INDIE NEWS BEAT June 12, 2006 Edition

Blow Up Hollywood are set to release their third studio album, The Diaries of Private Henry Hill aptly on July 4, 2006. Based on the journals of Henry Hill, a soldier who died tragically in the Iraq War, this concept album narrates a first-hand account of the transformation of a real man from citizen to soldier to killer to martyr.

The Diaries of Private Henry Hill is Blow Up Hollywood's follow-up to the critically heralded 2004 album Fake, for which Amplifier Magazine touted, "For fans of Radiohead, solo-Dave Gahan/Martin Gore, and Messrs Waters, Gilmore, Wright and Mason, Fake is the real deal."

Founded in 2001, Blow Up Hollywood have built a tremendous following, especially impressive given their anonymous tendencies and strict independence. Selling their albums exclusively online, Blow Up Hollywood has sold over 25,000 units to date.

This critically acclaimed outfit compelled CMJ Magazine to state, "In name and art, this New York collective is a response to a culture that values style over substance." Furthermore, according to The Village Voice, "[Blow Up Hollywood] mine a swooshy sort of ornateness that might be rooted in Pink Floyd, Radiohead, or Porcupine Tree: leaden emotion amid promising open spaces."

Blow Up Hollywood is the collaboration of seven New York musical greats. They chose their moniker as a backlash to the excess of glitter marketing in media. Together, the band creates a huge orchestral wall of sound with blissful string arrangements and poignant vocals making each track a requiem. As the All Music Guide described, "Like gray clouds hanging low on a fall Sunday afternoon, occasionally pierced by hopeful moments of sunshine that never seem to last, this music is downright overshadowing and all-consuming yet, in a subtle, gentle manner, somehow comforting."

The band's live show is a mixed media event incorporating self-produced films projected on giant screens while the band scores the movie live, almost secretly in the dark. A musical, cinematic and theatrical experience not to be missed, Blow Up Hollywood are set for three special performances with more to follow.

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Forgive Me Father Featured on WIVK-FM's Americana Highway on Father's Day 2006

The single Forgive Me Father from songwriter Lee Lindsey's second record, Above the Madding Crowd, will be featured on WIVK-FM's Americana Highway program on June 18, 2006.

Americana Highway, hosted by Jack Ryan, appears every Sunday from 11PM to Midnight on WIVK-FM in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"Forgive Me Father is about love and redemption. It's a plea of forgiveness from a married woman tempted by another. It's about asking for forgiveness for not being strong enough and yet questions, why does love need to be forgiven?" says Lee.

Above the Madding Crowd is Lee's second release off of her indie label, Tall Poppy Records. It is an eclectic folk and roots rock expression produced by session wizard and musical director, Jingles (Gabrielle, BB Mak).

It is indeed Lee's story that's being told in many ways on this record. Her life begins on the Ottawa River in Canada. She's traveled, modeled and performed around the world since leaving home at fifteen with a guitar on her back. Above The Madding Crowd explores a diverse, emotional terrain that searches for and discovers Lee's self-worth, her talents and her voice as a woman and an artist.

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Vernon Neilly Jumps Into Billboard Top 10 Retail Chart

Against what would seem insurmountable odds in today's music business, where not only terrestrial radio, satellite, cable, internet radio, brick and mortar retail, online stores, and digital download retail are dominated by major and major independent record companies with heavy promotional resources, the small Los Angeles area label Boosweet Records has defied the all the odds with it's current CD release "G-Fire II" by Vernon Neilly. The new single by Neilly "Unconditional Love" () which is playing nation and world wide in a number of formats, has been the most added at AC (adult contemporary) commercial radio, CMJ radio, and is currently heating up at UAC (urban adult contemporary) with R&R indicator and monitored stations being added weekly.

This week the upward swing of radio activity has catapulted Vernon Neilly's "G-Fire II", and Boosweet Records into the Top 10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart, leaving in it's smoke many major labels and artists. When commenting on the success of his project Neilly said, "it has been, and continues to be a lot of hard work competing with major and major independent labels who have incredible monetary resources to promote and market their products. Boosweet Records has assembled a team of experienced industry veterans though, that are experts in their respective positions, and as you can see they are getting the job done".

