Capital Cities On The Move

Photo: Eliot Lee Hazel 

In case you are wondering where I'll be tonight, it's at The El Rey seeing Capital Cities....

IN A TIDAL WAVE OF MYSTERY,

CAPITAL CITIES’ DEBUT ALBUM, IS OUT !

“SAFE AND SOUND” HITS NUMBER 1 AT MODERN ROCK THIS WEEK!

BAND PERFORMS ON “CONAN” THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 6

AND “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!” ON JULY 10

TOUR INCLUDES SOLD-OUT JUNE 6 & 7 SHOWS AT LA’S EL REY THEATRE & NUMEROUS FESTIVAL DATES, INCLUDING BONNAROO

In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery, Capital Cities’ debut album, was released today by Capitol Records, in partnership with Lazy Hooks. The group will make its national television debut on“Conan” this Thursday, June 6, and perform on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on July 10.

Produced by founders/frontmen Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian – two Los Angeles-based jingle writers who met on Craigslist  – In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery includes the multi-format radio smash “Safe and Sound,” which is Number 1 at the Modern Rock format, Top 20 at Triple A and within the Top 40 at Top 40 radio. Praised by RollingStone.com for the way it merges “high-energy dance beats with unbridled optimism and joy,” “Safe and Sound” has already sold more than 260,000 copies and is featured on the NOW 45 compilation.

The videos that Capital Cities has made for “Safe and Sound” have more than 4 million views cumulatively. The latest – lensed by Grady Hall (Beck, Modest Mouse), a writer-director and creative director at GRAMMY®-winning Motion Theory – is being played on MTV, MTV2, Teen Nick, Fuse, Music Choice, Palladia, mtvU and MTV Hits. 

The New York Times’ website premiered In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery in the week leading up to is release, which also features the tracks “Kangaroo Court”, “I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo” and “Farrah Fawcett Hair” which features Andre 3000.  Capital Cities’ songs have been heard on “American Idol,” “TODAY” and the Iron Man 3 soundtrack as well as in promotional campaigns for HBO, Smart Car, Microsoft and more than half a dozen other spots.

Capital Cities brings its “Dancing With Strangers” headline tour home this week, playing two sold-out shows at L.A.’s El Rey Theatre on June 6 and 7. All proceeds from the June 7 show will go to MusiCares and A Place Called Home. The band will also perform at numerous festivals, including Bonnaroo, Firefly, Summerfest andKanrocksas.

Capital Cities – Upcoming Tour Dates

6/5        Anaheim, CA                             House of Blues                                                    SOLD OUT        

6/6        Los Angeles, CA                         El Rey Theatre                                                    SOLD OUT

6/7        Los Angeles, CA                        El Rey Theatre                                                    SOLD OUT

6/8        Oceanside, CA                SPF 949 @ Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Ampitheatre

6/13      Manchester, TN              Bonnaroo Music Festival

6/14      Miami Beach, FL              Bardot

6/18      St Petersburg FL                          The State Theatre
6/19      Jacksonville, FL                            Jack Rabbits
6/21      Atlantic City, NJ                          The Social @ Revel Resort & Casino

6/23      Dover, DE                                  Firefly Music Festival – Dover International Speedway

6/24      Lancaster, PA                  Chamelon Club

6/25      Columbus, OH                           The Basement

6/27       Milwaukee, WI                            Summerfest

6/28      Kansas City, MO             Starlight Theatre

6/29      Chicago, IL                     Q87.7 WKQX PiQniQ

7/7        Kelowna, BC                   Keloha Festival

7/13      Philadelphia, PA              WRFF Summer Block Party

7/31      Toronto, ON                  Edgefest

8/1        New Haven, CT              Toad’s Place

8/2        Montreal, QC                 Osheaga Music and Arts Festival – Parterre Parc Jean Drapeau

8/17      Sterling Heights, MI          MoPop Music Festival - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre

8/25      Monterey, CA                 First City Festival – Monterey County Fairgrounds

8/30      Chicago, IL                     North Coast Music Festival

8/31      Calgary, AB                    Xfest – Fort Calgary

9/1        Edmonton, AB                Sonic Boom Festival – Northlands Park

10/26    Las Vegas, NV                 Life Is Beautiful Festival

11/2      Los Angeles, CA              The Greek Theatre (opening for Two Door Cinema Club)

For more about Capital Cities, please visit:

www.capitalcitiesmusic.com

www.facebook.com/capitalcities
www.twitter.com/capitalcities

Gad Zooks! It's Ben Zook, From "Where The Bears Are" Season 2...!

