For immediate release

Echosend "I Promise You" CD Release at Metro Jan 8th

Thursday January 8th, 2004, 9:00 p.m.
Metro
3750 N Clark, Chicago, Il
www.metrochicago.com
$7.00 admission

Echosend will perform January 8th at Metro in Chicago to celebrate the release of the new CD "I promise you". Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and music starts at 9:00, there is a $7.00 admission.

Echosend is an atmospheric Chicago rock band that has enjoyed radio airplay on Q101, WIIL, WCKG, WBEZ, WLUW as well as being heard on MTV's Making the Video program with No Doubt, Hanson, Brittany Spears, and Christina Aguilera. Along with Festivals, record store and coffee house performances, Echosend has performed in Chicago venues such as House of Blues, Park West,
Metro, Double Door, Excalibur, and Hard Rock Cafe.

The ten song CD "I promise you" includes two live recordings recorded at Park West in Chicago, and eight studio recordings recorded at Chicago Recording Company, Tone Zone Studios, and Safehouse studios. Echosend "I promise you" was produced by Michael Freeman and engineered by Chris Shepard.

Echosend "I promise you" CD is currently available online at www.cdbaby.com/echosend2 and at Echosend live performances.

For more information about Echosend go to www.echosend.com

MECA CONFERENCE ADDS 50 SHOWCASES AND EXTENDS SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Performers from All Genres Invited to Enter for Total of 250 Spots

CHICAGO, December 22, 2003 -- The Musician Education and Career Advancement (MECA) Conference and Festival is increasing its number of showcase performances to 250, giving more artists the opportunity to display their talent for industry professionals, peers and music fans during the conference’s four days. MECA is extending the submission deadline to January 31, 2004.

Held in Chicago May 12 – 15, 2004, the MECA Music Conference and Festival is a four-day forum of career advancement, educational and networking opportunities for serious musicians and a celebration of music for fans of all kinds. Conference organizers aim to make MECA as valuable to the music industry, musicians and music fans as other major music conferences like SXSW Conferences & Festivals and CMJ Music Marathon.

“We are planning to showcase at MECA because we think it will be great for the Chicago scene,” said Dino Kourelis of the Chicago-based rock band Lovehammers, “Lucky Strike Band to Band Combat” National Contest Winners and runners up in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. “We’re excited about the opportunity to perform and make new contacts in the industry at MECA.” The band, voted one of the top 10 unsigned bands in America by Mars Music, has performed at SXSW and CMJ in the past.

Submissions for MECA showcases are being accepted through January 31, 2003, for an entry fee of $30. Artists can enter online at mecaconference.com via SonicBids, the exclusive online submission platform for MECA 2004, or send an audio CD with at least three songs, a completed application form, payment and a press kit (including bio and photo) via mail. Complete entry details are available at mecaconference.com .

Artists from around the Midwest and the nation will be chosen by an extensive panel of music journalists and industry professionals to perform on one of the four nights. Judges include Jim Peterik, Grammy-winning songwriter/producer of chart-toppers by Survivor and .38 Special and co-author of Songwriting for Dummies; Carmen Rizzo, Grammy-nominated producer/mixer/programmer; and Billy Zero, program director at the Unsigned channel of XM Radio.

Unlike many music conferences, MECA offers more structured educational and networking opportunities for artists serious about a career in music. Working musicians can take advantage of more than 40 panels, workshops, performance clinics, one-on-one mentoring sessions and networking events. These educational sessions will cover all aspects of a career in music, from songwriting and A&R to performing rights and legal issues. Ultimately, more than 150 industry professionals are expected to participate in the panels, mentoring sessions and clinics. Registration details and a full schedule of events are available at mecaconference.com.

MECA is organized by The Morrissey Group, owners and operators of ChicagoGigs.com, a unique music community serving the greater Chicago area with comprehensive coverage of both local and national touring acts.

January 08, 2004

Schubas Practice Space Presents: Jacobstone Featuring Andrew Jonathan

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS— January 5, 2004. Kicking off Practice Space, Schubas residency series, for 2004, is Jacobstone featuring Andrew Jonathan, who will take the stage in February. As the new year brings change, Jacobstone continues a transition to their new label, Colombia Records. Jacobstone featuring Andrew Jonathan performs with guests at Schubas on Mondays, February 2 through February 23 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the door.

Although Jacobstone has existed in different forms since 1996, the band didn’t solidify until the summer of 2000, when the current members finally saw their own potential and were able to combine creativity and passion to produce the distinctive sound Jacobstone currently possess. This sound is a fusion of styles, which combine emotive alternative lyrics with compelling electronica and anthemic hooks.

Jacobstone have released a total of three albums— Glass Top Ships (1999), Chambers and Volumes (2001), and Regions (2002) —all released on Chicago Indie label, True Tunes Records. However, the band will release their next album on Colombia Records, which will bring more transition, such as member changes and a possible name change. 2004 will be yet another new beginning for Jacobstone.

Jacobstone featuring Andrew Jonathan begins their Practice Space residency on February 2 and will say goodbye on February 23. Practice Space featuring Jacobstone at Schubas Mondays, February 2 – February 23 at 8:00 p.m.

January 20, 2004

Cheap Trick 2004 North American Tour With Aerosmith

CHEAP TRICK
2004 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

BAND TO HIT THE ROAD WITH AEROSMITH
IN SUPPORT OF NEW RELEASE SPECIAL ONE

New York, NY- January 20, 2004- Cheap Trick is ready to hit the road with Aerosmith, in support of their most recent release, Special One (Cheap Trick Unlimited/ Big3 Records). The North American tour, kicking off March through June 2004, finds the rock legends in over 40 cities across the US and Canada. Clear Channel Entertainment is the national promoter for the tour.

With a career that is approaching three decades, Cheap Trick continues to reinvigorate American rock'n'roll with a unique brand of high-powered pop that has been the foundation and inspiration of many of today's hottest acts. The band - Rick Nielsen (guitar), Robin Zander (vocals, guitar), Bun E. Carlos (drums) and Tom Petersson (bass) - has numerous successes under its belt including four platinum albums (At Budokan reached quadruple-platinum) and seven gold LPs, a number-one single with "The Flame," several other Top 40 hits and a gold-certified video compilation entitled Every Trick in the Book. With more than 25 years of world touring, Cheap Trick has sold out shows in America and Japan, playing with the likes of AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Queen, The Smashing Pumpkins, KISS and the 1996 Lollapalooza Tour.

"Aerosmith and Cheap Trick! Now that's more like it!" says Rick Nielsen.

Special One, the band's first studio album in six years, finds Cheap Trick breaking stylistic boundaries while keeping true to their guitar pop roots on 11 powerful tracks. Produced by the band and Chris Shaw (Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow), the depth of the material - musically, lyrically and sonically - boosts them back to the top of the rock scene. The band has been running their own label, Cheap Trick Unlimited, for 5 years and controlling a substantial inventory of master recordings. In 2003, they aligned themselves with Big3 Records, an independent label based in St. Petersburg, FL, for a multi-album deal of both new and previous released material.

The single, "My Obsession" from Special One returns Cheap Trick to their signature power pop performance--time tested and radio ready. With early support from Q104.3 in New York City, Big3 Records will promote "My Obsession" to the Heritage and Mainstream Rock formats of radio throughout the spring with plans to eventually deliver a hit record for the female driven Adult Top 40 and Triple A formats.

Catch Cheap Trick in a town near you...

Thursday, March 11 Lubbock, TX
Saturday, March 13 El Paso, TX
Monday, March 15 Hidalgo, TX
Wednesday, March 17 Laredo, TX
Friday, March 19 Little Rock, AR
Sunday, March 21 Bossier City, LA
Tuesday, March 23 Tupelo, MS
Thursday, March 25 Lafayette, LA
Saturday, March 27 Biloxi, MS
Monday, March 29 Pensacola, FL
Thursday, April 1 Tallahassee, FL
Saturday, April 3 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Monday, April 5 Orlando, FL
Wednesday, April 7 Columbia, SC
Friday, April 9 Atlanta, GA
Wednesday, April 14 Philadelphia, PA
Friday, April 16 Dayton, OH
Sunday, April 18 Quebec City, QC
Tuesday, April 20 Montreal, QC
Thursday, April 22 Hamilton, ON
Saturday, April 24 Green Bay, WI
Tuesday, May 4 Ames, IA
Thursday, May 6 Peoria, IL
Saturday, May 8 Madison, WI
Monday, May 10 Evansville, IN
Wednesday, May 12 Sioux City, IA
Friday, May 14 Winnipeg, MB
Sunday, May 16 Saskatoon, SK
Tuesday, May 18 Edmonton, AB
Thursday, May 20 Calgary, AB
Saturday, May 22 Portland, OR
Monday, May 24 Boise, ID
Wednesday, June 2 Dallas, TX
Friday, June 4 Houston, TX
Sunday, June 6 Birmingham, AL
Tuesday, June 8 Indianapolis, IN
Wednesday, June 9 Buffalo, NY
Saturday, June 12 Atlantic City, NJ
Monday, June 14 Scranton, PA
Wednesday, June 16 Virginia Beach, VA
Friday, June 18 Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, June 20 Holmdel, NJ
Tuesday, June 22 Long Island, NY
Thursday, June 24 Boston, MA
Saturday, June 26 Hershey, PA
Monday, June 28 Cleveland, OH

* Dates are subject to change
# # #
www.cheaptrick.com

January 20, 2004

Epicycle Set To Debut New Music Video At Live Performance With Special Guest Kevin Tihista

WHERE: Nevin's Live (1450 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL.)
WHEN: 9pm, Friday, February 20th, 2004
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (#6 Greg Kot's Favorites of 2003) and Textbook (recently played on WXRT) also on the bill.
Door: $8

Chicago band Epicycle will be giving their first performance of 2004 joined onstage by Parasol recording artist Kevin Tihista. Epicycle shot a music video last summer for their song "I'm So Cool" and have recently completed the editing. The "I'm So Cool" clip will be projected at their upcoming Nevin's Live Show on February 20th. A DVD of the video as well as a limited CD single of 2 new Epicycle songs will be available at the show.

Epicycle has also been in the studio spending much of 2003 performing and co- producing on Kevin Tihista's recently completed album "Wake Up Captain" (slated for release from Parasol Records/April, 2004). Says Epicycle singer Ellis Clark: "We're all pleased that Kevin will be joining us onstage to sing a few of his new songs as well as a few backup vocals on some of the Epicycle tunes he recorded for our last album "Swirl". I know more than a few people who are eager to see him onstage again as his live performance have been scarce in the last 2 years and he seems to have been an elusive figure lately. But I can say, having spent the last year in the studio with him, he is alive and well!" Epicycle had also worked with Mr. Tihista (a former Triple Fast Action member) on his first 2 solo albums: "Don't Breathe A Word" & "Judo" available from Parasol Records.

Also on the Epicycle news front: We have just been invited to perform IPO 2004 Chicago, our third straight year. Final artwork and mastering preparations are taking place for a collection of early Epicycle recordings (circa 1978 - 1981) to released by the Italian label Rave Up Records projected release date April, 2004. This 14 -song compilation will be released in the form of a limited 180-gram LP pressing and will be available mail order through the Rave Up Records website. And work continues on Epicycle's new album, their follow up to "Swirl". We are performing two songs of the new album "Lazy Jane" and "Ordinary People"at many of our live shows. check us out at www.epicycle.co.uk

January 16, 2004

A440 Music Group - Barbara Sfraga Release

Barbara Sfraga
Under The Moon
"Vocalist Barbara Sfraga has tracked one of the most captivating jazz albums of the year with 'Under the Moon." Sfraga's debut for A440 is a major-league jazz record." - Billboard

***1/2 - Down Beat
***1/2 - Don Heckman, LA Times

"The art of jazz singing has opened up to exciting new advances in recent years, and Barbara Sfraga is one of its most promising exponents." - Rolling Stone Jazz and Blues Album Guide

On Under The Moon, Sfraga's second release and A440 debut, she breathes new life into well-worn Jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Lerner & Lowe and Rodgers & Hammerstein, while also offering vivid interpretations of pop pieces by Angela Bofill and Bob Dylan. The result is a musically diverse and highly appealing package that showcases Barbara's beautiful voice along with her considerable skills as an arranger and her restlessly creative streak as an improviser.

Featuring
Barbara Sfraga-Vocals
John McLean-Guitars
Paul Wertico-Drums
Christopher Dean Sullivan-Acoustic Bass
Kevin Patrick-Percussion

www.A440musicgroup.com

January 15, 2004

Power Chord Academy: A Dream Come True for Teen Musicians

Play in a band, make a video, record a CD, meet a touring band, & play a concert!

LOS ANGELES, CA - January 15, 2004 - Power Chord Academy announced the launch of its 2004 summer music camps for teenage musicians today. The Mid-West programs will be hosted at St. Xavier University in Chicago June 20-26th & June 27-July 3rd. San Diego State University will host the West-Coast programs July 04-10th & July 11-17th. Last Summer's programs attracted students from over 40 US States and 10 countries.

At Power Chord Academy, young musicians ages 12-18 play in a band, make a video, record a CD, meet a touring band, play a concert as well as develop an unbridled understanding of the steps inherently necessary to succeed in the professional music industry today.

"Our program is quickly becoming the essential learning experience for teenage musicians who are serious about pursuing their dreams," said Power Chord Academy Executive Director Bryan Wrzesinski.

"Power Chord Academy was very informative, fun, and just plain awesome! Because of Power Chord Academy, I think that I will have a much better chance of becoming a successful musician. Power Chord Academy was the best experience of my life!" Andrew Marks, Drummer - CA, USA

Power Chord Academy is currently accepting applications. Students who enroll before February 01, 2004 are eligible to save up to $250.00 in discounts. For more information, please visit Power Chord Academy on the web at http://www.powerchordacademy.com

January 21, 2004

Uncommon Ground Offers Casual Romance on Valentine's Day

Special price-fixed three-course Valentine's Day package available at Uncommon Ground

CHICAGO, IL: Heading into its 14th year in business, Uncommon Ground has been that sweet spot where many singles have met their future mate or significant other. While Uncommon Ground is not a 'hot singles hub,' it has always been a casual-yet-cultural meeting place - a favorite choice for blind or first dates.

This Valentine's day, Uncommon Ground will be an exceptional choice for everyone from long-time spouses to those meeting for the first time. On the evening of February 14th, the cafe will close down to regular business and be open for reservations beginning at 6:00 p.m. for their special price-fixed Valentine's Day menu. For a price of $75.00 per couple, Uncommon Ground will be offering a 3 course menu including a bottle of their superb house red, white or sparkling wine.

Singer-songwriter, Pete Schmidt (www.peteschmidtmusic.com) will provide music at 8:00 p.m. His proficient, honest songwriting, and truly skillful guitar-playing, coupled with an adept stage presence has been captivating audiences across the country and establishing Pete Schmidt as one of most significant additions to the singer-songwriter genre.

Soft lighting, a warm crackling fire, and original art are part of what make Uncommon Ground the place to take a date. Another draw is limited seating, which ensures patrons receive personal attention.

Once again, dinner reservations begin at 6:00 p.m., music begins at 8:00 p.m. and the menu price (pre-tax/gratuity) is $75 per couple. Uncommon Ground is located at 1214 West Grace St. (3800 N. Clark) -off the beaten path without being hard to get to. To make reservations call 773.929.3680 or for more information contact loudcoffee@aol.com.

# # #
Uncommon Ground
VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER MENU

First Course
(Choice Of One)
Sweet Corn & Shrimp Chowder with Cilantro Oil

Hearts Of Palm & Belgian Endive Salad
with Goat Cheese, Spiced Pecans & Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Entrees
(Choice Of One)
Beef Tenderloin with Herbs De Provence
Phyllo-Wrapped Wild Mushroom Ragout, with Black Truffle Oil, Rosemary &
Cabernet Sauce

Lobster Ravioli
with Shrimp-Scallop Butter & Fresh Arugula

Vegetarian Option:
Potato & Cauliflower Curry-Stuffed Eggplant
Herb-Cashew Crust & Saffron Cous-Cous

Dessert
(Choice Of One)
Caramelized Banana Sundae

Banana Gelato, Warm Banana-Walnut Cake, Caramel Sauce & Candied Walnuts

Luscious Chocolate Layer Cake
with Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato & Fresh Berries

Uncommon Mocha Cheesecake
Espresso Sauce & Creme Anglais

Beverages
Includes one bottle of House Champagne, Merlot or Chardonnay
$75 Per Couple, (Before Tax & Gratuity)

for dinner reservations call: 773-929-3680
visit us on the web at: www.uncommonground.com

January 25, 2004

Beatles Blast at Duke O'Brien's Feb. 11

FIFTH ANNUAL BEATLES BLAST

Celebrating the Beatles 40th Anniversary USA landing and Ed Sullivan Show debut

Wednesday, February 11

5:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

no cover, all ages

Bring the whole family when Duke O'Brien's celebrates England's most famous foursome with a long evening of music, food, games, contests, prizes, free stuff and fun. All for free!

Events include an evening of Beatles-themed competitions and a raffle with prizes awarded. The contests include: artist drawing, Beatles look alike, twist & shout dancing, name that tune, Beatles quiz, Beatles performance contest for solo or duo ($100 prize), the Heather Mills game, a Beatles mosh pit, and for the grand finale, a Beatles unplugged open mic at midnight. For a complete schedule of events, please visit www.dukeobriens.com

Beatles Day is the creation of Crystal Lake resident Steve Marshall, who hails from the Beatles hometown of Liverpool. Steve will have on display his "traveling Beatles Museum" of memorabilia. Voluntary donations to view Marshall's vast collection of "hundreds of records, magazines, books, photos and other trinkets such as Beatles dolls" will be given to the Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake’s new performing arts center.

January 27, 2004

Fitzgerald's 10th Annual Jambalaya Cookoff & Mardi Gras Party!