Vernon will be soon headlining a series of concert dates in the Southern California area beginning with the Juneteenth Festival Celebration sponsored by the Santa Ana Chapter of the NAACP on June 10th, 2006 in the city's Carl Thorton Park. June 17th, 2006 he will co-headline the Black Music Month Festival sponsored by the City Of Los Angeles and Ms. Barbara Morrison, with the legendary jazz guitarist Phil Upchurch at one of city's most well known parks, Leimert Park in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. June 25th, 2006 Vernon will join blues diva Ms. Barbara Morrison and her sizzling band "The Bu Crew", to open for the legendary blues singer "Bobby Blue Bland" once again at Leimert Park in Los Angeles. Tickets for these events can be purchased through Ticket Master.

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All Work And No Play... Introducing London Calling Live!

June 2006 sees Earls Court, London, play host to the cream of the new music economy as London Calling, the UK-based cutting-edge music business conference and exhibition hits town (29th-30th June).

London Calling 2006 boasts a completely new format creating a dynamic international event for artists, managers, labels, service providers, and brands building The Future of Music Business. Once the important issues have been debated London Calling puts its feet up for some well deserved R&R. Two live stages onsite at Earls Court sponsored by Blue Hippo Media and Pioneer will feature a packed line-up of emerging talent from indie rock to soul and gospel choirs to an eclectic mix of international DJs.

Throw in some international showcases, the World Cup and five days of live acts and networking events across town and London Calling looks set to party delegates hard for a week. London Calling will showcase for 5 days with various acts across London, from the launch at Neighbourhood on Wednesday 28th June, to showcases at Earls Court during the day, to KOKO (Thurs 29th and 30th) and Meanfiddler (Frog July 1st) and finally onto an all dayer for those left standing at Cargo Sunday 2nd July.

John Soane of Ithaca Media said, 'The aim is to have somewhere for delegates to go and enjoy themselves after the serious business of the day events. The social events and live performances will let them see a variety of new music whilst they network in the VIP sections. With key London promoters involved such as Stylish Riots, FROG, Glasswerk, Young and Lost Club to name a few it's going to be a great few days of live music in London.'

Some of the acts hoping to catch the eye of the gathered music business are Vincent and Vincent and The Villains, The Research, The Holloways, Mando Diao, We Start Fires, Newton Faulkner, Kid Harpoon, Les Incompetents, The Girls, and Dega Breaks. Many more acts and special guests will be announced at www.londoncalling2006.com over the copming weeks.

Sprinkle in a host of other networking events and the Music Week sponsored big screens featuring key World Cup games and London Calling looks set to become a permanent feature on the global music industry circuit. London Calling 2006 takes place at Earls Court, London on the 29th and 30th June. Delegate packages are available at www.Londoncalling2006.com ranging from exhibition-only access through to full 'Access All Areas' VIP passes to maximise the massive networking, entertainment and educational opportunities afforded to delegates. All Access All Areas delegates obtain free access to London Calling Live! and the evening events programme.

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DCIA Announces P2P Media Summit Speakers

The Distributed Computing Industry Association, a trade organization with seventy-five (75) Members representing peer-to-peer (P2P) software providers, content rights holders, and service-and-support companies, announced the speakers and agenda for its upcoming P2P MEDIA SUMMIT. This first annual DCIA Conference & Exposition is scheduled for June 22nd-23rd in McLean, VA.

"For both observers and participants in our emerging high-growth industry, the P2P MEDIA SUMMIT is a must-attend event that promises to be of enormous value to delegates," said DCIA CEO Marty Lafferty in making the announcement.

The June 22nd Conference will feature keynotes from top P2P software distributors, panels of industry leaders, and valuable workshops. There will be a continental breakfast, luncheon, and networking cocktail reception with live entertainment.

The June 23rd Exposition is being held in conjunction with the Digital Media Conference, and registration for the full DCIA Conference & Exposition includes that event as well.

Keynote speakers for the June 22nd DCIA Conference will be eDonkey's Sam Yagan, GNAB's Jan Marc Külper, and MyPeer's Les Ottolenghi.