Ben Zook

"Where The Bears Are" is what they like to call in biz speak an Internet Phenom. IP for short. The season two premiere is coming at you, well, really soon - this Monday June 10th 2013!

Can I get a collective Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! In the house we have none other than Ben Zook aka "Nelson" and producer extraordinaire of the series. Oh and FYI I make an appearance on the the show this season. It's time to Zook out, with Ben!

MS: So Ben season deux of "Where The Bears Are" is coming up this Monday?

BZ: Monday, yes!

MS: It's also another murder mystery.

BZ: Yes, it's another murder mystery this season, yes the Bears find themselves involved in yet another murder. This one involves a friend of Reggie's who he went to college with, who is a politician, and he ends up getting shot. So The Bears have to figure out who shot him.

MS: Ahhhhhhhh, there's a formula here, do you think lightning will strike the second time?

BZ: I hope so! We realized, we have to have another murder. That's what drives the show really, a murder, looking around for clues, stumbling onto things and one clue leads to the next situation. The formula worked last season so we thought we should stick with it, that's what we know, zany comedy! (laughs)

Margaret Cho & The Bears

MS: You have someone I know, and obviously you know on the show this season, Margaret Cho.

BZ: I've known Margaret for years. We've known each other from playing clubs, gigs and stuff. She actually did an independent feature we were in together back in the 90's called "Can't Stop Dancing" which is about a bunch of lame Theme Park Dancers who move out to Hollywood to make it big. It didn't get distribution and is a cult thing. She and I were both in the dance troupe, so we wore spandex and stuff, and we've been friends ever since. She wanted to do the show last season, but ended up booking a movie, this season she was able to do it.

MS: It has something to do with dildos.

BZ: S&M, bondage, pretty raunchy. Well, this whole season is a lot raunchier than last season.

MS: It's funny when I did the photo blog from the set at The Faultline, Joe (Dietl, The Director & Ben's partner) thanked me for not giving anything away. I really could not tell what was going on anyway.

BZ: Yeah, I don't think anyone could really pick up much of what was happening. I don't even think we knew what was actually happening. (laughs)

MS: Only new character additions, that's what I could have figured out.

BZ: I believe you actually end up being seen on camera.

MS: Well there is one good scene where somebody cruised me and I cruised them back so maybe that's the scene that's in there.

BZ: Hmmmmmmmm, I think it might be....

MS: I saw that Cyril, the killer from last season returns for season deux.

BZ: Well Cyril does show up in the Christmas episode we shot for DVD as Santa Claus. So this season we sort of find out why he ended up at the Christmas Party, and what's going on with him. We're not really sure, is he, or isn't he out of prison, what's going on? Is he a figment of Nelson's imagination? So it's sort of a Mind Fuck, as to what the Hell is going on with Cyril. It's part of the mystery this season.

MS: From the looks of it, it seems like Nelson and "Hot Toddy" are having an open relationship.

BZ: You know what? In season two....I can't really reveal much. Our relationship definitely goes to a different level.

MS: Well I thought last season was really funny and I'm looking forward to the premiere of this one.

BZ: Well Thank You. We had a blast doing both seasons, and we're thrilled that people like the show.

MS: You also have Rick Copp on board who was one of the writer's of "The Golden Girls"

BZ: He wrote for the show at the age of twenty-four. He started writing for them in the sixth or seventh season.

MS: Isn't it weird that silly faux nude of Bea Arthur sold for 1.9 Million?

BZ: I know, isn't that funny?

Be there June 10th 2013: http://wherethebearsare.tv/

Pentatonix: Celebrating 1 Million Plus !

In case you have not figured it out, I think Pentatonix rules! So guess what here is the latest on the PTX gang - Hit it!

Pentatonix are celebrating reaching 1 million Youtube Subscribers and 100,000 Twitter followers with their new video of Justin Timberlake's "Pusher Love Girl."

That's right, all love girls need a pusher, as well as "Mean Girls" (if you've seen that movie you get it) - so get down and get pushy with PTX - Werd! 

                                                Yep, it's "Pusher Love Girl" Time

Push your "Love Girl" at: http://www.ptx-official.com/

Punk Princess: Ariel Beez

Photo: Dylan Jet

"I play the ukulele, and I sing, too" - Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane "Some Like It Hot"

You may be scratching your collective heads right now and asking yourself "What does a quote from the classic "Some Like It Hot" have to do with a "Punk Princess"? 