FITZGERALD’S
10th ANNUAL
JAMBALAYA COOKOFF & MARDI GRAS PARTY!
FEBRUARY 23rd, 2004
Monday, February 23rd come join FitzGerald’s for our 10th annual Jambalaya Cookoff and Zydeco dance party! Ten amateur contestants will try to cook up this year’s title as Jambalaya Champion while Crescent City party starters, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience will lead the crowd in a spell of Cajun rug cuttin’.
It all started out as a bet between two of our regulars as to whose jambalaya was better. Et voila! Next thing you know, they set out to prove it along with eight other contestants. We have a panel of five celebrity judges who decide on which recipe get’s crowned “Best.” Some of our judges in the past have included: Lonnie Brooks, Boozoo Chavis, Robbie Fulks, Buzz Kilman, Charlie Robinson, Jon Langford, and WXRT’s, Tom Marker. The cookoff has become wildly successful over the years proving to be one of our most popular evenings of the year ­ on a Monday, no less.
This year’s musical act are creole tail shakers, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience. Simien’s soulful vocals have been compared to classic crooners Sam Cooke and Aaron Neville and his live performance will keep the crowd, dancing and clapping. “He has redefined his musical heritage by establishing himself as a formidable songwriter and an absolutely astonishing singer...He is one of the most sought after artists in roots music today.”
Doors will open at 6:00pm, and the judges will begin their tasting at 7:30. Customers will be able to sample all entries around 7:45 and winners will be announced at 9:30pm. Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience will kick off the zydeco at 8pm and will play a second set after the cookoff winners have been announced. 1st prize is $100, an apron, and The Jambalaya Trophy, 2nd & 3rd winners will receive an apron. Tickets will be $10 and are available at FitzGerald’s or through Ticket Master.


FITZGERALD’S FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION
FEBRUARY 24th, 2004

It’s Carnival Time and for one night, Berwyn will be The City That Care Forgot with all the trimmings: beads, doubloons, Cajun food and a BIG helping of sounds from the south.
Music begins at 6:30p.m. and will open with Roy Rubenstein’s Chicago Hot Six. This local six-piece jazz group plays in the style of New Orleans tradition. Leader Roy Rubenstein was inspired by Kid Ory and Jim Robinson when he started playing trombone 30 years ago in England. This is Roy’s 7th Fat Tuesday gig at FitzGerald’s. Headlining the night’s entertainment is Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.
Doors open at 6p.m., tickets are $10.00 and are available at the club or Ticket Master. The Roosevelt Grill will be cooking up some Louisiana favorites! So come on and let the Bon Temps Roulet!

A Mardi Gras menu of classic Louisiana fare will be offered BOTH NIGHTS by the Roosevelt Grill!

http://terrancesimien.com/
www.delmark.com/delmark.227.htm

FitzGerald’s Nightclub
6615 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Berwyn, Il 60402
www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

January 30, 2004

Live in concert, American Motherload, Chicago’s most notorious Hard Rock Band!!!

New Rock 94.7 the Zone and the Metro partner together once again to present Chicago’s, best rock music!!! This Saturday, live in concert, it’s American Motherload, Chicago’s most notorious Hard Rock Band!!!

Don’t miss American Motherload’s official release of their long awaited debut album “Come to Life.” With special guests, “High Plains Drifter,” “Gelheads,” and winner of 94.7 the Zone’s Next Big Thing 2 competition , “Fashion Bomb!!!”

It’s American Motherload live this Saturday, February 7th at the Metro. 3730 N. Clark in Chicago. Doors open at 8 and the show starts at 9pm. Admission is free before 9pm!

Tickets for this 18 and over show are available at the Metro Box Office, any Ticketmaster location, or charge by phone at 312-559-1212. For more information or even a free ticket, log on to americanmotherload.com.

Brought to you by Miller Genuine Draft, Zant Records, and New Rock 94.7 the Zone.

January 30, 2004

Ska is Dead…and you're next Tour 2004

What: Ska-Festival Tour
When: starts, Feb. 17 2004
Where: U.S. and Canada
Who: (1st leg): Catch 22, Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & the Kids Table (2nd leg TBA)

"Ska is Dead", you've probably heard it a thousand times….so many times it's taken on a life of it's own. Not a pretty life but definitely life. Soul crushing, flesh eating, world terrorizing life. Life that a million stakes in the heart cannot kill. Life that is impervious to disease, starvation, plague, and just about anything else you could dream up in your worst fever soaked nightmare. You cannot kill the Ska no matter how hard you try and this is the tour to prove it
The Ska is Dead and You're Next Tour is the biggest, boldest, bad ass-edest ska festival tour in years. The goal is simply to give the Ska world a big kick in the ass and we've got our boots laced. The gauntlet has been thrown. Ska is Dead will once and for all prove that Ska is not dead.

More info:
-First leg bands Catch 22, Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & the Kids Table represent 4 bands that have built an extraordinary grass roots fan base throughout the U.S. and Canada based entirely on constant live gigging and the work of several of the most respected record companies in the independent music community including Victory, Hopeless, Asian Man, Stomp, Moon, & Fork in Hand. -Underground graphic artist Mike Krol, (Illwaukee Designs) has been commissioned to produce all tour art, including posters, stickers, t-shirts, etc.)
- WWW.SkaIsDead.Com received thousands of hits even before the promotional launch of the tour.
-The tour will consist of at least two separate legs. The first runs Feb. 17-March 1. The second runs April 14-May2

First Leg Schedule:
Tues. Feb 17 Buffalo Xtreme Wheels
Wed. Feb 18 New York City Knitting Factory
Thurs Feb 19 Long Island Downtown
Fri. Feb 20 Worcester The Palladium
Sat. Feb 21 Hamden CT. Knights of Columbus
Sun Feb. 22 Poughkeepsie The Chance
Mon Feb 23 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Tues. Feb. 24 Richmond VA Canal Club
Wed. Feb 25 Columbia S.Carolina New Brookland Tavern
Thurs Feb 26 Orlando The Social
Fri. Feb 27 Ft.Lauderdale The Factory
Sat. Feb 28 St. Pete State Theatre
Sat.Feb 29 Atlanta Masquerade
Mon. March 1 Cincinati TBA

February 6, 2004

International Songwriting Competition Winners Announced

For Immediate Release, February 6, 2004.....The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is very pleased to announce its winners for the 2003 annual competition. Called "the songwriting competition to take note of" by the New York Times, ISC received over 11,000 entries from 60 countries in its sophomore year.

Winning the overall Grand Prize is Moana Maniapoto of Auckland, New Zealand for her world music song "Moko." This is the first time any major songwriting competition based in the USA has awarded its top honors to any songwriter from outside the USA.

Described as the "diva of Maori music," Moana Maniapoto has consistently pushed the boundaries of Maori music with her unique blend of traditional Maori musical elements and contemporary western grooves. Her band Moana and the Tribe tour throughout the world and are one of the most successful indigenous bands to emerge from New Zealand. The winning song "Moko," is a compelling fusion of smooth world music and an urban sound with earthy, international beats. "Moko" is rich in lyrical content and reflects the Maori spirit and culture. The song's social message makes a clear distinction between the traditional and sacred custom of Maori tattooing and the Western art form.

The ISC panel of judges included many of the music industry's top executives, songwriters, and producers:

Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); B.B. King; Pat Metheny; Phil Vassar; Dan Haseltine (Jars Of Clay); Vanessa Carlton; Bebe Winans; Guru (Gang Starr); Paul Oakenfold; Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace); Nile Rodgers; Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Arif Mardin (VP/GM, Manhattan Records); Bruce Lundvall (CEO/President, Capitol Jazz/Classics); Frank Callari (Artist Manager); Tina Davis (Sr. VP A&R, Def Jam/Def Soul); Rose Noone (Sr. VP A&R, Epic Records); Jimmy Bralower (Producer); Kim Stephens (VP A&R/Promotion, Lava Records); Tara Griggs-Magee (Executive VP, Gospel & Urban Music, Sony Music Entertainment); Robert Beeson (President, Essential Records); and Michael Gudinski (Chairman, Mushroom Group Of Companies)

ISC prizes included more than $100,000 (USD) in cash and merchandise and are shared by 68 winners in 13 categories.

ISC is proudly sponsored by Xytar Digital Systems, Epiphone Guitars, Sam Ash Music Stores, iRiver, Primera Technology, Inc., Berklee College Of Music, FYE -For Your Entertainment, MP3.com, MasterWriter, Planetary Group, Berkleemusic.com, Ernie Ball Music Man, L.R. Baggs, Sonicbids, Cakewalk, The Intellitouch Tuner, Disc Makers, Alphabet Arm Design, The Orchard, M Works, Onlinegigs, Live365.com, and Sennheiser USA.


For more information and a complete list of winners, please go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm

The winners for the 2003 International Songwriting Competition are as follows:

Grand Prize
"Moko" - Moana Maniapoto (Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand)

Pop/Top 40 Winners
First Place: "Latin Queen" - Graciela Alvarado (W. Hollywood, CA, USA)
Second Place: "Love Replaces Love" - Robert Baier (Housatonic, MA, USA)

Rock Winners
First Place: "We Were Stars" - Tara Slone and Jordan Zadorozny (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Second Place: "Without" - Christopher Sernel (Park Ridge, IL, USA)

Folk/Singer-Songwriter Winners
First Place: "Blowing This Candle Out" - Jane Taylor (Cotham, Bristol, England)
Second Place: "Hey Mister" - Suzanna Choffel (Austin, TX, USA)

AAA/Roots/Americana Winners
First Place: "Dark As The Night" - Doug Burr (Denton, TX, USA)
Second Place: "Tennessee" - Alison MacLean and Stella Panacci (Toronto, ON, Canada)

Dance/Electronica Winners

First Place: "Hero" - Mike McFarland and Shannon Savoie (Lawrence, KS, USA)
Second Place: "Fire!" - Donny B. Lord and Paco (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

World Music Winners
First Place: "Forbidden Love" - Ishay Amir (Tel-Aviv, Israel)
Second Place: "Bifurcacoes" - Toti (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil)

Blues Winners
First Place: "Riley Wants His Life Back" - Rick Fines and Alec Fraser (Peterborough, ON, Canada)
Second Place: "Strong Medicine" - Peter Gelling (St. Peters, SA, Australia)

Jazz Winners
First Place: "The Heckler" - Ben Castle (Buckinghamshire, England)
Second Place: "Line Game" - Steven Kirby (Concord, MA, USA)

Gospel/Christian
First Place: "All That I Know" - Peter Lawlor (Stoke Charity, England)
Second Place: "I Was Carried" - Roma Waterman (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)

R&B/Hip-Hop
First Place: "Remind My Soul" - Jared Bridgeman aka Akrobatik (Boston, MA,
USA)
Second Place: "Rufus" - Yewande Austin (New York, NY, USA)

Country

First Place: "Let Me Out Here" - Cindy Kalmenson and Lisa Carver (Nashville, TN, USA)
Second Place: "Tomorrow Tonight" - David Rivers, Steve Christopher, and Sue
Fabisch (Nashville, TN, USA)

Lyrics Only Winners
First Place: "Skylight" - Paul Brill (New York, NY, USA)
Second Place: "Longshot" - Kate Dwyer and Scott Johnson (New York, NY, USA)

Teen Winners
Best Teen Song: "Wounded Spirit" - Rachel MacGregor (Kelowna, BC, Canada)
Best Teen Lyrics: "Memories" - Mihad Ali (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)

Peoples' Voice Online Voting Winner
"Let Me Become Me" - Erik Ashley (Montreal, QC, Canada)


Honourable Mentions

Alphatide (Boston, MA, USA) - "A World Away" (Pop/Top 40)

Auktyon (Russia) - "Victory Day" (World Music)

Matthew Bair (Seaford, NY, USA) - "Celebrity" (Teen)

Tony Battle/George Umbulo/Steffon (Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand) - "Under African Skies " (World Music)

Anatholi Bulkin (Malmo, Sweden) - "Ananthy" (Jazz)

Josh Canning (Charlestown, NSW, Australia) - "Crooked Smile" (Country)

Stefania Calandra (Rome, Italy) - "Pezze Di Puzzle" (Rock)

Alroy Dias/Allwyn Philips/Ronell Casey-Nestor/Judd Cowan (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "In These Waits" (Lyrics Only)

Damhnait Doyle, Gordie Sampson (Halifax, NS, Canada) - "Afterglow " (Folk/Singer-Songwriter)

Knut Eide (Horten, Norway) - "Escape" (Blues)

Warde Elliott (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Rifles" (Rock)

Sue Foley (Ottawa, ON, Canada) - "Absolution" (Blues)

Patrick Freyne/Pol O'Conghaile (Dublin, Ireland) - "Mud" (AAA/Roots/Americana)

Brandon Lee Harris (Franklin, TN, USA) - "Thinking Of Myself" (Teen)

Avery Heyward "Hellabrown" (Atlanta, GA, USA) - "When Them Playboys Ride" (R&B/Hip-Hop)

Greg Hopkins (Melrose, MA, USA) - "Steller By Satellite" (Jazz)

Nik Hulewsky/Natalie Gordon (Fair Oaks, CA, USA) - "Don't Turn Around" (Teen)

Neal Jones (Auburn, WA, USA) - "Temple Of The Holy Ghost"
(Gospel/Christian)

Peter Koellerer/Thomas Viehboeck (Marchtrenk, Austria) - "Inner Journey" (Dance/Electronica)

Greg McDonald (Suffolk, England) - "Dead Man's Hand" (Folk/Singer- Songwriter)

Harry W. Moodie/Chris Young/Bobby King (Nashville, TN, USA) - "The Catch And Release Man" (Country)

Joshua Ott, Josh Olsen, Jason Ott (Auburn, WA, USA) - - "All That I Am" (Gospel/Christian)

Amanda Palmer (Boston, MA, USA) -- "Coin Operated Boy" (Folk/Singer- Songwriter)

Darin Pavone (Nashville, TN, USA) - "1:11 AM" (AAA/Roots/Americana)

Dejan Pejovic (Beograd, Srbija, Serbia & Monteneg) - "Ludiloro" (World Music)

Wons Phreely (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "Whistling In The Wind" (Folk/Singer-Songwriter)

Matthew Powell (Ton Pentre, Wales) - "She" (Rock)

Kerry Politzer (Brooklyn, NY, USA) - "Tug Of War" (Jazz)

John Roman (Oakville, ON, Canada) - "Analyze" (Teen Lyrics)

Marlon Saunders/Julio Acosta/Michael Hind (Jersey City, NJ) - "Love Serenade" (R&B/Hip-Hop)

TJ Signorino (Berne, Switzerland) - "E Cosi Come" (Pop/Top 40)

Lis Soderberg (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "Castaway" (Lyrics Only)

Sheldon Steiger/Steve Greenberg/Marvin Prosper/Omerit Heild (New York, NY, USA) - "Sex In The City" (Pop/Top 40)

John Michael Tsiros (Limassol, Cyprus) - "Darkness" (Dance/Electronica)

Clare Veniot/David Cooper/Jack Freudenheim (Brooklyn, NY, USA) - "In A Long Time" (Pop/Top 40)

Sebastian von Bishopink/Hilde Wahl (Liverpool, England) - Lady, Stand Up! (R&B/Hip-Hop)

Reed Waddle (Destin, FL, USA) - "I Saw Stars" (AAA/Roots/Americana)

Dahlia Wakefield (Edmonton, AB, Canada) - "Die For You" (Country)

Unni Wilhelmsen (Oslo, Norway) - "Everyone's Honesty" (Folk/Singer- Songwriter)

Don Wise, Pamela Smith Wise (Knoxville, TN, USA) - "Lots Of Flame (But No Heat)" (Blues)

February 12, 2004

Lovesick? We Have the Cure! Win A Show >From Madcap!

To cure your broken heart, Madcap, Victory Records, Pastepunk and Interpunk got together on this amazing contest: win a live show with Madcap, a custom Madcap skatedeck or an exclusive Madcap t-shirt! The grand prize winner gets a free show from Madcap, in your house, school or favorite venue! Grand prize winner also picks up the new album, "Under Suspicion" which hits the streets on February 24th, a custom skatedeck and the exclusive Madcap "Under Suspicion" t-shirt, not for sale anywhere. Smart buyers who pre-order Madcap's new album get one of the exclusive Madcap t-shirts as well.

We are not done yet either. Madcap has a special Lovesick website where you can hear a really sweet acoustic version of "Lovesick," learn about the songs on the album from Johnny, and pick up cool wallpaper, icons, banners, photos and more. www.madcaplovesick.com Of course you won't want to miss the band site either. www.madcap.net

February 16, 2004

Remembering Fred Holstein At The Old Town School Of Folk Music

WHAT: "Remembering Fred Holstein"
WHERE: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
TICKETS: On sale Friday, February 27 at 9:30am.
Call 773.728.6000 or TicketWeb at 866-468-3401.
Tickets can also be purchased through www.ticketweb.com.
Visit www.oldtownschool.org for more information.

Saturday, April 3 at 4:30 pm
Remembering Fred Holstein
Featuring Ed Holstein, Ella Jenkins, Corky Siegel, Fred Campeau & Mitch Thomas, Ed Trickett, Kathy O'Hara & Diana Laffey, Mark Dvorak, Mike Miles, Barbara Barrow, Kathy Cowan, Jim Dewan, Jim Craig, Barb Silverman, Chris Farrell, Jimmy T & Steve Levitt, Al Day, Chris Walz, Rick Neely, and more.
Co-hosted by Ed Holstein

Broadcast Live on WFMT
Tickets: ONLY $10
Proceeds from the concert will support Fred Holstein Scholarships for students at the Old Town School.

On Monday, January 12 2004, Fred Holstein, one of the leading figures in Chicago's music scene, passed away at the age of 61 from complications that occurred during stomach surgery. Throughout five decades, Mr. Holstein helped to steer the city's folk music scene and brought the spirit of tradition into the present day. As a performer, club owner, and an inspirational force, he left an indelible mark on listeners and musicians. His legacy echoes throughout Chicago, including the halls of The Old Town School of Folk Music. During the early days of the school, Mr. Holstein was a student alongside his contemporaries Steve Goodman and John Prine. Over the years, he taught at the school and his influence can be heard in each generation that passes through the institution's doors. Many of those who knew Fred and those who were touched by his music come together to honor his life and his memory.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Uvulittle Records, Madison Wisconsin's "little label that could", is pleased to announce a tour showcasing its three top artists.


Pascal, Stephanie Rearick, and Milkbaby all have recent Uvulittle releases and in April will be touring the midwest and east coast to introduce new listeners to their music.