As a result of market-share shifts among the current generation of open peer-to-peer (P2P) software programs, which have demonstrated steady usage growth for more than three years, MetaMachine's eDonkey now ranks number one on a global basis, ahead of second-ranked BitTorrent.

With the recent launch of its white-label P2P platform branded as In2Movies with partner Warner Bros., GNAB, a service of the Bertelsmann Group's arvato mobile, exemplifies the industry's closest collaboration of the entertainment and technology sectors.

And as a result of INTENT MediaWorks unprecedented development and integration work to leverage multiple file-sharing platforms and UI configurations, as well as web-based distribution, MyPeer represents the most advanced implementation of P2P in the marketplace today.

Exhibits and demonstrations for the June 23rd DCIA Exposition, held in conjunction with the Digital Media Conference, feature industry-leading products and services.

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International Superstar Eddy Grant Released First New Studio Album In Five Years: "Reparation" (Ice Records) For Worldwide Distribution

The first new studio album in five years has been released for worldwide distribution by International Superstar Eddy Grant through his Ice Records label. The album, "Reparation" (Ice Records-9500), was initially released last year as a website exclusive on www.eddygrant.com and www.icerecords.com. As of April 18, 2006, "Reparation" can be found in brick-and-mortar (and internet) record stores throughout the world.

"Reparation" was written, arranged and performed by EDDY GRANT. The album was recorded and mixed to completion at his Blue Wave Record Studios in St. Philip, Barbados, West Indies. "Reparation" contains thirteen brilliant tunes ranging In styles from Ringbang to Pop to Rock to Gospel. All instruments are played by EDDY except for the gospel piano of Andre Daniel on 'Jesus Got A Face.' EDDY also sings lead and backing vocals on all tracks except '(Gotta Be) Positive,' 'Ringbang Man,' 'Long Night,' and 'Love Weself' where he is accompanied on backing vocals by Indra Rudder; the backing vocals on 'Jesus Got A Face' are supplied by The Cavite Choral Choir.

EDDY GRANT has released over two dozen albums. He has had numerous hit singles including 'Living On The Front Line,' 'Do You Feel My Love,' 'I Don't Wanna Dance,' 'Romancing The Stone,' 'Gimme Hope Jo'anna,' and the blockbuster, 'Electric Avenue.' To-date he has scanned over 10 million units (source: Nielsen Soundscan).

There have been, or indeed are, very few artists that have managed to achieve as much as EDDY GRANT has done musically or in business and still be the controller of his own destiny. In 1974 he set up his own record label Ice Records. In 1977 his Ice Records label was established worldwide. Now totally in control of his own production, manufacture (he'd bought the British Homophone Record Manufacturing Plant) and distribution, EDDY became one of the few artists with the creative freedom to experiment with his music which includes Reggae, Soul, Calypso, Pop, Rock, Soca and Ringbang. The Barbados-based Ice Records is the true home of artists of these genres and owns the largest catalog of Caribbean music in the world. The label features artists such as music legends Eddy Grant, Calypso Rose, Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow, Mighty Terror, Roaring Lion, among many others.

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Unsigned And Ingrooves Announce "Fan Your Band To Fame Contest"

The "Fan Your Band to Fame Contest" is an international contest founded by UNSIGNED Music Magazine - The largest magazine dedicated to indie music and INgrooves a leading digital media publisher and technology company that provides distribution, marketing, licensing and other digital services.

Starting June 1st, Sonicbids is the exclusive way to enter this contest. This contest is open to all music genres. Entries will be judged by the staff of UNSIGNED Music Magazine and the A&R department of INgrooves.

One grand prize winner will receive a distribution contract, feature interview in UNSIGNED, the Indie Guide Contact book, a one-year subscription to Onlinegigs.com and products from Griffin Technology. The 9 other semi-finalists will receive a six-month subscription to Onlinegigs.com and products from Griffin Technology.

Sponsors of the "Fan Your Band to Fame" contest include UNSIGNED Music Magazine, INgrooves, Onlinegigs.com, Griffin Technology, The Songwriters Series, TexasRadio1, and The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money.

To be eligible to win this contest, your EPK must have at least 3 songs in it.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission