Archive for the ‘News’ Category

New video single ‘For Blackbirds’ from Alan Semerdjian’s upcoming NewSong Recordings release ‘Quiet Songs for Loud Times’

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NYC POET AND SONGWRITER ALAN SEMERDJIAN RELEASES A NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SONG “FOR BLACKBIRDS” 

JUNE 18th, 2013. 

New York City poet, songwriter and educator Alan Semerdjian is pleased to share with the world the new music video for “for blackbirds.” The song is the first track on his latest collection, aptly called Quiet Songs for Loud Times, which comes out on the NewSong Recordings label later this month and is accompanied by a CD Release Concert at the Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side on June 28th. The album is rich with sparse instrumentation and Semerdjian’s trademark poetic reflection, and “for blackbirds” is no exception.

forblackbirds

The video was conceived and directed by Jeremy Newberger of Ironbound Films, an independent film company that is well known for its award-winning documentary work, and borrows from a few different filmmaking aesthetics including art house and collage to highlight the song’s theme of how the past informs the present. “I’ve long been enamored of Semerdjian’s unique blend of music, poetry, and performance art,” says Newberger about the collaboration. “His latest evokes a visual response apropos of his soulful introspection.” 

It’s Semerdjian’s first music video since “Can’t Wait,” whose heartwarming charm and poignant humility made a huge splash on internet audiences in 2009. Quiet Songs for Loud Times is mixed by Mike Bloom (The Elected, Rilo Kiley, Julian Casablancas), who has worked with Semerdjian on his previous two releases (2005‘s When There Was Something Wrong With You and 2009’s The Big Beauty), and features appearances by Aram Bajakian (Lou Reed, Diana Krall) on electric guitar, Chris Kuffner (Ingrid Michaelson) on bass, Dave Diamond (Assembly of Dust) on drums and percussion and Matt Iselin on piano and organ. The team succeeds at constructing a mature and artful intimacy that is consistent with Semerdjian’s distinct sound while striking notes familiar in modern folk music, indie and art rock, and Americana traditions. The result is a stunningly beautiful album in both sound and sentiment, finding Alan Semerdjian at the top of his craft. 

To see the video, click here.

To pre-order the album, visit www.newsongrecordings.com.

For more information on Alan Semerdjian, visit www.alansemerdjian.com.

Media Contact:
Ford Willis
NewSong Recordings
828 232-4314, x303

Exclusive Free Song Download from 2011 NewSong Contest Finalist Clarence Bucaro!

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

NewSong is happy to announce an exclusive FREE Download of the title track from Clarence Bucaro’s new album, Dreaming from the Heart of New York

For your free download click here

Clarence_NewYork_W139_4Over six albums the prolific, honey-voiced Brooklyn, NY singer-songwriter Clarence Bucaro has crafted an impressive canon of upliftingAmericana, garnering comparisons to Jackson Browne and Van Morrison. With his new album Dreaming From the Heart of New York he returns to the musical grounds he began on. Once again teaming with Grammy winning New Orleans virtuoso Anders Osborne on the production reigns, Bucaro’s new album is a stripped down, back to the basics collection of songs about life, love, family and relationships. Featuring intimate lyrics and bare acoustic guitar picking Bucaro reflects on his arrival to New York City and raising children there on the standout title track as well as pondering the nature and meaning of love in the raw “Don’t Know Much About Love.” Other high points include the heartbroken homesick “Curtis Mayfield” and the beautiful “Summer Rain.”

The songwriter built his career on a robust 300-shows-per-year schedule sharing stages with such diverse and established artists as Aaron Neville, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, North Mississippi Allstars, and Fountains of Wayne. Born in Cleveland, Ohio Clarence left his hometown for New Orleans to follow his mentor, the Crescent City music icon Anders Osborne. From New Orleans he moved to LA before settling in Brooklyn. The stories in these journeys are documented from early critically acclaimed albums like his Anders Osborne-produced debut Sweet Corn and his Rounder Records sophomore album Sense Of Light to the National Geographic featured Walls Of The World. His musical journey has sought to capture the human condition in the folk-storytelling heritage with a panoramic view of humanity and love as captured on “Dreaming From the Heart of New York.

For more information on Clarence, please visit his website.

NewSong Presents: Lora-Faye at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

lora-faye-lc-slideshow-042913

NewSong Music and Lincoln Center are pleased to announce that Lora-Faye will be playing at the David Rubenstein Auditorium at Lincoln Center.  

