – that stuff was all sent to me, you know, through the different mediums. They weren’t here when they did it, even though I’ve met all of them and been in touch with all them, and then Napoleon Murphy Brock’s part – vocal piece that was sent. Him and Don actually did that together at some point. I think at Don’s house and then sent it over to me. So that’s just the way I’m able to work. It’s too expensive to fly people out here and do it all, and everyone pretty much lives in separate parts of the country.

And so the first part ends. We will continue with this remarkable conversation tomorrow..
Posted by Jon Downes

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Sophie B. Hawkins To Release Highly Anticipated 6th Album ‘The Crossing’ on June 19, 2012

For Immediate Release

Sophie B. Hawkins To Release Highly Anticipated 6th Album ‘The Crossing’ on June 19, 2012

5/16/2012 – Sherman, Oaks, CA – Lightyear Entertainment, in association with Trumpet Swan Records, is proud to announce the release of the brilliant new studio album from Sophie B. Hawkins, entitled ‘The Crossing’.

The album will be released through EMI in the U.S. and Canada on June 19, 2012. European distribution will be through in-akustik, who will release the album simultaneously.

Since her breakthrough with the indelible hit single “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” and her acclaimed debut album Tongues and Tails, Hawkins has proved an enduring artist with a fierce commitment to constantly evolving, while remaining steadfastly true to her own authentic history and experience. This comes to the fore as she breaks open her heart without reservation on ‘The Crossing’, her long-awaited first album of new songs in several years. It is a searing, lush and startlingly naked chronicle of the most intense period of Hawkins’ life. All of this emerges in songwriting and vocals that mix the brashly playful and the unabashedly poignant in fresh ways for Hawkins.

“The album is entirely me with just drums, bass, guitar and flugel,” says Sophie. “I didn’t hire a band – I would just meet one musician at a time and have them come to the house to record and it was a very spacious and organic process. I became an engineer really by instinct. I kept things very simple and told the musicians to have fun. It felt like it unfolded all on its own – I really wanted to retain the feel of these songs that were written completely in the moment and I think we did. I felt lucky just to be there watching this be created.”

This is the third Sophie B. Hawkins album released by Lightyear, after 2004’s ‘Wilderness’, and the live double set ‘Bad Kitty Board Mix’ in 2006. The album contains 13 new songs plus 4 bonus tracks, including new acoustic versions of her biggest hits, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down.”

“I’m delighted to release another beautiful album from Sophie,” said Lightyear CEO Arnie Holland. “She’s a true artist with a unique voice.”

For more information: http://sophiebhawkins.com/

2012 is Lightyear Entertainment’s 25th Anniversary year, since its origin in the management buyout of RCA Video Productions in 1987. www.lightyear.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Jon Anderson To Play Select Summer 2012 Concerts

Photo by Tami Freed

For Immediate Release

Jon Anderson To Play Select Summer 2012 Concerts

5/23/2012 – Asheville, NC – Music legend and original YES vocalist and songwriter Jon Anderson will be playing select concert dates this summer in support of his critically acclaimed new digital download release ‘OPEN’. Jon Anderson, who has one of the most recognizable voices in music, and is best known for his work with YES, Vangelis and Kitaro, as well as his innovative solo efforts, recently completed several successful tours of the US and South America. The new summer tour promises to deliver an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic YES songs, along with songs from his latest CD ‘Survival & Other Stories’ and new compositions, highlighted by humorous and enlightening stories told by Jon.

So great to be on tour this summer, always a wonderful evening of fun stories and singing, sing’a'long’a'Yes…why not!!!…come and have a wonderful evening out. – Jon

Jon Anderson Summer 2012 Tour Dates:

June 1 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant http://dakotacooks.com/
June 3 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theatre http://www.pabsttheater.org
June 6 – Chicago, IL – Mayne Stage http://www.maynestage.com
June 8 – Lincolnshire, IL – Viper Alley http://www.viper-alley.com
June 11 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door http://www.thetripledoor.net
June 12 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door http://www.thetripledoor.net
June 16 – Napa, CA – Napa Valley Opera House http://www.nvoh.org
June 19 – Livermore, CA – Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center http://www.mylvpac.com
June 21 – Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz, CA http://www.riotheatre.com
July 6 – The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano http://www.thecoachhouse.com

