It was September and I had moved away from a rather unhealthy environment. I had packed my suitcases, taken my cheap guitar and set off to London with the intention to study. I had never been to England before, but had only heard good things about the place. I was naive and, like everyone that age, thought that I had seen it all; little did I know.

I got myself a room in the East, further out than Stratford, because I figured that cheap equaled good. "Cheap" is relative when it comes to London rent; I paid the first month upfront and, having bought a monthly pass for the Tube as well, I was already broke after five days.

Stratford was not such a good idea, no matter how much I tried to idealize; I told myself I liked the buildings, liked the people, liked the many foreign stores, liked the sky and the roads... until one day, in the middle of the reverie, some guy jumped out from a side street and unpleasantly demanded my wallet. I handed it to him, knowing that it was empty. He said, "You ain't got no munney!", I said "That's right", to which he replied that he was sorry. He threw the wallet back at me and disappeared into obscurity. I didn't think too much about it, but somehow got the feeling that I'd better look for a different place to stay.

My search eventually led me to Loughborough Junction in the South. Of course I had no idea that this particular part of Camberwell/Brixton was a major hub of London gang activity at the time. What was worse than being followed around by strangers at night was the fact that I was living in a room with five dogs which were infested by fleas. There was also no shower and no hot water. You had to stand in a tub and pour water over your head using a measuring cup. Very Zen. Apart from that I had no money, so I started frequenting the pawn shop two miles away. The way there alone was a drag; schlepping my electronic goods (my Epiphone Les Paul and my 90's laptop) down the road, hoping not to get mugged. I made friends with one of the fellas named Johnny, who ensured that I'd get a good price on whatever I dumped there, and that I didn't have to pay extortionate fees when I picked it back up. I lived off peanut butter sandwiches; sometimes I couldn't afford the peanut butter, then it was only toast; and sometimes I couldn't even afford the toast, then I ate nothing.

I soon grew tired of the fleas and the cold water. One time I saw a cute guy on the subway and we struck up a conversation. I stayed on the subway, although I didn't even want to go that far; when I eventually got off, I fell in love with the place. Everything was new and shiny and the area looked mostly peaceful. I was in Hammersmith. I decided to get an apartment there, no matter what.

The owner of an Indian restaurant on King Street was renting out a room at an extortionate price. It was smelly and run-down, but compared to the holes I had been staying in in Stratford and Brixton, it looked like a palace. I signed the agreement (I would later take on all sorts of funky jobs to keep this roof over my head, but that's a different story) and moved in. I no longer had strange people following me, but discovered that I had jumped from the frying pan into the fire: I was sharing the smallish house with thirty (that's 30) male employees. The kitchen was caked in grease, the one single bathroom overgrown with mold and filth; my door did not lock; the top window was not glazed (I would get to enjoy this in winter); the beds were full of bed bugs; the tap in my room spew not water, but mud; there was no heating; mice scurried through the room at night. All that - and more - for the price of £130 per week. Why did I not move? I couldn't. I barely had enough money for food, let alone a deposit. The jobs I had were idiotic and underpaid, from being a hostess in an illegal West End night club to promoting venues in SoHo in the middle of the night. All the while I was trying to attend my lectures and seminars - I was a full-time student, after all. I would work ten hours at night and go straight to college after that. Then I'd come back to my mouse-infested, freezing room and doze for two or three hours, before I'd go to work again.

Worse came to worst, I ran out of energy after a few months and ended up on the street. A good friend offered me to let me sleep in her laundry room. I accepted gratefully (and I am still thankful to her to this very day). I knew I had to get away. I brought what I had left to the pawn shop once again and headed off to Dover to embark on an insipid road trip which would soon prove increasingly perilous.

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Url: http://www.TheIndustree.com/

Costa Mesa, CA-December 15, 2009- Industree Music Network, Inc., a new web-based company that centers around Social Music Sharing™, an innovative online music distribution and monetization platform, launches. Social Music Sharing™ combines social networking, music, and the ability for fans to share in the artists' album sales that they directly and indirectly help generate.

Social Music Sharing™ takes the most powerful component from traditional network-marketing based business models, the ability for consumers to share in the sales generated by the people they directly and indirectly invite into the network, and leaves the sign-up fees, purchase requirements, and aggressive sales tactics behind.