When: Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 7:30pm

Where: David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Frieda and Roy Furman Stage

About Lora-Faye:

Brooklyn-native Lora-Faye is a singer and multi-instrumentalist with a deep understanding of the power of the strange and the idiosyncratic in American rock and folk traditions. With songs that run completely on raw and untethered emotion while retaining an intellectual and political bent, Lora-Faye draws from such disparate sources as Gillian Welch and Jeff Buckley, Etta James and Anais Mitchell, Harry Smith and Andy Warhol.

In 2012 alone, Lora-Faye’s songwriting won her such accolades as the Grand Prize Award at The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, Hudson Valley Songfest’s “Best New Artist,” and a winning slot at The New Jersey Folk Festival’s Songwriting Competition. Lora-Faye performs her energetic live show with a constantly evolving band of New Yorkers: a rotating cast of jazz musicians, untrained folkies, opera singers, and everything in between.

For more information please click here

NewSong Music and arts>Brookfield Present: Kagero

Monday, June 3rd, 2013

NewSong Music, in collaboration with arts>Brookfield, is happy to announce Kagero at Brookfield Place on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 5:30 PM. Kagero is a former winner of the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest. This is a FREE event so come enjoy some Japanese Gypsy Rock “on the house”!  

The show is going to be recorded for a future NewSong Recordings release so come out and make your voice heard during this live recording! 

Kagero

Kagero

 

About Kagero

“Cultural confusion” is Kagero’s specialty. Comprised of bandleader and founder Kaz Fujimoto, bass player Robbie Simpson, and violinist J.W., this band’s sound has been described as a melting pot of rhythms from Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe. Regularly performing throughout the New York-New Jersey area, Kagero concerts are always a high-energy, dancing good time.

For more information about the show click here

NewSong Recordings partners with New York singer-songwriter Alan Semerdjian to release his forthcoming album ‘Quiet Songs for Loud Times’

Friday, May 31st, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2013. Asheville’s NewSong Recordings label is excited to announce the forthcoming release of Alan Semerdjian’s third solo record, Quiet Songs for Loud Times (NSR 1302). The album’s June 28 release will coincide with Semerdjian’s New York CD release show that evening at Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side. 

quiet_coverAlan Semerdjian’s work seems to find its way to those who want a little more out of the music they let into their lives. Perhaps its his insistence on doing things his own way, and staying true to his vision of the world, one informed by years of creating art, writing essays and poems, and teaching high school English in and around New York City. 

After 20 years of making and releasing music on his own in a myriad of bands and genres, Semerdjian has partnered with Asheville, North Carolina’s NewSong Recordings for his latest release, Quiet Songs for Loud Times (Summer 2013). The collection of deeply personal songs is his response to the changing world around him and, on a broader level, the complexities that challenge our society as a whole. “In many ways, this is a record about growing up,” says Semerdjian, “and realizing that what we imagined adulthood would look like isn’t necessarily what it ends up being…and that that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”  On the new partnership with NewSong Recordings, Semerdjian adds, “I’m excited to work with such a reputable label whose priority is integrity and getting quality music out to new audiences.”

Quiet Songs for Loud Times is mixed by Mike Bloom (The Elected, Rilo Kiley, Julian Casablancas), who has worked with Semerdjian on his previous two releases (2005‘s When There Was Something Wrong With You and 2009’s The Big Beauty), and features appearances by Aram Bajakian (Lou Reed, Diana Krall) on electric guitar, Chris Kuffner (Ingrid Michaelson) on bass, Dave Diamond (Assembly of Dust) on drums and percussion and Matt Iselin on piano and organ.  The team succeeds at constructing a mature and artful intimacy that is consistent with Semerdjian’s distinct aesthetic while striking notes familiar in modern folk music, indie and art rock, and Americana traditions. The result is a stunningly beautiful album in both sound and sentiment, finding Alan Semerdjian at the top of his craft.