Let's put it this way: "You'll find out"... Ms. Beez the former lead singer of the punk band "Snow White & the 7 Slutz" is now officially a solo act who resides in New York and is a poetry major, that's right she sings, she writes her own songs and guess what? Plays the ukulele, and she's a model...It's time to get your punk on, Ariel style.

MS: Hey Ariel, catch me up on what's been happening with your music.

AB: I've been playing a lot of open mics in New York, I'm also learning more covers to mix in with my original songs. Recently I learned "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "You'll Always Hurt The One You Love" I really like working with classics on my ukulele. Basically I've been doing solo shows and messing about with my material.

MS: The ukulele is a unique instrument to play, what made you take it up?

AB: Actually what happened my Dad is a Director and was working in Hawaii on the show "Hawaii 5-0" about two years ago. He came back with ukulele and told me he was going to start learning, and I asked if I could mess about with it, and he said "yeah no problem". So I went outside and wrote a song with it in an hour. It's an amazing instrument, anyone can play it. I'm in love with it, I write most of my songs on it.

MS: How cool!

AB: Yeah, I had to go out and buy my own ukulele after that because I am so obsessed with it.

MS: Glad to hear you are doing some covers, they help establish you when you are coming up.

Photo: Jamie Wise

AB: Yeah, I only do a few covers, I have been pretty successful with my own songs. Also whenever I need extra money I go busking in New York, in Union Square or something. I bring my ukulele out put the case down and try to make a couple of bucks, that's been working really well. A guy filmed me from Norwegian Television, and random people videotape me it's great exposure and it's just fun to play for random people.

MS: Sounds like a blast!

AB: My music is on Band Camp, which is really an amazing tool. I put my album up for free on it, but you can pay for my music through my Paypal account if you care to. People can also E-mail you on it, I've gotten E-mails from all over the world, from people who listen to my music. I got one from Sweden from a guy named Christopher who told me he has been listening to my music for a while and he wanted to let me know.  Well thanks for telling me Christopher from Sweden, that's really cool!

MS: I know for a fact there are lots of people out there who know who you are.

AB: It's fun! I've gotten recognized in some super random places for my music, it's pretty cool.

MS: Any weird stories yet?

AB: Not yet, people mostly come up to me and say they recognize my from my photo on Band Camp.

MS: What's the most current song you have out?

AB: Oh, God, the last song I wrote that I actually posted was called "The Day I Stayed in Bed" It's basically about how I like writing songs in bed, and how I don't want to get out of my bed, but I will, one day. (laughs) 

MS: Is that where you usually write songs?

AB: There and in my room, or I'll go to a park or something. Sometimes I'll walk somewhere and when I feel inspired I'll sit down and start writing.

MS: Your currently majoring in poetry.

AB: It's actually a literary studies major with an emphasis in poetry. Songs in my mind are just poetry set to music. 

Go to Band Camp with Ariel: http://arielbeesley.bandcamp.com/

Here He Comes: Lee DeWyze "Frames"

LEE DEWYZE

NEW ALBUM FRAMES TO BE RELEASED ON AUGUST 20^TH
THE FIRST SINGLE, “SILVER LINING” WILL BE IMPACTING
TRIPLE A RADIO ON JUNE 10^TH

Lee DeWyze will be releasing his Vanguard debut entitled Frames on August 20^th. This new album will launch the momentous next stage of what is already a high-profile musical career.  DeWyze played guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo and drums during the recording sessions, during which he collaborated with renowned producer/songwriters Toby Gad, Drew Pearson, Matthew Wilder and Phil Allen, as well as mixer extraordinaire Jim Scott.

“I’ve never felt a connection with my music, more than I do right now,” DeWyze says.  It’s a very real thing, and it feels right.”

The first single, “Silver Lining” will be impacting Triple A radio on June 10^th and is available digitally now.  Lee recently premiered “Silver Lining” when he made a triumphant return to the American Idol stage. Following the live debut, the song soared to #8 on the iTunes Alternative Singles Chart!

Lee will be hitting the road this summer in support of his new album.  Tour dates listed below with more cities to be added.

Frames track listing: 
1. Fight
2. Fire Away
3. Silver Lining
4. Frames
5. Like I Do
6. Open Your Eyes
7. You Don't Know Me
8. The Ride
9. Don't Be Afraid
10. Stay Away
11. Little Did I Know
12. Who Would've Known
13. Breathing In

Tour Dates:

2013-06-01            Chicago, IL – Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project
2013-06-04            Columbus, OH – The Basement at Promo west
2013-06-05            Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
2013-06-06            Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
2013-06-08            Indianapolis, IN – Rathskeller
2013-06-11            Nashville, TN – High Watt

2013-07-10            Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java

2013-07-12            Chattanooga, TN – Tack 29
2013-07-13            Peachtree City, GA – Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater
2013-07-14            Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater
2013-07-15            Asheville, NC – Orange Peel

2013-07-16            Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Tavern
2013-07-24            Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
2013-07-25            Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Arts Center
2013-07-26            Osceola, IA – Lakeside Casino
2013-07-28            Evanston, IL – SPACE (2 shows)

http://leedewyzeofficial.com/

Jason Walker Has The Beat

Look! It's Jason Walker!

