Lindsey Stirling Is Number #1...!

LINDSEY STIRLING’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM HITS #1 (ELECTRONIC), TOP 15 MOST-DOWNLOADED ON iTUNES!

YouTube Sensation’s Channel Surpasses 137 Million Views, US Tour Selling Out – National Media Appearances Include “CBS This Morning,” “Extra,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “The Insider,” “FOX News!”

During the week of September 18^th, Lindsey Stirling’s self-titled album release shot to #1 worldwide on the iTunes Electronic chart and debuted at #14 on the iTunes most downloaded list.  It also debuted in the Top 20 of Billboard’s Indie album chart.  She still currently has the #1 album as well as three singles – “Elements,” “Crystallize,” and “Moon Trance” – in the Top 10 in iTunes Electronic chart.

The hot album debut is no surprise, considering that Lindsey had previously sold over 300,000 individual songs mostly by word-of-mouth, several of which hit the iTunes Top 100 as well as the top of the digital electronic charts. 

Currently on a US tour supporting Lindsey Stirling, most venues are sold-out, including her performance at NYC’s famed Webster Hall and her stops in major markets like Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia and DC, with all VIP ticketing and meet ‘n’ greet packages bought out in days.  In LA, a second show at the Roxy was added, and in her Arizona hometown a bigger venue was needed to accommodate high ticket demand!

Comprised of 12 original tracks, Lindsey Stirling showcases the YouTube sensation’s – over 137 million views and counting – signature violin-electronic-dubstep style.  Several tracks were co-produced by some of music’s hottest talents, including the Grammy-nominated DJ Poet (The Black-Eyed Peas).  Lindsey’s album is not only a big hit with fans around the world, but also with the national press: she’s appeared on “CBS This Morning,” “Extra,” “Entertainment Tonight,” FOX News Channel and “The Insider,” and will be seen on “Larry King Now” and KABC’s nationally syndicated “On the Red Carpet” among other outlets in the coming months.

Lindsey composes, choreographs, and directs all of her own original music and videos, merging unique violin stylings and electronic dub-step beats with animated contemporary dance.  Her wide array of videos are all available on her Lindseystomp YouTube channel, which has more than 833,000+ subscribers.

Between her YouTube Channel, social media outlets, and strong word-of-mouth buzz, Lindsey – a classically-trained violinist – has gained legions of fans worldwide, especially amongst gamers with her unique compositions from “The Legend of Zelda” and “Skyrim.”  She appeared as a finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” performed more recently at video game convention E3, and has played globally in such places as London, Italy, and Kenya.   Lindsey’s first headlining performance at historic Webster Hall in New York City sold out in a matter of days.

For more information, tour dates, and media appearances, please visit her official website, ww.lindseystirlingviolin.com, Facebook page and Twitter.  Her new fan-oriented YouTube channel, LindseyTime, reveals a more intimate look at Lindsey’s life, music and fans.

Lindsey has over 137  million views on her youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/lindseystomp recently surpassing Taylor Swift   

Click here to see Lindsey on The Insider: http://www.theinsider.com/insiderontv/55594_Violinist_Lindsey_Stirling_Rocks_Out/index.html

T.G.I.F: No Doubt - "Settle Down"

My Autographed Photo of Gwen Stefani

In case you were otherwise engaged this past week, No Doubt has finally reunited and released their first full length studio album in 11 years "Push and Shove"...really?! WTF?! What took you sooooooo long guys?!

Well I guess there were the two solo albums by Gwen Stefani in the interim (loved them both, I love her solo and with ND) - and everyone else went and pursued personal gigs...Hey Adrian I know I saw  you drumming for Bow Wow Wow once or twice.

"Settle Down" is the latest single from the album of one of the best pop/rock bands evuh in this critic/writer/music lovers opinion.

Loving that the band has released a collective effort and you know I love me some Gwen Stefani, Gwen Stefani, Gwen Stefani.....

What is that image at the top of the blog? Why it's my autographed photo of  Ms.Thing herself that hangs next to my vanity mirror in my closet with my clothes, I can not think of a better place for it to be.

A shout out to my friend Joy Collingbourne who works at the M.O.B. Agency the entity that manages ND and GS together or separate - for getting it for me....

T.G.I.F! It's the weekend peeps time to "Settle Down"...!!!

Leave your doubts at the door: www.nodoubt.com

Reel Life: It's The "Super Cyclone"

Ming Na & Nick Turturro in "Super Cyclone"

"When a SUPER CYCLONE threatens the entire west coast, a brilliant meteorologist (MING NA) and a brave petroleum engineer (NICK TURTURRO) join forces to battle the elements"...