Of Pascal, The Nashville Rage says, "...sounds something like Will Oldham and Beck drunk on Robitussin (in other words, dark, weird, creepy and really cool)"

Goldmine - "Rearick faithfully follows her muse... allowing listeners into her oddball, often dark and always fascinating musical personality, which encompasses pop, jazz, classical and experimental ."

Milkbaby is "...primal, memorable, and ominous" (New City)

Since 1996 Uvulittle Records has been steadily releasing original creative music in a wide range of genres. From the trad-klezmer sounds of Yid Vicious to the Classical of experimental artists Jack The Dog and the rock-cabaret of The Coma Savants, Uvulittle has always embraced creativity over marketability. The Tour will bring attention to our top artists while highlighting the Uvulittle aesthetic.

Complete Tour Info, including sound samples is available at: http://uvulittle.com/tour.html

** STEPHANIE REARICK is a pianist, vocalist, songwriter, sometimes trumpeter. She is one of the founding members of Madison, Wisconsin circus-rock outfit The Coma Savants. Solo, Rearick's style is pop-ish, classically-influenced art music tinged with cabaret.

"Imagine Tom Waits reincarnated as Debussy, playing Joni Mitchell versions of Edgar Allen Poe poems on a 1920s era piano, and you get an approximate sense of the influences Stephanie Rearick channels on the way to making her very unique, idiosyncratic art-pop. Her disembodied vocals float through her lush piano soundscapes like a Halloween tapestry woven by Kurt Weill." - Berkshire Eagle

** PASCAL's style has been described as anti-folk, indie punk-folk and things like that. His major influences include Vic Chesnutt, Elliott Smith, Beck, Red House Painters, and Bright Eyes.

Take Violent Femmes frontman Gordon Gano, lock him in a cushioned cell with Beck and invite David Byrne circa the early-1980s for a visit, and you'll get some idea of what punk folkie balladeer Pascal is all about....his distinct voice and bizarre stories will warm your ears while they chill your blood. - FYD

** MILKBABY. "Tribal percussion keeps clock while shamanic chants apostrophize friendly spirits, and sheets of disembodied tonality play footsie with dust particles... MiLkBabY mean to repave your mental landscape" -- THE ISTHMUS Madsison, WI

DATES:

4/1 - Milwaukee, WI - Linneman's

4/2 - Stevens Point, WI - The Mission

4/3 - Madison, WI - Mother Fool's

4/4 - Chicago, IL - Nevin's Live

4/5 - DeKalb, IL - The House

4/7 - Columbus, OH - Bernie's

4/8 - Charleston, WV - Empty Glass

4/9 - Easton, MD - Rabbit Hill Music

4/10 - tba

4/11 - Washington DC - tba

4/12 - NYC, NY - Knitting Factory

4/14 - Boston, MA - Toad

4/15 - Pittsburgh - The Quiet Storm

4/16 - Dayton, OH - Elbo's

March 25, 2004

Victory Records Signs Distribution Deal With Hand Of Hope Records

Victory Records in Chicago, IL., has added another exclusively distributed label to its growing roster of distributed companies.

Miami based Hand of Hope Records will now be exclusively distributed by Victory in North America. Hand of Hope co-founder John Wylie said, “The idea for Hand of Hope Records began late last year. I had become good friends with Christopher Brown from the band Evergreen Terrace over the past few years. Chris has always had a great ear for music and a tremendous work ethic as seen with the growing success of his band. Together we decided to start a label that will combine everything that I have learned while running Eulogy Records over the past 5 years with Chris' experience as a booking agent and touring musician. Our goal is to create a place where bands can have all the benefits of promotion and great distribution while feeling at home on a label that can understand their needs and support them as musicians. The debut release will come from Evergreen Terrace due out early summer followed quickly by many great new artists.”

“John and I have known one another for many years and have always wanted to do something together,” says Victory’s Tony Brummel. “I always want passionate music people around me that have a gift for nurturing and finding new talent. John and Chris have that gift.”

March 25, 2004

2004 USA Songwriting Competition Begins

Entries for the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition are currently being accepted. Winning songs of the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition will receive airplay on a nationally syndicated radio program serving over 60 cities in North America and Canada. This is the first Songwriting Competition that gives airplay to the winning songs, giving deserving bands, songwriters the recognition and exposure they deserve. Also, selected entrants will be featured at USA Songwriting Competition showcases throughout the country. Venues include Bluebird Café (Nashville), Eddie's Attic (Atlanta), Knitting Factory (Los Angeles), Red Lion (New York City), Bamboo Room (South Florida) as well as Borders Books and Music stores in 10 cities such as Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and more.

Entrants stand to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash, merchandise and exposure, making this the largest prize package for any annual songwriting competition. Many USA Songwriting Competition winners in the past have received recording and publishing contracts, as well as having their songs placed on film and television. Judges include record labels such as Warner/Reprise Records and SONY Music.

The entry form of the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition can be found at:
http://www.songwriting.net

April 02, 2004

Taking Back Sunday Celebrate the 2nd Year Anniversary of "Tell All Your Friends" on Top Catalog Chart!


Taking Back Sunday Celebrate the 2nd Year Anniversary of "Tell All Your Friends" on Top Catalog Chart!
What do you get for lasting two years on the Billboard New Artist Chart? RETIRED! Taking Back Sunday now joins a very exclusive club of artists who, after bubbling under on the New Artist Chart for two years, are moved to the Top Catalog chart, where it can compete against Poison's Greatest Hits and various Yanni albums. Ah, the price of success.

Taking Back Sunday's "Tell All Your Friends" released on Victory Records March 26, 2002 and proceeded to live on the New Artist (Heatseeker) Chart in Billboard for two years straight, scanning 339,324 units to date. The album continues to scan over 2500 every week in defiance of the status quo that loosely governs the "life of a project". Taking Back Sunday peaked at #9 on the Heatseeker Chart, #8 on the Top Independent Label Chart, and #6 on the Alternative New Artist Chart. Their appearance at #183 on the Top 200 Chart is sure to be eclipsed on the release of their new album in July.

See Taking Back Sunday live this spring on tour with Blink-182!

For more information, visit http://www.victoryrecords.com/tours.html#takingbacksunday or www.takingbacksunday.com.

April 05, 2004

Southport Monday April 26 At Katerina's


FROM SOUTHPORT RECORDS:

LIVE MUSIC IN APRIL AT KATERINA’S

MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 9:00 PM ($5)
FRANK PORTOLESE & JOANIE PALLATTO

KATERINA’S
1920 W. IRVING PARK ROAD (AT DAMEN)
773-348-7592

THE LAST MONDAY AT KATERINA'S
The source of musical creation comes from live events and Southport continues with the "Last Monday" each month at Katerina's.

Joanie Pallatto & Sparrow open the evening with “Southport Records Presents a Showcase of Chicago New Music.”

Frank Portolese with Joanie Pallatto, Monday, April 26th, 2004 at 9PM
Frank is the master guitar man, arranger, composer and educator. His sense of speed and style makes a live set by him an amazing experience! Southport Records partner and vocalist Joanie Pallatto will join Frank for duets. Check out Frank’s Southport CDs, “Transparent” and “Last Call.” Southport CDs by Joanie include the recent “Canned Beer” (with Sparrow), “The King And I” (with King Fleming”), “Words & Music,” “Passing Tones,” and “Who Wrote This Song?.”

+ "the instigatah" will spin tracks (Hillary Bryan)

MONDAY, APRIL 26
9:00 PM
KATERINA’S
1920 W. IRVING PARK ROAD (AT DAMEN)
773-348-7592
http://www.katerinas.com

Katerina's
Chicago's new music room and fine restaurant, Katerina's has great food, drinks and a mix of live musical forms. Katerina’s, “An eclectic club with its soul in the arts.”

Southport Records
773-281-8510
http://www.chicagosound.com

April 08, 2004

Chicago Musician Emilie Autumn Makes Second Prime Time Appearance With Courtney Love

CHICAGO- April 8, 2004 Indie recording artist Emilie Autumn is set to perform on prime time television, appearing with Courtney Love and her band, The Chelsea, on April 15th on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This is her second appearance on prime time late night, first appearing on the David Letterman show with Love in March 2004. "The Chelsea is made up of a group of incredible female musicians that I'm lucky to be a part of. Courtney has embraced us all and we're ready to rock the world with our upcoming tour to support her," says Emilie in her home recording studio in Chicago.

Emilie has previously earned numerous classical accolades from her youth as a concert violinist, even releasing an album of Baroque violin masterpieces, and is eager to show her rock vocal and electric violin talents to a larger audience. Her most recent album, "Enchant", was released in early 2003 to rave reviews and an already devoted fanbase. "I think "Enchant" really shows how many musical sides I have, and how very different my work is from the current mainstream. I have such an eclectic background, I wanted this album to leave no questions as to what I was able to accomplish musically," noting that she played nearly every instrument on the recording.

Emilie Autumn will appear with Courtney Love in The Chelsea on April 15th, 2004 at 11:35 pm ET on NBC. They are scheduled to play the song, "Hold on to Me," the second single from Courtney's recent Virgin Records release, "America's Sweetheart."

About Emilie Autumn:
The 24 year old classical violinist-turned-rock singer made her prime time debut in March 2004 with Courtney Love's band, The Chelsea, on David Letterman's Late Show. Too free-spirited for the formal strictures of school, self-educated Emilie Autumn started playing the violin at age four, and began performing professionally at age 12, touring the U.S. and Europe. Although she attracted critical and popular raves for her mastery of the classical violin, Emilie was already moving into new musical realms, polishing her vocal skills and penning songs in the style she now calls "fantasy rock." Emilie is also the founder and owner of the Chicago-based indie label, Traitor Records. She supports internet radio and has had hundreds of thousands of downloads of her songs after releasing her entire recorded catalog for free on her web site. Emilie has strong online sales and continues to draw a growing fanbase. She accompanied Courtney Love in 2003 to record electric violin and backing vocals for Love's most recent album, "America's Sweetheart," and became a part of The Chelsea shortly after. Along with the upcoming tour with Love and The Chelsea, she is preparing for her fifth release on Traitor Records. Her official web site is www.emilieautumn.com.

About The Chelsea:
An all female band, The Chelsea includes Emilie Autumn on electric violin and vocals, former Hole/Motley Crue member Samantha Maloney on drums, Lisa Leveridge and Radio Sloan on guitar, and Dvin Kirakosian on bass guitar and vocals. They are accompanying Courtney in her upcoming tour to support her recently released album, "America's Sweetheart," available on Virgin Records. More information on The Chelsea will be available when their official web site, www.thechelseamusic.com, launches in mid April 2004.

April 08, 2004

Magpie CD Release Party April 30


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FROM SOUTHPORT/NORTHPORT RECORDS

CD RELEASE PARTY:
MAGPIE "CONCOCTION" ON NORTHPORT RECORDS
TIME TO PARTY WITH BEER!
AT NORTH BEACH CLUB IN DOWNERS GROVE
9:00 PM - FRIDAY, APRIL 30
North Beach
Located in the University Plaza
1211 Butterfield Road, Downers.Grove, IL
Phone: 630.434.1290

Southport's sister label Northport returns with the world premiere of Magpie's "Concoction." A collection of 12 original rock/pop tracks will make you move quickly into the summer of 2004. Join the band and all their fans at North Beach, on Friday, April 30th! With 2 sand volleyball courts and 4 bowling lanes, MAGPIE will ROCK the HOUSE! Magpie brings back the fun and melody into rock n’roll music! Our main man Mike Delvalle, of Deltronics fame (Deltronics has done all of the electronic studio repair and mods for Sparrow Sound Design) is a part of this band, that simply wants to make people come out and party! Magpie joins the list of Chicago rock and pop bands that have forged a sound that is unique the world over. The Show starts at 9 PM!

Magpie is: Adam Bockman, Bass; Scott Brejcha, rhythm guitar/lead and background vocals; Mike Delvalle, keyboards/mandolin and background vocals; Gary Spevak, drums & percussion; Tom Sullivan, acoustic guitar/ lead and background vocals; Jynx Windbag, acoustic & electric guitar and background vocals.

http://www.northbeachclub.com/downers.htm
North Beach Downers Grove:
>From I-290 or I-294 - Take I-88 to Highland Ave exit. Cross over Highland Ave. and turn West onto Frontage Rd. entrance in front of Circuit City. Continue to the University Plaza.

SOUTHPORT/NORTHPORT RECORDS
773-281-8510
http://www.chicagosound.com

April 07, 2004

U.S. Music Corporation to acquire Parker Guitars

Chicago, Illinois, March 30, 2004 - U.S. Music Corporation (U.S. Music), a leading musical instrument manufacturer and distributor, and Parker Guitars, Inc. (Parker), a leader in the design and production of electric guitars, today announced that U.S. Music will acquire Parker Guitars.

"This is a tremendous opportunity that I hope will widely spread the influence of Parker Guitars. I'm excited about the new possibilities ahead with U.S. Music," said Ken Parker.

"When the opportunity arose to acquire such a leader in guitar technology and designs, and adding Parker into our channels of distribution, we saw an opportunity to elevate the Parker brand to the next level." commented Rudy Schlacher, President and Owner of U.S. Music.

U.S. Music Corp. headquartered just north of Chicago in Mundelein, Illinois is a leading musical instrument manufacturer and distributor of guitars, amplifiers, PA Sound equipment and accessories. Its brands include Washburn Guitars, Randall Amplifiers, Eden Bass Amplifiers, Oscar Schmidt Guitars, Soundtech Pro Audio and Vinci Strings. U. S. Music Corp. is dedicated to provide quality instruments to guitar players and musicians throughout the world.

Since its introduction in 1993 out of the collaboration of Ken Parker and Larry Fishman, the Parker Fly with its patented revolutionary design, has opened the doors for guitarists to explore a whole new universe of sounds. Ken and Larry's exhaustive research on the physical forces exerted in guitar playing, and their knowledge of tone woods, modern composites, fibers and acoustic technology, led them to create a new kind of guitar weighing only 3.5 to 6 pounds. Carved from the finest of tone woods and reinforced by small amounts of modern materials, the Parker Fly is ultra slender, innovatively shaped and is a guitar that's responsive, perfectly balanced and with no dead spots or unevenness in tone. Parker's guitars perform with a precision and reliability that is unmistakable from the first note. "From day one, I've taken the input from the thousands of guitarists that I've worked with and attempted to build an instrument that encompassed all of the guitar's best features and minimize or eliminate the worst" stated Ken Parker.

Parker Guitars' current series of guitars include the new Mojo Series along with the new and improved Parker Fly, and the NiteFly. The original Fly started the revolution, and with the 2003 introduction of the Mojo series models and the expansion of colors, pickups and tone woods, Parker continues the evolution on building the most innovative and high performance guitars. With the introduction in 2003 of the Parker Fly Bass, weighing in at less than 8 pounds, Parker brings its high performance and quality to the bass, to the delight of discerning bass players world-wide.

For additional information about U.S. Music Corp, contact U.S.Music
Corporation, 444 East Courtland St., Mundelein, IL 60060. Tel: (800)
877-6863, Fax:
(847) 949-8444 or visit us on the web at usmusiccorp.com.

Information about Parker Guitars products is available at
www.parkerguitars.com. A new version of the website will be released
shortly.

April 19, 2004

Music Conference Fills Chicago's Nights With Performances From More Than 200 Hot Regional and National Acts

WHAT: The Musician Education and Career Advancement (MECA) Music Conference & Festival is bringing the Midwest’s best up-and-comers and established national acts to Chicago for four nights of great music. Artists of all genres will perform at more than 200 showcases at venues on Chicago’s north side. Conference organizers aim to make MECA as valuable to the music industry, musicians and music fans as other major music conferences like SXSW and CMJ, among others.

Showcase artists were selected by a panel of music journalists and industry professionals. Notable acts scheduled to perform include:

The Riptones
Simmering
Dan Darrah
Butch Walker
The Katie Todd Band
Buddahead
Air This Side of Caution
Mark Selby
Down the Line
American Motherload

Music fans can attend showcases on all four nights for a cost of $20. Visit www.mecaconference.com/wristbands to purchase wrist bands.

In addition to the four nights of performances, the MECA Conference & Festival features three full days of more than 40 panels, workshops, performance clinics, one-on-one mentoring sessions and networking events. Panels and workshops will cover all aspects of a career in music, including songwriting, touring, marketing, A&R, performing rights, legal issues and hearing conservation.

WHERE: Showcases will take place at more than 15 venues on Chicago’s north side, including Double Door, Abbey Pub, Schubas, The Note, Beat Kitchen, Gunther Murphy’s, Nevin’s Live, among others. Visit mecaconference.com/bandschedule for specific details. Conference sessions are being held at the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 South Michigan Avenue at Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 12 -- Saturday, May 15. Showcases will begin around 9:00 p.m.

WHO: MECA is organized by The Morrissey Group, owners and operators of ChicagoGigs.com, a unique music community serving the greater Chicago area with comprehensive coverage of both local and national touring acts.

www.mecaconference.com

April 16, 2004

KK Announces Release of "Walls"

Third Album By Chicago Native To Be Released May 4th, Local Tour Dates To Follow

(LOS ANGELES, CA) From her beginnings as the background vocalist/keyboardist for Chicago-based goth band Dark Theatre, through her solo outings as Kimm Ladd, to her newest incarnation, KK has grown into a musical force to be reckoned with. Combining elements of alternative, hip hop and organic rock, KK is a unique artist with powerful and emotional songs. KK’s third album, Walls, will be released May 4th and distributed by Morada Music.

KK has already proven that she has mass audience appeal, as the debut single from Walls, “All The Pieces,” charted on Radio and Records’ National Airplay Top 50 for over 15 weeks, peaking at #32 on the Top 40 CHR Indicator reports. KK has also been on the “Top 5 at 5” on KSCQ-FM numerous times, “Top 5 at 9“ on KISR-FM and topped many commercial stations’ playlists across the country, surpassing even today’s most current and recognized artists. Her powerful hooks, dynamic production and unique vocals are quickly escalating KK above the female rocker cliché.

With plans to take her current band on a full blown tour including radio sponsored gigs and having secured supporting radio airplay, KK is back on stage gigging in Chicago and receiving great reviews from her fans as someone with a huge sound and huge potential.

Don’t miss your chance to see KK live, tour dates are listed below.