Industree's CVO, Brandon Beachum, says, "I strongly believe the businesses that will achieve the highest degree of success in the emerging global economy will be those that understand the powerful momentum and energy that can be generated by sharing your success with the people that help to generate it in the first place. By injecting a "share the wealth" philosophy into our unique business model at such a crucial point in time when the landscape of the music business is changing so rapidly, I believe the possibilities are absolutely endless as to where we can collectively take Industree."

Industree stands firmly by the "share the wealth" philosophy; 40-50 per cent of every album sale is shared with the fans and five per cent of every sale is donated to charity.

Industree employs an "Honor System" pricing structure, which is based on the fans' honest opinion of the music that they buy. Fans ultimately name their own price for the music that they buy, and then the person who initially invited them, as well as that person's "Roots," all share in the profits.

In addition to launching the new web-platform, Industree is releasing five artists' albums exclusively on their own label, Industree Records, including the multi-platinum selling Grammy nominee, Ryan Toby.

Industree is free for both artists and fans to join, however you must be invited by a current member in order to do so. To learn more about Industree Music Network, go to www.TheIndustree.com. To schedule an interview with Brandon Beachum, please contact 949.836.4285 or admin@theindustree.com.

About Industree Music Network, Inc. Industree Music Network, Inc., was co-founded by brothers, Brandon Beachum and Ryan Beachum, in 2008. Brandon formerly worked for the Los Angeles based indie label, Pinch Hit Records. Both brothers also spent many years in various musical projects in and around the LA area. Their first-hand experiences witnessing the fans willingness to work extremely hard to help the artists that they love ultimately helped seed the idea for Social Music Sharing™ and the launch of Industree Music Network. XXXXX

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L'année 2009 s'achève et c'est avec un grand plaisir que je participe pour la seconde année consécutive à cette sélection de nos disques préférés (sur une idée d'Aurelio) afin de désigner d'ici le 30/12/09 l'album de notre planète voxienne, une fois qu'Aurelio aura terminé les décomptes de ce jeu qui m'amuse beaucoup :) Le choix fût des plus cornéliens pour certains LP, d'autres m'ont paru évident. J'en ai certainement oublié, mais disons que ce choix se base avant tout sur le nombre d'écoutes d'un disque et le plaisir procuré à chaque fois, l'émotion ou l'énergie ressentie, à présent place au classement :

BAT FOR LASHES - Glass (Live)

Bat for Lashes

1 Bat For Lashes : "Two Suns"
 Bat for Lashes qui signifie littéralement "Battre des cils" pourrait tout aussi bien être le rassemblement de Chan Marshall, Björk, PJ Harvey et Kate Bush tant le timbre de voix de la chanteuse Natasha Khan rappelle étrangement les quatre glorieuses artistes susnommées. N'y allons pas par quatre chemins, cet album est une pure merveille, une réussite totale, Bat for lashes prouve s'il en était besoin, qu'elle fait dorénavant partie des artistes de tout premier plan par le talent.  L'ensemble est d'une cohérence rarement atteinte, "Two Suns" est un disque "trippant", tribale... les mélodies et la voix enchanteresse de Natasha Khan nous transportent dans un univers onirique propice à l’évasion. On pourra parler de l'excellent "Daniel" premier extrait du nouvel album, ou encore de "Good love", "two planets", difficile de ressortir des titres de ce disque en tout point réussis. Natasha Khan, magicienne à la voix sensuelle et envoûtante ou Bat For lashes confirme tout le bien que l'on pensait d'elle avec ce disque d'exception, à découvrir d'urgence pour ceux qui ne la connaisse pas encore. C'est l'album de 2009  pour The Dude :)