That is the synopsis for Writer/Director Liz Adams latest disaster opus from the hottest independent company around: The Asylum.

Liz Adams last disaster flick for them was the well received "Air Collision" with Jordan Ladd.

Much like "AC", "SC" is a fun B-movie ride because of it's savvy writer/director and the game actors.

"Super Cyclone was so much fun to make – Ming Na and Nick were really game to do anything we asked of them – running from flaming hail – floating in a fridge – you name it". - Liz Adams 

I love this type of thing, from the stock footage of horrible weather, to the nudge and wink special effects. 

"The entire shoot was done in 18 days – it was really fast work for such a effects movie". - Liz Adams

Wow! That is quick! Congrats to Ms. Adams who is an award winning director for the short film "Side Effect" and is now making her mark as an astute low budget movie director.

Note to The Asylum: You should actually market this movie as a combo fun B Movie thrill ride and a drinking game. If I had a shot, a beer...whatever for every time a character in the movie said: "It's the super cyclone" - I would be either laughing myself silly or passed out by the end of the film. 

P.S. I was not drinking and I DID laugh every time someone said: "It's the super cyclone" the degree of laughter varied, it was dependent on which actor was delivering it...I had a ton of fun watching this!

Check into The Asylum at: http://www.theasylum.cc/

Learn more about Liz at: http://www.sideeffectthemovie.net/Home.html

Getting To Know: Chris Rene

Four months after nailing his X Factor audition with a show-stopping performance of the self-penned “Young Homie,” Chris Rene released his fiercely personal anthem as a single. Signed to Epic Records the rapper/singer/songwriter/musician came in third place on The X Factor and enamored audiences with his talent and then-recent triumph in overcoming addiction.

Masterfully capturing Rene’s struggles with substance abuse and journey to recovery, the song that put him on the map “Young Homie” now boasts a fatter beat and smoother groove perfectly suited to Rene’s inspired fusion of hip-hop and soul-pop.

With his upcoming album “I'm Right Here” and his current hit single “Trouble” and legions of fans, Chris is in a good place and happy to be there...time to check in with Chris Rene.

MS: Congratualtions Chris I did a post about your latest single “Trouble” on my blog and it became the number one post this week.

CR: Oh, Fuck yeah!

MS: That blog is a testament to your popularity, since all it was was me posting a photo of you, the lyric video for “Trouble” and alerting people to it's release date and wishing them a nice weekend.

CR: That's so funny!

MS: You're popular! How was being on “The X-Factor”?

CR: Man, that was the experience of a lifetime! I was like, yes! My pals are going to see this! All the couches I slept on, all the things I did, which you will hear later because I am writing a book...all the people I've met are going to see me. I've been in jail two times because I made some wrong decisions and all those people are going to see me on fucking TV doing something positive and representing. That was all I needed, I didn't need to make it far, for me it was people seeing me do what I'm good at.

MS: You were sober for a three year period, then you slipped back, now you have been sober again for a year, what made it stick this time?

CR: A spiritual awakening. Having been in a car crash and realizing I could have left the Earth, and leave my Son without a Father. It made me realize how selfish I was, my reality was nothing matters it was all about what I wanted. All I wanted to do was get high and mess up my life, for me to realize that woke me spiritually. I decided I don't want to be selfish anymore, I want to be a good Father, Son, Brother and go with the gift that God gave me.

MS: You do need something like that, sometimes.

CR: Yeah, we all do, right?

Photo: Epic Records

MS: How much has LA Reid's support meant to your career?

CR: Everyone always asks me about him, having his support is invaluable. It's a trip to have someone like him who is in the music business and knows what he is doing and has worked with a lot of major talent. He saw a spark in me, the potential and I plan to blow him away the end of next year. I have so much more that I can do, that I can't wait to show the world.

MS: From what I've seen, he seems like a really cool person.

CR: He's a great guy.

MS: Anything else you think your fans should know about?

CR: Yeah, watch out for me on Ricki Lake coming up in October. Also look out for me on Nickelodeon.

MS: Oh, what are you doing on Nickelodeon?

CR: I'll be on the show, what's the name of it? “Figure It Out” the show is called “Figure It Out”. I'm looking forward to people seeing that, I had a blast and it's going to be awesome!

MS: Wouldn't it be so cool to get slimed on the “Teen Choice Awards”? I would love it!

CR: Oh man, that would be so great!

