Blast Off: On Blast Vanquishes the Viper

Our final MUSEXPO 2009 artist is Long Beach-based collective On Blast, providing a one-two California punch to close out the conference. They're one of the first signings to the legendary Jerry Heller's new Streetlife Records and it's readily apparent why: their hypnotic grooves and marvelous musicianship are generating a great response from the Viper Room audience, who are crowding the stage and swaying in time to the sumptuous strains of "Nothing Goes My Way." The vocalist conveys something of the whimsy embodied by the late, great Andrew Wood of the tragically underrated Seattle band Mother Love Bone and has inspired a horde of hand-clapping enthusiasts to storm toward the stage, reveling in the crowd-pleasing concoctions of On Blast...a great way to close out the conference!

Rebelution Fires Up the Whisky

Our final Whisky act at MUSEXPO 2009 is California’s own Rebelution, whose reggae grooves and rockin’ moves have been winning over increasing numbers of fans throughout California and beyond. Word is that manager Dean Raissen of Raise Up Entertainment has a guest list of 200 for the gig…which apparently is entirely composed of gorgeous young gals between the ages of 21-24. Ah, the trials of being a MUSEXPO blogger…who wants to be stuck in the balcony tapping away at a keyboard while that’s going on down below?!?!? Perhaps more bourbon will provide solace…excuse me for a moment…aaah, that’s much better.

While we’re waiting for the band to begin, a brief sidetrack: one of the most fun elements of any MUSEXPO is the final night of showcases, when the adrenaline-depleted, caffeine-fueled, sleep-deprived staff members are shambling around like extras from a George Romero zombie flick and, for the most part, are incapable of coherent speech after about 10pm. So, please, let us all raise a toast to the few, the proud…your 2009 MUSEXPO staff!

All right, back to business…the shrieks from the crowd are already deafening…and this is just during Whisky MC Monte Malone’s introduction. Rebelution rewards the faithful with some bone-shaking bass, tasty guitar licks and rapturous rhythms that are inspiring a dance party down on the floor, a seething SRO audience moving in time with the infectious grooves (to steal a term). Even discounting the “home field advantage,” it’s one of the most impressive responses I’ve witnessed in five years of attending the conference.

Lovebugs Ride High at the Viper

Next up at the Viper Room is Swiss quintet Lovebugs, who have routinely enjoyed No.1 records in their native land over the course of a 15-year career. Their latest effort, The Highest Heights, was helmed by Irish super-producer Richard Rainey...who had spent the previous year working with a band from his native land on their new album, an effort called No Line on the Horizon from a group you just may have heard of: U2. The pairing was apparently apt, as Lovebugs' chiming guitars and emotion-drenched lyrics compare quite favorably with a certain group from Ireland. Their enervating, energetic live show has drawn an exceedingly positive response from the packed Viper Room denizens, who are clearly enjoying Lovebugs' lilting lyricism and rock-solid rhythms, inspiring a crowd of phone-waving fans in the 21st century equivalent of the venerable Bic lighter display during concerts of yore. We'll go for a ride with these Lovebugs any time!

Hey Ocean Provokes a Dancefloor Wave

The midpoint of our final evening of MUSEXPO entertainment finds us back at the Whisky to enjoy the scintillating sounds of Canadian quartet Hey Ocean. The Vancouver, BC-based band is fronted by the charismatic, pixie-like Ashleigh Ball and opened up with a potent percussion blast, with three of the four band members bangin’ away at drums in a tribal rhythm while Ashleigh hit the cowbell in a manner that would’ve pleased even so harsh a critic as Christopher Walken. The islandesque rhythms of the opening number inspired a veritable horde of comely young lasses to invade the dancefloor, while the second song naturally drew a great response from the local audience: “A Song about California,” a jazzy, up-tempo tune featuring Ball’s breathy vocals that seemingly doubled the population of the already-packed dancefloor, to the point where the vocalist even paused to note, “It looks like there’s a lot of hot ladies here tonight that want to party!”

Bless ’em all…whereupon Ball, an accomplished flautist, launched into a solo that drew a most appreciative response, not only from the young ladies, but also the many delegates enjoying the show. Yet another act gracing the MUSEXPO stage that seems destined for much bigger things!

Have You Heard (Samantha, That Is)?

