Donna the Buffalo Performs at Levon Helm Studios on Fri 9/4

Levon Helm Studios Presents Donna the Buffalo
Friday, September 4, 2015

“There are many meaningful, inspirational, and important happenings on this musical life journey and I will say that having had the great fortune to meet Levon Helm, and play music along side him was at the very top of my list. Levon was a soulful and beautiful spirit through and through, perhaps the most soulful and inspiring musician I’ve ever heard or watched play. I had the great honor of playing the Midnight Ramble after recording ‘Wood And Stone’ [2011] there and I am very excited to be returning to The Barn with Donna The Buffalo. It is a truly special place. A truly hallowed hall.” —Tara Nevins, Donna the Buffalo

Gates 6pm/ Show 8pm; Seating $35/ Standing Room $25
More info at http://levonhelm.com/midnight_ramble.htm
Levon Helm Studios: 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock, NY 12498
845.679.2744

Distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable,
Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people

Having started in 1989, Donna the Buffalo just passed the marker as their 25th year as a band and have proven to be a true purveyor of American music. What’s the recipe? To be sure, it’s infused with more spices than you’ll find at a Cajun cookout by way of a southern-fried, rockin’ country old-time jamboree. “For the dizzying array of styles and genres with which they work, Donna The Buffalo maintain a surprising level of consistency… over the course of their 25-year career, they retain a sharp focus that has helped them create some truly lasting music…” writes Elmore. “Few groups are this comfortable as performers, and even fewer would take as many risks.”

Donna the Buffalo. Photo by Bill Davis.

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Honer Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

“You have to do just what you want to do, and everyone likes different things,” Nevins says. “Both Jeb and I come from this background of old-time fiddle music, which is very natural, very real, very under-produced, and all about coming from the gut—flying by the seat of your pants. So we have that in us, too.”

Donna the Buffalo has also announced The Stampede: A tour to raise awareness to the inappropriate use of corporate money in politics. They’ve joined forces with Ben Cohen, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s, who has started stamping slogans on currency in protest (stampstampede.org). “As a band, we have made a long term commitment to join this burgeoning movement,” says Jeb Puryear. “It is clear to us that we will never get significant government action on issues like healthcare, student debt, wall street banks, the environment, and corporate tax evasion until we outlaw legalized corporate bribery of our politicians.”

They are joining forces with legendary American roots music troubadour Peter Rowan to kick off The Stampede in the Fall of 2015 and are looking to snowball the tour into the election year to raise awareness to the topic. Peter Rowan says, “At last, it comes around again; making music with Donna the Buffalo, one of my favorites.”

All Music Guide says their most recent album, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday (2013 Sugar Hill Records), “highlights everything this consistent band does, and it has a warm, live-sounding production… This is what 21st century Americana sounds like, a little bit of this and that from anywhere wrapped up into a poignant, jamming dance reel, a place where the past and history meet easily in the immediate now and everybody feels like dancing.”

Donna the Buffalo has toured the nation for over twenty five years with an ever-evolving grassroots sound and plans to keep on doing so for many years to come.

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

What folks are saying about Donn the Buffalo:

“Multi-instrumentalist Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear, both ace guitarists, split vocals and writing for this band that’s country, old-timey, rock and roll, and well, just all around great. Best tune? Pick any one.” —Vintage Guitar

“I first encountered DtB at MerleFest in the late 1990s. They were to me an unknown band with a weird name in the dance tent. I got seduced by Tara Nevins’ accordion and swishy beats and next thing I knew I was soaked with sweat and losing myself. They’re the EDM of Americana.“ —Music City Roots’ Craig Havighurst

“Initially inspired by Appalachian string music, they’ve since incorporated folk, pop, soul, zydeco, and psychedelic rock. Meanwhile, Jeb Puryear’s reedy tenor and Tara Nevins’ husky comely croon complement each other with their earthy charm, yet as songwriters they each possess their own distinct character.” ––Charleston Scene

“The beauty of Donna’s presentation and the secret of their success and longevity is the purely organic way they weave genres together without diluting them. Many bands can’t generate this kind of enthusiasm and energy in half as much time and with half as many albums that Donna the Buffalo have over twentysomething years and ten studio albums.” —Cleveland Scene

“They’ve got some real chops in just about every department.” —The Nashville Scene

“Donna the Buffalo is quite simply one of the groovin’est bands in America — a bona-fide American institution.” —New Haven Register

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

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Asheville’s Tellico Enters The Studio To Record Their Debut Album After A Succesful Kickstarter Campaign

After a Successful Kickstarter Campaign,
Asheville’s Tellico Enters the Studio To Record Their Debut Album
Tellico is Anya Hinkle (guitar, fiddle & vocals), Stig Stiglets (bass & vocals),
Aaron Ballance (dobro), and Jed Willis (mandolin, clawhammer banjo)

Newly Formed Asheville Band, Tellico, Raises $12,248 For Debut Album
Jon Stickley Will Produce the Album at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville

Tellico is happy to announce their Kickstarter campaign was successfully funded and they will be heading into the studio at the turn of the year to record their debut album. Based in Asheville NC with it’s thriving roots music scene, the quartet combines some of the finest voices, songs and instrumental prowess in western North Carolina and beyond. Tellico features the singing and songwriting of Anya Hinkle (guitar, fiddle, vocals) and Stig Stiglets (bass, vocals) with Aaron Ballance on dobro and Jed Willis on mandolin and clawhammer banjo.