Chris is busy! Keep up with him at:  http://www.chrisreneofficial.com/

A Night With: The Strange Familiar

Myself, Kira Leyden Andrea, & Dilani Rosa

9/18/2012 was the night I saw one of the bands I interviewed live, you got it, The Strange Familiar played The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, CA -

I love THC - it is intimate, chill and fun! My friend Dilani Rosa was in tow, she like me LOVED the TSF's vibe and music, Ms. Rosa in partik enjoyed the performance of a new track by them "Courage" -

Kira Leyden Andrea, lead singer for TSF was just as sweet and welcoming in person as she came across in my interview for Chorus and Verse : http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20120405A

Her husband Jeff was a cool cat as well, but more importantly if you have not checked these guys out, what are you waiting for?!

Get familiar peeps - and give their album "Chasing Shadows" and their current hot single "Unwanted" a listen.

In the meantime enjoy my non-professional but candid photos from the TSF at the THC ...!!

TSF: It's always showtime at the edge of the stage

TSF: Look at the fans enjoying the show

It's time for the post show meet & greet, oh yeah!



www.thestrangefamiliar.com

For Immediate Release: Guess Whose Opening For New Order On The West Coast? Run Run Run

Photo: Ron Geren

 Los Angeles indie rock quintet, Run Run Run confirmed today that iconic Manchester band New Order has hand picked the band to open the two West Coast dates of their upcoming October tour of North America. They are:

OCT 5 – New Order w/ Run Run Run – Oakland Fox Theater – Sold Out

OCT 7 – New Order w/ Run Run Run – Greek Theater – LA – Sold Out

Run Run Run recently returned from a brief visit to Russia (their fourth visit) with dates from Latvia to the Ural Mountains playing for more than 10,000 people and a solo club date in Moscow around their Russian language track, “Do Svidaniya”.  The band was also featured on national television and radio including MTV Russia, who called their music, ‘Energetic, sometimes gloomy, but in general, life-affirming and even incendiary music.” 

At the same time Run Run Run arrived in Europe, lead singer Xander Smith (www.xandersmithmusic.com) released his first solo CD, Hey San Pedro.  The first video from this record, “Oh Caitlin” landed him several additional live bookings, one of which was at the Blue Cat Café in Manchester. It was here that members of New Order, Johnny Marr’s band, Haven and the reformed Marion, joined Smith and all rallied their way through a set of Run Run Run and Neil Young songs. The seeds were planted here for the invitation to join New Order on the 2 West Coast dates.

“Run Run Run play epic music, as American as pumpkin pie, but with a deep rooted understanding and knowledge of where the most British bands like New Order come from and what makes them tick,” said noted British Xfm DJ Eddy Temple-Morris. “I'd turn up to the gig early if I were you....”.

Check out their video for "Pico"....


“The old joke “We’re big in Japan” really does apply to us,” said Run Run Run lead singer Xander Smith. “Except this time, we really are big in Russia and now we get invited to open for New Order. Not bad for a shoegaze band from Culver City, huh?”

From KCRW, KROQ, KEXP, WFNX and many more, Run Run Run has received many nods from U.S. tastemakers, but only modest commercial success up to this point here at home.  Now, with buzz growing in Australia, Europe, Canada and even the Russian Federation, it’s likely the band will be headed back to Eastern Europe shortly.

Before then, the band will head into the studio in Los Angeles this January to record a new full-length album with noted Russian producer Pavlo Shevchuk (Mumiy Troll, Ivan/Grisha Urgant).

Run to: http://www.runrunrunmusic.com/

"Entertain Me" Turns One !

Photo: Jay R. Lawton

Yep, it's hard to believe September 14, 2011 I published the first posting on this blog an interview with singer Graham Colton about his then current release "Pacific Coast Eyes".

Since that time there have been plenty of other interviews - Margaret Cho, Traci Lords & James Durbin come to mind.

Not to mention my geek guy thoughts on things I am a fan of: "American Horror Story", "Pretty Little Liars" and "Revenge".

This blog was started for me to have an outlet where I could write about who and what I wanted with regard to the Entertainment Industry. The things, people, music, movies....blah, blah, blah that I like and or find interesting.

In honor of turning a year old today I thought I would re-publish the #1 post on this blog.....or to put it a little more simply, the posting that has had the most hits of all time on "Entertain Me".

And the number one blog post is, drum roll please..... Traci Lords "Last Drag" !!!

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2011/10/traci-lords-last-drag.html

Enjoy your weekend...!