Norah Jones - Tell Yer Mama

Norah Jones

2  Norah Jones : "The Fall"
Norah Jones, mon Dieu que je la trouve belle♥, elle me fait fondre littéralement dès que je la vois. Je lui voue une passion qui reste somme toute très "Dudesque" :)) Notre chère Norah  à décidé de changer d'équipe en obtenant les services de musiciens talentueux dont les batteurs Joey Waronker (Beck,R.E.M.) et James Gadson (Bill Withers), le claviériste James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Al Green) et les guitaristes Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello) et Smokey Hormel (Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer). Le LP a été produit par Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon). Du beau monde donc pour une évolution vers un univers plus pop, moins de piano mais plus de guitares mais je vous rassure ce n'est point la révolution annoncée, on reste ici avec du Norah Jones comme on l'aime, une voix ensorcelante et douce, des mélodies pop très classieuses. En attendant de la voir peut-être sur scène en 2010 (je croise les doigts) je ne peux que vous inciter à vous procurer ce très bon disque. "Norah The Dude is very open, and free for you, I play music, a little, so ...:)))" ♥♥

Biolay - Brandt rhapsodie

Benjamin Biolay

"La Superbe" en 2009, Biolay nous démontre s'il en était besoin qu'il se trouve à des années lumières des piètres Bénabar et autres Renan Luce. Biolay aime la pop anglaise et cela se sent, son don inné à dénicher des mélodies entêtantes est bel et bien là.  Oser sortir un double album en 2009 et en plus tenir ce pari haut la main, on ne peut que s'incliner devant cette évidence, Biolay est un génie !

"Volontaire" Live

Alain Bashung

4 Alain Bashung : "Dimanches A L'Elysée"
Bashung nous a quitté en mars dernier nous laissant quelque part orphelins. Pour combler quelque peu ce vide, est sorti il y a quelques semaines un live de sa dernière tournée. Ce dernier est absolument éblouissant, à l'image du talent hors norme de cet homme qui aura vécu sa vie intensément, la brûlant jusqu'à son dernier souffle. L'énergie, l'émotion, la qualité de sa voix (unique en son genre) et de son interprétation, l'excellente set list et ces mots qui résonnent dans nos têtes encore et encore...

Where Did All The Love Go

Kasabian

5 Kasabian : "West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum"
Dès les premières notes de "underdog" on est dans le style Kasabian avec cette voix reconnaissable entre toute de Tom Meighan. Le son est très rock, les guitares puissantes bien mises en avant, le rythme sait se faire tantôt énergique ou lancinant. Ils sont à mon sens, dans la nouvelle vague anglaise, les seuls à pouvoir être comparé vraiment au style d'Oasis. Leur look 70's est excellent, leur côté grande gueule fait plaisir à entendre :) Ici point de nouveauté à l'horizon, les Kasabian creusent leur sillon rock.  Du rock anglais comme on l'aime !  "West Rider Silver Bullet"  nous fais indéniablement songer à une Bo de western complètement barrée, un des moments forts du disque avec la très chouette "Vlad the impaler" au riff de guitare démoniaque :) "Fire" qui délivre tous ses charmes après plusieurs écoutes. Longue vie à ces Lads ! Live Forever Kasabian !

Turbine womb

6 Soap and Skin : "Lovetune for Vaccum"
Cette jeune autrichienne âgée de seulement 18 ans a déjà tout d'une grande, sa voix, son univers peuplé de fantômes à mi-chemin entre les films de Tim Burton et les écrits d'Edgar Poe est une pure merveille. Un disque dérangeant tant l'intensité de l'interprétation est palpable. J'attends la suite avec impatience. C'est ma découverte de l'année 2009 et tout cela grâce à Aurelio. Gracias mon pote :)
7 Phoenix : "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"
Ce LP contient vraiment quelques pépites électro-pop qui vont faire chavirer les cœurs, à commencer par le tubesque premier single "Lisztomania", suivent aussi la jolie "fences" et surtout la véritablement trippante "love like a sunset" avec 7 minutes presque entièrement instrumentales et cette montée en puissance divine. La production de Philippe Zdar (membre du groupe Cassius) est juste incroyable et met vraiment en valeur ses très bons titres. Le succès de Phoenix dans sa patrie d'origine demeure relativement confidentiel si l'on se réfère à leur réussite à l'étranger (surtout aux Etats-Unis), ils sont par exemple devenus le premier groupe français à passer au show télévisé Saturday Nigh Live, une véritable institution, ayant accueilli tout ce qui se fait de mieux sur la planète rock. Leur nouveau bébé est venu se placer directement en tête des téléchargements dès sa sortie aux Etats-Unis. Succès mérité.
8 Michael Jackson : "This is It"
Bien sûr, on ne peut parler d'un bilan musical de l'année 2009 sans aborder Michael Jackson et la disparition prématurée du King of Pop. Ce n'est qu'une compilation de plus mais je l'ai écouté en boucle et je trouve l'inédit "this is it" parfaite (tout comme le film hommage du même nom mais de cela on n'en reparlera pour les meilleurs films de l'année 2009 :).