– To pre-order the album, visit bit.ly/quietsongs

– To download the pdf one-sheet, click here.

www.alansemerdjian.com
www.newsongrecordings.com

 ——————-

“An impressive contemporary sound – rich, textured songs and poetic lyrics” – Relix

“I’ve long been enamored of Semerdjian’s unique blend of music, poetry, and performance art…his latest evokes a visual response apropos of his soulful introspection.” – Jeremy Newberger, Ironbound Films

“Seriously dreamy pop rocker.” – Jim Testa, Jersey Beat

“A journeyman singer-songwriter, Alan’s take on our culture spans the depth and breadth of the many collections of styles that make up rock & roll, and true Americana.” – Jim Faith, Creator, Great South Bay Music Festival

“One of the best albums I’ve received all year” – John Platt, WFUV (on When There Was Something Wrong With You)

“Required listening from an essential talent” – Wildy’s World on The Big Beauty

  

Media Contact:

Ford Willis

NewSong Recordings

828 232-4314, x303

Announcing the pre-order of Chris Velan’s ‘The Long Goodbye’

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Here’s today’s newsletter from NewSong Recordings artist Chris Velan, announcing the pre-order campaign launch of his forthcoming album ‘The Long Goodbye,’ which was produced and mixed by Iestyn Polson and recorded here at Echo Mountain Recording in Asheville, NC.

 

Hello, Fine People-

I’m excited and nervous with anticipation to announce that the pre-order extravaganza for my new album, “The Long Goodbye,”  is hereby underway. The album will be officially released later on in the summer, but If you click here, you can be the first on your block to order and receive an advance copy of it on June 7. You have the choice between a regular and limited edition CD copy.  You can also order a sweet new t-shirt and print, or a bundle of all three. Any pre-order you make will give you an immediate free download of one of the songs from the album.

tlg_merch

Chris Velan - The Long GoodbyeBUT BEFORE YOU ORDER ANYTHING …. there are two things you should know: Each one of the limited edition CD sleeves and prints available for pre-order was lovingly silk-screened by the hand of my buddy and artist, Peaks (I assisted and tried not to spill the paint). The t-shirts were also hand-screened, but not by us. What this means is that no two limited edition CD sleeves and prints are exactly the same and each is its own objet d’art, so to speak. For that reason, I’ll be signing and numbering each one, which brings me to the second thing you need to know: There are only 248 limited edition CD’s, 39 posters and 45 t-shirts available (wish there were more but it took forever just to do that amount). Oh, and when you order a limited edition CD, you’ll be getting the choice of one of four different colour versions (yellow, green, pink, blue) that we created for the sleeve design. Kind of cool, right?  So, without putting too fine a point on this…get ordering!

Here’s a video about the making of this album. It was shot over three weeks in January down in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Recording Studio. It’ll give you an idea of how it all happened. I’ll be sharing some more videos with you (which I think you’ll dig) as we approach the album release date. And please share these links with anyone and everyone. You’re the “crowd” in my crowdsourcing and I truly need your help to spread the music.

Making of The Long Goodbye


Quick, final note. This album took a chunk out of me. The songs were written and recorded over some hard times. I tried to be as fearless and honest as I know how in presenting them. It’s a lonely listen but I hope there’s some sort of reward for you in there. Thank you for taking the time to let this album in – and for feeling whatever it is that it makes you feel. I’m very proud of it and looking forward to sharing it with you.

 

Upcoming Show Dates

May 25
Divan Orange (One Man Band Festival) – Montreal w/ Echo Beach, Jenn Mireau buy tix
June 2
Hotel Utah Saloon– San Francisco, CA w/ Robert Gillies buy tix
June 3-5
Sustainable Brands Conference – San Diego, CA (private)
June 6
Lestat’s – San Diego, CA – show at 9
June 7
Genghis Cohen – Los Angeles, CA – show at 9:30

See you soon,

Chris

website | tweets
newsletter | facebook
bandcamp | youtube
CBC music | instagram

NewSong Music Presents: Lora-Faye at the Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

lora-faye lc slideshow 042913

NewSong Music, in partnership with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is excited to present the 2012 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest grand prize winner Lora-Faye at Linocoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium on Thursday, June 6.

A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Lora-Faye is a singer and multi-instrumentalist with a deep understanding of the power of the strange and the idiosyncratic in American rock and folk traditions. With songs that run completely on raw and untethered emotion while retaining an intellectual and political bent, Lora-Faye draws from such disparate sources as Gillian Welch and Jeff Buckley, Etta James and Anais Mitchell, Harry Smith and Andy Warhol.

In 2012 alone, Lora-Faye’s songwriting won her such accolades as the Grand Prize Winner of The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, Hudson Valley Songfest’s “Best New Artist,” and a winning slot at The New Jersey Folk Festival’s Songwriting Competition.
Lora-Faye performs her energetic live show with a constantly evolving band of New Yorkers: a rotating cast of jazz musicians, untrained folkies, opera singers, and everything in between.