In other news, on August 8, 2012 Jon will be performing in the UK for the first time in many years at the Sadler’s Wells Theater in London. “The concert in London is with the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra with the help of my good friend composer Peter Machajdik plus a semi acoustic group I performed with a couple of years ago in Bratislava,” says Jon. “We will be performing some classic songs I wrote with Yes and Vangelis, plus some new songs in a concert for ‘Earth and Peace at the 2012 Olympic Games.’ “ http://www.sadlerswells.com

Jon is currently recording part two to his recently released 21-minute musical opus ‘OPEN’ titled ‘Ever’. “Music is constantly happening all around me. I’m busy working on ‘Ever’, a follow up to ‘Open’, part two of my journey into the longer form music I love to create.” Also, Jon is working on the highly anticipated sequel to his critically acclaimed first solo album ‘Olias of Sunhillow’ titled ‘Zamran’ “Zamran is slowly finding me, or I’m slowly finding Zamran (Son of Olias), sometimes good things take time I’m told. with love…many blessings…Jon Anderson”

For tour dates visit www.jonanderson.com/tour.html

Jon Anderson ‘OPEN’ digital download available: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Single/dp/B005XT5Z8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1336499182&sr=1-1

Jon Anderson ‘Survival & Other Stories’ available through Gonzo MultiMedia: www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk,

www.jonanderson.com, www.facebook.com/thejonanderson

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158. glassonyonpr@cs.com

Manfred Mann’s Earthband Vocal Legend Chris Thompson Releases Vintage Concert Live In Berlin On CD & DVD

For Immediate Release

Manfred Mann’s Earthband Vocal Legend Chris Thompson Releases Vintage Concert Live In Berlin On CD & DVD

Featuring the hits “Blinded By The Light”, “Spirits In The Night”, “The Mighty Quinn” and more!!!

5/10/2012 – London, UK – You’ve heard his voice on such classic Manfred Mann’s Earthband hits as “Blinded By The Light” “Spirits In The Night”, “The Mighty Quinn” and many others, a staple of FM radio for the past 40 years, legendary vocalist Chris Thompson has released a vintage live solo concert from Berlin, Germany. Available as a 2CD and bonus DVD package, Chris Thompson ‘Live In Berlin’ features all the Manfred Mann Earthband hits you have loved for the past four decades, along with many beloved solo songs.

Chris Thompson has had a long and varied career in the music business. Born in the United Kingdom but raised in New Zealand Chris first experienced local success with bands in New Zealand before relocating to the UK in 1973. Chris’s first big break came when he replaced Mick Rogers in Manfred Mann’s Earthband. His debut with the band was on the ‘Roaring Silence’ album which contained the worldwide number 1 hit single “Blinded By The Light”. Following that single the band re recorded another Bruce Springsteen song “Spirits In The Night” which had featured on the bands previous album ‘Nightingales and Bombers’.

Whilst with Manfred Mann’s Earthband Chris also featured on Jeff Wayne’s concept album ‘War of the Worlds’ recording the track “Thunder Child” which was also a UK hit single. (Chris would regularly perform the song live in the concert presentation of the ‘War of The Worlds’ album). He also enjoyed massive worldwide success with Manfred Mann’s Earthband recording the albums ‘Watch’ and ‘Angel Station’ and hit singles “Davy’s On The Road Again”, “Mighty Quinn”, “Don’t Kill It Carol” and “You Angel You” before deciding to leave the Earthband to concentrate on his solo career by way of the band Night which Chris led for two albums.

Following his time with Night, Chris returned to the Earthband but also continued to record solo albums. More recently Chris has been performing concerts with the Mads Eriksen band where the band perform both new material from Chris alongside other songs Chris is rightly famous for from the Earthband catalogue. To date the band has filmed two live DVDs and live albums for release.