Scarlett Johansson - Relator

9 Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn : "Break Up"
Doux et beau, glamour et cool, avec en plus un single et un clip très chouette "Relator", qu'ajouter de plus sinon merci Scarlett !
10 Air : "Love 2"
J'ai toujours aimé Air, certes cet album n'est pas aussi bon que Moon Safari (loin s'en faut) mais bon je l'écoute tout de même régulièrement, surtout deux titres "Heaven's light" et "so light is her footfall". Ma critique ici : http://thedude524.vox.com/library/post/critique-musique-du-dude-air-love-2.html
11 Nirvana : "Live Reading 1992"
Ce live à Reading est resté dans toutes les mémoires, élu même par le NME concert rock ultime, on y voit et entend un Kobain dément, à l'image de son arrivée dans un fauteuil roulant... et puis ses titres que nous connaissons tous et toutes, véritable pater du rock indé, Nirvana et Kurt Cobain à jamais dans la légende ! Le cadeau de noël idéal pour faire découvrir à nos chères petites têtes blondes nourris aux daubes MTV style Tokio Hotel, que dans le rock il n'y a pas besoin de se grimer ou de porter des tatouages pour l'Etre. Kurt Cobain a rejoint depuis Jim Morrisson et autres Hendrix et à ce qu'on me dit ils foutent un drôle de bordel live in Paradise :)
12 Indochine : "La république des Météors"
Je ne vous cache rien si je vous dis que je suis loin d'être un grand fan d'Indochine, j'ai vis à vis de ce groupe une attitude respectueuse pour sa longévité (près de 30 ans) mais j'avoue n'avoir acheté aucun disque d'Indochine jusqu'à présent. J'ai aimé des titres de ci de là mais jamais un album dans son ensemble. Lorsque j'ai glissé le LP dans ma chaîne, je ne m'attendais pas à grand chose de spécial, j'étais simplement curieux de voir l'évolution de Nicolas Sirkis et d'Indo. Mais dès la première écoute j'ai été scotché par la cohérence de l'ensemble, un disque impeccablement produit, un véritable LP-concept qui démarre sous les hurlements et les bruits de botte du premier morceau "Republika meteor" avant d'enchaîner avec l'entraînante "Go Rimbaud Go !", de l'indochine pure sucre, c'est aussi cela le secret de la réussite d'Indochine sur ce disque, ne jamais chercher à se renier, être tel que l'on est sans s'occuper des modes. Emmené par un premier single entêtant "Little Dolls" (tube en puissance), Indochine nous prouvent qu'il n'a rien perdu de sa capacité à composer des mélodies imparables.
13 Lily Allen : "It's not me, It's not you"
C'est presque irrationnel, ne me demander pas pourquoi mais j'avoue qu'il y a deux titres sur son dernier LP qui trottent régulièrement dans ma tête, et puis je dois reconnaître que son attitude assez rock'n roll me fais bien rire, fou ce qu'un Dude peut-être bête parfois... :))
14 Muse : "Résistances"
Certainement plus difficile d'approche que ses prédecesseurs, il faudra plusieurs écoutes pour se faire une idée plus juste de ce "concept album". J'ai l'impression en l'écoutant qu'il est avant tout taillé pour la scène. 54mn et 11 titres (8 en réalité puisque "Exogénésis" est divisé en trois parties) plus tard, je peux dire que l'on est tour à tour irrité et séduit par ce disque (quelle sublime idée que d'utiliser Chopin pour clore "United States of Eurasia"). Irrité par l'aspect pompeux et grandiloquent de titres comme "Guiding Light" , par l'aspect lassant de la voix du chanteur (qui se dope à l'hélium c'est sûr...). Prétentieux Muse ? ce n'est pas ce disque qui fera changer d'avis les détracteurs. Séduit aussi reconnaissons le, par cette volonté de poursuivre ce choix esthétique discutable, quitte à sombrer corps et âmes dans le kitsch. Je trouve ce morceau "Exogenesis", près de 13mn divisé en trois parties, sacrément gonflé et ambitieux.
15 Nolwenn Leroy : "Le cheshire cat et moi"
Un petit clin d'oeil pour ma maman♥ (oui le Dude est sensible aussi:)) Un disque soigné, mention spéciale à la pochette et au clip décalé (à voir dans ma partie vidéo) qui nous entraînent de fort jolie façon dans cet univers farfadesque très Nolwenn "in wonderland". Arrangements (aux cordes un des musiciens de Goldfrapp) et voix jouent la carte de la sobriété et l'on se surprend à aimer ce LP, qui nous plonge dans un monde aux ambiances oniriques empli d'airs qui trottent dans la tête. Je pense notamment au rafraichissant et sans prétention "Faut-il faut-il pas" et puis noël approchant, je m'imagine assez bien, assis dans un fauteuil faisant face à une cheminée où crépiterait un bon feu, bercé par la douce mélopée de cette "Valse au sommet" totalement habitée par la voix de Nolwenn, qui en plus est bretonne et jolie alors forcément... :)))
16 Miossec : "Finistériens"
Le breton sort ici, à mon sens, l'un de ses albums les plus aboutis depuis "1964" (Mon préféré). Tiersen s'est vraiment mis au service de Miossec en lui offrant des musiques qui font réellement corps avec les textes toujours aussi beaux, désabusés et mélancoliques de Miossec. L'atmosphère générale de ce disque est douce amère, un peu à l'image de cette pochette où l'on voit Miossec la mine sombre, le regard perdu... Une véritable réussite !
17 Charlotte Gainsbourg : "IRM"
L'association de Beck et de Charlotte Gainsbourg nous offre un disque détonnant. Il est à mon sens moins bon que 5:55 mais il reste malgré tout agréable à écouter.
18 Etienne Daho :  "Live Pleyel"
Un live reprenant la plupart des très beaux titres de son dernier LP. Mention spéciale à "Cap Falcon".
19 Gossip : "Music For Men"
20 U2 : "No line on the horizon"  