International recording artist Jason Walker is back with his latest hit "Beat Don't Stop" which shot to number five on the Billboard Dance Charts.

In addition to kicking it on the charts, Jason's "Raise Your Hands" won an Out Music Award for Best Inspirational Song.

OK, everyone what are you waiting for? Put on your dancing shoes, it's Jason Time!

MS: Mr. Walker I must compliment you, you have quite the falsetto going on.

JW: Oh, thanks. It's not a falsetto though.

MS: Really?

JW: I'm just Fucking with ya! (laughs)

MS: I really like the message of "Beat Don't Stop" by the way, you made a statement that there a shift of consciousness is happening in the world right now. I agree, you can actually feel it happening.

JW: Oh completely.

MS: People are realizing that they need to work together and do something to make a change.

JW: Oh yeah, things are not going to change on their own.

MS: Madonna is one of your musical idols I noticed. There are parts of the video for "Beat Don't Stop" that remind me of the video for "Ray of Light".

JW: Oh really? That's cool! I love that album, it was ahead of it's time when it came out.

MS: The press release on says "Beat Don't Stop" went to number five on the Billboard Dance Charts. Did it climb any higher post the release?

JW: No, it peaked at number five. I will be honest with you, I was happy when it went to the tenth spot on the charts and then it kept moving, and I thought it would be great if it went to number five and I got my wish.

MS: Explain your statement about being a "child of the rave".

JW: I'm a raver baby. I was in Pittsburgh in the late 1990's and the rave scene, at least there, was jumping off. It was a really magical time, one of the best times of my life! One of my best friends and I went to a lot of parties together and discovered a lot of music, you can't buy those kind of memories. The rave scene was a great time for music, especially dance music, there was so much incredible stuff out at that time. My love of club and house music really solidified itself during this period within me. Oh, that music, it was so much fun! It was never about the drugs, so many people made it about the drugs, it was never about that for me. It was about going and listening to who was playing what and how it made you feel, that's the definition of dance music, it's about how it makes you feel.

MS: You also mentioned that you thought of  dance music as something to bring people together.

                                                     Jason Walker "Beat Don't Stop"
                                           
JW: Oh it completely does. I don't feel that it has lost any of that, I feel like dance music has lost a little bit of soul, that bothers me. But hopefully it's something that me and other artists who feel like I do can bring back a little bit.

MS: Dance music has to be really good and stand out to me, or I won't listen as most of it is generic.

JW: A lot of it really is anymore.

MS: You also had a number one video on Logo "I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind".

JW: I did!

MS: So, did you pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate?

JW: Well, actually I did! (laughs) I had some people over and we drank a lot of champagne. (laughs)

MS: Did you serve any finger foods?

JW: No, we just stuck to liquor. (laughs) We didn't get too wasted, but wasted enough!

Get the "Beat" with Jason at: http://www.jasonwalkermusic.com/

Memorial Day Weekend: Behind The Candelabra

Michael Douglas & Matt Damon

Well, it's officially here, the movie no studios wanted to make. So HBO took it and ran with it. The movie that stars two great "A-List" actors getting their gay on.

It's Steven Soderbergh's "Behind The Candelabra" starring none other than acting legend Michael Douglas as the one and only Liberace and Matt Damon as his paramour Scott Thorson.....

Well I for one am excited about this HBO movie it looks like a really honest and poignant take on when gay performers were asked to stay in the closet no matter what. Of course who did not know Liberace was gay?! I'm just saying...

The supporting cast is quite stellar - Debbie Reynolds as Liberace's Mom is an awesome choice as she knew her in real life. Also on for the ride and perfectly cast is Rob Lowe as Dr. Jack Startz.

Wanna know what I will be doing this Sunday May 26th at 9 pm?

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, and cheers to a shit load of Emmy nominations, for what I am sure is going to be one of the most groundbreaking HBO Films, ever! Word!

Check out the "Behind The Candelabra" trailer below:

       "Behind The Candelabra" Trailer

Find out more at: http://www.hbo.com/movies/behind-the-candelabra/index.html