This live 2CD and bonus DVD package is a mixture of a live radio concert and a previous rehearsal and concert that took place ion Aschaffenburg. The Aschaffenburg material was salvaged from a full concert film and recording and is included as a bonus as it was felt that the material contained in the salvaged footage conveyed the excitement of the concert. The Berlin concert is just as it came from the radio transmission and as such is the complete concert as fans heard it at the concert and also on the radio

Chris is backed by a full band which includes Mads Eriksen, Gunnar Bjelland, and Frank Hovland with Szolt Meszaros on drums for the Berlin concert and Steinar Krokstad drumming on the Aschaffenburg material.

Chris Thompson’s profile as an artist is currently high due to extensive touring and also as a result of his previous work with Manfred Mann’s Earthband and also as a solo artist and as such this package will be an attractive and much anticipated release.

Tracks: DVD: LIVE AT THE COLOS-SAAL / THE ASCHAFFENBURG REMAINS: 1. MARTHA’S MADMAN, 2. LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD, 3. WHOLE LOT TO GIVE, 4. IF YOU REMEMBER ME, 5. DEMOLITION MAN, 6. REDEMPTION SONG, 7. DON’T KILL IT CAROL, FAN CAM DEXHEIM: 1. MIGHTY QUINN, 2. DRUM SOLO ( ZSOLT MESZAROS ), 3. YOU ANGEL YOU, 4. DAVY’S ON THE ROAD AGAIN, PLUS INTERVIEW : CHRIS AND BAND BY JON KIRKMAN
CD 1: LIVE AT RADIO BERLIN 88.8: 1. FATHER OF DAY, 2. WASTING TIME, 3. HOT SUMMER NIGHT, 4. SPIRITS IN THE NIGHT, 5. MARTHA’S MADMAN, 6. LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD, 7. WHOLE LOT TO GIVE, 8. IF YOU REMEMBER ME, 9. DEMOLITION MAN, 10. REDEMPTION SONG, 11. DON’T KILL IT CAROL, 12. RUNNER, 13. MIGHTY QUINN, CD 2: LIVE AT RADIO BERLIN 88.8: 1. PIECE FOR THE WICKED ( MADS ERIKSEN ), 2. YOU ANGEL YOU, 3. DAVY’S ON THE ROAD, 4. BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, ENCORES: 5. FOR YOU, 6. YOU’RE THE VOICE, 7. QUESTIONS.

To purchase Chris Thompson ‘Live In Berlin’ two-CD/DVD set:

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15409/Chris_Thompson-LIVE_IN_BERLIN.html

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Blue Moon Harem’s ‘Finland’ Receives Rave Reviews

For Immediate Release

Blue Moon Harem’s ‘Finland’ Receives Rave Reviews

5/8/2012 – Boston, MA – One of the most talked about group’s of 2011, Boston’s Blue Moon Harem, are celebrating the positive reaction to their latest CD release ‘Finland’ from the music press and fans alike around the world. Having survived some of the toughest years in the music business, the dynamic and diversely-talented duo at the heart of Blue Moon Harem, guitarist Demetri J and guitarist/vocalist Jon Bix released their second CD ‘Finland’ in early 2011; a remarkable collection of creative non-categorical modern music, which also boasts the talents of drummer Steve Hart, who previously worked with Aerosmith axeman Joe Perry, among others.

Singer/songwriter Jonathan Bix is the voice and soul of Blue Moon Harem; Jonathan delivers a towering yet vulnerable vocal performance which mesmerizes and captivates audiences everywhere. Guitarist Demetri J, the band’s co-songwriter, along with Jonathan, writes the incredible music that is the heart of Blue Moon Harem. Demetri deftly combines keen instinct with raw talent to create passages of atmosphere, beauty and power.

Here’s what the press has been raving about ‘Finland’:

“Remarkable from the start is the breadth and strength of Jonathon Bix’s vocal presence, but also the arrangements and partner Demetri Joannou’s versatile guitar work. Add to this the fine production and you have crisp, clear, and interesting collection of tunes.” – Craig Hartranft, Dangerdog Reviews

“This is very radio friendly stuff but hardly fluff. I could listen to the album several times and never come to the conclusion that maybe BMH are trying too hard to keep it safe. Production on the entirety of the album is fantastically crisp. Guitar work here is so solid and life like you’d think at times the performance was being performed in whatever room you may be enjoying the album in. Vocals are fantastic as well.” – Al Garcia, Shakefire.com