...because if not, you missed a real treat at the Viper Room tonight, London-born world traveler Samantha Heard, who earned one of the most positive responses of the entire conference from the SRO Viper Room crowd. (On an absolutely irrelevant sidenote, both of our UK-bred Viper Room artists this evening have used the lyrical phrase "Whatcha gonna do when they come for you"...who knew "Cops" had achieved such worldwide renown?) Anyway, back to the matter at hand, Samantha is backed by a standard guitar/bass/drums trio, one whose musicianship is anything but standard, providing a more than solid backing for Samantha's own tasteful guitar work. Note to MUSEXPO staff: the poor beleaguered blogger really needs access to set lists next year, as he'd prefer to refer to the current tune by title (any band members reading this, be sure to front-announce your song titles and help a brother out). Regardless of the title (which will undoubtedly be added upon edit in the morn), it's an absolutely masterful piece of music that had the Viper Room audience hypnotized by the compelling sounds emanating from the stage. Samantha's haunting vocals and sound songwriting sense bode quite well for the future of this truly talented 22-year-old songstress.

Kingsfall Raises the Roof

Kicking off our evening’s entertainment at the Whisky is Dallas-based quartet Kingsfall, who have already enjoyed quite a successful 2009, having emerged victorious in a pair of major music competitions this year. They bring some solid rock right off the bat, eliciting whistles and shouts from the crowd for their meticulous melodies and thunderous rhythm section, all underscoring frontman Joshua Dufrene’s soaring vocal lines and inspirational lyrical messages. The song “Believe” was a particular standout, an autobiographical tale of Dufrene’s about believing in achieving your goals in life; the song had the Whisky audience mesmerized, swaying in unison and paying rapt attention to the marvelous musicianship emanating from the stage. Though they sing the lyric “We can’t predict the future,” allow us to engage in a bit of soothsaying: Kingsfall is a name you’ll want to remember!

Absolutely Fabulous: Fabienne Holloway Entrances the Viper

Our final septet of MUSEXPO 2009 musical acts is led off by Brit-born teen sensation Fabienne Holloway, who previously impressed conference attendees with a fine performance during the kickoff cocktail party Sunday night. At the time, I wondered how she'd sound when not combatting 60-degree temperatures and a brisk breeze on a rooftop; and in the cozy confines of the Viper Room, I have found an easy one word answer to that query: incredible! Backed by an outstanding five-piece backing band, Fabienne's voice is filled with an exquisitely expressed, experienced world-weariness that makes it hard to believe that she's still but seventeen years of age. She slowed it down a bit for the torch-type ballad "Let Me In," enrapturing with emotive vocal theatrics that clearly impressed the attentive audience. Truly, an artist to be reckoned with in the years ahead and a great way to kick off the final evening of MUSEXPO 2009 musical showcases!

Wednesday Night Music Preview

The final night of MUSEXPO showcases is kicked off at the Viper Room at 8pm by Fabienne Holloway, who wowed the crowd during the opening cocktail party atop the London West Hollywood on Sunday evening. At the tender age of 13 in 2005 she stunned the judges at the Stafford Borough Council "Raw Talent" competition, coming away the winner and gaining valuable studio time. At the same time she started a whirlwind survey of classic soul and R&B icons, ranging from Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Sarah Vaughn to more modern purveyors like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and the Roots. Shortly thereafter she was signed to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam and played some gigs in New York City, but she's now a free agent again--one with valuable experience and stints in Miami and Los Angeles, working with some of the top names in the business in the effort to enhance her voice and turn her dreams into reality.

Starting things off at the Whisky at 8:30 are Dallas natives Kingsfall, a quartet which has drawn favorable comparisons to such acts as Mutemath, Coldplay, Third Eye Blind and Switchfoot (for whom they opened at a Baylor University gig). It’s already been a big 2009 for the band: on February 20th, they were named the grand prize winner for Mike Pinder’s Bandwars, for which they received a personal phone consultation with Mike Pinder (Moody Blues), a 40-minute set at the Red Gorilla Music Fest in Austin, Texas, two days of studio time in a state of the art recording facility with a professional engineer, 1000 A mere 24 hours later, Kingsfall garnered another win when they were named the 2009 FAMECAST FENOMS. During a month of intense competition in December 2008, Kingsfall defeated 2,434 other artists to win the FameCast Rock Stage Contest, earning a $20,000 check and a feature in the March edition of SPIN Magazine.