Late last year, former members of the Asheville bands Dehlia Low (Anya, Aaron, and Stig) and Town Mountain (Jed) decided the combination of their history together and the excitement of a new project was so compelling that they formed Tellico. “This project has rekindled something powerful,” says Ballance. “I’m looking forward to resurging the sounds with Anya and Stig and to working with Jed. As an instrumentalist, I can’t think of better company.”

The band is wowed by all of the support: on top of their Kickstarter totals of $12,248 (surpassing the $7500 goal) they also received a grant from the Toe River Arts Council for $1000.

Rehearsals are now in progress in advance of the recording dates. The album will be recorded at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville over the New Year holiday with Chris Rosser as the engineer. Tellico is proud to announce that fellow Ashevillian, Jon Stickley (Jon Stickley Trio), will produce the album and has been working with the band during their rehearsals. This is really special for the band on a lot of levels; Jon and Jed have known each other and played music together since they were 16! Also, Jon produced Dehlia Low’s album “Tellico” (the namesake album of this new outfit that has newly arisen since Dehlia Low). Jon has also performed with both in Dehlia Low and Tellico over the years.

“I was so excited when I heard about the formation of Tellico! I’ve had the pleasure of producing other projects for these musicians and was happy to re-enter that relationship.” Jon Stickley goes on to say,  “Anya’s lyrics are full of subtle emotion, and the melodies are unshakeable. Stig’s tunes range from bluesy ragtime romps to longing tales of love that just didn’t work out. It is all complimented by the tasteful and diverse accompaniment of Aaron’s Dobro, and Jed’s mandolin and clawhammer banjo. Tellico blends refined songwriting, sweet vocal harmonies, and expert picking to create something that has elements of bluegrass and old-time, but is a sound all its own. I’m really looking forward to helping them make a great record.”

The band is all in unison in singing Stickley praises for the job. Jed expresses, “As long as I have played music, Stickley’s virtuosic presence has pushed and inspired me. For a decade and a half our musical lives have woven in and out of each other’s and I have witnessed his immeasurable influence on musical communities across the country. I am excited and proud to be crossing paths with him on this project.”

“Anyone who has heard Stickley play knows his sense of adventure. He draws from many sources and understands what it is to make something new that derives from the old,” says Aaron. “He is as skilled and creative a player as any of us know. Just the thought of being in the same room with him makes one want to play their absolute best. Top it off with a warm personality, and you’ve got the best kind of friction imaginable. We’re lucky to have him work with us on this album. He’s the real thing!” Stig says “Stickley makes completely original music and we look forward to applying some of that science towards our new record.”

The band feels really good about an Asheville-based project from head to toe. The songs that will be on the album reflect the sights, sounds, and feelings of living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina capturing the resonating and universal themes of love, disaster, cheatin’, loss, busking, dreams, and change. The blend of Anya and Stig’s committed, authentic vocals with Aaron’s flowing and soaring dobro and Jed’s textured and expressive mandolin bring to the songs their foundation, rooted in the mountain music they grew up with, but taken somewhere unique.

“I love how the songs on the album sound with these musicians playing all things that I didn’t even realize I was longing to hear.  Their playing overlays absolutely perfectly with the meanings of the songs, whether playful and amusing or searching, haunting and lonely,” says Anya Hinkle.

“We carry with us the support of our backers from our Kickstarter campaign, which means the world to us as we begin the process of recording because it’s a daunting process to capture, to freeze, a song at a single given time and place.” says Anya. “Jon’s positive guidance and relaxed confidence helps us to welcome this opportunity to make the best music we possibly can when we get into the studio.”

Tellico looks forward to the new album and will be updating on the progress at tellicoband.com, facebook.com/tellico & twitter.com/TellicoBand.

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YouTube Contest: Win Artist Passes to Jomeokee and Jam with Del McCoury!

Jomeokee is doing a video contest for a chance for someone to win 2 artist passes and a chance to  jam with Del McCoury at  the festival which takes place on September 14-16th, 2012. 

Del himself will be one of the judges picking the winner!

 

Del McCoury and Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival are proud to announce the “Jam with Del McCoury at Jomeokee Fest” YouTube contest. Musicians are encouraged to submit a video of themselves jamming, soloing and shredding to win the chance of playing onstage with bluegrass legend Del McCoury at the first annual Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival this September 14-16, 2012. One winner will receive 2 artist credentials to Jomeokee Fest and a once in a lifetime opportunity of playing in front of a live audience alongside the Del McCoury Band.

“This is an exciting chance for a fan to take part in a special performance with our friends,” says Del McCoury. “I love festivals that give a you family reunion feel; a big party with friends that you don’t get to see that often. That’s what Jomeokee Fest is shooting for!” He continues, “They gave me a whole stage to treat like a pickin’ party at my house!”