“This 11 song CD titled ‘Finland’ is the product of a lot of time and effort and it’s a disc I’m sure they’re proud of. It’s a very radio friendly album with mass appeal.” – Richard Oliver, Ear Candy Magazine

“If I put their music on and don’t shut it off within 30 seconds or so, I feel as though I may be onto something. If I listen to the entire album and then start from the beginning and listen to the whole thing, I know I am onto something. That was the case with Blue Moon Harem’s latest album.” – Real Rock News

“ ‘ Finland’ is a truly amazing compilation emphasizing awe-inspiring verse, breathtaking intonation, and ingenious melody. The album is an incredible selection of GREAT music. It’s bands like Blue Moon Harem that should be immediately signed to a recording contract and showcased over the airwaves.” – Ray Sasho, Examiner.com

“I’m pleased with the response we have received from the ‘Finland’ album,” says Demetri. “It seems as though people are liking what they are hearing. The album was a product of many years of soul searching. We feel that we have finally hit our stride with this album and I’m glad others seem to feel the same.”

In the last few years, praise for the band’s first hit “Addiction”, from the eponymous debut CD ‘Blue Moon Harem’, has quickly spread all across the New England states. Beginning with airplay of this pulsing alternative rock hit on WAAF’s local radio show in Boston, along with the group’s other hits, “Ride” and “Dog’s Life”, Blue Moon Harem’s popularity has grown to such a level that their music has been featured in the independent film ‘Under Surveillance’ from New York based Fourth Horizon Cinema and other films from Sorry Dog Productions.

Blue Moon Harem’s acoustic sets have become a regular occurrence in New York clubs and the band continues to expand its touring schedule almost as broadly as their musical repertoire. “New York is embracing them with several shows set from Brooklyn to Manhattan,” says Keli Pearce, CEO of 7th Planet Entertainment Group. “Both members are gifted musicians whose sole goal is to have people hear their sound! Talent, versatility and humility – these guys are abundantly equipped with them all!” Along with Steve Hart on drums and Pep Hernandez on bass, Bix and Demetri have been performing (electric) throughout Massachusetts. On February 2nd, 2012 BMH performed an acoustic concert at the Armory in Somerville, MA opening for FBI featuring Jon Butcher of Jon Butcher Axis fame. The show was sponsored by WAAF, whose music director Carmelita, a big supporter of the band, personally invited BMH to perform.

Not resting on their laurels, Blue Moon Harem are back in the recording studio working on their next album with a tentative release at the end of 2012. “The next album is going to be more of a fun and energetic album,” Demetri explains. “Whereby ‘Finland’ was more of a serious sounding record, the next CD will cross new borders within the Rock/Americana genre. The songwriting has reached a new level for us and we are excited about getting our new material recorded and published. We are shooting for an end of the year release.”

In closing Demetri has this to impart, “Blue Moon Harem has been attracting great attention from writers and fans across the globe. Our message is clear – we want people to listen to our music and become inspired. We write about the full gamut of emotions and experiences that many people can relate to.”

For more information: www.bluemoonharem.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/bmh

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience North American Tour To Begin Spring 2012

For Immediate Release

Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience North American Tour To Begin Spring 2012

Son of drum legend Ginger Baker brings to the stage the closest live experience to the legendary Cream possible!

5/7/2012 – Los Angeles, CA – Fans of the legendary power trio Cream rejoice with the announcement of Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience North American tour commencing May 31st. Kofi Baker, following in the family tradition, displays a mastery of drum technique and groove that rivals that of his father, drum legend Ginger Baker. After seeing the historic Cream reunion in 2005, Kofi was inspired to start his own band – he wanted to continue where Cream, and his father, left off. Kofi’s band is the ultimate Cream tribute: combining Cream’s innovative and experimental style with virtuoso talent. The trio capture the mood and energy of the late ’60s and early ’70s; adding their own distinctive styles.

“My son, Kofi, he’s playing amazingly,” says legendary drummer Ginger Baker. “I was at the Frankfurt Fair (music trade show) a few years ago and one of the Zildjian people said to me, ‘Man, have you heard your son play? He’s amazing!’ It’s great to get feedback from people in the business on how well he’s playing.”

