Thursday, June 30, 2011

Sights & Sounds: Aimee Mann, Antigone Rising, Amy Stroup


Aimee Mann has announced West Coast tour dates, including an upcoming show in San Juan Capistrano on Aug. 12, 2011

What follows are several recent media releases that have landed in my inbox. I hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend!

Fresh from playing the ultimate house concert of the year, The White House, Aimee Mann returns to the road for a string of West Coast tour dates in August. Kicking off her tour at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on August 12, Aimee will make a stop at the Hollywood Bowl to perform in Joni’s Jazz, alongside Herbie Hancock, Clen Hansard, Chaka Khan, Cassandra Wilson and Wayne Shorter and then continue north for a stop at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, along with dates at the Portland Zoo and Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo.

To be clear, Aimee Mann doesn’t usually play house parties, however she decided to make an exception when she was invited by President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama, to perform for Poetry Night at the White House on May 11th. Aimee was honored to join a prestigious cast of poets, musicians and artists to celebrate the art of American poetry and prose.

Currently working on her 8th solo album, set to release in 2012, Aimee is also writing a new musical production based upon her critically acclaimed concept album The Forgotten Arm, her first foray into the realm of musical theatre. Set in the 1970’s, The Forgotten Arm follows the story of John, a Vietnam vet and boxer struggling with addiction, and Caroline, a young woman trying to escape the dead end world she lives in, as they meet, fall in love and road trip across America. In a review of the original release, Magnet magazine proclaimed “Aimee Mann has emerged as one of the finest songwriters of her generation.”

Never one to rest on the laurels of her past, Aimee has been busy releasing albums and touring for the better part of the last decade. Ending the millennium with a bang, Mann was nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and three Grammys for the Magnolia Soundtrack which released simultaneously alongside her solo album Bachelor No. 2. Mann continued her solo career with the 2002’s Lost in Space the second release on SuperEgo Records and then on to her first live CD and DVD Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse. With her 5th solo album The Forgotten Arm, Mann delved head first into the realm of the concept album, following up the next year with a turn at a Christmas album One More Drifter In The Snow, an unexpected homage to the spooky beauty of the holiday season.

Mann’s most recent release @#%&! Smilers was hailed by Mojo magazine as “a masterpiece,” while People Magazine pronounced “trends may come and go, but real artists, like this singer-songwriter remain.” With the upbeat single “Freeway” garnering a solid amount of radio play across the country, Mann has followed with sold-out Summer, Fall and Christmas tours, along with appearances on The View and The Tonight Show, and a concert filmed for the Ovation channel’s Live from the Artist’s Den performance series. In addition, Aimee has also been brushing up her comedic acting skills, with a recent guest starring appearance on the new IFC TV series Portlandia, featuring comedians Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. In the episode titled “Pinata”, a comedic commentary on the state of the music industry, Aimee portrays herself as a singer-songwriter who has had to take a second job as Armisen and Brownstein’s cleaning lady. Aimee’s comedic timing is also gaining notoriety on Twitter with the Huffington Post just naming her one of the “13 Funny Musicians You Should Be Following on Twitter.” Aimee made the list at #5 on the Huffington Post’s “short list” of their “favorite musicians who have a habit of tweeting comedy gold on a regular basis.”
Find more about Aimee at www.aimeemann.com, www.facebook.com/AimeeMann, www.twitter.com/aimeemann,www.youtube.com/aimeemann,and www.myspace.com/aimeemann

Tour Dates:
August 12 The Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA August 13 Burton Chase Park Marina Del Rey, CA
August 14 The Belly Up Solana Beach, CA
August 17 The Hollywood Bowl Joni’s Jazz- A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Los Angeles, CA
August 18 The Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
August 19 The Center For Arts Grass Valley, CA
August 20 Oregon Zoo Portland, OR
August 21 Woodland Park Zoo Seattle, WA
August 23 Britt Pavilion Medford, OR



Antigone Rising Signs w/ Blackheart Records/MMD



Antigone Rising has signed with Meryl Music Distribution, the distribution arm of Blackheart Records Group, home to an eclectic group of artists (including Joan Jett & The Blackhearts & The Dollyrots). The vibe at Blackheart/MMD is totally artist-centric, with a group of caring, competent and trustworthy people who love music, and want to support the new album from Antigone Rising, 23 Red, in every way.