5/8/04
CHICAGO
IL
BEAT KITCHEN “LADIES NITE”



5/22/04
ALSIP
IL
O’MALLEY’S



5/28/04
TERRE HAUTE
IN
100.7 MIX FM SUMMER KICK-OFF CONCERT

April 19, 2004

Please Join Us For Peace Fest July 10-11 2004

The time is right for a free two day indie music fest to happen in Chicago at Cricket Hill which is along the lake front. We want this to be of historic size in support of social issues and because it is an election year. Reproductive free speech, freedom and justice for all people is what Peace Fest represents. Threats to these rights have never been so systematic and coordinated, and the lives and health of people have never faced such peril. We want to uphold these rights and educate the People on – Anti War, Anti occupation, Aids Crisis, gay and leisbian rights, Non- violence, NATIVE aMERICAN RIGHTS, No Nukes, Environmental Defense, PREJUDICE, HOMELESSNESS, Justice, ACCESS LIVING, HEALTH CARE, RACISM, ABORTION, GLOBAL AND FAMILY ISSUES and a lot more. Please Help us, By your organization supporting Peace fest or your media outlet covering the fest both days.

April 23, 2004

Taking Back Sunday's "Where You Want To Be" - On Sale July 27th!

Chicago, April 23, 2004 -- Taking Back Sunday and Victory Records are pleased to announce that a July 27th release is planned for their sophomore album, "Where You Want To Be". After wrapping up recording on the east coast this week, Taking Back Sunday will start a month of dates supporting Blink-182 and Cypress Hill. Next they head to the UK for their first trip outside North America to play the Donnington Download Festival with Metallica, as well as a string of sold out concerts in London, Glasgow and Manchester, among others. The band then returns to the US as one of this year’s headliners on the Vans Warped Tour 10th anniversary trek beginning in Houston TX on June 25 and concluding in Boston, MA on August 19th. Late August finds them back in the U.K. to perform on the legendary Reading Festival with Morrissey, Green Day, The Darkness and 50 Cent among others.



Click here for a brand new photo of Taking Back Sunday: www.victoryhardcore.com/takingbacksunday Please replace all older photos you may have on file.



Straylight Run Hit the Studio to Record Their Debut!



While less than a year old, Straylight Run's piano-driven, melody laden rock has been the talk of the music world since they released their five song EP on the Internet for download. They are currently in the studio recording their debut album, releasing on Victory Records in September 2004. Straylight Run has toured with the likes of Brand New and the New Amsterdams, as well as in support of Dashboard Confessional. While no formal recordings of the band exist, they have already appeared on Fuse’s IMX and have been featured in Rock Sound, Alternative Press and Newsday. More information will be available soon - watch this space!



A Perfect Murder – “Unbroken” Releases July 13, 2004

New mp3 Available Now!



A Perfect Murder burst from the Quebec hardcore scene and immediately gained the attention of hard music fans with their trademark hardcore and classic metal amalgamation. They did so by delving deep into the annals of select classic heavy metal bands for inspiration, among them Metallica, Testament, and Pantera, along with the groove-loaded southern legends Crowbar and Down. After signing with Victory, they entered Trax East to begin recording “Unbroken” with producer Eric Rachel. One highlight was the guest appearance by ex-Earth Crisis, current Freya singer Karl Buechner on “No Truce”! A Perfect Murder has posted an mp3 of “Time Bomb” on their website – to go http://www.xaperfectmurderx.net/ to download it now. They are playing Canadian dates this spring as well as appearing on New England Metal and Hardcore Fest on April 30th and a show at CBGB’s in New York City with label mates Martyr AD.



Spitalfield On Tour Forever

This band will not stop. After a U.S. tour with The Early November, they headed out on their current tour with Thursday and Poison The Well. Immediately following this leg, they head out with Sugarcult in the first week in May, The Beautiful Mistake and label mates The Reunion Show May 19-27th and Piebald & The Jealous Sound in June.

For dates in your area go to: http://www.victoryrecords.com/tours.html#spitalfield - you owe it to yourself to hear this great band.




Silverstein and Hawthorne Heights

Canada’s Silverstein are fast becoming favorites on the U.S. scene – they have toured with From Autumn To Ashes, Spitalfield, Strike Anywhere and Bayside to name a few, and they have a full schedule ahead with their headlining tour with Hawthorne Heights and Warped Tour this summer. Monday, April 26th they will be in Chicago to shoot a new video for “Smashed Into Pieces” – soon to be on a television near you. Hawthorne Heights are a Dayton, Ohio based band who joined the Victory Roster this summer and are preparing for the release of their debut, “The Silence in Black & White” by touring with Armsbendback before joining their friends in Silverstein on their first headlining tour. The triple guitar attack, catchy lyrical hooks and intense vocals of Hawthorne Heights are impossible to resist - see for yourself by downloading “Ohio Is For Lovers” here - http://www.purevolume.com/HawthorneHeights - if you love Taking Back Sunday and Thursday, you will love Hawthorne Heights.

April 21, 2004

Durty Nellie's Announces: 10th Annual Spring Beer Fest

plus debut of Nellie's Rooftop Beer Garden

Saturday, May 22

Noon – 4:30 p.m.

$25 advance tickets

$30 at the door

You know Spring is in full bloom when Durty Nellie’s beer garden opens and beer lovers can sample over 30 different delicious craft brews at the 10th Annual Spring Beer Festival. The $25 advance tickets include a souvenir pint glass and unlimited tastings. There will also be prizes and giveaways plus live music.



Nellie's Rooftop Beer Garden will make its debut for this special event. The second story outdoor dining/beer garden will serve up tasty burgers, brats, hot dogs and other sandwiches to complement the plentiful suds. Or patrons can descend into Nellie's first floor pub to order from the extensive lunch menu which offers everything from appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and pizza to full entrees such as steaks, chops and seafood.



Seventeen confirmed brewers include:

Abita, Bells, Capital Brewery, Dogfish.com, Founders, Goose Island, Great Lakes, North Coast, Point, Red Hook, Rogue, Sierra Nevada, Summit, Three Floyds Brewing, Ebel's Weiss, Northwind Imperial Stout, Woodchuck Draft Cider.



More brewers are expected. Each brewer brings at least two different craft beers to sample, so no one will be dry.



Phone sales are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call the business office at (847) 358-9150 ext. 11. Or stop into Nellie’s any time to buy tickets. This event is usually a sell-out, so please get your tickets soon.

April 29, 2004

Blue Chicago Presents:

17th Annual Blues Women Weekend: Portraits In Blue May 21-22

Blues Music and Blues Art Celebration

Blue Chicago's 17th annual celebration of female blues artists, Blues Women Weekend, will blend music with art this year. The Portraits In Blue art exhibition will be unveiled for the first time on Friday, May 21 at the larger Blue Chicago club at 736 N. Clark St. (at Superior). This series of six original oil paintings are portraits of Blue Chicago's longtime favorite blues artists: Big Time Sarah, Patricia Scott, Shirley Johnson, Nellie Travis, Gloria Shannon and Willie Kent. Artist Mary Qian (Chang) painted all of the blues women and painter Scott Tallman created Willie Kent's portrait. (See artists bios below).

The works were commissioned by Blue Chicago's owners, Gino and Bernadette Battaglia, who also own the Bella Vista Fine Art Gallery, 746 N. LaSalle St. The paintings will be on permanent display at the 736 N. Clark St. club for patrons to enjoy. Mr. Battaglia, who has a passion for both art and music, says he sees the paintings as a natural way to combine both art forms.

"I saw this as an opportunity to preserve blues history with a visual documentation. Displaying them in the club, where blues music lovers can see them, will expose the art to an even wider audience, than in the gallery."

The six subjects who posed for the portraits will all be performing that weekend, May 21-22 at both blue Chicago clubs. Singer Gloria Shannon will perform once at the Blue Chicago Store, on Saturday night only for an all-ages show. (See schedule below). For $7, blues and art lovers can enjoy four blues women and two bands on Friday and five female singers with three bands on Saturday, for no extra charge. The music starts at 9 p.m. each night. The all ages show on Saturday starts at 8 p.m.

Blue Chicago has been known for discovering and showcasing female blues talent since the club opened its doors in 1985. Originally located at State & Walton, Blue Chicago has expanded to include three clubs in the River North area. Blue Chicago Records releases CDs by the clubs' regular performing artists. The CDs are available in the clubs or at the Blue Chicago Store, which has a performance space downstairs for Saturday night all-ages shows.

The schedule for Blues Women Weekend: Portraits In Blue follows.

Appearing at BLUE CHICAGO, 736 N. Clark (at Superior)

(312) 642-6261

Friday & Saturday, May 21 & 22

Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime 9 p.m.

WILLIE KENT & THE GENTS with

PATRICIA SCOTT & SHIRLEY JOHNSON



Appearing at BLUE CHICAGO, 536 N. Clark (at Ohio)

(312) 661-0100

Friday & Saturday, May 21 & 22

Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime 9 p.m.

THE B.T.S. EXPRESS with

BIG TIME SARAH & NELLIE TRAVIS



Appearing at THE BLUE CHICAGO STORE (Saturday only), 534 N. Clark St.

(312) 661-1003

Saturday: Family Night!

8 p.m. - 12 midnight

GLORIA SHANNON BLUES BAND



ABOUT THE ARTISTS


Mary Qian (Chang): Originally from Shanghai, China, Mary finds her heritage to be a source of inspiration for her painting. She went through the Chinese educational system focusing on the sciences while studying Chinese painting and calligraphy on her own. Before coming to the U.S., she admired the ancient Chinese painters, but found her true voice for painting when she discovered the Western artists. It was the realism of Rembrandt and Velazquez -- her particular favorites -- that she found to be the artistic style that she had been looking for. It is through this style that Mary chooses to express herself.



Scott Tallman: "As a child, I remember dabbling in my father's watercolors and drawing alongside him as he worked on his medical illustrations. However, it wasn't until I was eighteen that I felt the need to express myself through my art. Since then, that need has only grown stronger. The inspiration that drives me is the everyday life around us. The fascinating people, places and things that make this world beautiful and interesting is what continuously feeds my creative energies. The primary medium I work with is oil. Using oils, I've found a variety of applications that allow me to be passionate in my expression."



For info visit:

Bella Vista Fine Art Gallery

746 N. LaSalle/ 312-274-1490

www.bellavistagallery.com

May 03, 2004

Thrice Tour With Dashboard Confessional


THRICE TOUR WITH DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL

BAND AUCTIONING TICKETS AND MEET AND GREET PASSES FOR CHARITABLE CAUSE

EXCLUSIVE EP TO BE AVAILABLE ONLY ON THIS TOUR


Kicking off in Portland, ME on May 13th, Thrice will be heading out with Dashboard Confessional and special guests the Get up Kids as part of the 4th Annual Honda Civic Tour. Past Civic Tour veterans include such established acts as Incubus, Good Charlotte, Blink 182 and Everclear. This year's tour will offer many exclusive opportunities to Thrice's already rabid fan base. Thrice will perform half of their set acoustic, something few fans have had the chance to previously witness.

Thrice and Island Records will also be auctioning off a pair of tickets and meet and greet passes in each market to bidders through www.charityticketauctions.org <http://www.charityticketauctions.org/> .
100% of the proceeds will be going to the Syrentha J. Savio Endowment (www.syrentha.org <http://www.syrentha.org/> ). The winners will have the opportunity to meet one the Thrice band members and attend the show while also contributing to a worthy cause. Thrice have raised over $50,000 for SSE from proceeds of their CD sales, benefit concerts and charitable walks.

Also exclusive to this tour will be a 5 song Thrice EP which will include 3 acoustic tracks. The EP will only be available for purchase at the venue night of show for $10 as a combined package with their Island debut, The Artist In The Ambulance. Thrice had an incredible 2003 with Artist which was one of the top selling releases for a new artist in 2003 alongside A.F.I, The Ataris and Brand New. The band continues to receive praise and support from press, radio and video catapulting the band from their Orange County, CA roots to a strong national platform.


TOUR DATES:


May 13 Portland, ME Cumberland County
Civic Center

May 14 Montreal Cepsum Room

May 15 Mississauga, ON Arrow Hall

May 16 Niagara, NY The Dome Theatre

May 18 Cleveland, OH Tower City
Amphitheater

May 19 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend
Amphitheater

May 20 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music
Theatre

May 21 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena

May 22 Minneapolis, MN Target Center

May 23 Grand Forks, ND Alerus Center

May 25 Des Moines, IA Val Air Ballroom

May 26 St. Louis, MO The Pageant

May 27 Kansas City, MO City Market

May 28 Denver, CO The Fillmore

May 29 Salt Lake City, UT E Center

June 1 Seattle, WA Seahawks
Exhibition Center

June 2 Portland, OR Portland Expo Center

June 3 San Jose, CA Event Center Arena

June 4 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre

June 5 Las Vegas, NV Orleans Arena

June 6 San Diego, CA Cox Arena

June 7 Irvine, CA Bren Center

June 8 Mesa, CA Mesa Amphitheater

June 10 Austin, TX Stubb's BBQ

June 11 Grand Prairie, TX Next Stage

June 12 Houston, TX Reliant Center

June 14 Tampa, FL Sundome

June 15 Pompano Beach, FL Pompano Beach
Amphitheater

June 16 Orlando, FL House of Blues

June 17 Orlando, FL House of Blues

June 18 Orlando, FL House of Blues

June 19 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena

June 20 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues

June 22 Cary, NC Amphitheatre at
Regency Park

June 23 Portsmouth, VA Harbor Center

June 24 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post
Pavilion

June 25 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center

June 26 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts
Center

June 27 Lowell, MA Tsongas Arena

June 30 Pittsburgh, PA Chevrolet Amp @
Station Square

For more information visit www.thrice.net

May 05, 2004

Atreyu Celebrate The Release Of The Curse With In-store, Record Release Party

Atreyu will be celebrating the release of their new album, The Curse, with two events in Orange County - an in-store signing at the OC Virgin Store on Tuesday, June 29th at 6 pm. On Friday, July 2nd, Atreyu will play the official record release party at House of Blues Anaheim, joined by their friends, Bleeding Through and Scars of Tomorrow.

If you aren't familiar with Atreyu, its time to move out from under that rock and sit in the sunshine! The new album is The Curse and it hits June 29th. They've sold 90,000 copies of their debut, Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses and have been praised in Guitar World, Revolver, Alternative Press, Guitar One, and dozens more great publications. Their video was spinning for months at Fuse and MTV2, and the band hosted Headbanger's Ball in mid-April, as well as gracing the cover of Outburn Magazine. They are on a full U.S. tour of large clubs right now, then they are heading out for the entire Ozzfest.

For a taste of the rock, check out www.victoryrecords.com/sounds.html and listen to the new single, Right Side Of The Bed.

May 05, 2004

Beer Fest Corrections for Durty Nellie's May 22


10TH ANNUAL SPRING BEER FEST

plus debut of Nellie's Rooftop Beer Garden

Saturday, May 22

Noon – 4:30 p.m.

$25 advance tickets $30 at the door

You know Spring is in full bloom when Durty Nellie’s beer garden opens and beer lovers can sample over 30 different delicious craft brews at the 10th Annual Spring Beer Festival. The $25 advance tickets include a souvenir pint glass and unlimited tastings. There will also be prizes and giveaways plus live music.

Live music on the Back Room Stage will be performed by:

Dave Tamkin, Dan Darrah and Mike Himebaugh (of Hello Dave)

Nellie's Rooftop Beer Garden will make its debut for this special event. The second story outdoor dining/beer garden will serve up tasty burgers, brats, hot dogs and other sandwiches to complement the plentiful suds. Or patrons can descend into Nellie's first floor pub to order from the extensive lunch menu which offers everything from appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and pizza to full entrees such as steaks, chops and seafood.

Seventeen confirmed brewers include:

Abita, Bells, Capital Brewery, Dogfish.com, Founders, Goose Island, Great Lakes, North Coast, Point, Red Hook, Rogue, Sierra Nevada, Summit, Three Floyds Brewing, Ebel's Weiss, Northwind Imperial Stout, Woodchuck Draft Cider.

More brewers are expected. Each brewer brings at least two different craft beers to sample, so no one will be dry.

Phone sales are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call the business office at (847) 358-9150 ext. 11. Or stop into Nellie’s any time to buy tickets. Tickets also available from Paypal via Nellie's website: www.durtynellies.com ####

May 10, 2004

Fall Out Boy On Tour With Blink 182


NEW DVD/EP IN STORES MAY 18TH


HEADLINING TOUR IN JUNE FOLLOWED BY WARPED TOUR


Newly signed to Island Records, Fall Out Boy have been enjoying an incredible run of success touring with MEST, Less Than Jake, OK Go, Yellow Card, and Rufio, just to name a few. The band has now been tapped to play with Blink 182 in select cities and is also confirmed to perform at the prestigious WHFS Festival alongside Taking Back Sunday, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, & many more. In addition, Fall Out Boy will be releasing a DVD/EP out on Fueled By Ramen Records on May 18th. The DVD/EP entitled "My Heart Will Always Be the B-side to My Tongue" contains 5 acoustic tracks including 3 new songs, a "Where Is Your Boy" acoustic version and a cover to Joy Divisions "Love Will Tear Us Apart." The DVD portion of the release includes two videos, live footage, interviews, a 3 song acoustic performance and additional bonus footage.

Fall Out Boy will be heading back to the studio this year to begin recording their major label debut for Island Records. The band has also been confirmed to perform on this summer's Warped Tour.

The Chicago based quartet has been garnering national attention ever since their first full length release, "Take This To Your Grave." Alternative Press voted Fall Out Boy as the #2 most under-rated band of 2003, while "Take This To Your Grave" has held the #1 spot on the AP reader's chart for the past two months. In addition, Fall Out Boy was also featured in AP as one of the "100 Bands You Need To Know for 2004." MTV has also taken notice of the band and recently featured them on a "You Hear It First" news segment while their video for "Dead On Arrival" was on Fuse's Ovenfresh where it was voted into the #1 spot beating out the Deftones and Nickelback.

Tour Dates w/ Blink 182, Cypress Hill & Taking Back Sunday:

5/12 Raleigh, NC Alltel Pavilion

5/14 Columbus, OH Germain Amphitheater

5/15 St. Louis, MO UMB Bank Pavilion

5/16 Kansas City, KS Verizon Wireless Amphitheater



Fall Out Boy Headlining Tour:

6/2 Columbus, OH Flanagan's

6/3 Cincinnati, OH Top Cat's

6/4 Cleveland, OH Van's Concert @ Scene
Pavilion

6/5 Chicago, IL House of Blues

6/6 Milwaukee, WI The Rave

6/8 Grand Rapids, MI Intersection

6/9 Detroit, MI St. Andrew's Hall

6/10 Buffalo, NY Showplace Theatre

6/11 Philadelphia, PA TLA

6/12 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre

6/13 Boston, MA Axis

6/14 Farmingdale, NY The Downtown

6/16 New York, NY Knitting Factory

6/17 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club

6/18 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom

6/19 Pittsburgh, PA Smalls Theatre

6/20 Freeport, IL Klub Phenomenon

-Additional Dates to Follow-

For more information visit www.falloutboyrock.com

PRESS RELEASE

Ten With Strangers To Release Debut CD On June 25th

Ten With Strangers, whose 2003 demo EP produced much local radio airplay, including the single “One More Chance,” which became one of the most played local songs of last year on 94.7 FM The Zone and 95.1 FM WIIL Rock, will finally be releasing their much anticipated full-length debut CD titled “Infectious” on June 25th. The 11-track disc will feature a bevy of dynamic new songs, as well as professional versions of several favorites from the demo EP such as “One More Chance” and “A Better Place.” The band has dropped the “poppier” of its songs for the CD and new live show set list, favoring a heavier and more explosive sound that highlights the infectious melodies and hooks that they have rapidly become known for.

Ten With Strangers will be hosting a CD release party on Friday, June 25th at Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg. For additional information on the CD or CD release show, please visit the band’s website at www.tenwithstrangers.com

June 8, 2004

Straylight Run Ready Debut Album, Tour with Rooney and Ozma

Chicago, IL - Straylight Run will celebrate the recording of their first album by hitting the road with Rooney and Ozma in June and July. Produced by Michael Birnbaum(Coheed and Cambria, John Mayer, Bad Brains), their debut will be self-titled and is slated for release in September 2004. Anticipation for the album is high, as Straylight Run made the decision to release their demos as free downloads on their website, allowing thousands and thousands of fans to enjoy their first efforts for free.

Straylight Run began in May of 2003 when former members of Taking Back Sunday, John Nolan and Shaun Cooper joined forces with former Breaking Pangaea drummer Will Noon. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when John's sister Michelle came on board to play piano and guitar and sing with the band. The resulting music has been described as "...melding your copy of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours into your Fugazi discs." by Alternative Press.

Straylight Run are available for interviews, contact me as soon as possible to schedule a chat or confirm a show review. For more information on Straylight Run, check out www.straylightrun.com or www.victoryrecords.com

STRAYLIGHT RUN ON TOUR WITH ROONEY AND OZMA
JUNE
6 New York, NY @ PIER 54
8 Cleveland, OH @ THE ODEON
9 Toronto, CANADA @ THE GUVERNMENT
10 Poughkeepsie, NY @ THE CHANCE
11 Washington DC @ 9:30 CLUB
12 Philadelphia, PA @ THEATER OF LIVING ARTS
14 New Haven, CT @ TOAD'S PLACE
15 Boston, MA @ AXIS
16 Lancaster, PA @ CHAMELEON CLUB
18 Atlanta, GA @ ROXY THEATRE
19 Orlando, FL @ THE SOCIAL
20 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ CULTURE ROOM
22 New Orleans, LA @ HOUSE OF BLUES
23 Houston, TX @ ENGINE ROOM
24 Austin, TX @ LA ZONA ROSA
25 Dallas, TX @ THE GYPSY BALLROOM
27 Albuquerque, NM @ SUNSHINE THEATER
28 Englewood, CA @ GOTHIC THEATRE
30 Omaha, NE @ RANCH BOWL

JULY
3 Chicago, IL @ HOUSE OF BLUES
6 St. Louis, MO @ MISSISSIPPI BLUES
7 Lawerence, KS @ GRANADA THEATRE
9 Columbia, MO @ THE BLUE NOTE
12 Scottsdale, AZ @ VENUE OF SCOTTSDALE
13 San Diego, CA @ CANES BAR AND GRILL
15 San Fransisco, CA @ THE FILMORE
16 Sacramento, CA @ EMPIRE
17 Los Angeles, CA @ WILTERN THEATRE

June 09, 2004

Live From FitzGerald's book available now!


For Immediate Release:

AVAILABLE NOW!

LIVE FROM FITZGERALD’S
*SONGS AND STORIES OF AN AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB*
words by Dave Whitaker
pictures by Blair Jensen

Read the stories. Hear the songs.
This 188-page retrospective book
And album-length companion CD
Soaks the history, the music, and
The spirit of FitzGerald’s Nightclub
Through words, picture, and song.


The book and CD is $30 and available at the club our on line at
www.livefromfitzgeralds.com

For more information check out www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com, or call 708-788-2118

June 03, 2004

Southport Records CD Release-Beaky "Speak Beak"


FROM SOUTHPORT RECORDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CD RELEASE PARTY!

BEAKY "SPEAK BEAK"
Beaky Johnston with the Jim Ryan Trio

SATURDAY, JUNE 26
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM
$10 COVER
KATERINA'S
1920 W. IRVING PARK ROAD
773-348-7592

"SHE ALWAYS SWINGS." Scott Yanow, Jazz Author

Chicago's Southport Records presents the recording debut of jazz vocalist Beaky Johnston with "Speak Beak." 10 classic jazz tracks are offered here backed by an ensemble of young Chicago jazz players. Beaky is a voice for today and tomorrow.

Joining Beaky for this CD Release Party and Celebration will be the Jim Ryan Trio.

Beaky's style honors Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald. The lush mellow calm of her voice brings new magic to songs that have been a part of the jazz stable for decades.

Chicago is not only a city of jazz players, but a city rich with the tradition of fine new singers. Speak Beak, simply means, Speak- there is a new jazz singer in town!

For over 25 years Southport Records has recorded and produced new music for a world market. Southport is also home to jazz singers Ron Cooper, Katherine Davis, Susan May, Linda Tate, April Aloisio and Joanie Pallatto.

SOUTHPORT RECORDS
773-281-8510
www.chicagosound.com

June 06, 2004

Chicago Singer Gayle Ritt Returns Home In June To Release Fifth CD Remembering With Two Live Concerts At Jazz Record Mart

SUMMER VISIT TO ALSO INCLUDE: A SPECIAL LIVE DRIVE-TIME APPEARANCE ON CHICAGO'S ALTERNATIVE WKQX Q101 -- PERFORMANCE AT HIGHSIGHT'S MIDSUMMER'S EVE AND AN INTIMATE ACOUSTIC ELBO ROOM SHOW

(CHICAGO) Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Gayle Ritt will return to Chicago to release her fifth CD, REMEMBERING on her own, VAUT RECORDS, Tuesday, June 22 at the Jazz Record Mart, 444 North Wabash, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3480. Store (312) 222-1467. Admission is free and on a first come-first served basis. Ritt will perform two concerts with selections from her new album at Noon and 5:30 pm. Ritt recently moved to Hollywood after many successful years in the Windy City.

Ritt's fifth album is a departure from her other compilations of original material, studio and live recordings. Her own songs. Collaborations with friends and interested parties. Her catalog shows her growth as a singer, songwriter and musician. But the high five for number five. An opportunity for people to hear Ritt's voice. In all it's clarity.

Fans who have followed Ritt over the years have this to say…"I just can't believe it's her voice singing these songs!" Said San Francisco resident Brian Nadeau, who has been hooked since he heard Ritt's voice a few years ago in Chicago. "I've downloaded all of her songs to my iPod."

The album is full of all time favorites… God Bless the Child, Route 66. Billy Joel's New York State of Mind and On My Own from the Broadway hit Musical Les Miserables. The content stems back to when Ritt was working as a singing waitress in Flagstaff Ariz. She later moved to Miami, where she began singing with Producer Fred Freeman who signed Ritt to a production deal in 1999 and produced her debut full length release, somewhere to turn (Vaut Records 2000).

It was during this time in Miami, Ritt had been performing a number of high profile events for the United Foundation for Aids (on the same billings as Arlo Guthrie and Nestor Torres) and had started working with pianist Martin Bejerano. The two recorded these 12 tracks with Freeman in Miami at Dungeon Recording Studios in 1998.

"Years later, this release is a listening pleasure," says Ritt, excited about the new release. "I'm learning so much about recording and sound, it's nice to work with recordings that are so true to the reality if the performances. Like we are sitting in your place, playing piano and singing. There's an intimacy here that I love in recordings."

"When I was listening to the mixes at 35th Street (in Chicago) Jerry Dornbusch said his focus was to capture the performance…. And I'm really looking forward to sharing these tunes because I feel like he really did!"

As Ritt has progressed over the past several years, releasing 5 indie albums and receiving a generous amount of press and radio attention so has pianist Martin Bejerano who is currently on tour with legendary drummer Roy Haynes.

GAYLE RITT - Ritt lives in Los Angeles and is the president of Big Love Productions, Inc. Praised by the press since her debut release she continues to release albums and tour the US. A European tour is planned for the Fall 04 / Winter 05

MARTIN BEJERANO - Bejerano is currently on tour with Drummer Roy Haynes and lives with his wife in NY.

# # #


TUE / JUNE 22, 2004 / REMEMBERING CD RELEASE / JAZZ RECORD MART / SHOWTIMES: NOON + 5:30 PM
Gayle Ritt will perform songs from her new album, Remembering at Jazz Record Mart, 444 North Wabash, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3480. Store (312) 222-1467. Albums will be available via Mail Order (800) 684-3480 or (312) 222-1474 or FAX (312) 222-0497. Available online for for presale, beginning May 22 at www.cdfreedom.com and www. awarestore.com. Free show.

THU / JUNE 24, 2004 / GAYLE RITT TO PERFORM AT HIGHSIGHT'S MIDSUMMER'S EVE / SHOWTIME 8 PM
This will be Gayle's second year to perform at the annual summer fundraiser for HighSight. Great food, drink and company to raise money for inspiration and knowledge. Café Brauer. 312.787.9824. $100. HighSight.org.


SUN / JUNE 27, 2004 / GAYLE RITT LIVE ON CHICAGO'S ALTERNATIVE WKQX - Q101 101.1 FM / 2 - 6 PM
GAYLE will be a special guest of Chris Payne on Q101. Payne has consistently supported Ritt's career and will have her perform Live on air from the Lava Lounge from 9-11. Ritt will be performing her own music. Lava Lounge performance - Limited tickets available. Call 312.953.6449.

FRI / JUNE 25, 2004 / AN INTIMATE EVENING OF MUSIC WITH GAYLE RITT AT ELBO ROOM IN CHICAGO. 9 PM
Gayle returns to Elbo Room to perform songs from her albums. $10 21+ 773.549.5549. 2871 N. Lincoln. Chicago.


REMEMBERING
STEET DATE June 22, 2004
COMMERCIAL SINGLE TBD
MSRP $18.95


CD AVAILABLE
Jazz Record Mart, Chicago IL / CDFREEDOM.COM AND AWARESTORE.COM

TRACK LISTING
1. SUMMERTIME
2. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE
3. ROUTE 66
4. GIRL FROM IMPANEMA
5. LOVER MAN OH WHERE CAN YOU BE
6. ON MY OWN
7. NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
8. MY FUNNY VALENTINE
9. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
10. GOD BLESS THE CHILD
11. I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU
12. ALL OF ME

Larry Wechler, HOST of the PAX CHICAGO Jazz show "Jazzin' @" had this to say about Gayle's new album, Remembering to be released later this year on her own, Vaut Records. "Her control, her timing, her understanding of lyrical phrasing is beyond ordinary pop-singers. Gayle arrived at a small Chicago bistro callled Katerina's around 9:30 PM and without any rehearsal belted out this song as if she were Judy Garland on Broadway in the early '60s. If this sounds like hype, so be it. But I have never been so impressed with a woman's song prowess as this girl"

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
VAUTRECORDS@AOL.COM.

STREAMING MUSIC AND UP TO DATE TOUR INFORMATION ONLINE AT GAYLERITT.COM. GO THERE

UPCOMING SHOWS

Thu/ June 3 Zebra Lounge Bozeman, MT
Tue/ Jun 22 Jazz Record Mart Chicago, IL
Thu/ Jun 24 Cafe Brauer Chicago, IL
Fri/ Jun 25 WKQX - Q101 Chicago, IL
Fri/ Jun 25 Elbo Room Chicago IL
Mon/Jul 5 Taste of Minnesota St. Paul, NM

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING RADIO STATIONS FOR SUPPORT IN SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE MUSIC OF GAYLE RITT.
WKQX -CHICAGO / WXRT - CHICAGO
WZZN - CHICAGO / WTMX - CHICAGO
WMMR - PHILADELPHIA
KRWG - LAS CRUCES/ KHQT - LAS CRUCES
KMVR - LAS CRUCES / KRUX - LAS CRUCES

vautrecords 312.953.6449 vautrecords@aol.com
GAYLERITT.COM GO THERE

6/05/04:

Stewart Riske of SISTER Child to put on benefit showcase @ Double Door 8/07/04 for the American Cancer Society

“Stewart Riske” front man for the Chicago based alternative rock band SISTER Child has been involved with a handful of charities over the last 4 years including the March of Dimes, James Jordan Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Riske’s efforts have been putting on local showcases at some of Chicago’s top entertainment venues such as Subterranean, Beat Kitchen, Elbo Room and the world famous Double Door in Wicker Park. These events have been very successful in raising thousands of dollars and spreading the awareness of these causes. Riske’s newest charity showcase is for the American Cancer Society. The event will take place at Chicago’s premier entertainment venue Double Door located at 1572 N. Milwaukee · Chicago, IL · 773.489.3160. Tickets can be purchased at ticket master or Double Door box office at $15 each and proceeds will go to the ACS. The entertainment for the night will be top notch with local band Waste and their hard driving rock machine opening up the evening. This set will be followed up by Chicago rock band Trading Brains whose electric flair and diversity bring out the best in the bands performance. Then Riske’s brainchild SISTER Child will take center stage for what will be the bands latest performance at Double Door in 2 and half years. An EP release is set at this event for SISTER Child. The EP will include the bands newly recorded single “Bottom Feeder” and 3 other tracks never before released. A headliner for the event will be named soon. In between each set, music will be spun by up and coming local DJ “Jrick” who also can be found spinning his own techno and other dance music Sundays at Rodan located down the street from Double Door. More details about the event information can be found at www.sisterchild.com or www.doubledoor.com. Come out and support the local Chicago Rock music scene as well as contribute to the American Cancer Society.

PRESS RELEASE

All Terrain Productions relaunches popular Thursday night at Green Dolphin Street

Hot African/Latin Influenced band, Mr. A.L.I. headlines every Thursday through June

Chicago, IL - May 13, 2004 - All Terrain Productions, event marketing firm and trend spotters, are shaking up Thursday nights in Chicago with the re-launch of "Sol Air" - a weekly party/music series featuring live music and DJ's. Sol Air takes flight every Thursday night beginning at 9 p.m. at Green Dolphin Street, 2200 N. Ashland. $10.00 cover.

Green Dolphin Street, well known as a great restaurant and jazz club in River West, also features a separate club bar -- which is well-adorned and features a dramatic floor-to-ceiling liquor case, well-stocked with libations.

Headlining the evening is "Mr. A.L.I." an African/Latin influenced band. The band was put together by dance industry veteran producer Jere McAllister and his partner Vick Lavander. McAllister has remixed for the likes of INXS, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Simply Red, and many others. Carla Prather (from Poi Dog Pondering) joins dance music diva Dajae (who enjoyed the #1 spot on Billboard's Dance Music Chart) on the band's vocals.

"This band is unbelievably talented, "says Brook Jay, All Terrain. "The first time I
saw Mr.. A.L.I perform I was in awe of their ability to get people up and moving in the same manner a DJ might, but offering the benefit of watch live music being performed. "
For more info call 312-421-7672 x34 or e-mail solair@allterrain.net. Green Dolphin Street: Located at 2200 North Ashland street at the corner of Ashland and Webster. $10 Cover. $4 Cocktails and other weekly drink specials.

June 18, 2004

Byther Smith To Celebrate New Release At Rosa's Lounge

Byther Smith will celebrate the release of his new Delmark CD, "Hold That Train" by performing at Rosa's Lounge on Saturday, June 26th at 10pm.

Byther Smith's live shows hit with volcanic intensity. His guitar work explodes and smolders around thumping grooves and booming vocals. The All Music Guide online describes Smith's music as "a potent, snaky brew of pure sweat, grit, and spirit." And describes "Hold That Train" as "featur(ing) not only his signature slashing guitar style, that embodies the entire history of electric blues with its wrist-wrangling attack, but his unbelievable singing voice which is clear, cool, and full of the moaning power of raw sexuality and fierce independence...Bottom line is, this set is one Byther Smith disc to own, this is it, whether you are a diehard or recent convert." "Hold That Train" is all about reaching for that piece of truth that's been hidden in a song and pushing yourself until you finally find a way to turn it loose. No frills, no gimmicks, "Hold That Train" is sixty-some minutes of wanting it, reaching for it. These are his passions and memories, steel rails for a soul grooved to run.

Rosa's Lounge is located at 3420 West Armitage Avenue in Chicago. Music
starts at 10pm and doors open at 8pm. The club can be contacted at (773)
342-0452 or www.rosaslounge.com.

Press Release

Ten With Strangers To Open For Sponge On July 16th At Nelly's Piper
 
Ten With Strangers, hot off their knockout CD Release show in June, will be opening for popular alt-rockers Sponge on Friday, July 16th at Nelly's Piper (formerly known as Sean Kaley's) in Lemont.  This will be the only Chicago-area appearance on this leg of the tour for Sponge, who scored mega-hits in the mid and late 90's with their singles "Plowed" and "Wax Ecstatic."  Ten With Strangers released their debut CD "Infectious" in June  - a disc that has already seen four songs receive airplay on 94.7 FM The Zone and 95.1 FM WIIL Rock. 