To enter, musicians must submit and upload a live performance video to the Jomeokee Fest YouTube channel www.youtube.com/jomeokeefest. Video entries must be less than two minutes in length. Entrants are asked to submit videos that showcase their skill. Video entries do not have to be of a full song – feel free to edit a previous performance that showcases a solo or particularly engaging moment. All instruments are encouraged to apply, but keep in mind: the winner will be performing with a band comprised of mostly acoustic instruments, therefore, heavy effects are discouraged. The sound for the video must be from the original recording, videos with an audio track overlaid will not be considered. The contest is open to all ages and entries must be received by August 10, 2012.

A panel of judges, which will include Del McCoury, will choose one grand-prize winner and two runners-up. The winners will be announced on August 17th. In addition to playing a song with the Del McCoury Band at Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival, the grand-prize winner will receive two artist passes with access to premium camping during the festival. Runners-up will receive a Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival poster signed by the Del McCoury Band. Full contest rules are available on the Jomeokee Festival website http://jomeokeefest.com/jam-with-del-contest/.

To submit a video or view submissions, visit www.youtube.com/jomeokeefest

For more information about Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival or to purchase tickets, visit www.jomeokeefest.com

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ABOUT JOMEOKEE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL:

The first annual Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival will take place September 14 – 16, 2012 at the Jomeokee Campgrounds in Pinnacle, NC. Set inside a natural amphitheater, in front of Pilot Mountain, two side-by-side stages will showcase alternating sets of first-class live music. On one stage, bluegrass living legend Del McCoury will curate top notch bluegrass, string and Americana music. On the second stage, fans will get their groove on to sets featuring collectives of funk, jam and world music. Headliners Del McCoury Band and Stephen Marley will be joined by Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams and the Travelin’ McCourys, Jimmy Herring Band, Lettuce, The Everyone Orchestra (Conducted by Matt Butler and featuring Jimmy Herring(Widespread Panic), Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico(moe.), Michael Kang (The String Cheese Incident), George Porter Jr. (Meters), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Jeff Sipe, members of Lettuce, and more!), The Emmitt-Nershi Band, and many more! Jomeokee is a family friendly festival featuring artist workshops, tent and RV camping, a kids’ zone, late night campfire jams and more. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Limit 2 kids per adult.

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Music Video Asheville is THIS Wed, May 9th at Cinebarre!

ASHEVILLE RED CARPET EVENT ALERT:

5th Annual MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE
Wednesday, May 9th at Cinebarre

Tickets on Sale Now!

Dress the part and get decked out in your Grammy finest attire* (of with your Asheville flare) and hit the Red Carpet at the 5th annual Music Video Asheville Viewing and Awards show THIS Wednesday, May 9th at Cinebarre, at The Biltmore Square Mall. Gather with your friends, pose for photos, and vote on the crowd favorite. Prizes for winners will include a free day of studio time at Echo Mountain Recording Studios and a $500 cash prize!

Classic cars with chauffeurs will be at the theater parking lot to drop you off for your Red Carpet moment; paparazzi, photo shoot and all! Come in style on the New Belgium VIP Party Bus: it will pick you up at the One Stop downtown and  bring you back after the awards for an After-Parti with DJ’s Molly Parti and Par.

There are 30+ videos in this year’s event shows a broad range of styles from hip-hop to indie rock to americana. Come early, at 6pm, to get in on the great photo opportunities, hang with your friends, and mingle with the filmmakers and musicians. Seating starts at 7:15 with the show promptly beginning at 7:30pm with a brief intermission. At 9:30 the audience ballots (your ticket stub) will be collected. While the votes are tallied, Guest Speaker Tom Taddeo will talk about his experience in working on music videos with Snoop Dog, Tupac, Dr Dre, Ice Cube and answer questions. An awards ceremony will follow.

Tickets are available at Harvest Records,  The Honeypot and Cinebarre. For more information visit http://www.musicvideoasheville.com.

*NOTE: Fancy dress is not required, just a lot of fun!

Who’s who of MVA:

Musicians

Kovacs and the Polar Bear, Agent 23, Stephaniesid, Underhill Rose, Chachillie, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Will Newman, Mad Tea: Krekel and Ami, Arizona, Mr. 1NE 5IVE feat. Chachillie, Cheeksters, The Critters, Ivan the Terribles, Caleb Johnson, The Night Lights, Chachillie, Kipper Schauer, The Campaign 1984, Sallie Ford, The Broadcast, Foul Mouth Jerk, Rock Eblen, Two People Playing Music, Rollie Thomas, Total War, Scott Duncan, Weekend Cult

Filmmakers:

Paul Chelmis Films, Hobey Ford and Shane Peters, Twin Gravity, Caitlin Krisko, Bob Peck, Edward Bakinowski and Andrew Anderson, Shane Peters, Jesse Romine, Chase Hudson, Troy Scott Burnett, Katie Damien, Jesse Hamm, Dane Smith, Daniel Judson, Paul Schattel, Bioflyer Productions, Scott Duncan, Ami Worthen, Trevor Traynor, Leopold Firesauce and David Clegg, Harvey Robinson and Carolyn deBerry