The big lebowski-1

   

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hi all at NME check us out please, cool page, keep up the great work

the decent souls

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Url: http://www.moh-dediouf.com/
Sound: http://files1.mailboxdrive.com/mp3s-new/s/szarabella@yahoo.com/967353.mp3

"when Music, Words and Sounds meet each others, when the notes are kings leaving melodies to a lovely and peaceful world"

Clique Production and Moh DeDiouf shared a common goal. Now, they're sharing with the world the fruits of their collaboration -- a new album, "Smile Way of Life". "Our artists discover a new way of collaborating; we give them more artistic freedom and incorporate the music's human dimension." (la Clique production)

Moh, a founding member of the group African Artists for Next Generation, will promote the album on his upcoming Dash Tour - the connector between Africa and the rest of the world. He'll be meeting up with other musicians in the group across the world. It's a Dash band.

"African music is a starting point, a rebirth … All my musical career has been based on the renewal of African music, renewal of genres, lyrics, collaborations and goals … take the song Adouana, it's still stealing the hearts of music lovers and convincing Afro-pessimists that there is renewal."

Creation stage with the Dash Band America

After Switzerland, Moh DeDiouf travelled to Montreal, Canada. There he met Guillaume Soucy, who signed on as artistic producer for Moh's next project (January 2010). True to his dedication to forging pathways between Africa and the rest of the world, Moh invited Jashun, founder of the Kalmunity Collective, to join the project. It's a new incarnation by an African Artist for the Next Generation. Dash Band America is born.

A photo shoot with the superb Montreal photographer Mario Jean captures the emotion of each moment in this urban, yet soulful new realm.

Discover the photos of Moh exclusively at www.madocphoto.com
Meet the Kalmunity Collective at www.kalmunity.com

It's a New Show: Dash Band Europe

In early September, Moh travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to meet Papis Diongue, artistic director. Instantly, mood was cool, the vibe was right. An inspired musical moment resulted, when the two men spontaneously started jamming Tracy Chapman's song "Revolution".