For additional information and show details, please go to Ten With Strangers website at www.tenwithstrangers.com

July 15, 2004

Southport Records Presents The 7th Annual Women Of Southport Festival

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 2004

AT ANDY'S!!!
Andy's Jazz Club: 11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago 312-642-6805
$10 Cover Charge (evening sets)

Early Sets at 6:00-9:00PM & Evening Sets 9:30PM-1:30AM

*April Aloisio * Alexandra Billings*
*Katherine Davis * Eugenia Elliott*
*Beaky Johnston * Martha Lorin*
*Susan May * Joanie Pallatto * Linda Tate*

Bobby Schiff, Piano
Sparrow, Piano
Dan Shapera, Bass
Michael Raynor, Drums

Southport Records welcomes our official radio sponsor for the Festival:
WDCB 90.9FM Public Radio From College of DuPage
http://www.WDCB.org

This year's emcee will be Angelo Demetriou. There will be free CD giveaways and surprise guest Southport artists! The Women of Southport. The singers!

The nightclub EVENT OF THE YEAR at ANDY'S!
Featuring NINE singers from SOUTHPORT Records!
ALL singers on ALL sets, ALL night!
Come early and stay late!

The music will feature all singers on all sets, both nights, with: April Aloisio, Alexandra Billings, Katherine Davis, Eugenia Elliott, Beaky Johnston, Martha Lorin, Susan May, Joanie Pallatto and Linda Tate.

Musical director is pianist Bobby Schiff, with Dan Shapera on bass and Michael Raynor on drums.

Andy's is internationally famous for his it's impressive roster of Jazz and Blues artists, a beautiful stage/sound system and full Chicago style menu. The near north off loop location is in the shadow of Marina City, just off of State Street.
http://www.andysjazzclub.com
Andy's
11 E. Hubbard
Chicago, IL 60611
312-642-6805

July 15, 2004

Estrojam 2004 Announcing Schedule

Chicago, IL. July 15th, 2004 - Estrojam 2004 Announcing Schedule

Estrojam 2004 is slated for September 20-26, with featured performers The Gossip, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Kaki King, Kinnie Starr, The Butchies, Ubaka Hill, Sundance official selection director Harriet Dodge, Sini Anderson (co-founder of Sister Spit) All Girl Summer Fun Band, Alt Country night with Wanda Jackson (performing with Chicago’s own rockabilly legend Jimmy Sutton and The Four Charms), Haley Bonar, The Moaners (w/Melissa of Trailer Bride) and Kelly Hogan, Nora O'Conner and Scott Ligon doing some 3 part harmony county gospel as the Lamentations, Leonard Cohen’s backup singer Perla Batalla, Myshkin and a Curve magazine night with Cathy Richardson!

(THESE ARTISTS ARE CONFIRMED TO PERFORM AT ESTROJAM PLEASE SEE ARTIST INDEX BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS ON SPECIFIC PERFORMERS.)

Last summer, the innovative and exciting Estrojam festival stormed Chicago reaching over 4,000 people and featuring bands like Cat Power, Bahamadia, Concrete Blonde, Edith Frost, Princess Superstar, Laura Love and Bitch and Animal as well as Staceyann Chin, Cynthia Plaster Caster and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Estrojam 2003 showcased over 70 artists, educators and activists and received national media attention, with features in the L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune and with a feature about our Dolly Parton Tribute on WGN morning news.

Ms. Magazine has come on as a major sponsor this year as well as, Curve, Girlfriends Magazine, Windy City Media Group, Venus Zine, Bitch, Bust, Rockrgrl, Punk Planet. Estrojam will be hosting an outdoor Wicker Park Stage in collaboration with the Chicago Park District on Saturday Sept 25th. On the closing day of Estrojam we will be working with the Chicago Historical Society on their History of Women's Music event which will be held at CHS and features Kim and The Chicago Kings.

Other Estrojam highlights include: an opening night art gallery exhibition with Callie Lipkin, Flynn and Celesta Danger, new work by Harriet Dodge in person (Director of Sundance official selection, “By Hook or By Crook”), Sini Anderson (co-founder of Sister Spit), a mini-film festival, A Curve Magazine collaboration night with Cathy Richardson, Danielle Howle (from Amy Ray's Daemon Records) and kaki King, a Saturday night Metro show with The Gossip, Pretty Girls Makes Graves and The All Girls Summer Fun Band, The Lickity Split Radical Cheerleaders, The Hellcat Hussies, Smart-Bar DJ show with LA KENDALL(Seattle/Hit Girl Collective) and Margaret Noble, The Estrojam/Wicker Park Outdoor Stage/Teen Stage collaboration with the Chicago Park District with Ubaka Hill's Drumsong Orchestra for Women and Girls, Mama’s House Theatre performing, “A Taste of American Women”, a collaboration with the Chicago Historical society on their, "History of Women’s Music" event on Sunday, A closing night Leonard Cohen Tribute set by Perla Batalla(Leonard Cohen's backup singer) at the HotHouse, also w/Bora Yoon(who has a new video out on MTV networks)and Myshkin. We are also very excited to announce that Estrojam will include the Seattle based Hit Girl Collective DJ Clinic, a distribution workshop from Ani DiFranco’s distro company(Goldenrod), a drumming workshop w/Ubaka Hill, Guerrilla Filmmaking by Ronit Bezalel(voted one of the top 10 women to watch out for in Newsweek Magazine,) and we will be posting work by The Guerrilla Girls at our main events!

There will be multiple concerts throughout the city at venues such as The Hot House, Metro, Smartbar, Martyr’s, Wicker Park, Filter, The W Hotel and Schuba’s. There will also be a mini film festival, several workshops educating women on small business decision making, filmmaking, DIY Home Maintenance, DIY Home recording, filmmaking and music production among other issues. “Estrojam is strongly committed to local youth, and we are working on developing an educational, mentoring program with teenage girls who are interested in music, art, and production,” festival organizer Carmen Sovanski says. “The young women will plan, produce, and manage the youth stage this year through a mentoring program” adds Teen Stage Director Bethany Watson. “With Estrojam we can help to create a space where women can cultivate their talents in all creative areas, try out new ideas, develop new skills, share knowledge,“ Watson says. “[They can] rock out in a supportive community of women and men who share their vision. It’s important because it creates a space that can help inspire women to pick up a microphone, a paintbrush, a power tool, some drum sticks, a video camera, and an attitude that anything is possible,” notes Organizer Tammy Cresswell.”
The festival will be held in Chicago at various venues, the city being a center for women of the world to connect. “Chicago is an ideal place to have Estrojam because the city is very ethnically and artistically diverse,” Cresswell says. “We can bring communities together with industry experts who are based in the city. Chicago has strong communities of hip-hop, alt country, blues, rock, independent film, visual art, dance, theatre- the list is endless. Chicago is a great place to build permanent residence for the festival.”
Proceeds from the event help in the fight against breast cancer through The Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Women in the Directors Chair, a non-profit international center for educating and promoting women in media arts based in Chicago.

What is Estrojam?

The Estrojam Music and Culture Festival is an annual four-day music event that features internationally acclaimed musicians and artists of many mediums, emerging talent, educators, activists, and community leaders in dozens of events, including concerts, workshops, panels, and a mini-film festival presented at top venues throughout Chicago.

Estrojam is a professionally produced, community-based event that showcases, celebrates and promotes the artistic, organizational and political work and talents of women. Estrojam is organized by women and open to all. Volunteers of all genders and ages and levels of experience come together to create Estrojam with the purpose of building and fostering a supportive arts community that inspires, educates, breaks down stereotypes, and encourages bold creative expression.

Estrojam has a strong educational component through its popular workshops. We encourage women to share their skills and experiences in all areas in their lives. Past workshops have included: Home Recording and Music Production, Independent Filmmaking, Do It Herself Home Repair by the Home Depot, Basics of Electrical Wiring and Plumbing, Women in the Music Industry workshop by Stolie at Bloodshot Records, Self Breast/Cervical Exam by the Chicago Woman's Health Center, Women in Radio Workshop by Shawn Cambel of WLUW, Releasing Your Own Record and Booking a Tour, and Image and Body Issues.

Estrojam is strongly committed to local youth, and is working with the Chicago Park District and Gallery 37 on an educational, mentoring program with teenaged girls who are interested in music, art, and production. Through this mentoring program, these young women will plan, produce, and manage a youth stage at Estrojam 2004.

Why Estrojam ?
Women are vastly under-represented in the creative fields and technical aspects of music, art and filmmaking. A very low percentage of women make the music, direct the films, master the sound and lights, produce the recordings, build the sets, and wire the electricity. Estrojam seeks to create spaces where women can cultivate their talents in all creative areas, try out new ideas, develop new skills, share knowledge, and simply put, to rock out in a supportive community of women and men who share the vision. Estrojam hopes to inspire women to pick up a guitar, a paintbrush, a power tool, some drum sticks, a video camera, and an attitude that anything is possible.

~*ARTIST INDEX*~

Wanda Jackson: (OAKLAHOMA CITY)
Two time Grammy nominated queen of rockabilly who’s shared the stage with none other than the likes of Elvis Presley. Jackson is a 50-year recording veteran and rocks just like she did when she was a teenager dating Elvis and touring with Jerry Lee Lewis. She’s also worked with The Cramps and Elvis Costello.

Kaki King (NEW YORK)
Thumping bass lines, tapping melodies, and slapping percussion on her guitar, Kaki King is a one-woman force sent to wreak acoustic havoc. At 24, she is already a riveting performer, combining jaw-dropping technique with unique compositions. Though her style and tunings are suggestive of Michael Hedges, Kaki is more about the L train to Williamsburg than placid landscapes. Her playing has a passion and an edge that keeps her tenuously balanced, one foot in the acoustic world, the other in rock'n'roll. Kaki hit the road in 2003 traveling from coast to coast opening for the likes of Mike Gordon, Soulive, Robert Randolph, Tony Levin, Charlie Hunter, Susan Tedeschi, Tim Reynolds, Victor Wooten and others. She played numerous large outdoor festivals including Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, High Sierra Music Fest, Berkfest and the Winnipeg Folk Fest. In June, Kaki was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" and in October she was the featured performer on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (incredibly rare for a solo instrumentalist). Kaki also made her vocal debut singing and playing "O Holy Night" on the Epic Christmas record. 2003 ended with Kaki signing to the legendary Sony label, joining the likes of great guitarists before her including Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Steve Vai. Following a recent stint as opener for Keb' Mo' during his entire 2004 tour, Kaki plans to spend the next few months in the studio recording new material for her first Sony Epic release.er.

Haley Bonar (MD)
Haley Bonar is a 21 year old freckle faced girl from Rapid City, SD, who currently resides in Duluth, MN. She and her drummer/bass player David Frankenfeld have spent the better part of the last year touring across the US, playing exotic clubs from Podunk, Michigan and Los Angeles, CA; in bar basements and the Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Their live shows consist of guitar, a fender rhodes keyboard, drums, and the occasional bass. Haley's music is versitile and subtle, swinging from melodic and full, to hushed and sublime. Her second album, "The Size of Planets" was released on Chairkicker's Union, a Duluth-based independent label owned by Low's Alan Sparhawk, in April of 2003. "The Size of Planets" was voted one of the best albums of 2003 by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and received raved reviews from presses like The Big Takeover, Miles of Music, Minneapolis City Pages, Chicago Sun Times, Pulse Magazine, Splendid, and more. Over the past year and a half, Haley spent time touring with bands like Low, Richard Buckner, and Mary Lou Lord, and shared the stage with such bands as Pedro the Lion, Mason Jennings, Josh Ritter, Neko Case, the Black Eyed Snakes, and Ester Drang.

Kinnie Starr (CANADA)
Kinnie Starr's music is being featured in various episodes of a fab new series - The L Word (USA Showtime TV show), the indie feature film "Thirteen" she was also a recent Cirque du Soleil performer and was featured in "Down and Out With the Dolls," an independent movie written and directed by Kurt Voss about the trials and tribulations of a female alt-rock band. The film features Kinnie Starr, Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister and members of L7 and the Nymphs. Kinnie is also writing a book exploring how the younger generation of mixed bloods (Starr is a Mohawk Indian-Caucasian) feels about basic daily life stuff like culture, food, sex and getting up in the morning. Starr be releasing a new cd this fall.

Myshkin (NEW ORLEANS)
VILLIAGE VOICE
Myshkin, the New Orleans folk chanteuse with desert dust and swamp murk swirling in her voice, is good because she's impure; Celtic, bluegrass, Latin, klezmer, and punk snake through her story-songs. With a new band and album, she might find her way off the Euro-Australian folk circuit, where she has hit the washboard lo these many years, though nothing will ever keep her off the road. Rooted in the lowlands, conceived in Paris, raised in Indiana, running wild in what woods are left. joined the circus. panhandled in Laramie, drove a taxi in Santa Fe, died in New York, painted houses in Knoxville. worked on boats and parade floats. lived in tents, trucks and busses. stole a name from Dostoevsky, died her hair in the bathroom of a Texaco. sings like a bird, plays like an inmate, writes like she's lived every story. "a marriage of punk's irreverence with the refinement and emotion of the jazz torch singers of old...an exhilarating musical ride." -new orleans times-picayunne

Danielle Howle (Atlanta)
Currently on tour w/Hootie
"Danielle Howle is a Southern storyteller with a gorgeous sense of melody and a voice that should be pouring out of stereos everywhere...but she is true to the underground rock community that first nurtured her and has not made the leap to televised fame. If she never gets there, consider yourself lucky to have found her; she is one to treasure." -NEW YORK TIMES "Howle is quickly making a big noise thanks to her richly resonant voice and spirited songwriting. The music, a funky, down-home patchwork of roisterous rock and country strumming also speaks of the two-hundred-watt independent mind behind it."
-INTERVIEW MAGAZINE

HIT GIRL DJ COLLECTIVE WORKSHOP (SEATTLE)
The workshop is for girls to learn how to dj. Everything from Equipment, Mixing (intro, beatmatching and maximizing your transitions), Mixing with Software, Laptop Battles, to Intro to Scratch and Dance Floor Psychology. The workshop is composed of 7 female DJs who have taught basic DJing for five years or more (2 are coming to Estrojam/DJ Girl 6 and LA Kendall). Said DJs include, DJ Girl 6, Miss Kick, LA Kendall, Ginger Vaughn, Miss Funk, Celeskii and Emily Song. On average these women have DJed for 10 years or more. We have taught for 911 Media for the Arts, The Point in the Bronx, throughout public schools and at Reel Girls conference for underprivileged inner-city youth. We have all DJed in clubs in more than 6 countries and nearly every state in the US.

The Gossip (OLYMPIA/VIA ARKANSAS)
Arkansas-born, Olympia-based trio with 22-year-old front-woman Beth Ditto, whose blistering, blues-reeling yowl has established some goddamn fully, realized roots for the band's punk-inflected garage rock. It's Ditto who pushes the Gossip above the majority of their genre's not so great, middling pretenders. You need go no further than "Nite", the grinding opener on their second full-length Movement, to realize these shaggy, Ramones-loving stylistics are channel surfing Etta James, Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith, and dusty country roads—Pitchfork media/The Gossip also recorded recent album at the Knitting Factory in NY.

Pretty Girls Make Graves (SEATTLE)
Pretty Girls Make Graves mixes killer rock with feminism -- the sonic equivalent of serial murderer Aileen Wuornos. Since the release of a self-titled EP on Dim Mak Records and a Sub Pop Singles Club 7-inch earlier this year, Pretty Girls Make Graves has built a heavy buzz around the indie rock world. The Seattle quintet's live shows are wild affairs, pitting the taunting, staccato singing of Zollo against backup vocals by guitarist Clark, bassist Derek Fudesco, and drummer Nick DeWitt in a schoolyard-gang type of call-and-response. Part of the noise surrounding Pretty Girls Make Graves concerns the role Fudesco played in the breakup of popular horror rock ensemble Murder City Devils. (The bassist left MCD in October, and the group soon imploded.) Still, you can't blame Fudesco for wanting to ditch that crime scene: As charming as MCD could be, its schlock shock was often as subtle as a hammer. Pretty Girls Make Graves, on the other hand, concentrates on the unsettling power dynamics underlying female-male relationships (an approach borrowed from the Smiths, a group that is the actual inspiration for the band's name, according to Fudesco). OC Weekly - 01/04/02

Cathy Richardson (CHICAGO)
* 46th GRAMMY® Nominee - Best Recording Package
* Winner of two 2003 DIY Awards - Producer of the Year and Album Art of the Year
* Out Music Award Nominee - Outstanding Producer

Cathy Richardson Hits "The Road to Bliss" with Turbocharged CD Heartfelt Tunes and Inspired, GRAMMY Nominated Return to Album Art With her eagerly anticipated new CD, "The Road to Bliss," Cathy Richardson takes an extraordinary musical journey and brings everyone along for the exhilarating ride. Already hometown heroes in their native Chicago (voted Best Band in polls by the Chicago Tribune and Fox News) this intriguing singer-songwriter and her finely tuned bandmates are fixin' to drive right into your rock and roll heart. And with a 2003 GRAMMY Nomination for Best Recording Package in tow, the future seems paved with possibilities. In this case, it's art that reflects the caliber of the music. The roots-, country- and blues-tinged songs are equally ambitious. "Miracle" is an honest, upbeat look at envy; "Blindsided by Love," a duet with Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls, is a shimmering, hopeful ballad; "I've Changed" is one of those raucous, so-true anthems, reminiscent of the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'," that seem to have existed from the beginning of time (or rock 'n' roll, anyway). "This Town," with an infectious slide guitar hook and potent lyrics like, "I'm wavin' one finger good-bye," has already caught the ears of Chicago's WXRT Radio programmers, who added the song into daily rotation. These songs, along with eight others, convey emotions that are all stops on the scary, bumpy, thrilling and beautiful highway of life. Track titles appear as "cities" on the booklet map. They're mostly along the main route, 444-a magical number, Richardson believes-and surrounded by such towns and features as Saliersbury (in honor of Emily Saliers), the Kristen Hall of Fame (Kristen Hall co-wrote four tunes), the Janis River (no explanation necessary), and Dolan Bog (artist Bill Dolan designed the package with Richardson). Rabid fans can have a blast figuring out the map, though band members are pretty easy: Breckenfeld Ridge for drummer Ed Breckenfeld, Hoekstra Primate Sanctuary for guitarist Joel Hoekstra, Klemson for bassist Klem and, of course, the mountain range called Cathy Rocks.