MVA has selected five music business professionals from various aspects of the music industry to select the MVA Judges Choice Award. They work within film, radio, music publications/media, promotion, and a music venue. Tom Taddeo is filmmaker who has worked on 100’s of music videos including working with Snoop Dog, Tupac, Dr Dre, Ice Cube and more; he is based in Charlotte, NC. Tom will also be a guest speaker at the event while we are counting ballots for the crowd vote. Sean O’Connell is President and Founder of Music Allies and Creative Allies; he is based in Asheville. Rex Thomson is a writer, photographer and videographer with Honest Tune Magazine as well as creator of festival-based reality TV series Rex-A-Vision; he is based in Louisville, KY. Sadie is a radio host on 98.1 the RIVER and Mountain Mornings with Carson & Sadie on 105.9 the Mountain in Asheville. Sam Katz is Partner/Talent Buyer for the Asheville Music Hall and the One Stop.

Special Thanks to the MVA 2012 Sponsors: Red Carpet Sponsor: 98.1 The River,  Grammy Sponsor: Echo Mountain Recording, VIP Party Bus Sponsor: The New Belgium Brewery, and After-Parti Sponsor: The One Stop. We’d also like to thank The ONcorps, and Lush Life Productions, Dreamspider Publicity, and Sound Mind Creative for their work to make MVA 2012 a success!

MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE DETAILS AT A GLANCE:

MVA: A Showcase to Highlight Asheville Musicians & Filmmakers

Screening: Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
6:00pm Networking Party
7:15pm Seating
7:30pm sharp – Show Starts
9:30pm Speaker, Crowd Vote & Awards
$8 adv/ $10 dos general admission

*Cinebbare serves beer and food*

Tickets are now available at:
Harvest Records, The Honeypot and Cinebarre

VIP Tickets $30- includes transportation
(Limited availability online, The One Stop or Harvest Records)

VIP Ticket link: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/241264

*NOTE: MVA has rating this viewing “R” because of adult content and themes.

Cinebarre, at Biltmore Square Mall
828.665.8661
800 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC
www.cinebarre.com

Find Us On Facebook
www.musicvideoasheville.com
Click to see last year’s winners!

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Help Raise Funds for Billy Constable to Offset Medical Expenses at Larry Keel and Natural Bridge Shows This December

The following concerts are in conjunction with a benefit Larry Keel and Natural Bridge is hosting for an entire weekend for our good friend Billy Constable. Billy has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has just had brain surgery and does not have insurance. LKNB will be accepting donations on his behalf, donating their merchandise sales and hosting a 50/50 raffle to raise money for Billy to offset his medical expenses.  
Visit www.billyconstable.com for more info.

Melting Point in Athens, GA 12/8
Legal Grounds in Rutherfordton, NC 12/9
Pour House in Charleston, SC 12/10

Billy has been diagnosed with a lump on the lower portion of his brain which has been causing increasingly frequent seizures. He is currently seeing medical specialists and gathering evaluations. The expense is certain to be high, and Billy is without medical insurance. We are coming together, as friends and fellow musicians, to help offset those costs.

Billy Constable grew up in a very musical family in Avery County, and he has been playing music for most of his life. Billy is part of Avery County’s Wiseman family, which includes a number of professional musicians including Scotty Wiseman, Lawrence Wiseman, David Wiseman, Fiddling Jimmy Wiseman, banjo picker Kent Wiseman, and Billy’s mother, Lois.

Billy began playing guitar professionally as a youngster with bluegrass great Charlie Moore, who had married Billy’s mother. He also played in Douglas Dillard’s newly formed “post Dillards” bluegrass band The Doug Dillard Band from Hollywood, which also featured Byron Berline and occasional guests like Vassar Clements and Sam Bush.

Billy’s approach to the banjo is firmly rooted in Appalachian string music, but it can be deceptively eclectic. His influences begin at home and with his family, but Billy’s repertoire is vast, and he is comfortable in most musical situations. In addition to banjo, Billy is also an accomplished musician on the guitar, mandolin and violin.

Travers Chandler writes in Bluegrass Today, “I was well aware of what a musical giant Billy Constable was. He had spent time with The Doug Dillard Band, toured with Kenny Baker and Josh Graves, and later worked with envelope-pushers like Larry Keel, Leftover Salmon, and String Cheese Incident on both banjo and guitar.  It wasn’t until I had moved to Asheville in 2010, though, that I became aware of what a rare human being he was – both as a friend, and a brother in the order of acoustic music. We had spoken a time or two during my research on Charlie, and I knew of his prowess and ability to play all kinds of acoustic music: jamband, gypsy, rock and roll… The guy is a genius.”

“He was a mentor to all of us,” Jon Jon Davis said [in an interview in the Boone Mountain Times with Frank Ruggiero],“and he’s played with everybody.”

