Author Archive for BethanyLeavey

MARKETPLACE NEWS: FEATURED GIG – THE NEW ENGLAND AMERICANA FESTIVAL

Published by BethanyLeavey on November 4, 2009 in Artist News. 0 Comments

The OurStage Marketplace connects artists looking for gigs with venues looking for new talent. With over 100,000 artists and amazing opportunities around both the USA and the world, the OurStage Marketplace is the place to be for up-and-coming artists and the venues looking to book them!

Play the New England Americana Festival with Boston Americana favorites Three Day Threshold

Play the New England Americana Festival with Boston Americana favorites Three Day Threshold

This week, we’re spotlighting a great new opportunity in the OurStage Marketplace. The organizers of the New England Americana Festival need talent to fill out the festival’s roster and are looking right here on OurStage. The New England Americana Festival celebrates the long tradition of deep-rooted American folk music. This February, the festival will be take place over three nights at Church in Boston. The festival is looking for 4 to 7 more acts to join The Bean Pickers Union, The Rationales, Bryan Pero and the Tired Horses, The Bees Knees, Golden West Motor Lodge, Odessa Rose, Dave Sammarco Band, The Kingsley Flood, Three Day Threshold and OurStage artists The Autumn Hollow Band. Artists don’t have to be located in New England to apply, but those who can draw in Boston will be given preference. If you play Folk, Americana, Traditional Country, Alt Country, Blues, Rock, Southern Rock or any other roots-influenced music, head on over to the OurStage Marketplace and submit your EPK for this gig!

Submit your EPK to the New England Americana Festival gig, click HERE.

For more info about the OurStage Marketplace, check out the Marketplace FAQ section.

PUNK ON THE ROCKS: THE ROUGHNECK RIOT

Published by BethanyLeavey on October 30, 2009 in Artist Feature. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

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Celtic punks The Roughneck Riot

Celtic punks The Roughneck Riot

Warrington, UK’s The Roughneck Riot are a little bit Celtic, a little bit rock and roll. Taking their cues from The Pogues, The Clash, Johnny Cash and Flogging Molly, this six-piece Celtic punk band features acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo and accordion in addition to the usual guitar, bass and drums. The Roughneck Riot has shared the stage with artists such as Billy Bragg, The Damned and Sham 69. Currently in the studio recording their new album Night Train with The Reaper, the band recently posted the lyrics to the title track on their MySpace page. The words lie somewhere between Dropkick Murphys and Tom Waits, and if the music is even half as good, this is going to be a great record! I managed to catch acoustic guitarist/mandolin/vocalist Matty Humphries during a break from recording to talk about the band’s sound, their album and their plans for the future.

OurStage: I read that The Roughneck Riot started life as a four-piece punk band. How did you make the transition from four-piece punk band to six-piece Celtic punk powerhouse?

Matty Humphries: Personally I’ve always aimed to play Celtic punk, however when we first started out we weren’t the most talented bunch when it came to playing folk instruments and such. We had to let our last 2 guitarists go for personal reasons and I managed to persuade a few of our best friends to pick up a banjo, guitar and an accordion and for the past 7 months or so. With continuous advice and motivation from our good friends The Mahones, we’ve finally managed to focus on our sound, and since then we’ve never looked back!

OS: Even on your mostly acoustic recordings, you guys sound badass. What would you say to people who think that punk music can’t be acoustic?

MH: Haha, Thanks a lot! Well I believe that all the best music started out acoustically, from early blues, bluegrass and folk to gypsy jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, so why can’t punk be played in the same way? People like Johnny Cash always stuck to playing an acoustic guitar, but always delivered.  It’s all about the energy you give when playing, not how loud your amps are or how distorted your guitar is.  And of course our main influence besides punk is Celtic folk, which traditionally started out acoustic. Playing acoustic can also add so many different dynamics to a song, and change the feel completely!

OS: As a Celtic punk band, you must be over the moon to be playing with Shane MacGowan of The Pogues this December. How did this come about?

MH: The magic of MySpace!! We were asked if we were interested in the slot through a message from a promoter, so how could we possibly turn this down! In my opinion Shane MacGowan is one of the greatest song writers in history and has had a massive influence on us, and it’s an honor to share a stage with him!

OS: Your song “Travellin’ Man” made it to the Top 10 in the OurStage Punk Channel last month. Can fans expect a similar sound on your upcoming album Night Train with The Reaper?