Ubaka Hill (NEW YORK)
The root of Ubaka's drumsong is primarily intuitive, inspired by the rhythmic drumming traditions of North and West Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, American Jazz and Shamanism interwoven with poetry and song. As a teacher, Ubaka has the unique ability to make drumming easily accessible to all who want to feel their own voices through the voices of drums. She has begun to teach drumming to the deaf and hard of hearing. Ubaka has performed and taught numerous workshops on the art and spirit of drumming throughout North and South America. Ubaka's personal mission and vision is to be a catalyst; to inspire and develop, to document and preserve the evolving tradition of women and drums, from the sacred to the secular, fostering a tradition in the making. She is the founder and director of the Drumming Institute - based in Brooklyn, New York - which provides workshops, performances for all ages, and related information and resources to the drumming community. She is the editor and publisher of the newsletter, Drumsong/Drumming Womyn's News: Views and Attitudes. The Drumsong Institute is currently facilitating a national survey on women drummers of all levels and ages in preparation for written documentation on the evolving tradition of women and drums in the U.S.

Harriet Dodge (LA)
Writer, Director, Co-Producer, Editor and "Valentine" of By Hook or By Crook a Official Selection film at Sundance and Best Feature, audience at South by Southwest - Harriet "Harry" Dodge is a writer, director, visual artist and an award-winning solo performer who wrote and directed a critically acclaimed series of experimental theater pieces, among them, MUDDY LITTLE RIVER and FROM WHERE I’M SITTING (I can only reach your ass.) which won the BAY AREA AWARD SHOW PRIZE from NEW LANGTON ARTS in 1998. She is presently an MFA candidate at Bard College and her visual work (sculpture, painting) has been exhibited nationally. In 2000, she played “Dinah”, a supporting role in JOHN WATERS’ CECIL B. DEMENTED. Harry is currently collaborating with acclaimed performer/dancer Stanya Kahn on a new evening-length show which explores paranoia, surveillance and stand-up comedy and is entitled MY BANANA WEARS SHOES. Along with Howard, Dodge co-founded THE BEARDED LADY COFFEEHOUSE AND TRUCKSTOP, a notorious literary/art/ performance/art venue in SF through the nineties.

The All Girls Summer Fun Band (OLYMPIA)
INTERVIEW MAGAZINE
FAST AND FURIOUS, THE ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND REALLY PACKS A PUNCH The London Times
THIS BAND are a perfectly named four-piece of hand-clapping, la-la-ing lasses from Washington. Boasting 14 bursts of jangling tunefulness whose charm is never outweighed by musical virtuosity, AGSFB’s album has a blend of faux-naivety and poignancy borrowed from the Jonathan Richman school of simplicity as genius. The Farfisa-drenched heartbreak of Girl #3 mixes some bitter with the sweet, while the lyrics to Later Operator reveal a filthy wit under the teen-pop effervescence. No twee irrelevance, All Girl Summer Fun Band are the Ronettes reborn for the lo-fi generation.
Completely sublime. Sharon O’Connell Village Voice
In their Archies universe of dates and cars, the AGSFB enjoy a dreamy '50s-'60s teenage aesthetic: Here, bridging a Luddite theme with a sweet affirmation of romantic conversation, the way to reach out to "my baby," I imagine, involves a pink Princess phone.

Perla Batalla (LA)
Mexican/Argentinean singer who has worked with the likes of Leonard Cohen, k.d. Lang, the Gypsy Kings, Was (not was), Iggy Pop and others. A rare few artists command such a response; women like Amalia Rodrigues, Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline or Aretha Franklin, perhaps, whose emotional power is equal to their magnificent voices. We merely describe their talents in adjectives that can never match the thrill of hearing them sing. Hearing Perla Batalla's voice for the first time is an epiphany. One may go to hear the songs, but you end up feeling the joy and the pathos in the music like never before. There is a tone, a depth of emotion and a sublime expressiveness along with her transcendent voice that makes the experience unforgettable. On one hand there is that powerful vocal instrument, but on the other is her intelligence and instincts. This combination in Perla makes her singing a true gift.

Devi 2000 (CHICAGO)
Kirtan Chanting group that have repetedly been invited to perform with the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India

Alison Tartalia (NEW YORK)
Her debut CD sounds legitimately more jazzy than folky--smack-dab in the Laura Nyro/Ricki Lee Jones/Sophie B. Hawkins lineage, complete with sax solos warm enough for Baker Street and titles that namecheck Ab Fab and Dorothy. The latter of which "contains language which may not be appropriate for radio" to wit: "No one gives a fuck about the wizard in the end." Tell Auntie Em and Toto, too; Oz never did give nothin' to the tin man that he didn't already have." - Chuck Eddy, The Village Voice "Allison Tartalia [is] a singer with a sultry voice…" - Marc Santora, New York Times "Tartalia is to pop music what granola is to cereal. That is to say, she is complex, loaded with surprises and textures, and more than filling. I could go on, but I think you get the point....And if her band were any tighter, they wouldn't be able to breathe.... No matter how you slice it, a sparkling debut." - Bill Ribas, NYRock.com

July 12, 2004

Victory Records has announced the signing of Toronto's The Black Maria.

Following the implosion of the genre-defining GRADE (the band that many music writers and bands give credit to for the creation in 1995 of "screamo"), its mastermind and creative leader Kyle Bishop was possessed to create something profoundly new and vibrant. He connected with Chris Gray (Zyon) and wall of sound axe-wielder Alan Nacinovic. The troupe was completed with a groove-laden rhythm section that can shatter the bones of the Gods - Derek Petrella on Drums and multi-instrumentalist Mike De Eyre on bass. They chose the THE BLACK MARIA as their band name, which comes from the slang term given to a police patrol wagon. "The Deliverer of Death"

THE BLACK MARIA are a sexy, intense, melodic, audio jackhammer. Their live show grips the audience, invoking passion and rage, exposing the scars of the soul and sucking the life source out of every cell. By joining the Victory Records family, THE BLACK MARIA assault will gather speed and intensity, as they head into the studio to record their debut. For more information on THE BLACK MARIA go to www.theblackmaria.com
for more information on Victory Records, go to www.victoryrecords.com.

THE BLACK MARIA

Chris Gray - Lead Vocals
Kyle Bishop - Guitar and Vocals
Alan Nacinovic - Guitar
Derek Petrella - Drums
Mike De Eyre - Bass

July 19, 2004

Ten With Strangers To Tape Next Show For TV Appearance

Ten With Strangers will be appearing on nationwide TV - and you're all invited! TWS will appear on "The Music Show," taped here in Chicagoland and syndicated nationwide on free and cable TV stations.  In recent weeks, the show has featured such big-time rockers as Alice Cooper, Puddle Of Mudd, Anthrax, and Fear Factory.  Ten With Strangers will be taping an interview on set at the TV studio, and then the next TWS live show on Friday, August 6th at Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg, IL will be taped and portions of the live show will be combined with the interview to appear on the TV show.  Each week one national act and one unsigned act are paired up on the show.

For additional information and show details, please go to Ten With Strangers website at www.tenwithstrangers.com

August 11, 2004

2004 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Now Accepting Entries

ISC is the perfect opportunity for bands, artists and songwriters looking to gain exposure in the music industry. In addition to celebrity judges such as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Bo Diddley, John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting) and more, ISC judges also include many high-profile record label executives who turn to ISC, looking for new talent. "This (ISC) is a great A&R source to find new artists," stated Monte Lipman, President of Universal Records.

ISC 2004 will yield 50 winners that will share in $100,000 cash and prizes; but for many songwriters, the prizes are just one of the many benefits from winning a competition of this stature. Today's music industry is highly competitive, and winning the ISC can help open doors for an artist: "I've had requests from labels in America asking me to send them more music, and there just seems to be so much good will with this competition" said British singer-songwriter Jane Taylor (2003 ISC Folk/Singer-Songwriter category winner).

The exposure and attention given to their songwriting achievements is another benefit for many ISC winners. "Winning the ISC is the highlight of my composing career. Radio stations celebrated my win in their news bulletins, with one even describing me as a national treasure!" said 2003 Grand Prize winner Moana Maniapoto. Echoing that sentiment is Rick Fines, the 2003 Blues category winner: "The media has been really good to me since winning! I am thrilled with the prizes and the media attention!"

ISC is now accepting entries in 16 musical categories. Deadline for submission is October 15, 2004. Enter ISC by August 31, 2004 and save on multiple-song entries.

http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

2004 Judges:
Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records); Bo Diddley; John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting); Taj Mahal; Clint Black; Sean "P. Diddy" Combs; Macy Gray; Aaron Lewis (Staind); David Hidalgo (Los Lobos); Branford Marsalis; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Peter Furler (Newsboys); Sully Erna (Godsmack); Stacey Earle; Scott Kirkland (The Crystal Method); Michael Gudinski (Chairman, Mushroom Group of Companies); Alan Meltzer (CEO, Wind Up Records); Tara Griggs-Magee (Executive VP Gospel/Urban Music, Sony Records); Michael McDonald (President, ATO Records); Tracy Gershon (Sr. Dir A&R/Artist Dev, Sony Records Nashville); Chris Parr (VP of Music Programming & Talent Relations, CMT); Peter Asher (Co-President, Sanctuary Artist Management); Kim Stephens (VP A&R, Lava Records); Barbara Sedun (VP Creative, EMI Music Publishing Canada) and Leib Ostrow (CEO, Music For Little People).

Categories for 2004:
AAA/Roots/Americana, Dance/Electronica, Jazz, R&B/Hip-Hop, Blues, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Lyrics Only, Rock, Children's Music, Gospel/Christian, Performance, Teen, Country, Instrumental, Pop/Top 40, World Music

August 17, 2004

Victory Records News

ACTION ACTION

If you haven’t heard Action Action yet, and you like The Killers, The Faint or Depeche Mode, you owe it to yourself to play this e-card and dance like a banshee! http://www.victoryrecords.com/ActionAction/ECard.html “Don’t Cut Your Fabric To This Year’s Fashion” comes out on September 7th, and the band has big plans between now and then. They are currently rocking the Pure Volume/Absolute Punk Tour – as it comes to a close they will play a record release party at the Downtown in Long Island on September 4th, followed by in-stores at Looney Tunes in Babylon, NY (Long Island) on September 7th and Vintage Vinyl in York, NJ on September 8th. Following these events in their home markets, they will embark on a free in-store performance tour. Keep playing this e-card to see tour dates as they are added and catch Action Action’s fusion of dark new wave and indie rock at an independent record store near you.

DEAD TO FALL

In just a few weeks, the latest from Dead To Fall, “Villainy And Virtue” will hit stores, and the band is hitting the ground running – their performance at Hellfest was well received by fans from across the country, and they will tour in late August and early September with Martyr AD and Haste The Day. Villainy And Virtue is a tour de force of guitar intensity and raw power – it is faster and more complex than previous efforts by the band. Eric Rachel (Atreyu, Snapcase, Hatebreed) produced the new album at Trax East, bringing his trademark clarity to the mayhem. Dead To Fall are available for interviews now! www.victoryrecords.com/deadtofall.html

RIVER CITY REBELS

It’s been an unbelievable summer for the Rebels, after recording their new album, “Hate To Be Loved” with producer Sylvain Sylvain of the legendary New York Dolls; they hit Warped Tour, playing the Space Station stage daily. Things got crazy a few weeks ago, when Duff McKagan invited the Rebels to open for Velvet Revolver at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Some of you might have seen the photos of Slash wearing his River City Rebels t-shirt recently in Billboard as well! “Hate to Be Loved” hits the streets on September 21st. For more information check out www.rivercityrebels.com

STRAYLIGHT RUN

Straylight Run is preparing for the release of their self-titled debut on October 12th - there are plans for a video shoot in a few weeks and their fall tour has been confirmed. Straylight Run will be joined by Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar and Say Anything for a full U.S. tour - from October 15th through November 28th. Click here for http://www.purevolume.com/straylightrun

BURY YOUR DEAD

New England’s Bury Your Dead finished recording their Victory debut, “Cover Your Tracks”, and it hits the streets just in time for Halloween, on October 19th. I suggest you review the song titles and give yourself some time to reflect, what do they have in common? If you find yourself stumped, there is nothing left to do but ask Bury Your Dead yourself! They will play several record release parties in the New England area before embarking on a November tour with labelmates Scars of Tomorrow and A Perfect Murder, as well as The Acacia Strain. For more information go to www.buryyourdead.com

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Taking Back Sunday rock the final days of Warped Tour but there is no rest for the weary – they head to England, Germany and Amsterdam to play Reading Festival, Leeds Festival and various club shows before hitting London’s legendary Forum on September 3rd. After a short break they will start their headlining U.S. tour. These shows are going to be off the hook – the Roseland Ballroom in New York City sold out in four days! www.takingbacksunday.com

THE BLACK MARIA

Canada’s The Black Maria are at Signal To Noise Studios in Toronto, recording with producer Mike Green (Yellowcard, The Matches) and Rob Sanzo (Sum 41, Grade) assisting. They will head to Los Angeles to mix in mid-September, where they will work with Mike Green and Joe Baressi, who is credited with work on projects as diverse as Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer and Hole. Look for the new album in January 2005. www.theblackmaria.com

ATREYU

As the summer Ozzfest tours (and their off-date shows with Lamb of God) come to a close, Atreyu head home for a short break before joining The Used on their headlining U.S. tour from mid-October through mid-November, when they join labelmates Taking Back Sunday for another tour. Atreyu will also be traveling to New Orleans this fall to hook up with the winner of the Vampire Tour contest!

MARTYR AD

Martyr AD’s video for “American Hollow” is on the way – it was shot in an abandoned hospital in Orange County. “It was really dark and creepy – we were running through the rooms and there were hospital beds and papers and stuff everywhere…including a bunch of cool x-rays that made it into the video” recounted Karl, drummer for Martyr AD. Chris Sims, known for his work with Eighteen Visions, Poison The Well, Throwdown and Bleeding Through, directed American Hollow, coming soon to video shows nationwide. Martyr AD are currently on tour with Stretch Arm Strong, followed by several weeks with Dead To Fall and Haste The Day. In October, Martyr AD will join Bleeding Through and Walls of Jericho for a National tour. http://www.victoryrecords.com/martyrad.html

VOODOO GLOW SKULLS

The hardworking men of Voodoo Glow Skulls are back with a fantastic new album – the Casillas brothers’ innate ability to lock in with each other is legendary, mixing hard guitars and tight horn arrangements with witty songwriting and rhythms that are unmatched for sheer danceability. Voodoo Glow Skulls tour the world in support of each of their albums and “Tradicion, Addicion y Revolucion” is no exception. The band is on a West Coast tour in September and October with Pistol Grip, following that they fly to Brazil to headline the Punk Rock Show festival on October 30 and 31st. Shortly thereafter, they will launch a five week U.S. tour with Big D and the Kids Table, Go Betty Go and The F-Ups. www.voodooglowskulls.com

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS

One of Victory’s newest bands is also one of our hottest! Hawthorne Heights are on tour now with labelmates Glasseater and Calico System, and the band just confirmed a direct support slot for MEST in October, where they are joined by fellow Victory Records artists Bayside. Hawthorne Heights will follow it with a direct support slot on the Midtown/Matchbook Romance co-headlining tour that heads out in November. Their video for “Ohio Is For Lovers” is out now, check it out here, www.victoryrecords.com/hawthorneheights.html or visit their new forum on the band’s site www.hawthorneheights.com

SILVERSTEIN

As we speak Silverstein are drawing remarkable crowds on Warped Tour – but their truly relentless touring shows no sign of a slow down – they just confirmed a slot on the Senses Fail tour, followed immediately by Hot Water Music dates in November. Look for the re-issue of “When Broken Is Easily Fixed” on September 7th – it includes a DVD with two new, previously unreleased songs, cool behind the scenes footage and more. www.silversteinmusic.com

SCARS OF TOMORROW

Scars of Tomorrow have been incredibly busy this year, as they have turned each of many tours into a teaching experience – a chance to teach countless fans the art of Snaps. They take a break from their arduous educational duties to make their first video for the track “Abandonment” with director Darren Doane. They will then embark with labelmates A Perfect Murder and Bury Your Dead for a full national tour. www.scarsoftomorrow.com

A PERFECT MURDER

With the release of their Victory debut, “Unbroken”, A Perfect Murder headed south from their home in Quebec, Canada to join Love Is Red and Donnybrook for a full U.S. tour. On August 20th they will hook up with Darren Doane to film a video for “Time Bomb” For more information click here: www.victoryrecords.com/tours.html

DARKEST HOUR

There is much to celebrate in the Darkest Hour camp – not only have they been shredding on Ozzfest all summer long, but only July 14th, a re-issue of their critically acclaimed album, “Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation” hit stores – it includes a DVD with videos, behind the scenes footage, new liner notes from the band and a bonus song. Darkest Hour will follow up Ozzfest with a full Canadian tour with Cursed. Click here for dates: http://www.victoryrecords.com/tours.html#darkesthour

For Those About To Rock – Nitro Tokyo, featuring Darkest Hour’s Mike Schleibaum, former Darkest Hour guitarist Mike Garrity as well as former members of Fairweather and Mancake, will record their debut EP – check out demos here! http://www.nitrotokyo.com/

SPITALFIELD

After successful tours in the spring and summer of 2004 with bands like Thursday, Piebald, and the Jealous Sound, Spitalfield are taking a few much-deserved days off. They head out in mid-September with Homegrown and Halifax. For some fun, check out the new track on their Pure Volume site – a pretty sweet version of “Stolen From Some Great Writer” featuring the mysterious genius Baritone Man. http://www.purevolume.com/spitalfield

NEW VIDEOS AT VICTORYRECORDS.COM: Taking Back Sunday’s “A Decade Under The Influence”, Hawthorne Heights “Ohio Is For Lovers”, Silverstein’s “Smashed Into Pieces”, and Darkest Hour’s “The Sadist Nation”.