LKNB’s Mark Schimick says in the same interview, “Billy Constable was the main bluegrass teacher for Jon Jon and myself,” he said. “When he first heard us play, he heard a bunch of green musicians, as far as bluegrass is concerned, but he heard how we knew to play the rhythm to it,” Schimick said.

During the next couple years, Constable became their bluegrass mentor, teaching them how to play solos, sing the parts and behave on the road. “In a lot of ways, he helped us all get started on how to become professional musicians,” Schimick said. “Playing with him is like playing with family,” Schimick said. “He’s just as down to earth playing on stage as he is hanging out.”

For more information about Billy Constable and for updates on his medical situation, please visit:  www.billyconstable.com.

If people would prefer to mail a donation, please mail to:
Dave Ruch
155 St James Place
Buffalo NY 14222
dave@daveruch.com
716-884-6855

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Songs Of Water will be performing at LEAF this Fall!

LEAF Set Times and Stages:

10/20 9:00pm @ Eden Hall
10/21 6:30pm @ Roots Family Stage
10/21 11:30pm @ Eden Hall

For more information on The Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain, NC please visit theleaf.org

www.songsofwater.com

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Much like the earthly element from which they draw their name, the story of Songs Of Water ebbs and flows, pulsing with life, beauty and energy. Beginning in 2002, Songs Of Water started as a loose community of friends centered on writing and experimenting with different sounds and instrumentation. Most of the music was off-the-cuff improvisation that later grew and matured into completed composition.

That attention to the natural flow and feel of music even extended to the make-up of the group itself, as the membership rose to as many as ten and fell to as little as three, depending on the needs of the music. Stephen Roach (vocals, guitar, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, percussion, tenor banjo) revels in the “cross pollination” found within the band’s members and their individual talents. “One of the unique qualities about the band is that most of our backgrounds are very different than one another.”

Luke Skaggs (violin, guitar, lap steel, percussion, backing vocals) and Molly Skaggs (vocals, accordian, banjo) grew up with bluegrass in their blood, thanks to Ricky Skaggs being their dad. Roach’s own heritage came from his father and from his cousin, acclaimed bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice.

Marta Richardson (violin) and Sarah Stephens (cello, vocals) are both classically trained musicians who have played in symphonies. The line-up is completed by Jason Windsor (classical, acoustic & baritone guitar, mandolin), Greg Willette (bass guitar, acoustic guitar), and Michael Pritchard (drums, percussion, hammered dulcimer, acoustic guitar).

So what ultimately binds this collective of extraordinary musicians together? According to Roach, “we discovered it was really fun to play this sort of cinematic, explorative music in a live setting. It flies so contrary to what you hear in most live music settings. The music pulls you into a deeper, perhaps even spiritual experience.”

Shutter 16 goes on to say, “Songs of Water’s musical range, not only instrumentally but vocally as well, is an elaborate production of many skilled musicians. If Hollywood decides to revisit Last of the Mohican’s or another similar tale as they look for more stories they can just reshoot in IMAX 3D, I fully expect SoW to be the featured sound-track artist as Linkin Park was to Transformers. Songs of Water is not something to miss.”

Their newest release, “The Sea Has Spoken,” is a true collaboration of all members, arrangements with textures woven together by everyone in the band. Their focus on mostly instrumental music comes from the power that sound without words wields over all of us. By leaving aside traditional lyrics, Songs Of Water’s music encompasses the listener, leading them to reconsider music, life and exploration anew. Their music becomes an interactive canvas, inviting all who hear to joy in the act of creation corporately.

“The band’s music feels primitive but forward-thinking, exotic yet familiar; it creates a complete narrative in the listener’s mind with rarely a word sung. Essentially, their music is transportive,”says Ryan Snyder with Shuffle Magazine. Alli Marshal with the Mountain Xpresssays, “The whole record ebbs and flows with graceful gestures, sweeping strokes of light and dark, complex layering and effortless playing… the collection as a whole is so engaging that, surely, to see the musicians in action would only add to the experience.”

Ultimately, the impetus for the band’s existence is the desire to share that transcendent experience with others. The members of Songs Of Water stumbled onto a new form of expression that connected with audiences, spurring them on to further innovations. Hungry to engage even more, they are now pursuing this path to see where the road might lead. As Roach puts it, “Water can be a peaceful stream or it can be a violent tsunami. Our music has that same tendency from moment to moment. It may be a contemplative classical guitar one moment or a raging orchestra of percussion the next.”

And thus flows Songs Of Water, roaming wide and far to pull its listeners in with tendrils of music and beauty.

“Although listeners will hear more than 30 instruments on the new album — from dun duns to doumbeks — the songs still ring familiar. Traditional sounds from the hammered dulcimer, banjo, and acoustic guitar reflect North Carolina’s musical roots. All the musicians credit their North Carolina heritage for influencing their music.”–
Carole Perkins – Our State Magazine
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www.songsofwater.com
twitter.com/songsofwater
facebook.com/songsofwater
youtube.com/songsofwater

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Dreamspider Interviews with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra on Lingua Musica

New Lingua Musica Episode: Erin Scholze from Dreamspider Publicity talks with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra at The Musicians Workshop on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville, NC in July 2011. Daniel Judson filmed and edited this video which is copyright Luminescence LLC 2011 and may be used as long as proper credit is given.