Please join us for what is sure to be a captivating performance. 

For more information about the event, click here

Mountain Stage NewSong Contest Winner Amber Rubarth on Tour in Europe

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

NewSong Recordings is excited to announce that Amber Rubarth, grand prize winner of the 2010 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, will be on tour in Europe during May 2013.  Amber is promoting her fourth album,  A Common Case of Disappearing, which was produced by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Norah Jones) and further roots her as her own artist by highlighting raw, vulnerable songwriting against a driving band. The album debuted at #13 on iTunes Songwriter charts and features duets with Jason Reeves and Jason Mraz.

Press Pic

2010 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest Winner Amber Rubarth

Amber Rubarth European Tour Dates 2013

Details and tickets at http://AmberRubarth.com

May 2 ~ Copenhagen, DENMARK
May 3 ~ Bø, NORWAY
May 7 ~ Brussels, BELGIUM
May 8 ~ Paris, FRANCE
May 9 ~ Tübingen, GERMANY
May 10 ~ Schrobenhausen, GERMANY
May 12 ~ Munich, GERMANY
May 13 ~ Cologne, GERMANY
May 15 ~ Bielefeld, GERMANY
May 16 ~ Lippstadt, GERMANY
May 19 ~ Berlin, GERMANY
May 20 ~ Nancy, FRANCE
May 21 ~ Nancy, FRANCE
May 22 ~ Metz, FRANCE

NewSong Music Presents: Sarah Siskind at Winston-Salem’s Hanesbrands Theatre

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

NewSong Music is proud to present Sarah Siskind on Saturday, June 29th at 8:00 PM, as a part of our Emerging Artist Series at Winston-Salem, North Carolina’s Hanesbrands Theatre.. 

Sarah Siskind has been called “the best female singer/songwriter in America today” (Steve Binder, legendary TV director/producer) and “an artist you must hear now” by Spin Magazine. She has toured with Bon Iver (he has also famously covered her “Lovin’s For Fools”) and The Swell Season, had songs recorded by Alison Krauss (the GRAMMY nominated “Simple Love”), Madi Diaz and many more. Armed with a striking vocal style and solid guitar-work, mostly on her beloved vintage electric Gibson, Sarah is a regular NPR performer with features on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, World Cafe with David Dye, All Songs Considered, Song Of The Day and most recently NPR’s Mountain Stage. 

2012 brought big announcements, including support dates for Bonnie Raitt and the planned re-release of an album by Justin Vernon’s (Bon Iver) record label Chigliak, an imprint of Jagjaguwar Records, which Vernon sites as a pivotal record for him. At SXSW 2012, Sarah was invited to share the stage with Glen Hansard (Swell Season, “Once”) and was named “one of our favorite 5 voices” by Time Magazine.

Please join us for a night of music and all around good times! 

For more information about Sarah Siskind, click here.

For more information about the show, and to order tickets, click here.

For press and media inquiries, please contact Ford Willis.

NewSong & Arts Brookfield partner to produce upcoming Valentine’s Day show ‘Love Songs, Old & New.’

Friday, February 1st, 2013


We are proud to present our upcoming show as NewSong Music and arts>Brookfield combine to bring you ‘Love Songs, Old & New’, a Valentine’s Day show that will help you celebrate the most romantic day of the year.  Enjoy your afternoon with three outstanding artists including,  Lora-Faye (2012 contest winner), Jeremy Current (2012 contest runner-up), and Rebecca Jordan (2010 ‘Early Bird’ finalist) who will be singing classic love songs as well as original works of their own.  Join us for a free matinee show on February 14th at One Liberty Plaza in New York.     

 

love songs triptych

 

 

When:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Thursday, February 14, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  12-1:30pm

Where:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      One Liberty Plaza, Lobby                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        165 Broadway

For more information about the show, visit: http://www.artsbrookfield.com/new_york/http://artsbrookfield.com/new_york/one_liberty_plaza//event_399.htm

For more information about arts>Brookfield, visit:                                                                                                                   http://www.artsbrookfield.com/new_york/

About the artists: 

Lora-Faye:  http://www.lorafaye.com/

Jeremy Current: http://www.jeremycurrent.com/

Rebecca Jordan: http://www.rebeccajordan.com/