NEW MP3’s at VICTORYRECORDS.COM: Straylight Run’s “Your Name Here (Sunset Highway), Dead To Fall’s “Bastard Set Of Dreams”, Taking Back Sunday’s “A Decade Under The Influence”, River City Rebels’ “No Easy Way Out"

ALL TOUR DATES: www.victoryrecords.com/tours.html

August 17, 2004

Estrojam 2004 slated for September 20-26 is announcing schedule

~*Featured performers include*~

Northern State(new album to be released 8/16), The Gossip, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Kinnie Starr (new album to be release 10/1), The Butchies, Ubaka Hill, Sundance officially selected director Harriet Dodge, Sini Anderson (co-founder of Sister Spit) All Girl Summer Fun Band, Wanda Jackson (performing with Chicago s own rockabilly legend Jimmy Sutton and The Four Charms), Haley Bonar, The Moaners (w/Melissa of Trailer Bride), Bloodshot Records' artists Kelly Hogan and Nora O'Conner with Scott Ligon doing some 3 part harmony county-gospel as the Lamentations, Perla Batalla (Leonard Cohen s backup singer) doing a Leonard Cohen tribute set, Myshkin, and a Curve magazine night with Cathy Richardson, Butterfly Boucher, Kaki King and Danielle Howle of Amy Ray's Daemon Records!
FOR FULL SCHEDULE CLICK HERE:

http://www.estrojam.org/2004schedule.htm

Last summer, the innovative and exciting Estrojam music and culture festival stormed Chicago reaching over 4,000 people and featuring bands like Cat Power, Bahamadia, Concrete Blonde, Edith Frost, Princess Superstar, Laura Love, Bitch and Animal, Staceyann Chin, Cynthia Plaster Caster and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Estrojam 2003 showcased over 70 artists, educators and activists and received national media attention, with features in the L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune.

PERFORMER HIGHLIGHTS:

***KINNIE STARR(Her music is being featured in various episodes of "The L Word" (USA Showtime TV show), the indie feature film "Thirteen" starring Holly Hunter. Kinnie also starred in the indie film, "Down and Out with the Dolls, and "just completed a performance run with Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" in Las Vegas. Kinnie Starr is a Mohawk Indian-Caucasian coming to Chicago from Canada, for a new record release. This performance will mark one of her first trips to Chicago.

***NORTHERN STATE: (NEW ALBLUM COMING OUT AUGUST 16TH) Righteous

feminist/political hip hop. Rolling Stone says, "Picture three energetic MCs, some in-your-face feminist politics and one very danceable album--and no, they're not Le Tigre (though they are thanked in the liner notes). Meet Northern State, an all-female rap group that bring steady beats, smart rhymes and some serious party stamina to a genre dominated by bling-bling excess and arrogant boys."

***WANDA JACKSON: (OAKLAHOMA CITY)

>>>TRIBUTE TO WANDA JACKSON TO BE RELEASED ON BLOODSHOT RECORDS JUST >>>PRIOR TO ESTROJAM PERFORMANCE WHICH INCLUDES MANY ARTISTS ON THIS BILL.
Wanda Jackson is a two time Grammy nominated queen of rockabilly, who shared the stage with none other than the likes of Elvis Presley. Jackson is a 50-year recording veteran, and rocks just like she did when she was a teenager who dated Elvis and toured with Jerry Lee Lewis. She s also worked with The Cramps and Elvis Costello.

***KAKI KING (NEW YORK)

Thumping bass lines, tapping melodies, and slapping percussion on her
guitar, Kaki King is a one-woman force sent to wreak acoustic havoc. At

24, she is already a riveting performer, combining jaw-dropping technique

with unique compositions. Kaki hit the road in 2003 traveling from coast

to coast opening for the likes of Mike Gordon, Soulive, Robert Randolph,

Tony Levin, Charlie Hunter, Susan Tedeschi, Tim Reynolds, Victor Wooten

and others. In June, Kaki was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered"

and in October she was the featured performer on "Late Night with Conan

O'Brien" (incredibly rare for a solo instrumentalist). Kaki also made

her vocal debut singing and playing "O Holy Night" on the Epic Christmas

record. 2003 ended with Kaki signing to the legendary Sony label, joining

the likes of great guitarists before her including Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray

Vaughan and Steve Vai. Following a recent stint as opener for Keb' Mo'

during his entire 2004 tour, Kaki plans to spend the next few months in

the studio recording new material for her first Sony Epic release.er.




***DANIELLE HOWLE (Atlanta)

>From Amy Ray's Daemon Records, and recently on tour w/Hootie, Danielle

Howle will be performing with Kaki King, Butterfly Boucher and Cathy

Richardson.

>>>"Danielle Howle is a Southern storyteller with a gorgeous sense of

melody and a voice that should be pouring out of stereos everywhere...but

she is true to the underground rock community that first nurtured her and

has not made the leap to televised fame. If she never gets there,

consider yourself lucky to have found her; she is one to treasure."-NEW

YORK TIMES

>>>"Howle is quickly making a big noise thanks to her richly resonant

voice and spirited songwriting. The music, a funky, down-home patchwork

of roisterous rock and country strumming also speaks of the

two-hundred-watt independent mind behind it."-INTERVIEW MAGAZINE




***HARRY DODGE (director/writer/editor of Sundance official film, "By

Hook or By Crook".) Harry will be performing a new solo performance piece

she is producing for the festival.




***SINI ANDERSON (Founder of Sister Spit) Sini will be performing

"Opening Band" an experiemental performance piece with video

installations and musical vignettes. One of them produced by Kathleen

Hanna of Letigre.




***HIT GIRL DJ COLLECTIVE WORKSHOP (SEATTLE)

>>>This workshop, entitled, DJ Skilz 101, is designed to teach and

encourage girls to spin records. It will encompass everything from DJ

Equipment, Mixing (intro to beatmatching and maximizing your

transitions), Mixing with Software, Laptop Battles, to Intro to Scratch

and Dance Floor psychology. These girls have taught for 911 Media for the

Arts, The Point in the Bronx, throughout public schools and at Reel Girls

conference for underprivileged inner-city youth. They have all DJed in

clubs in more than 6 countries and nearly every state in the US.




***THE GOSSIP (OLYMPIA/VIA ARKANSAS)

>>>(The Gossip is an...)"Arkansas-born, Olympia-based trio... shaggy,

Ramones-loving stylistics are channel surfing Etta James, Janis Joplin,

Bessie Smith, and dusty country roads" Pitchfork media






***PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES (SEATTLE)

>>>Pretty Girls Make Graves mixes killer rock with feminism -- the sonic

equivalent of serial murderer Aileen Wuornos. Since the release of a

self-titled EP on Dim Mak Records and a Sub Pop Singles Club 7-inch

earlier this year, Pretty Girls Make Graves has built a heavy buzz around

the indie rock world. The Seattle quintet's live shows are wild affairs,

pitting the taunting, staccato singing of Zollo against backup vocals by

guitarist Clark, bassist Derek Fudesco, and drummer Nick DeWitt in a

schoolyard-gang type of call-and-response.




Estrojam will be hosting an outdoor Wicker Park Stage co-sponsored by the

Chicago Park District on Saturday Sept 25th, and will be working with the

Chicago Historical Society on The History of Women's Music event, which

will be held at CHS on the closing day of Estrojam. It will feature

panels and groups such as, "Kim" and "The Chicago Kings".




***Other Estrojam highlights include: The offical Estrojam Party with

Northern State and a B-Girl Breakdancing battle on Friday Sept 24th. This

night will also feature a dance party w/ Violator (NYC's all female

depeche mode cover band), an opening night art gallery exhibition with

work by Callie Lipkin, Flynn, Celesta Danger and Jennifer Catlin on Mon

Sept 20th.

On Saturday night, Sept 25th >>>Metro show with The Gossip, Pretty Girls

Makes Graves and All Girl Summer Fun Band, The Hellcat Hussies, the

Lickity Split Radical Cheerleaders and DJ Mother Hubbard, The

Estrojam/Wicker Park Outdoor Stage WILL ALSO DOUBLE AS OUR Teen event

production and mentoring stage in collaboration with Gallery 37 and After

School Matters (through Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.) A

closing night celebration show with a Leonard Cohen Tribute set by Perla

Batalla (Lenoard Cohen's backup singer), Bora Yoon (who has a new video

out on MTV networks) and Myshkin at the HotHouse.




>>>Estrojam workshops will include***

The Seattle based Hit Girl Collective DJ Clinic, and workshops on SMART

WOMEN and SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING, Women in the Music Business headed up

by MOIRA MCCORMICK and Carla Desantis of Rockrgrl Magazine, Drumming

w/UBAKA HILL, PRO TOOLS AND HOME RECORDING w/Andrea Bunch and TBA,

Distribution 101 by Goldenrod Distribution (Ani DiFranco's distro

company), GUERRILLA FILMMAKING BY RONIT BEZALEL (Ronit was rated one of

the top 10 women to look out for in Newsweek for her documentary "Voices

of Cabrini"), Politics and art, Global Social Jusctice and Enviormental

Awareness and we will be posting work and handing our stickers by

The>>>Guerrilla Girls at our main events!




***FOR PASSES, TICKETS, VENUES AND TIMES... CLICK HERE:




http://www.estrojam.org/






>>>Estrojam is a festival and organization fueled by the goal of

empowering and educating people about creative outlets and career options

where women are underrepresented. Estrojam 2004 is committed to engaging

a community in exploring and celebrating identity, expression, and

beliefs.




>>>Estrojam is a non-profit organization fiscally sponsored by Women in

the Director's Chair (WIDC), a Chicago-based, international media arts /

activist center which exhibits, promotes, and educates about media made

by women that expresses a diversity of cultures, experiences, and issues.

Now in its 24th year, WIDC is responsible for running the

internationally known and respected WIDC Film and Video Festival each

March.






>>>OTHER HOT SHOWS AT ESTROJAM!




***HALEY BONAR(MN)

Haley Bonar is a 21 year old freckle faced girl from Rapid City, who

currently resides in Duluth, MN. Her live shows consist of guitar, a

fender rhodes keyboard, drums, and the occasional bass. Her cd, "The

Size of Planets" was voted one of the best albums of 2003 by the

Minneapolis Star Tribune, and received raved reviews from presses like

The Big Takeover, Miles of Music, Minneapolis City Pages, Chicago Sun

Times, Pulse Magazine, Splendid, and more. Over the past year and a half,

Haley spent time touring with bands like Low, Richard Buckner, and Mary

Lou Lord, and shared the stage with such bands as Pedro the Lion, Mason

Jennings, Josh Ritter, Neko Case, the Black Eyed Snakes, and Ester Drang.




***MYSHKIN (NEW ORLEANS)

VILLIAGE VOICE

Myshkin, the New Orleans folk chanteuse with desert dust and swamp murk

swirling in her voice, is good because she's impure; Celtic, bluegrass,

Latin, klezmer, and punk snake through her story-songs. With a new band

and album, she might find her way off the Euro-Australian folk circuit,

where she has hit the washboard lo these many years, though nothing will

ever keep her off the road. Rooted in the lowlands, conceived in Paris,

raised in Indiana, running wild in what woods are left. joined the

circus. panhandled in Laramie, drove a taxi in Santa Fe, died in New

York, painted houses in Knoxville. worked on boats and parade floats.

lived in tents, trucks and busses. stole a name from Dostoevsky, died her

hair in the bathroom of a Texaco. sings like a bird, plays like an

inmate, writes like she's lived every story. "a marriage of punk's

irreverence with the refinement and emotion of the jazz torch singers of

old...an exhilarating musical ride." -new orleans times-picayunne




The All Girls Summer Fun Band (OLYMPIA)

INTERVIEW MAGAZINE says, "FAST AND FURIOUS, THE ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND

REALLY PACKS A PUNCH" The London Times says, "THIS BAND are a perfectly

named four-piece of hand-clapping, la-la-ing lasses from Washington.

Boasting 14 bursts of jangling tunefulness whose charm is never

outweighed by musical virtuosity, AGSFB s album has a blend of

faux-naivety and poignancy borrowed from the Jonathan Richman school of

simplicity as genius. The Farfisa-drenched heartbreak of Girl #3 mixes

some bitter with the sweet, while the lyrics to Later Operator reveal a

filthy wit under the teen-pop effervescence. No twee irrelevance, All

Girl Summer Fun Band are the Ronettes reborn for the lo-fi generation.

Completely sublime. Sharon O Connell (rating:xxxxx)The Village Voice

says,"...In their Archies universe of dates and cars, the AGSFB enjoy a

dreamy '50s-'60s teenage aesthetic: Here, bridging a Luddite theme with a

sweet affirmation of romantic conversation, the way to reach out to "my

baby," I imagine, involves a pink Princess phone."




***CATHY RICHARDSON (CHICAGO)

*46th GRAMMY® Nominee - Best Recording Package

*Winner of two 2003 DIY Awards - Producer of the Year and Album Art of

the Year

*Out Music Award Nominee - Outstanding Producer

*Lead Performer in "Love Janis" which ran Off-Broadway in Chicago and New

York

Already hometown heroes in their native Chicago (voted Best Band in polls

by the Chicago Tribune and Fox News) this intriguing singer-songwriter

and her finely tuned bandmates are fixin' to drive right into your rock

and roll heart. Cathy Richardson Hits "The Road to Bliss" with

Turbocharged CD Heartfelt Tunes and Inspired, GRAMMY Nominated Return to

Album Art With her eagerly anticipated new CD, "The Road to Bliss," Cathy

Richardson takes an extraordinary musical journey and brings everyone

along for the exhilarating ride. "Blindsided by Love," a duet with Emily

Saliers of Indigo Girls, is a shimmering, hopeful ballad; "I've Changed"

has already caught the ears of Chicago's WXRT Radio programmers, who

added the song into daily rotation, and Kristen Hall co-wrote four of the

songs on the album.






***PERLA BATALLA (LA)

This Mexican/Argentinean singer has worked with the likes of Leonard

Cohen, K.D. Lang, the Gypsy Kings, Was (not was), Iggy Pop and others. A

rare few artists command such a response; women like Amalia Rodrigues,

Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline or Aretha Franklin, perhaps, whose emotional

power is equal to their magnificent voices. Hearing Perla Batalla's voice

for the first time is an epiphany. There is a tone, a depth of emotion

and a sublime expressiveness along with her transcendent voice that makes

the experience unforgettable.




***DEVI 2000 (CHICAGO)

Devi 2000 is a Kirtan Chanting group that have repetedly been invited to

perform with the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Gomang Monastery in South

India.




***ALISON TARTALIA (NEW YORK)

"Her debut CD sounds legitimately more jazzy than folky--smack-dab in the

Laura Nyro/Ricki Lee Jones/Sophie B. Hawkins lineage, complete with sax

solos warm enough for Baker Street and titles that namecheck Ab Fab and

Dorothy. The latter of which "contains language which may not be

appropriate for radio" to wit: "No one gives a fuck about the wizard in

the end." Tell Auntie Em and Toto, too; Oz never did give nothin' to the

tin man that he didn't already have." - Chuck Eddy The Village Voice.

"Allison Tartalia [is] a singer with a sultry voice& " - Marc Santora, New

York Times.

"Tartalia is to pop music what granola is to cereal. That is to say, she

is complex, loaded with surprises and textures, and more than filling. I

could go on, but I think you get the point....And if her band were any

tighter, they wouldn't be able to breathe.... No matter how you slice it,

a sparkling debut." - Bill Ribas, NYRock.com






ESTROJAM will consist of multiple concerts throughout the city at venues

such as The Hot House, The Metro, Smartbar, Martyr s, Wicker Park,

Filter, The W Hotel and Schuba s. There will also be a mini film

festival, and workshops. Estrojam is strongly committed to local youth,

and we are working on developing an educational, mentoring program with

teenage girls who are interested in music, art, and production, festival

organizer Carmen Sovanski says. The young women will plan, produce, and

manage the youth stage this year, through a mentoring program adds Teen

Stage Director Bethany Watson.




With Estrojam we can help to create a space where women can cultivate

their talents in all creative areas, try out new ideas, develop new

skills, share knowledge, says Brenda Schumaker, festival organizer.

"[They can] rock out in a supportive community of women and men who share

their vision. It s important because it creates a space that can help

inspire women to pick up a microphone, a paintbrush, a power tool, some

drum sticks, a video camera, and an attitude that anything is possible,

notes organizer Tammy Cresswell.




Chicago is an ideal place to have Estrojam because the city is very

ethnically and artistically diverse, Cresswell says. We can bring

communities together with industry experts who are based in the city.

Chicago has strong communities of hip-hop, alt country, blues, rock,

independent film, visual art, dance, theatre- the list is endless.

Chicago is a great place to build permanent residence for the festival.

Proceeds from the event go towards helping in the fight against breast

cancer and to supporting women in the arts."




What is Estrojam?

The Estrojam Music and Culture Festival is an annual seven-day music

event that features internationally acclaimed musicians and artists of

many mediums, emerging talent, educators, activists, and community

leaders in dozens of events, including concerts, workshops, panels, and a

mini-film festival presented at top venues throughout Chicago.




Estrojam is a professionally produced, community-based event that

showcases, celebrates and promotes the artistic, organizational and

political work and talents of women. Estrojam is organized by women and

open to all. Volunteers of all genders and ages and levels of experience

come together to create Estrojam with the purpose of building and

fostering a supportive arts community that inspires, educates, breaks

down stereotypes, and encourages bold creative expression.




Estrojam has a strong educational component through its popular

workshops. We encourage women to share their skills and experiences in

all areas in their lives. Past workshops have included: Home Recording

and Music Production, Independent Filmmaking, Do It Herself Home Repair

by the Home Depot, Basics of Electrical Wiring and Plumbing, Women in the

Music Industry workshop by Stolie at Bloodshot Records, Self

Breast/Cervical Exam by the Chicago Woman's Health Center, Women in Radio

Workshop by Shawn Cambel of WLUW, Releasing Your Own Record and Booking a

Tour, and Image and Body Issues.




Estrojam is strongly committed to local youth, and is working with the

Chicago Park District and Gallery 37 on an educational, mentoring program

with teenaged girls who are interested in music, art, and production.

Through this mentoring program, these young women will plan, produce, and

manage a youth stage at Estrojam 2004.




Why Estrojam ?

Women are vastly Underrepresented in the creative fields and technical

aspects of music, art and filmmaking. A very low percentage of women make

the music, direct the films, master the sound and lights, produce the

recordings, build the sets, and wire the electricity. Estrojam seeks to

create spaces where women can cultivate their talents in all creative

areas, try out new ideas, develop new skills, and share knowledge.