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Jonathan Scales has been called a “…rising star of the steel drums…” by Traps Magazine and “The Real Deal” by Pan on the Net and as having “A Thelonius Monk-like attitude with a Mozart creativity that works.” Premier Steel Pan magazine, When Steel Talks states , “At the end of the day, Scales is going to be a major play in rewriting the books on steelpan music outside of the box.”

In this episode of Lingua Musica, Jonathan Scales discusses how he came about his style of Steel Pan. Also hear more about his new album, Character Farm & Other Short Stories, which is a 45-minute dive deeper into the compositionally-twisted work. There are nine original instrumental “stories” on the album which transport listeners from the primal Jam We Did to the lush Hallucinations of the Dream Chasers. The title track Character Farm brings the audience into a chilled, ‘worldly’ ride after the frantically emotional The Longest December. Guest appearance on the record include Jeff Coffin (of Dave Matthews Band / Bela Fleck & the Flecktones), Yonrico Scott and Kofi Burbridge (of Derek Trucks Band fame) and the dazzling work of fiddle virtuoso Casey Driessen.  Also, you will meet the cast of Characters that make up the Fourchestra: classically trained composer turned steel pan maestro and front man of the Fourchestra, Jonathan Scales, is heavily influenced by the complexity of banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck to the hustle of Jay-Z. Gritty blues guitarist, Duane Simpson, and fusion-chops bassist, Cody Wright, provide the harmonic support for Scales’ sound; while jazz/hip-hop drummer, Phill Bronson, drives the time-shifting, modern grooves. 

Scales, along with fimmaker Daniel Judson, produced an insightful Music Video for the song Muddy Vishnu; snippets of the music video are shown in the interview. Watching Muddy Vishnu is “almost like a Being John Malkovich set inside Scales’ own world of found rhythms, visions, colors, friends, inspirations and rare silence,” writes Asheville’s Mountain Xpress.

In this episode of Lingua Musica, Scales’s also talks about the album’s comic book-inspired images, designed by Gregory Keyzer, that tie together the musical fusion of his Fourchestra. “There’s a different illustration for every song,” Scales says in an interview with Robin Tolleson in Bold Life. “It’s cool because you can kind of put a visual image with each piece. The album is packaged like a book of short stories, but there’s an overlying theme. The sonic tapestry, mixed with the congruent artwork, really ties the whole thing together. The pictures help people make their judgments about what it’s about and how they feel about it. It’s not complete long form, but it’s closer.”

Character Farm, along with a glossy 19 x 13 poster depicting the custom designed comic book graphics illustrating each song are available at www.jonscales.com.

This video was brought to you by Lingua Musica: Where Music is the Universal Language…

www.jonscales.com

www.linguamusicalive.com

www.danieljudson.com

www.dreamspider.net

www.musiciansworkshop.com

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Find out more about All Go West Festival: Video Interview with Jeremiah Greer Live!

All Go West Music festival to take on its second installment, located in the streets west Asheville NC. On April 23rd, 2011, The Festival will uniquely offer an array of musical talent, BBQ, and local Brew. Free!

In the second annual running of All Go West, anticipation builds for the integrating a great deal of local artistic talent to create a superior festival based upon community. The street party takes place on April 23rd, 2011 from 12 PM until 10 PM in west Asheville, in front of Harvest Records. All Go West is a festival embracing ideals of Asheville’s naturally creative progression, offering local art, food, beer vendors, and musicians. The festival’s admission remains free, hoping to enrich the cities ethos as an outstanding venue, gifted in a strong imaginative talent.

This year, All Go West is excited to introduce the newest installment, Beer and BBQ Tasting, featuring Luella’s Barbeque. The 2011 Beer vendors include Pisgah Brewing, Highland Brewing Company, Foothills Brewery, Forty Back Brewery, and more TBA. The city of west Asheville has opened up the streets of Waynesville Road and Westwood Place to local vendors, fashion boutiques, and artists for the public to contribute their own artistic venture.

The most significant feature to the festival is the broad range of musical talent to take over the Mountain Xpress and Pisgah Stage located on Waynesville Road. Spanning a vast range of different genres, All Go West incorporates everything from hip-hop, blue-grass, electronic, and even rock.

This year’s installment includes the musical likes of:

Josh Phillips Folk Festival
Floating Action

Do it to Julia
Uncle Mountain
The New Familiars

Supercollider

RBTS WIN
Wages
Sirius B
Secret B Sides
The Critters
Aaron “Woody” Wood
Doc Aquatic
Common Foundation
10 Cent Poetry
For The Birds
Lyric

www.allgowest.com

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The HATCH Experience brings music panels & workshops to Asheville: April 14th to 17th

HATCH is a biannual four-day experience that energizes creative professionals and thought leaders who are serious about transforming their ideas and talents into bold action, while inspiring others to do the same.