23 Red will be available in record stores everywhere and available for download at iTunes and various other online retailers on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.

Antigone Rising, the all female rock band known for relentless grass roots touring, is currently working on their latest studio CD, 23 Red with producer Gary Phillips. The new single from their anticipated album, "Everywhere is Home", is already in heavy rotation on several US radio stations.



Known for their driving and vivacious live show, Antigone Rising has toured with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers Band, Rob Thomas, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lucinda Williams and The Bangles among others.



Since their inception, the band has released four independent albums. In 2004, they were signed to Lava Records, leading to a partnership with Starbucks. With the release of their album, From The Ground Up, Antigone Rising was catapulted in the spotlight with their Starbucks "Hear Music Debut" series in 2006. A major line-up shift in 2008 led to a brief hiatus, but after a few months on the sidelines, drummer Dena Tauriello & The Henderson sisters (Kristina and Cathy) made the decision to keep moving forward with new member Nini Camps as lead singer -- a vocal force that holds her own in the musical landscape of the band.



With the addition of Camps as lead singer, Antigone Rising continues to turn heads and gain popularity with their poignant lyrics, catchy melodies and soaring three-part harmonies.



They have appeared in national print (Cosmo, Elle, Vanity Fair) and in a television campaign for designer clothing company 7 Jeans. They have enjoyed sponsorships with Mustang and Motorola. VH1 aired a half-hour special featuring the band and both VH-1 & CMT also embraced them by playing the video of their single, "Don't Look Back" on heavy rotation. The band has also appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Emeril Live, A&E's Breakfast with the Arts & several other VH-1 programs including "I Love the 70s" & "I Love the 80s" episodes.


www.antigonerising.com



Amy Stroup's 'The Other Side Of Love Sessions to land on July 12

Amy Stroup's The other Side Of Love Sessions is a collection of songs previously available on her digital only EPs. Each song on this record has been featured in a TV show; major shows like Grey's Anatomy, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva and a bunch of others. She will also be a part of the Ten Out Of Tenn Tour happening this fall.




Amy will be bringing her incredible live show to your city (dates and venue info below). This woman is amazing and is going to be HUGE.


Listen to her music at: www.amystroup.com, see the video for "Hold Onto Hope Love" at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdO6zd8dhQk

'The Other Side Of Love Sessions' Tour Dates


Wednesday, July 13th @ 6 PM

The Other Side Of Love CD Release Party/In Store

Music Millennium

3158 E. Burnside

Portland, Oregon, OR 97214

All Ages · Free



Wednesday, July 13th @ 7 PM

Backspace

115 Northwest 5th Avenue

Portland, OR

All Ages · $10



Friday, July 15th @ 8 PM

Cafe Coda

265 Humboldt Avenue

Chico, CA

All Ages



Saturday, July 16th @ 8 PM

Room 5

143 N La Brea Ave.

2nd Fl.

Los Angeles, CA

All Ages · $10



Sunday, July 17th

Live In Store Performace

Lou's Records

434 North Coast Highway 101

Encinitas, CA

www.lousrecords.com



Sunday, July 17th @ 8 PM

LeStat's Coffee House

3343 Adams Ave.

San Diego, CA

All Ages · $7





Tuesday, July 19th @ 7 PM

The Other Side Of Love Release Party

Good Records

1808 Lower Greenville Avenue

Dallas, Texas

All Ages



Thursday, July 21st @ 9:30 PM

The Village Café

210 W. 26th Street

Bryan, TX



Friday, July 22nd @ 8 PM

Flipnotics

1801 Barton Springs Road

Austin, TX



Friday, July 29th @ 6 PM

In Store Performance

Grimey's

1604 8th Avenue South

Nashville, TN



Saturday, July 30th @ 7 PM

Eddie's Attic

515-B North McDonough Street

Decatur, GA

All Ages · $10



Sunday, July 31st @ 7 PM

Music City Unsigned & Live on Lightening 100 Presents:

Amy Stroup - The Other Side Of Love Release Show

Third & Lindsely

816 3rd Avenue South

Nashville, TN

18 + · $10 (includes copy of new CD)

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