Since then, Moh has collected four talented musicians who will tour with him through Europe. They are, on drums, Papis Diongue, Jeremy Tordjman on guitar, Ivan Rougny on bass, Jean Ferarini, the famous pianist from Positive Black Soul.

Discover the Moh and Papis' "Revolution" jam on www.myspace.com/dediouf

Adouna's Music video production

After Canada Moh arrived in Cardiff for Adouna's music video production with Widelode company (link www.widelode.com).

Message of peace and hope, this song has been awarded the International Song Writing Competition 1st Prize in World Music, singling out 15000 competitors from 100 countries. Moh is making a plea for a New Africa.

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Sylvan district

LOSTFREEQ

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New Art Linton tune for Christmas!  "Borderline".
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Cheers and all best wishes,

Art

Borderline tk5 - Art Linton

Art Linton

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Url: http://www.sethglier.com/

Fresh off the heels of his successful debut album "The Trouble With People" (MPress Records), singer-songwriter Seth Glier is preparing to embark on "The 12 Days of Touring" starting in Boston, MA on Dec 30th and carrying on throughout the northeast for 12 consecutive shows; including dates at The Iron Horse Music Hall, The Rams Head Tavern, The Birchmere, & The Ark.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Glier has teamed up with the Coats for Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing new and "gently used" winter coats to every child in need. "The 12 Days of Touring" will also host as a coat drive for the Coats for Kids Foundation before every show. A representative from Coats for Kids will be set up at each show to collect coats, hats, gloves, scarves & donations and will bring all the collections to a local school system in need.

Not only will Seth be performing at venues along the east coast for this special tour, but he has also dedicated two dates Jan 3rd & Jan 9th to giving back to the community by performing for patients at the Philadelphia VA Hospital and Cleveland Children's Hospital. Glier reveals, "I have an incredibly compassionate community of fans who are so willing to give back. They have inspired me, so getting involved with the hospitals just seemed like the most natural next step to pull this all together." Seth will also be rewarding his fans for contributing with a special gift each day of the tour! Stay tuned by becoming a fan of his Facebook www.facebook.com/sethglier or following him on Twitter www.twitter.com/sethglier for all the details.

As a green (environmentally conscious) artist, Glier continues to travel in his hybrid vehicle, promotes fan carpooling, & sells organic merchandise in support of his debut album "The Trouble With People," released November 3rd on MPress Records. Get your copy here or visit www.sethglier.com/store

About Seth Glier:
Singer-songwriter Glier was raised on the music of Joni Mitchell, Martin Sexton, and Jeff Buckley, but he considers his brother to be his greatest influence. "My brother is autistic and non-verbal. I learned to communicate with words better once I realized how to communicate to someone without them."

Boston-based Glier is already a seasoned troubadour, having shared stages with John Mayer, Martin Sexton, Erin McKeown and James Taylor. Other notable supporters of Glier's music include acclaimed singer-songwriters Ellis Paul and Livingston Taylor. Glier's accomplishments surpass his age -- he has performed hundreds of shows, including a set for more than 25,000 people on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Livingston Taylor says "Listening to Seth's music gives me hope for what's to come. The next generation is alive and well."

Tour Dates:

Dec 30 - Club Passim (with Ellis Paul)- Cambridge, MA 7:00pm
Dec 31 - Caffe Lena – (3 shows!)- Saratoga Springs, NY - 6, 8, &10pm

2010
Jan 1 & 2 - Iron Horse Music Hall (with Livingston Taylor) - Northampton, MA - 7:00pm
Jan 3 - Philadelphia VA Hospital (Presented by WXPN) - Philadelphia, PA - 12noon
Jan 4 - Brewer's Alley - Frederick, MD - 8:00pm
Jan 5 - Rams Head On Stage (with Edwin McCain) - Annapolis, MD - 8:00pm
Jan 6 - The Birchmere (with Edwin McCain) - Alexandria, VA - 7:30pm
Jan 7 - The Purple Fiddle - Thomas, WV - 8:00pm
Jan 8 - Barking Spider Tavern - Cleveland, OH - 6:30pm
Jan 9 - Cleveland Children's Hospital - Cleveland, OH - 12noon
Jan 9 - The Kent Stage (with Livingston Taylor) - Kent, OH - 8:00pm
Jan 10 - The Ark (with Livingston Taylor) - Ann Arbor, MI - 7:30pm

For further information, or request a press pass, interview or media kit, please contactMelanie@mpressrecords.com

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Url: http://www.mxp4.com

Paris, France - December 11, 2009 - MXP4, developer of interactive music solutions, today released data showing interactive music releases are driving fan engagement and music sales revenue. The data shows that interactive music features such as mash-ups, mixing and live updates result in highly engaged users that interact more with the artists' communities, pay more attention to marketing messages, distribute the music related content virally and drive sales.