At 9pm the Viper Room stage with be graced by 22-year-old London resident Samantha Heard, who has poured over eight years of songwriting into the 12 wholly self-penned songs on her debut album, Headsketches. She took up the piano at a very young age and quickly found a release through writing music. Seeking her muse, she packed up her guitar, left school and travelled the world, utilizing the experiences in her songwriting. Upon returning to London she started playing solo shows, quickly attracting the attention of producer Robin Millar (Sade), one of Britain's most successful record producers. Millar then brought in John Reynolds (Sinead O'Connor), giving Headsketches a production team who had between them recorded two of the most successful and iconic female artists of the last 25 years.

Back at the Whisky at 9:30 for Vancouver’s Hey Ocean, a four-piece featuring vocalist/flutist Ashleigh Ball, guitarist/vocalist David Beckingham, bassist Dave Vertessi and drummer Dan Klenner. Ball and Beckingham have a longstanding musical relationship and that rapport is obvious in their mesmerizing melodies and clever lyrical wordplay. The quartet released their first album, Stop Looking like Music, in 2006 and swiftly became one of Western Canada's most popular touring acts, sharing stages with the likes of Bedouin Soundclash, Xavier Rudd, Sarah Harmer and Wintersleep, winning over fans young and old with their onstage charisma, playful demeanor and passionate music. In 2008 they self-released their sophomore effort, It's Easier to Be Someone Else, including the tune "A Song about California," a bouncy, jazz-inflected piece of pop that can't help but get toes a-tappin'.

At 10pm the Viper Room will feature Swiss quintet Lovebugs, who are celebrating their 15th year together this year, coinciding with the release of their tenth album (three of their previous efforts hit No.1 in their native land, where they routinely sell Platinum). They marked the occasion in singular fashion, luring Irish producer Richard Rainey into their Basel studios after Rainey had spent the previous 12 months working on U2’s No Line on the Horizon. "I was struck by the Lovebugs' quality," says Richard. "They are fantastic musicians and they write great songs. I knew I wanted to produce this record." The resulting effort, the aptly titled The Highest Heights, brings their sunny, dancefloor-ready take on Britpop to a new level; in fact, the title track was chosen as Switzerland's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Moscow, Russia in May.

Closing out the Whisky will be SoCal’s own Rebelution, who have racked up an enviable record of success throughout the state of California and beyond. Starting out in the uproarious college town of Isla Vista, their roots-reggae stylings quickly won a following not only among aficionados of the genre, but also more mainstream music fans. After three years of honing their chops both onstage and in the studio, the group released its debut album, Courage to Grow, in June 2007. The album took them to the proverbial next level, garnering Rebelution airplay on major market stations like KROQ Los Angeles, 91X San Diego and KITS "Live 105" San Francisco, where they stayed in rotation for several weeks. To top it all off, the album was the iTunes Editor's Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007; the album remains in the Top 10 Reggae albums on iTunes and is now the second most downloaded of the genre.

The final act of MUSEXPO 2009 will be another SoCal product, On Blast, who hail from Long Beach and take the stage at the Viper Room at 11pm. The group first attracted attention by sending out demos to every media outlet in the southern California area and was quickly rewarded when “World Famous” KROQ Los Angeles DJ Stryker introduced listeners to their music during drive time. The song became their first single, “Wanna Lose Control,” and inspired a mad scramble from a variety of A&R sources. The winner was new startup Streetlife Records, which is helmed by Pablito Vasquez and Jerry Heller--the latter of whom was the mastermind of the Eazy-E/NWA/Ruthless Records empire--and will be releasing On Blast’s debut album this summer.

SINGING & DANCING TO SUCCESS: BEHIND THE SCENCES OF SOME OF TV'S BIGGEST SUCCESS STORIES

The final panel of MUSEXPO 2009 was SINGING & DANCING TO SUCCESS: BEHIND THE SCENCES OF SOME OF TV'S BIGGEST SUCCESS STORIES, featured our very special guest, Nigel Lythgoe (Co-Founder, Big Red Entertainment; Co-creator, Executive Producer & Judge, "So You Think You Can Dance"), in a one-on-one conversation moderated once again by Ajax Scott –(Director, Woodshed Media, UK). 