MH: This was a great and unexpected thing for us, as half of the band didn’t realize we were signed up to OurStage! But it’s fantastic to know we’re being heard! And yes, Night Train with The Reaper is full of songs that are guaranteed to put “Travellin’ Man” to shame!! It’s a huge mixing pot of influences, from the obvious (The Pogues, The Mahones, The Clash, Flogging Molly) to some more unusual influences to our music such as Johnny Cash, The Urban Voodoo Machine and Tom Waits. Its going to be something we can be really proud of! We’re recording the title track for the album this November with Ex-Mahones’ fiddler Dave Allen in Banbury so it should be up on Ourstage by mid November!

OS: What’s next for The Roughneck Riot? Any plans to tour?

MH: I’ve just this week opened up a recording studio where we should be finishing our album which is all very exciting! And as for tour plans, yes! Hopefully early 2010 we should be touring Europe! Possibly with The Mahones and The Popes, which is another great honor for us! So hopefully we can get Night Train with The Reaper out across the water!!

Check out “Mutiny” from The Roughneck Riot’s EP Drain The Bar in the player below!

MARKETPLACE NEWS: NEW GIGS & GIGS CLOSING SOON-SUBMIT YOUR EPK!

Published by BethanyLeavey on October 27, 2009 in Marketplace News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The OurStage Marketplace connects artists looking for gigs with venues looking for new talent. With amazing opportunities both around the USA and the world, the OurStage Marketplace is the place to be for up-and-coming artists!

This week, we’re spotlighting some new gigs in the OurStage Marketplace as well as some gigs with fast-approaching application deadlines. Take a look at the gigs below and find one that’s right for you! Want to make the most of the OurStage Marketplace? Here’s a Marketplace Tip: Follow OurStage on Twitter. New Marketplace gigs and gig deadlines are always tweeted about.

Keep checking the OurStage Marketplace, accessible via the “Marketplace” button on the main navigation bar, for the most up-to-date gig listings. Don’t see any gigs in your area? Tell your favorite venue about the OurStage Marketplace.

New Gig

l_0fb909c165a7ce8d437420685bdaed29Location: Simple Riot Productions at KC’s Music Alley, Fredericksburg, VA

Opportunity: Live Performance

Gig Date: January 16, 2010

Application Deadline: November 7, 2009

Gig Info: Rock band needed to open for Richmond’s JAIRA on January 16th. Also on the bill are two other local and unsigned bands as well as DJ A Watt out of Sterling. Submit your EPK HERE.

Gigs Closing Soon

IFPDCIQOHPXS-320x240Location: 2010 NAMM Show, Anaheim, CA

Opportunity: Live Performance

Gig Date: January 14, 2010

Application Deadline: October 31, 2009

Gig Info: YOU MUST BE ENTERED INTO SESSION II OF THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY! The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) are offering one lucky artist the chance to perform at the 2010 NAMM Show in sunny Anaheim, CA! The NAMM music show highlights the latest and greatest gear the music industry has to offer, from the most up-to-date recording software to handcrafted guitars. Not open to the public, NAMM is a hot spot for industry leaders and insiders. The winning artist will receive airfare from their home city to Anaheim, hotel accommodations, admission to the 2010 Winter NAMM Show, a showcase performance during NAMM, recording session on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and more! For NAMM, submit your EPK HERE. For the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Session II, submit your EPK HERE.

RQPLJOMWBWFS-320x240-150x1151Location: Amity Teen Center, Woodbridge, CT

Opportunity: Live Performance

Gig Date: November 14, 2009

Application Deadline: October 31, 2009

Gig Info: The Amity Teen Center is looking for local bands and bands with decent draw in the Woodbridge/Bethany/Orange area for a show with FLW, Beside The Burning Sea, We Came With Plague and Demolition Stereo. Each band will play a 30-45 minute set. Submit your EPK here.

RQPLJOMWBWFS-320x240-150x1151Location: Amity Teen Center, Woodbridge, CT

Opportunity: Live Performance

Gig Date: November 21, 2009

Application Deadline: October 31, 2009

Gig Info: The Amity Teen Center is looking for local bands and bands with decent draw in the Woodbridge/Bethany/Orange area for a show with Beneath The Gallows, Tuesdays With Morrie, Kali Ma, Black Regalia, A King Worth Killing, Distorted Paradox and Kaeliun. Each band will play a 30-45 minute set. Submit your EPK HERE.

For more info about the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, click here.

For more about the 2010 NAMM Show, click here.

For more info about the Amity Teen Center, click here.

For more info about the OurStage Marketplace, check out the Marketplace FAQ section.