Featuring:
Kofi Baker – drums
Tony Spinner (TOTO) – guitar, vocals
Ric Fierabracci (Chick Corea) – bass

Kofi’s upcoming tour comes off the heels of his whirlwind trip to SXSW in Austin, TX where he was promoting the award winning documentary ‘Beware of Mr. Baker’, a film about his famous father Ginger Baker, which received the prestigious Grand Jury prize for its category. Kofi, who’s first stage appearance was with his father at the age of six when they performed together on the BBC TV show ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ in 1975, was also interviewed for the ‘Beware of Mr. Baker’ documentary. Over the years Kofi Baker has become a well-respected drummer in his own right having tour with artists such as legendary Steve Marriott of Humble Pie, John Ethridge of Soft Machine and Steve Waller of Manfred Mann, as well as touring Europe with his father during the early ’80s playing drum duets of complex African polyrhythms. In the ’90s Kofi teamed up with Jonas Hellborg and Shawn Lane to record the album ‘Abstract Logic’. Along with working on a new solo album, Kofi in recent years has been recording and touring with the band OHM, fronted by Chris Poland, former guitarist with Megadeth. Kofi has also recently become Head of the Drum Department at the Artisthead New Music Academy.

Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience North American Tour Dates:
May 31 – Madison Theater – Cincinnati, OH www.madisontheateronline.com
June 1 – The Place – Indianapolis, IN
June 2 – Arcada Theatre – Chicago, IL www.oshows.com
June 3 – Rascal’s Live – Moline, IL www.rascalsmoline.com
June 9 – Stargazer’s Theatre – Colorado Springs, CO www.stargazerstheatre.com

For more information visit: http://kofibaker.com

Management: Maaike Moynes, me.moynes@quicknet.nl Skype: Maaike.moynes

Booking: Jim Sfarnas / Backstreet Booking
Longworth Hall Office Complex
700 West Pete Rose Way Suite 390
Lobby B – Post Box 18
Cincinnati, OH 45203
513.442.4405 ext. 11 / 513.834.9390 fax
www.backstreetbooking.com
jimbb@backstreetbooking.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

UK Electro-Acoustic Group Auburn Reunites To Record New CD ‘Indian Summer’

For Immediate Release

UK Electro-Acoustic Group Auburn Reunites To Record New CD ‘Indian Summer’

5/4/2012 – London, UK – To much anticipation, UK electro-acoustic ensemble Auburn featuring singer/songwriter Liz Lenten has reunited after an almost 10-year hiatus! The critically acclaimed group has recorded a new CD titled ‘Indian Summer’ that is slated for release on May 7, 2012 on Scarlet Records, distributed through Gonzo MultiMedia. Described as a band that delivers “songs from the heart” by the London Evening Standard, and “Dreamy, moody and atmospheric” by Classic Rock Society, Auburn will embark on a UK tour in support of their new CD release. ‘Indian Summer’ is a mix of up-beat and slower tempo electro-acoustic pop music, but borrowing much from the roots, country and blues genres, with a slightly retro sound but still very 2012.

Fronted by female vocalist Liz Lenten, who’s voice has been described as “so sweet it’ll make your hair curl” and “husky, with an emotional frailty”, isn’t afraid to show her full range of vocal tones or emotions. “I don’t have a specific style” says Liz. “I love lots of different vibes, so I take bits of all of them and just write songs around the feel that I think works with the lyrics. It is a bit country, a bit bluesy, a bit rootsy – all those things – but I just think of it all as music.” With varied influences from Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush and Janis Joplin to name a few, Liz’s songs grab you melodically, but also tell a story of love and life. “ ‘Indian Summer’ is all about the fact that I am older, and maybe a little wiser,” Liz explains, “certainly more chilled out, but not ready to hang up my mic just yet. I feel happy and content with where I am in life right now.”

The Auburn band is a mixed sound of lush acoustic guitars, rich cello lines and groovy percussion, underpinned by hypnotic bass lines. “Auburn manages to pull off the trickiest of tricks. Which is? Well, to make slow moving mood music that never fails to engage. What’s more, Auburn makes it seem easy,” touts Impressions magazine. Along with Liz Lenten, Auburn features co-writer and producer Max Gilkes on guitars and piano (Lily Allen, Prince Fatty, Manu Chau), Jevon Beaumont on bass (BootLed Zeppelin, Laura Vane), Pat Garvey on percussion (BIMM, Nin Drums), Rob Lewis on cello (Two Spot Gobi). Along with the band members special guests Eliza Carthy on violin and background vocals, and Laura Vane on background vocals are featured on ‘Indian Summer’.