In addition to his experiences on the enormously popular (and Emmy-winning) Fox TV series "So You Think You Can Dance," Nigel has been a big mover behind the scenes of 19 Entertainment.  Some of his other executive producer credits include seven seasons of “American Idol,” as well as NBC’s “Superstars of Dance,” which he also co-created. Lythgoe also served as producer and director of the acclaimed Celine Dion and Elvis duet featured on “Idol Gives Back.” Lythgoe originally became a household name in the UK as “Nasty Nigel,” as a judge on “Popstars.” Where he preceded Simon Cowell as the man viewers "loved to hate."

We can think of no better way to close out the amazing series of 2009 MUSEXPO Los Angeles panels than to present one of the most influential men in the music business today.

A WORD FROM THE WISE: LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO INSPIRE THE FUTURE

A WORD FROM THE WISE: LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO INSPIRE THE FUTURE was moderated by
Mike Walsh (Head of Music, Xfm Radio Network, UK), who hosted an incredibly talented gathering of music business legends, including Andy Gould (President, The Spectacle Group); Bill Siddons (former manager of The Doors); Mel Medalie (Founder/Owner, Champion Records & Cheeky Music, UK) and Ray Cooper (former Co-President, Virgin Records, N. America).

Space does not permit us to recount all the magical memories and anecdotes shared by the distinguished panelists. All we can say is...you should have been here!

WEAPON OF MASS DISCUSSION 2009

Once again, MUSEXPO was proud to present Bob Lefsetz (Publisher, The Lefsetz Letter) in another amazing WEAPON OF MASS DISCUSSION. This year's was moderated by Jim Lewi (Agent, The Agency Group Events), who often found himself at a loss for words, although Bob certainly never did. Once again, Bob railed against major labels and the current state of the industry, sharing his unique perspective and simultaneously satisfying and pissing off different factions in the office with his opinions.

Outspoken, opinionated, but often devastatingly accurate, we think Mr. Lefsetz is one of the most well-informed people in the industry, and despite occasionally controversial content, his message is clear and to the point. The old ways are over...get with it or get off!

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC MEETING: "PLAY US YOUR HITS"

The second panel of the day was our 2009 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC MEETING: "PLAY US YOUR HITS"
Moderated by Max Tolkoff (Radio Consultant, WFNX Boston), the panelists--Alicen Schneider (VP Music Creative Services, NBC Universal TV); Anders Hjelmtorp (CEO, Export Music Sweden); Cybele Pettus (Sr. Music Supervisor, EA Games); Jeff Blue (Sr. A&R Consultant, Jive Records); Seymour Stein (Chairman, Sire Records Group) and Tom Zutaut (Original A&R, Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue)--utilized scientific methodology (well, actually, they picked from a bunch of people who raised their hands) to select a few lucky audience members to play a 60-second snippet of their music. "Hit or miss?" "Smash or trash?" "Mustard or pants?" All different ways of asking the same question, and surprisingly, all of the music selected was amazingly good. As Seymour Stein said, "I was dreading this panel, but everything has merit. There wasn't one song that I wouldn't want to either hear more of or see live." 

Lefsetz next....       

MUSIC IN VISUAL MEDIA & CONSUMER BRANDS

Wednesday's first panel, MUSIC IN VISUAL MEDIA & CONSUMER BRANDS, was 
co-moderated by Alex Patsavas (Founder, Chop Shop Music Supervision) and PJ Bloom (Founding Partner, Neophonic) and featured an impressive lineup of industry leaders, including Alex Hackford (A&R, SCEA/Sony Playstation); Glen Lajeski (Executive VP, Music Creative/Marketing, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures); Nic Harcourt (Founder, SamLuna Media Inc.); Rachel Levy (Sr. VP Motion Picture Music, The Weinstein Co.) and Tom Dunlap (Sr. VP/Director of Integrated Production, Deutsch Advertising).

"One big lump"; that was the description thrown out by Ms. Patsavas at the top of the panel to describe the enormous number of outlets now utilizing music (and keeping these panelists busy!). Mr. Dunlap spoke of the fragmentation of the entertainment world, and his company's need to spread their advertising dollars across a multitude of new outlets while still having the same size budgets.