50 STATES IN 50 WEEKS…WEEK 20: NEBRASKA

Published by BethanyLeavey on October 27, 2009 in Playlists. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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Home of: Saddle Creek Records, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Azure Ray, Bright Eyes, Tilly and the Wall, Smashmouth, The Faint, 311, Cursive

Fun Facts: State flower; goldenrod, state song; “Beautiful Nebraska,” state beverage; milk

The Venues:

While you may not think of Omaha, Nebraska when you think of jazz and R&B, the city actually has quite the history. Home to Wynonie Harris, Preston Love and Buddy Miles, the city was a regular stop for many Kansas City jazz musicians. For the past 6 years, Omaha has celebrated its musical heritage with the Omaha Blues, Jazz & Gospel Festival. This year’s festival included Everette Harp, Kelly Hunt and Little Brian and the Zydeco Travelers.

The biggest new development in indie rock in Omaha is Slowdown, a new all ages venue owned by Robb Nansel and Jason Kulbel, the duo behind Saddle Creek Records. Opened in 2007, Slowdown is part of a building complex (also owned by Nansel and Kulbel) that houses Saddle Creek Records, a coffee shop, retail stores (including an Urban Outfitters) and a movie theater. The venue was named after Omaha band Slowdown Virginia, which later went on to become the much loved indie band Cursive.

The Music:

l_105bc92dd8f64097ad84014948c3ca8dThe Beat Seakers – The broad appeal of The Beat Seekers straight up powerpop will have both teenagers and parents tapping their feet. The rock radio nostalgia track “Dead Air Radio” sounds like it could be an outtake from an early Sugarcult album. If you like what you hear, the band is offering their full-length Dead Air Radio for free here.

NALSRNQHEYGE-largeLucas Hitch – Growing up in a musical family, pop singer-songwriter Lucas Hitch started playing shows when he was ten year old. In the last ten years, he has played 1500 concerts to over a half a million people. This August, Lucas released his first full-length album Fade. Because of his musical background, Lucas played almost all of the instruments on the album. Check out standout track “Wander On.”

l_f6a1f63c375743c2be5cc3ec549c87ecBombs Blast- The Bombs Blast press kit describes the band’s music as “Spit in your face Punk Rock,” and it’s obvious from the first chords of “Treachery” that they mean business. The band has been spreading the punk gospel, playing shows everywhere from backyards to dive bars for the past two years.

Check out these acts and other great Nebraskan artists in the playlist below! Who are your favorite OurStage Nebraskans? Where do you like to see live music in Nebraska? Let us know in the comments!

PUNK ON THE ROCKS: CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN BOSTON STYLE WITH BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE

Published by BethanyLeavey on October 23, 2009 in Rock. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

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The Boston punk scene has some long standing seasonal traditions. While the end of the year means The Mighty Might Bosstones Hometown Throwdown, and Saint Patrick’s Day means downing pints of Guinness with Dropkick Murphys, Halloween belongs to Big D and the Kids Table.

Big D gets into the Halloween spirit

Big D gets into the Halloween spirit

Boston’s Big D and the Kids Table have been pushing musical boundaries for 14 years. While they started life as a ska/punk band, over the years they have incorporated rap, traditional and 2 Tone ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul and do-wop into their sound. They even had local mashup kingpin DJ BC remix and mashup their back catalogu on 2007’s Strictly Mixed and Mashed.

While the music has changed over the years, their annual Boston Halloween show has always been a constant. This Halloween marks the 13th year of Big D’s holiday tradition. Costumes are not required, but many audience members choose to dress up any way, some of them opting for Big D-themed attire: “Perfect Scenesters” (inspired by the Big D song “Scenester”) and even a brave soul dressed as “The Kids Table.”

This year, the Big D Halloween spectacular is taking over The Paradise Rock Club for two nights of mayhem. The first show on October 29th features Big D headlining with Energy,  Brunt Of It and Big D guitarist Sean P. Rogan as support. The second show on October 30th features Roll The Tanks, Hayley Jane and the Primates and OurStage artists Tip The Van.

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Tip The Van

Fronted by singing sisters Nicole and Simone Olivia, the six members of Tip The Van have been bringing their blend of ska, pop-punk, indie rock and reggae to dance-ready crowds since 2002. “The Big D Halloween shows are an epic annual event and we have always wanted to be a part of the festivities,” said Nicole. “Being asked to play this year is a true honor. Since Simone and I sang on Big D’s latest release, ‘Fluent In Stroll,’ and went on Warped Tour with them, we’ve all become friends and it’s really exciting to be able to join in on this year. We can’t wait!”

Purchase tickets to the October 29th Halloween show here.

Purchase tickets to the October 30th Halloween show here.

Update: Both Halloween shows are now all ages!