Liz Lenten formed Auburn in the summer of 1999. Their first gig was at the jam-packed launch party of Scarlet Records held at the salubrious and smoky Madame JoJo’s in Soho to a completely packed and enthusiastic house. Auburn’s first EP ‘Sweet Sebastian’ received extensive airplay, and sold out of its limited pressing within 2 weeks. The band then teamed up with producer Tim Pettit (Travis, Sun House and Carlene Carter) and recorded “For Life”, which also garnered great radio support, and they toured the UK and played many live radio sessions. The debut album ‘Dreams’ was released in 2003 and Auburn toured with Sophie Ellis Bextor in the UK and Europe, playing to 40,000 people. In 2005 “Cry” reached number #5 in the UK indie video charts, after which the band took a break. Now, along with the excitement surrounding the reformation of Auburn comes the question, where have they been for almost a decade? “My son started school and I just didn’t want to be away from him touring,” Liz explains. “In fact, I hated being away from him for even a night. So, I concentrated on other musical work, teaching singing, conducting and composing for choirs, artist management and running my small label. Now that he’s older I feel I can carry on where I left off, and continue to follow this side of my music.”

Auburn UK tour dates:
May 4 – South Holland AC – Spalding
May 5 – Terry O’Toole Theatre – Lincoln
May 6 – The King Albert – Brighton
May 7 – The Slaughtered Lamb – London
July 29 – Exhibition Road Festival, London

In closing Liz had this to impart to her fans and listeners, “Thank you for caring and remembering. I really hope you enjoy the new album – I think I have grown up a bit since ‘Dreams’ (at last!) and I hope that people enjoy the new material.”

Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’ UK release date: Monday 7th May 2012
Label: Scarlet Records / Distribution: Gonzo/Proper

To purchase Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Indian-Summer-Auburn/dp/B007KE1IC8

For more information: www.auburn.org.uk
www.facebook.com/auburnindainsummer

TV and Radio: Amanda Beel – All About Promotions: 020 7328 4836

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

Rick Wakeman Biography ‘Caped Crusader, Rick Wakeman In The 1970s’ with Foreword by Elton John Now Available!

For Immediate Release

Rick Wakeman Biography ‘Caped Crusader, Rick Wakeman In The 1970s’
with Foreword by Elton John Now Available!

5/3/2012 – London, UK – Gonzo Media Group has just released ‘Caped Crusader, Rick Wakeman In The 1970s’ by veteran author, broadcaster and journalist, Dan Wooding, with a foreword by Elton John.

The book, the authorized biography of Rick Wakeman, who is arguably the world’s greatest rock keyboardist, is lavishly illustrated with dozens of photos from Wakeman’s extraordinary career which includes the time his career took off when he joined the folk group, Strawbs, in 1969, and played on three of their albums.

But the ultimate accolade – the biggest break of Rick’s career at that time – came shortly afterwards when a giant picture of Wakeman filled the front page of the Melody Maker in London, England, with the headline, “Tomorrow’s Superstar?”

The article said: “This is the man Keith Emerson hired a box at London’s Lyceum to hear. Since the twenty-one-year-old keyboard virtuoso joined the group [Strawbs], along with Ford and Hudson, [and] they’ve evolved into one of the most exciting bands of the folk-rock scene.”

Wooding’s book also includes fascinating descriptions of his several excursions with the British super group, Yes, and his many themed solo albums, including The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975).

Richard Christopher Wakeman (born May 18, 1949), was trained at the Royal College of Music in London, where he also went on to feature on songs by artists including Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, T. Rex, Elton John and Cat Stevens.

Wakeman has produced over 100 solo albums that have sold more than 50 million copies.