Speaking of budgets, Alex P. asked the panelists how the current economic climate affected their budgets and pricing, and almost everybody agreed that the numbers have fallen over the years. Going further along that line, PJ asked if any of the panelists thought that maybe someday, in the not-too-distant future, there might come a day when companies would no longer be willing to pay for the use of music. Although there was some grousing about exorbitant quotes and the value of the exposure, everybody agreed that they felt music was too valuable and that it would continue to be bought and paid for.

Other topics raised included adjusting to the new digital marketplace vs. traditional terrestrial delivery systems, and the rise of "internet only" projects.

All in attendance would have to agree that it was a most educational and entertaining discussion!

Salem Smokes the Viper

Wrapping up the Tuesday evening entertainment at MUSEXPO 2009 is Stockholm sensation Salem, an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist who, though he stuck mostly to the keys this evening, enchanted the Viper Room with songs that possessed the stellar musicianship and vibe of an updated, more rockin' 21st century version of Steely Dan meets the Dave Mathews Band. He had an incredible backing band, with particular props to the lead guitarist, whose smooth, flowing runs through the fretboard provided a most pleasing accompaniment to Salem's silky smooth vocals. By the midway point of the set Salem had the crowd clapping along to the beat and swaying in rhythm to his sensuously soulful sounds. He picked up an electric guitar for a song he recently wrote in New York, a number that wouldn't be out of place in the Simon & Garfunkel canon...but didn't make the cut for his forthcoming album, which leaves us eager to hear what did!

Young Love Blooms at the Whisky

Our final act at the Whisky this evening is Texan-turned-New Yorker Dan Keyes, a.k.a. Young Love. Backed by a crack ensemble of guitar, bass, drums and keys, his dance-inflected heartland rock is catching on in a big way with the audience, which is a seething mass of movement down below my balcony table. It’s no wonder that a few of Young Love’s early demos have already become favorites of the more discerning Big Apple dance club DJs; his appearance has lured the most girls onto the dancefloor that I’ve witnessed yet tonight, shaking their shimmy to the infectious sounds emanating from the speakers. “Get Me Up” was particularly effective in that respect, inspiring a mass of movement down below that I’m dreading negotiating on my way back to the Viper for our final act of the evening.

Well, okay…as much as one can dread wandering through a horde of comely gyrating females….

Yves Klein Blue Draw Attention to Themselves

Our penultimate Viper Room act this evening is rising young Australian quartet Yves Klein Blue, whose upbeat songs and sunny attitude belie any notion of being morose. They just finished recording an album in North Hollywood ("Which we discovered wasn't really quite Hollywood," the singer stated with an admirable degree of understatement), and if the whimsical wordplay and catchy melodies demonstrated tonight are any indication, it should be a corker. If one must indulge in comparisons, Fratellis-meets-Maroon 5 wouldn't be too shabby a description...though that's a tad unfair, as most musical comparisons are: Yves Klein Blue possesses a compelling sound that's all their own...though one gets the feeling that the world will also being enjoying it in the near future.

Domenica Leaves Jaws Agape with "Shut Your Mouth"

Now rockin’ the stage at the Whisky is Winnipeg-based quartet Domenica, fronted by the beautiful Bekki, whose guitar chops are as impressive as her looks. Their head-banging hard rock has captured the attention of the attendees, with quite a few players from other MUSEXPO bands hangin’ out by the stage and obviously enjoying the show. It’s easy to see why: the lead guitarist, bassist and drummer are monster musicians in their own right, displaying a lot of energy onstage that’s being reciprocated by the audience. One of the highlights was a song where they slowed it down a bit--“But it’s still a scorcher,” Bekki promised--the tune “Like Me,” which showcased Bekki’s keen lyrical sense and delivery. They amped the energy back up with “I’ve Got My Gun,” with Bekki wailing over a brutal backbeat and inspired six-string work, following up with the song "Shut Your Mouth," which despite said title left many jaws agape. Anyone that may have been feeling a wee bit drowsy before the set is definitely awakened now by the aural caffeine that is Domenica!