Based on traffic data over the last six months, MXP4 saw music fans use interactive music modules for an average of 9.1 minutes while playing with 2.6 tracks. With 75% of traffic happening virally, the data also shows the viral power of interactive music.

Consumers use MXP4 powered modules on the Web and iPhones to mix, mashup and create personalized versions of their favorite songs from popular artists.

Because fans are actually playing with music, they are not simply listening but are looking at the modules. As a result, artists and brands have more opportunities to send information, such as concert dates and album information, to fans.

In addition, the interactive format means fans are more ready to take actions than when they are in a listen only mode. Data from a recent campaign tracked by MXP4 showed up to 3% of click through traffic resulting in sales.

"Our mission is to use interactive music drive the highest level possible of fan engagement while creating new business opportunities. The high level of engagement and viral distribution shows how much consumers are embracing interactive music." said Albin Serviant, CEO of MXP4.

Over 50 major artists have used MPX4 technology to create interactive singles and albums including Britney Spears, Pink, Pet Shop Boys, Basement Jaxx, Ministry of Sound, Ghostface Killah, Calvin Harris, La Roux, and Michael Jackson's label.

ABOUT MXP4

MXP4 develops interactive music solutions that are changing the music experience for consumers by allowing them to play with the music. MXP4 delivers an interactive digital music experience which enables the music industry to explore new revenue opportunities and engage more closely with consumers. Based in Paris, investors include Sofinnova Partners and Ventech. www.mxp4.com

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Url: http://www.deanshoultz.com

New Orleans, LA - December 15th 2009-Louisiana native Dean Shoultz grew up in the heart of Cajun country. As a 12 year old boy and his spanking new guitar from Sears he could not resist the sounds that guitar legend Eddie Van Halen was producing. As time passed Shoultz went through different band members as a leader then decided to take some guitar courses from Berklee College of Music. Ever the steadfast student, Shoultz would accelerate his playing to another level with each successive lesson and continued playing in bands that eventually led to the musical heights attained on his debut solo release All The Pretty Horses on indie label Prime Time Music.

Shoultz released an album with his brother as part of the King Creole band titled Spiritual Democracy and it was not long after that he started thinking about doing his own album. Armed and ready with a battery of Melancon guitars and Mesa Boogie amps, Shoultz partnered with producer Pershing Wells. With Shoultz supplying all of the guitars, most of the bass and lead vocals on two songs, All the Pretty Horses was set to become a reality.

All The Pretty Horses kicks off with atmospheric sounds provided by an acoustic guitar then a piercing electric lead steps in to take you to musical nirvana, a scenario that becomes commonplace on this album. Dean's appreciation for the visionary Martin Luther King comes alive in the track "I Have A Dream" and FDR's famous D-Day speech gets a spotlight in "War" which is one of Dean's personal favorites.

Once rock enthusiasts give All The Pretty Horses a spin, the name Dean Shoultz will become synonymous with the word guitar hero and soon you will start hearing his name when discussing current and upcoming indie artists.

Dean commented "The songs started off with hooks and rhythmic patterns that came to mind, and we just expounded on that. But it's not mindless playing - it's more melodic in nature."

The guitar playing is beyond excellent on All The Pretty Horses and the technical proficiency that Dean displays on the recording is exemplary. Dean will continue to record more in the future while supporting the recording through a series of live dates in that will take shape in early 2010.

Track Listing:
01. The Carpenters Tree
02. War
03. No Slumber
04. Freedom
05. The Awakening
06. Hero
07. All the Pretty Horses
08. I Have a Dream
09. Sing to Me
10. Sequel to the Server

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