Elton John, in his foreword for the book, said, “Rick’s mastery of electronic instruments only adds to his abilities, and I think it is fair to say he was one of the reasons I stuck to the piano. I also admire his attitude to stage shows – always willing to take a gamble, but never sacrificing his musical ideals. Just as important, never losing his sense of humour and his sense of the ridiculous. Anyone who can put on an ice show at Wembley must be all right. I must add that Rick loves cars and is a fanatic when it comes to soccer. Therefore, he and I have an unbreakable bond.

“It has become fashionable to knock musicians who have been around a while, and who are still determined to persevere in what they believe in. It is very easy to be misunderstood along the way, but it is vital to ignore trends and get on with what you want to do. Rick will always do this because, quite simply, he’s that much better than everyone else.”

Wooding, 71, founder of ASSIST and the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net), and the author of 45 books, was the first journalist to ever write a story about Rick Wakeman. It occurred more than 40 years ago while he was working on a local newspaper in Ealing, West London.

“I was looking for stories for the paper and had just called in on a shop called the Musical Bargain Centre in South Ealing Road, and it was then that I heard someone playing amazing keyboards at the back of the store,” said Wooding. “I waited until he had finished and then talked with him. That person was Rick Wakeman and he told me that he was then a student at the Royal College of Music in London and was also doing sessions with different musicians. He told me had had just played piano on and arranged Morning Has Broken for Cat Stevens and also played Mellotron on Space Oddity for David Bowie. Both went on to become number 1 hits both in the UK and the USA.

“Rick told me that he had never been interviewed before, so I wrote up the story for the paper and we became best friends. He invited me to his home in Northolt and I sat there spellbound as he played for me on his home piano. I had never heard anything like it.

“I shared with him a little about my background, explaining to him that I was born of missionary parents in Nigeria, and it was then that Rick told me that he was also a Christian and had been baptized at South Harrow Baptist Church and, at that time, was also a Sunday School teacher there.

“As his career blossomed, I went on to write his authorized biography, and this latest one, which contains some updates, has been reissued along with Elton John’s foreword, and the three of us even had our picture taken together at Brentford F.C. for the back cover of the book.”

Wooding, who now lives in Southern California, added, “Rick and I have remained close friends for all these years and he has also performed several concerts for ASSIST in the United States.

“I am delighted that his incredible story, or at least the earlier part of it, can be told again for those in this new generation, who possibly don’t know too much about the ‘Grumpy Old Man’ that they see on British TV, will be able to learn about his incredible talents as a keyboard player, composer and songwriter.”

Why the title? Wooding says it comes from the fact that the blond figure of Wakeman would wrap his glittering shimmering cape around his giant frame and head on stage at arenas around the world to start another incredible performance on his battery of electronic keyboards.

And, even today, the “Caped Crusader” continues to push back the limits of music with his extraordinary talents.

The purchase a copy of “Caped Crusader” just go to: http://www.amazon.com/CAPED-CRUSADER-Rick-Wakeman-1970s/dp/1908728302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335474883&sr=1-1

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

San Francisco Bay Area’s Ian Franklin Readies Debut Full-Length CD ‘Breaking Grounds’

For Immediate Release

San Francisco Bay Area’s Ian Franklin Readies Debut Full-Length CD ‘Breaking Grounds’

An epic musical journey featuring many flavors and some name brand players as well

May 2, 2012 – San Francisco, CA – Singer/songwriter Ian Franklin is proud to announce the release of his debut album, ‘Breaking Grounds’. This new full length album is being released on the heels of his successful ‘Step By Step EP’ which was released in May of 2011. This release, for the Santa Rosa native, comes as a career high at the end of a near-decade of non-stop, whirlwind and frenetic coast-to-coast musical endeavors and evolution that have both educated and matured the young artist into a multi-faceted musical road warriorepreneur.

The epic journey, from graduating the Berklee College of Music with Bachelor Degrees in both Music Therapy and Songwriting; forming, recording and performing with the lauded Boston-based jazz-funk/groove-rock band Infinite Frequency; touring the United States and California several times over and then establishing his San Francisco-based Music Therapy practice, ‘Breaking Grounds’ is truly Ian’s masterpiece. ‘Breaking Grounds’ features a cast of talented San Francisco musicians, and in true Bay Area spirit, there is no shying away from letting loose and jamming. The album takes the listener on a trip through psychedelic wailing guitar solos, horns pops (Adam Theis and Mike Olmos of Jazz Mafia, and Mark Growden), keyboard odysseys (Eric Levy of Garaj Mahal and Night Ranger), and more. The highly melodic and tight rhythmic interplay on this recording will harken the listener back to a time when musicianship, not just style, played an essential role in rock & roll. This album was produced by Ian Franklin and Ben Bernstein, who has produced many well-known projects, and played in a few different well known bands including New Monsoon.