No "Excuses" Necessary for Chris Pickering

...because the artist who had a release titled Excuses, Excuses left little reason for them. Now onstage at the Viper Room is Australian heartthrob Chris Pickering, who has swiftly proven that he's more than just another pretty face (kinda like Sat Bisla). Playing both acoustic guitar and harmonica, backed by a bassist and drummer, Pickering's sound is comparable to that of Chris Isaak, sharing an easy grace backed by masterful musicianship that's an all too rare commodity on the radio these days...aside from "Passport Approved," of course (end shameless plug). "Broken Wings" was a particularly effective showcase of Pickering's soulful vocals and sound sense of arrangement, evoking a respectful hush from the packed crowd before an appreciative response at the song's conclusion. At the same time, he also offered jauntier numbers that had the audience swaying in time and singing along on the choruses; definitely an artist to keep an eye on down Nashville way.

Ruby Tigers Rock the Whisky

Kicking off tonight’s Whisky entertainment are Brisbane, Australia rockers Ruby Tigers, who received an impassioned intro from MUSEXPO MC About Town Tommy Nast that had the sizable Aussie contingent at the conference hootin’ and hollerin’. (The fact that they’re one of the first clients of Tommy and Craig Lambert’s new venture Rock Band Entertainment played absolutely no prejudicial part in the process). Once again, though, it looks like the Nastyman’s instincts were directly on point: Ruby Tigers’ radio-ready rock numbers have swiftly proven an audience favorite and they’ve had no problem garnering an enthusiastic response for their terrific tunes. “The Deal” was a particular standout, showcasing the quartet’s superb musicianship and earning the loudest response from the crowd thus far. Definitely keep an eye on these Tigers!

Jessie J Paves the Way

Leading off Tuesday night's entertainment at the Viper Room is Jason Flom's latest signing, London-based songstress Jessie J. hushhushATTACK guru Joe Arnold tells me that her soundcheck was awesome, so I'm definitely looking forward to checking out her set. Xfm Head of Music Mike Walsh and Jason Flom both offered intros, with Jason joking that one of the main goals of the showcase was to get Mike into the music...and, having succeeded, the showcase was cancelled...jokingly, of course. Opening number "White Room," which Jessie described simply as a song about a personal situation, showed off her tremendous pipes admirably. She possesses a marvelous melismatic sense, utilizing it tastefully rather than gratuitously, unlike so many vocalists out there today (unnamed to protect the guilty). One hates to invoke the ghost of Janis Joplin, but Jessie J has that blues-based shouting style down cold, while still managing to hit notes that the Southern Comfort-loving Janis could only dream about nailing herself. Another awesome beginning for a night of MUSEXPO music!

GLOBAL BROADCAST MEDIA FORUM

The last panel on Tuesday was our Global Broadcast Media Forum, co-moderated by
Ajax Scott (Managing Director, Woodshed Media) and our very own Sat Bisla. The stellar lineup of panelists included Adam Zammit (CEO, Peer Group [Australia]); Jason Bentley (Music Director & Host "Morning Becomes Eclectic" KCRW Los Angeles); Jeff Yapp (Executive VP MTV Networks/Program Enterprises); Jimmy Steal (VP Programming, Emmis Radio); Mike Walsh (Head of Music, Xfm Radio Network [UK]) and Scott Igoe (Music Executive, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC TV). 

The conversation started off with a discussion of "art vs. commerce" and each panelist gave their thoughts on the importance of content for their respective brands/companies/stations/shows. Next, Ajax asked the panelists to share what methods they're currently using to hang on to their listeners/viewers and to maintain, or even build on, their status as "tastemakers."

Other topics touched upon included the new role of the audience and their ability to virtually program their own TV/radio station on their personal computers and portable devices, and what each of the panelists was doing to compete and attract new consumers.

Two days of panels down, one to go....

Tuesday Night Music Preview

Starting things out at the Viper Room at 8pm is Jessie J., a singer from London who was signed by Jason Flom at Lava Universal earlier this year. She was formerly a member of the British girl group Soul Deep, where she spent two years before deciding to pursue a solo career. She signed to indie Gut Records in March 2007 and began to choose from over 150 songs that she’d written in the previous couple of years. Unfortunately, Gut went bankrupt last fall, leading to a whirlwind tour of the US that ultimately led to her signing with Lava.