During HATCH, local studios, galleries, theaters, concert halls, and other select locations throughout downtown Asheville host experiential exhibits, panels, workshops, and networking events. The energy of HATCH surrounds and engages you. HATCH is unique because attendees and sponsors are part of the creative process. Everyone attending has intimate access to influential industry professionals across a range of creative disciplines.

HATCH 2011 will bring over 70 top professionals from seven creative fields to Asheville to act as mentors in film, music, fashion, journalism, photography, architecture, and design & technology. The magic of HATCH comes to life when cross-disciplinary explorations lead to exposure within the creative community, expansion of ideas & actions, and evolution of creative visions.

HATCH is actively engaged in fulfilling the following core initiatives:
Spotlighting innovators and solutions for better living.

• Creating a potent network of thought leaders who can affect change
• Discussing how emerging technologies are affecting our planet
• Increasing academic innovation through furthering school/community collaborations

More about the Music Panels and Music Workshops is below and in more detail at the website. More information about the other creative fields represented (Film, Tech, Photo, etc) can be found at http://hatchexperience.com. You can purchase tickets to attend multiple HATCH panels, workshop and other events at the website: http://hatchexperience.com/tickets

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MUSIC: Vision // Music ReMIX

Hatch Music: Remix Everything

Join HATCH for ongoing collaborations with the music community and participate in spontaneous creation. There are several Music Panels and Workshops with discussions on how technology is changing our interactions with music.  Find out about more about the at http://hatchexperience.com/music/

GROUNDBREAKERS: Have Your Music Remixed

Hatch is seeking song submissions for bands for Hatch Remix.  Be selected as a Music Groundbreaker and work on a remix of your music with New York City’s DJ Nickodemus and producer Moreno Visini aka Zeb, the Spy From Cairo. Songs should be submitted by Saturday, April 8th and will be considered on quality and the vision that Nickodemus and Moreno Visini have on creating a final remix during HATCH. The winning band(s) will also have the opportunity to work alongside the remixers and will have full rights to release the remix for commercial or promotional purposes as long as they attribute HATCH, Nickodemus, Moreno Visini, Echo Mountain Studio and any engineers. All genres are encouraged to join. Upload Your Song Here

Schedule of Music events by day:

Wednesday, April 13th: 7 pm ~ Music Video Asheville ~ Fine Arts Theatre
A showcase highlighting the pairing of Asheville musicians and filmmakers

Thursday, April 14th: 5 pm – 7 pm ~ Music Conversation: What’s Working From Who’s Working Workshop ~ Echo Mountain Recording Studio (API)
Join Asheville-based musicians and industry pros for a discussion about making money making music. This is a great opportunity to network with your peers that are musicians, publicists, agents, club bookers and festivals reps and discuss making a living in the music industry.

Thursday, April 14th: 7 pm Doors, 8 pm Show ~ Ben Sollee Live In Concert with special guest ~ Lexington Ave Brewery (LAB) Backroom
Ben Sollee is a classically trained pop cellist who explores contemporary folk music in an urbanized world. He will release his new album entitled Inclusions on May 10th, 2011.* A limited number of tickets will be on sale soon for $20.

Friday, April 15th:  9pm – 12 am ~ Hatch Networking Party ~ TBA Venue
Join Hatch attendees, mentors and groundbreakers for a networking event and music performances from HATCH Participants.

Friday, April 15th: 1 pm ~ Panel: Music Remixed ~ Innovators Lounge (Jubilee Downstairs, 46 Wall St)
Everything is changing for music fans, musicians and the music business.   Remix and rethink your perceptions about music. Panelists will explore the changing landscape of music discovery, listening, creation and marketing.  Mentors featured on the panel include:

• Ben Sollee ~ Cellist, activist, songwriter, performer.
• Malcolm Campbell ~ Publisher, Spin Magazine.
• Molly Nagel ~ General Manager, Music Allies / former VP of Artist Development at Sugar Hill Records.
• DJ Nickodemus ~ Producer, remixer, label owner and NYC’s longest running dance music party promoter.
• Tor Hansen ~ Co-Owner: Redeye Distribution / Yep Roc Music Group.

Saturday, April 16th: 9pm – 12 am ~ HATCH Closing Party ~ On Broadway
Celebrate the spirit of HACTH with new friends, HATCH attendees, mentors and groundbreakers for a networking event and music performances.

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Future of Asheville Music and HATCH Festival present The 4th Annual MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE at The Fine Arts Theater on Wednesday, April 13th

MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE 2011

A Showcase to Highlight the Pairing of Asheville Musicians & Filmmakers

Presented by the Future of Asheville Music and HATCH Festival

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Submission Deadline: Wednesday, March 25th 2011

$10 Submission Fee

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Screening: Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
$6, 7pm Networking Party, 8-10pm Screening

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Fine Arts Theater

36 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-1536

foam@futureofashevillemusic.com
www.musicvideoasheville.com
www.fineartstheatre.com

Asheville, NC –  The Future of Asheville Music and HATCH Present the 4th annual MUSIC VIDEO ASHEVILLE to showcase the pairing of Asheville musicians and filmmakers. We are thrilled to announce this year’s Music Video Asheville is presented by Hatch and sponsored by Music Allies, Creative Allies, Echo Mountain Recording, and fiscal sponsor The Media Arts Project. The MVA screening is open to the public and takes place on Wednesday, April 13th, 2010 at the Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville starting at 7pm. Tickets are available after April 1st for $6 each at the Fine Arts Theater, Mamacitas, Static Age, Harvest Records, and Orbitz DVD. The submission deadline is March 25th. Please visit www.musicvideoasheville.com for more information on the event and how to submit.