The diversity of ‘Breaking Grounds’ carries over from Ian’s previous project, winners of the Boston Regional Global Battle Of The Bands; Infinite Frequency. Infinite Frequency, who went on to compete in the national Global Battle of the Bands Finals at the Key Club in Los Angeles, was described by WhisperinandHollerin.com s “fusing modern rock with jazz, funk, and ’70s soul” while displaying “melodicism and top-notch playing… (that) will have people having flashbacks when musicianship, not just style, played an essential ingredient in rock & roll.” And regarding lead singer Ian Franklin himself, he “owns a solid voice of his own, high and filled with life.”

The Santa Barbara News-Press recently described Ian as, “… a rare petal — his group songs rock, led by guitar riffs that show the influence of both the Police and Tool. And his high voice can be reminiscent of Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze.”

High praise indeed and with ‘Breaking Grounds’, Ian hopes to generate much more of the same enthusiasm. Franklin’s songs pull from his creative imagination, are often fueled by personal experiences and promote awareness about issues that he believes deserve attention or they simply provide joy and help relieve the stress of daily life. Promising diversely-inspired tunes influenced by a fusion of roots-rock, funk, jazz, blues and folk into a new genre he refers to as “Eclectic Pop-Rock,” ‘Breaking Grounds’ is the clear and defining next chapter in the musical growth and maturity of this exceptionally gifted singer/songwriter.

‘Breaking Grounds’ was recorded by Ben Bernstein at Spliggityfidge Studios, Emeryville, and Petting Zoo Studio, Oakland with final mixing being completed at Petting Zoo Studio in early 2012. Petting Zoo Records out of Oakland, CA will release Franklin’s new album June of 2012.

Throughout the 90’s, Ian performed with many award-winning Sonoma County-based bands, honing his skills in the fusion rock-funk/hip-hop; Gollum, the Zappa-meets-Faith No More-infused; Cory’s Slug, and the instrumental ambient/tribal-rock outfit; Wish. His first-ever recorded solo project was in 2001 when Ian teamed up Frank ‘Side-Burns’ Sanders to record his live acoustic EP, Finley Swims.

Constantly performing and creating, Ian, being the son of a Reichian therapist, and coming from a family of healers, is a private practice Board-Certified Music Therapist and Music Teacher who specializes in Geriatrics, Special Needs, Mental Health and Pediatrics. He maintains offices in Santa Rosa, San Francisco, the East Bay, and he works with clients throughout the Bay Area, as far south as San Jose.

About his passion for being a Music Therapist, Ian stated in the Santa Barbara News-Press, “It takes music to a whole new level… it’s selfless. Usually music is all about your art, but in music therapy, it’s all to do with the client. All my expectations go out the window.”

Ian Franklin ‘Breaking Grounds’ CD/Digital release – June 5, 2012

For Digital Distribution enquiries, please contact Jerome Forney at IDCDigital via email at Jerome@independentdistro.com

For radio enquiries please contact Ian Franklin at telephone: 707-480-7658 or via email at info@ianfranklinmusic.com – For more information visit Ian Franklin at www.ianfranklinmusic.com
Ben Bernstein Music http://benbernsteinmusic.com
Petting Zoo Records http://pettingzoorecords.com

For US distribution enquiries, please contact Steffen Franz or Ben Lang at Independent Distribution Collective, telephone: 415-292-7007 or via e-mail at sales@independentdistro.com

For more info, please contact:
Billy James – Glass Onyon PR
Tel: 828-350-8158
Email: glassonyonpr@cs.com
To arrange interviews or request a copy of ‘Breaking Grounds’ for review, please contact Billy James/Glass Onyon PR at 828-350-8158 or email: glassonyonpr@cs.com