Starting off the evening’s Whisky entertainment at 8:30 is Australia’s Ruby Tigers, who have amassed an impressive array of well-connected friends and business contacts in the last few years. The group spent the majority of 2007 ensconced in Powderfinger's Airlock Studios Brisbane, emerging with a collection of songs that not only pleased current fans, but garnered them new ones, including famed producer/mixer Mark Needham (The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Chris Isaak), who promptly agreed to mix their album after hearing the demos on MySpace. Thus inspired, the band went back into the studio with American producer/songwriter Marc Swersky and emerging Australian engineer Anthony Lycenko (Pete Murray) and produced an album that showcases their world-class talent alongside radio-ready tunes.

Hitting the Viper stage at 9pm is Australian artist Chris Pickering, who in a mere five years has utilized his insightful lyrical sense, magical melodies and natural good looks to help redefine the alt-country genre. During that time he's released a pair of EPs and two critically acclaimed albums and won over audiences throughout Australia and America (the latter thanks to a sensational performance at SXSW 2008 and continuing "residencies" in Nashville, Tennessee). In February 2009 Pickering was invited to showcase at the prestigious North American Folk Alliance in Memphis, and he plans to return to Nashville this summer to simmer some more in the city's vibrant country scene.

At 9:30 the Whisky will feature Domenica, hard-rockin' four-piece from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that is fronted by the gorgeous Bekki, a former teen model that opted for the passion of performing onstage over the cool attitude require on the catwalk. Her vibrant vocals are ably complemented by her rock-solid rhythm guitar playing, while the three guys in the band--bassist/vocalist Kurtis, lead guitarist/vocalist Josh and drummer Steve--provide suitably emphatic accompaniment on such numbers as "I Love My Gun," "Waste Away," "Vampires" and our favorite song title to come down the pike in a while, "Porno State of Mind." During the spring/summer of 2008 Bekki wrote a trio of new songs with famed guitarist Marcos Cureil (P.O.D.) and tracked these new songs in Matt Sorum's (Guns N Roses/Velvet Revolver) Hollywood-based studio for their forthcoming full-length album.

Australian act Yves Klein Blue, who take the stage at the Viper Room at 10pm, took their name from the famed artist Yves Klein, whose “Yves Klein Blue” is a blue shade that doesn't fade over time, forever appearing wet and freshly applied…thus serving as a metaphor for the group's goal of creating music that is timeless and won't fade with age. They released a five-song EP in April 2008, Yves Klein Blue Draw Attention to Themselves, that’s a joyous melding of classic pop, old-school punk, gypsy-tinted jazz and indie rock.

Young Love is up next at the Whisky at 10:30. It’s the name for the solo project of Dan Keyes, formerly a member of the Austin-based band Recover, which landed a major label deal, a national fanbase and gigabytes of critical acclaim. However, much as Keyes loved and respected his fellow band members, he had other songs buzzing around his brain--songs that didn't fit in with Recover's sound. A crossroads was reached when a New York musician offered up a vacant place to stay; having always wanted to live in the Big Apple, Keyes regretfully bade farewell to Recover and, armed with but a single bag and his guitar, moved to the City That Never Sleeps. He also had some rough demos of the new music he was hearing in his head: catchy and danceable, yet unpredictable, they would form the basis of the sound that would evolve into Young Love.

Finishing things up at the Viper Room at 11pm is Salem, a Stockholm, Sweden native born of a Syrian father and Swedish mother whose wistful soul/pop confections are proving increasingly popular in his native land and beyond. Salem began his musical training at age four on the violin; by age 14 he was accomplished enough to perform on a solo tour of Russia, but he opted to instead start studying jazz piano upon completion of the jaunt. He then went on to perform with such Swedish artists as electro-dance diva Robyn and Snook before releasing his debut full-length, This Is Who I Am, in January 2007 to great critical acclaim. In October 2007 he was named "Best Newcomer" by Swedish music publishers, and in January 2008 he also won four Swedish Grammis (Grammys) out of seven nominations, emerging victorious for Best Male Artist, Best Newcomer, Best Composer and Best Producer.