The MVA mission is to increase the awareness and appreciation of Asheville musicians and filmmakers/ videographers by showcasing their collaborative works in a public event. All Buncombe County residents who are musical artists and filmmakers are welcome to submit up to three videos or films showcasing their act’s live footage, conceptual music video, experimental/ animation or documentary style music films.

Music Video Asheville will host an awards ceremony at the end of the screening for the Audience Choice Awards as well as the MVA Juried selections. Prizes this year include a $500 cash prize donated by Music Allies, a cash prize from the ticket sales, and a free day of recording at Echo Mountain’s full service, analog and digital recording studio valid June-July 2011.

Music Video Asheville happens on the eve of Hatch which takes place April 14-17th. Hatch is a biannual four-day experience that energizes creative professionals and thought leaders who are serious about transforming their ideas and talents into bold action, while inspiring others to do the same. While HATCH invites the mentors and groundbreaking artists, anyone with a creative spirit can participate. Tens of thousands have attended previous HATCH events, and with hundreds of thousands visiting our website.

Musicians, fans and those interested in the music business can attend music panels and workshops during Hatch. This year, the theme for Hatch Music is called “Remix Everything”. Panels and workshops will discuss how everything is changing for music fans, musicians and the music business. Visit their website at www.HatchExperience.com.

Music Video Asheville is an independently organized event by members of The Future of Asheville Music (FoAM). Partners of MVA include Sound Mind Media and Dreamspider Publicity. Find out more about FoAM and Music Video Asheville at www.musicvideoasheville.com You can also check out playlists and winners from previous Music Video Asheville Events at the MVA YouTube channel www.youtube.com/musicvideoavl.

A Word About Music Video Asheville Sponsors:

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What is FoAM?

FoAM, Future of Asheville Music, began in December 2006 as an initial gathering of about 70 local Buncombe County musicians at the Asheville Area Arts Council. The goal was to start a networking/professional development group of musicians to support Asheville music. From that meeting came a number of ideas from marketing Asheville as the national music city that it is to generating more support for individual musicians at local venues, to providing opportunities for musicians to network. Developed by the FoAM Core, a play on the traditional steering committee, the FoAM mission is to promote and support Asheville area-based musicians through advocacy, networking, and education. Music Video Asheville is one way FoAM meets that mission. Please email foam@futureofashevillemusic.com for more info.

About Music Allies:

Music Allies consults some of the biggest names in music and provides them with an outsourced marketing team. Our company leverages strong relationships with websites, radio stations, publications and brands to market music, events and products. Music Allies clients include Jack Johnson, Ani DiFranco, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Justin Timberlake’s new record label Tennman Records, Outside Lands Festival, the Concerts for the Coasts, G Love, the Hangout Music Festival, Camp Bisco, Moogfest, Aimee Mann, Joanne Osborne and many many more.

Music specializes in strategy, publicity, online partnerships, radio marketing and most recently, in the development of custom apps that increase fan interaction and loyalty across social networks. Music Allies levels the playing field for independents by providing them access to opportunities traditionally reserved for major labels and large corporations.

Last year, Music Allies launched http://www.creativeallies.con, an online community of over 12,000 art students, designers, and illustrators. Creative Allies gives everyone a chance to enter design contests for bands, films, television shows, and festivals.Creative Allies partners include Fox Studios, Universal Music, Sony Music, EMI, and Warner Brothers. Musicians who use Creative Allies include Jack Johnson, Lollapooza, M.I.A., OK Go, the Passion Pit and the Indigo Girls.

Music Allies and Creative Allies are headquartered in downtown Asheville, NC. Find out more at www.musicallies.com and www.creativeallies.com.

About The Media Arts Project:

Driven by the belief that media arts are integral to the vibrant cultural and economic life of the region, the Media Arts Project (MAP) cultivates innovative arts & technology in western North Carolina. Since 2003, the MAP has provided ways for media artists to connect with resources, professional opportunities, and one another through events, grant programs, fiscal sponsorships and its dynamic portfolio and networking site. Find out more at www.themap.org.

About Echo Mountain Recording:

Located in downtown Asheville, Echo Mountain blends vintage and state of the art equipment to create the optimum studio experience. Their two rooms have an impressive mic and outboard gear selection to compliment the Neve 8068 and the API 3288 consoles. Echo Mountain’s recording clients include The Avett Brothers, The Band of Horses, Dierks Bently, Flogging Molly, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Secret Agent 23 Skiddoo, and Toubab Krewe. Find out more at www.echomountain.net.

Some fine folks at MVA 2010. Photo by JJ Jackson.

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