This week we’ve put together a HULK-sized Planner, shining the spotlight on a bunch of richly deserving bands/artists, including our first two amazing urban acts, Stephanie McKay and Warren Flandez. Also in store is a contribution from Andrew Harper, who co-owns The Volume Agency, a boutique outfit that boasts a roster of really cool up-and-coming bands. Look for Andrew to be making a larger contribution to the section in the coming weeks, as we continue our effort to make this THE place to find the hippest unsigned and recently signed acts. Keep hitting me up at [email protected].
THE HOTTEST FEST OF THE WEAKEND
Bonnaroo Music Festival, June 12-15
Featuring Superdrag, MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Adele, My Morning Jacket, The Raconteurs, Willie Nelson, Your Vegas, Iron & Wine, Jack Johnson, B.B. King, Cat Power, Sigur Ros, Kanye West, Pearl Jam, Derek Trucks, Zappa Plays Zappa, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, Metallica and tons more @ The Bonnaroo Music Festival Grounds, Manchester, TN. For more info, visit www.bonnaroo.com
THE HOTTEST SHOWS OF THE WEAKEND
Fri., June 13th
Return to Forever @ Gibson Amphitheatre - Universal City, CA
Spoon @ McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, Troutdale, OR
The Ting Tings @ The Troubadour, West Hollywood
Donita Sparks @ The Double Door, Chicago
Sat., June 14th
Playboy Jazz Festival (Night 1 of 2) featuring Tower of Power, Bill Cosby, Poncho Sanchez, Dr. John and more @ The Hollywood Bowl
Crosby, Stills & Nash @ The Greek Theatre, L.A.
Brad Paisley with Jewel @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA
Rehab @ Crossroads, Huntsville, AL
Sun., June 15th
Saving Abel @ Main Street, Jackson, TN
Ludo with The Spill Canvas @ Recher Theatre, Towson, MD
Mick Fleetwood Band @ Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Upcoming:
Tuesday, June 17th
10:00pm: Black Box Revelation @ The Key Club
10:00pm: Airborne Toxic Event @ Spaceland
Thursday, June 19th
9:00pm: The Ruse @ The Viper Room
10:00pm: Duffy @ The El Rey
JE-C’S NEW-MOVIE WEAKEND SPOTLIGHT
The Incredible Hulk: This is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and we look for it to do monster business this weekend. Although I really liked Ang Lee’s version, most people didn’t, and this new imagining is said to be action-packed, giving fans more of what they want. I’ll be checking out a midnight screening.
THE MILLENNIAL SOAPBOX
by Andrew Harper
I'm the owner and operator of The Volume Agency, along with my partner Gabe Deluc. We are North American booking agents who are passionate about helping our bands build the most important component of their career: a fanbase. Our services also cross over to licensing music in TV/film, as we consult for one of the most relevant production companies around.
A musical renaissance is on the horizon. As the record industry fades more and more into the rearview, I will be discussing artists and companies who are making extraordinary contributions to the new landscape.
One band poised to make a breakthrough this year is Austin-based Electric Touch, who recently inked a deal with Fontana-distributed Justice Records. A&R rep extraordinaire Jan Mirkin put the deal together. British transplant Shane Lawlor belts out soaring melodies over a mixture of English pop and deep Texan blues, along with a heavy dose of youthful energy. Produced by up-and-comer Frenchie Smith (Built to Spill, Dandy Warhols, Meat Puppets), the self-titled debut, due out in late August, is sure to mark the arrival of a bold new talent. They have already wowed crowds at SXSW and Coachella and are en route to play Bonnaroo, Summerfest, Lollapalooza and
JE-C’S HOT NEW BANDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Stephanie McKay: Hailing from the
Warren Flandez: With a sound as fresh as the present, and a voice reminiscent of classic soul, Vancouver-raised singer/songwriter Flandez is turning heads and melting hearts with his own brand of post-millennial soul. Managed by Mitch Davis of The Artist Partnership (the son of legendary barrister Allen Grubman) and produced by Canadian Mike Southworth of Minus Music,
Little Jackie: Blend old-school R&B with a quirky hybrid of hip-hop and pop and you get Little Jackie, the creation of genre-defying singer-songwriter Imani Coppola and multi-instrumentalist Adam Pallin. “The World Should Revolve Around Me” is the opening theme and is featured in ALL promo spots for the new season of VH1’s I Love New York: New York Goes to Hollywood. The duo is taping a 30-minute performance and interview for KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt June 16.. Impacting AAA this month. Take the time to listen to this one—it’s gonna be big. (www.myspace.com/littlejackie)
These Green Eyes: An emo band signed to new indie label Blackledge Music, launched by former Epic A&R exec Ben Goldman (Chevelle, Ben Folds Five, Fuel), These Green Eyes combine high energy and top-notch material, including at least one surefire smash in “Paramedic.” They just rocked Rehab in
Here are some other cool bands/artists to check out:
We Are the Take: These hot emo indie rockers from north of the border are signed to EMI Music Publishing Canada and will be rockin’ NXNE this year. (www.myspace.com/wearethetakeband).
Halos: This Orange County-based indie outfit, who boast a killer sound and an amazing live show, will play the Roxy June 26 with Cartel. They’ll also be performing at Wet Seal’s Summer Concert Series and will be featured in an email blast to over a million consumers, as well as on www.wetseal.com Since last December, Halos have played with Cartel, Motion City Soundtrack, Saosin, Armor for Sleep, The Bled, The Higher, The Secret Handshake, Portugal the Man, Chiodos, Rx Bandits and more. They’re managed by Charlie Adams.
Science & Fiction: This modern-rock group out of Hollywood, FL, is rapidly making a name for itself by fusing the best elements of alternative, mainstream rock, industrial, classic rock and pop; garnering fans around the world via Internet promotion, radio play, indie distribution and word-of- mouth. To sum them up, they’re an Alice in Chains for a new generation; lead singer Rick Bauer has been described as Layne Staley reborn. The weasels have started sniffing around for good reason, and the group definitely warrants keeping an eye on. (www.myspace.com/scienceandfiction.
Lisa Bouchelle: This up-and-coming singer/songwriter, in the mold of Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caillat, and Sara Bareilles, is garnering a lot of buzz and has been deemed a “superstar” by renowned radio promoter Michele Clark. Her album, completed last year at Jon Bon Jovi’s home studio, was released on her own label and distributed by
The
Year Long Disaster:
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