THE FUTURE OF MUSIC DISTRIBUTION: PHYSICAL, DIGITAL & MOBILE

Following a truly memorable rooftop lunch experience, the next panel, which focused on THE FUTURE OF MUSIC DISTRIBUTION: PHYSICAL, DIGITAL & MOBILE, was moderated by our old friend Ajax Scott (Director, Woodshed Media) and featured a diverse panel of experts, namely Gary Chen (Chairman/CEO, Top 100/Orca Digital, China); Kevin Arnold (Founder/CEO, IODA); Richard Gottehrer (Founder/Chief Creative Officer, The Orchard); Ron Spaulding (Executive VP/GM, Fontana Distribution) and Sami Valkonen (Head of Global Business Affairs, Nokia).

The discussion started off with opening statements from each panelist highlighting their own individual situations. They continued with the gentlemen taking a closer look at each of the main music distribution platforms--physical, digital and mobile.

Lastly, before giving the mic to the audience for questions, Ajax asked the panelists to put on their wizard's hats and look into what they saw as the future of the business in five years time!

This was one of the most entertaining and informative panels so far...but we're only just past the halfway point!

STEVE SCHNUR - THIS IS YOUR LIFE

To celebrate this year's "International Music Person Of The Year," Steve Schnur (Worldwide Head of Music & Marketing, EA Games & President, Artwerk Music Publishing), attendees were treated to a video tribute/roast featuring some of Steve's best friends and colleagues, including his former MTV boss Les Garland and artists like Datarock, Howard Jones Junkie XL as well as Terry McBride (CEO, Nettwerk Music Group), who acted as the moderator for this special "one man" panel.

Following the video presentation, Mr. McBride guided Steve through a quick look back at his career, beginning at MTV and moving through his years working at Elektra, Arista and Capitol Records and then doing music supervision for films before moving to his current workplace.

Immediately following the panel, everyone hightailed it to the roof for MUSEXPO's "INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON" honoring Steve Schnur, featuring a presentation by Neil Portnow (President, The Recording Academy) and a special performance by Matt & Kim.

GLOBAL A&R FORUM

Panel moderator Ron Fair (President/CEO, Geffen Records) kicked off Musexpo's 2009 Global A&R Forum by promising that he and his fellow panelists--Archie Meguro (Sr. VP, Sony Music Japan International Inc.);  Ben Ralph (Managing Director, Road Runner Records Australia); Bruce Flohr (Sr. VP A&R, ATO Records/Red Light Management); Fred Goldring (Partner, Goldring, Hertz & Lichtenstein); Jason Flom (President, Lava Records/Universal) and Jonas Sjöström (CEO, Playground Music Scandinavia)--would solve all the problems that the music industry currently faces. Although they didn't quite manage that, they did talk about a lot of the challenges they face as the industry continues to redefine itself. 

Rather than talking about finding "the next generation of superstars," each member of the panel shared their views on the way their roles have shifted in recent years, and the growing importance of TV placement in breaking new songs and artists, as well as the diminishing importance of rock radio. And each panelist also shared their current "passion plays," mainly sticking with the most recent artists they're working with. 

Although much of the session dealt with the continued shrinking of the traditional music industry universe, there remained an air of optimism among the panelists and the attendees. 

Addeboy Vs. Cliff and Adam Tensta Do Their "Thing"

And so we reach the midpoint of this year's MUSEXPO showcases with a thrilling performance from Sweden's Addeboy vs. Cliff, featuring Swedish hip-hop sensation Adam Tensta. The intro to their first number is certainly quite a bit harder rocking than that description might lead one to suspect, more reminiscent of Ministry than Eminem. Dual DJs deliver the definitive flow on "Funky See Funky Do," the opening song which has the SRO crowd thrusting their hands in the air and moving so wildly that the booth in which I'm seated is actually physically rocking...fantastic! Once again, time to close out the blogging night the best way: on the dancefloor!

Taking a Ride in The Blue Van

Closing out this evening’s Whisky acts is The Blue Van, a Danish quartet who acquired their name from local slang concerning the method of transport most commonly used for moving mental patients. How can you not like that? After a rockin’ first number the frontman went on a brief, humorous diatribe on how all the food he’d eaten since arriving in America had come on toothpicks…thus exhibiting the disinclination of musicians worldwide to have to actually purchase their own food. Haha, just kidding, if any of you lads are actually reading this…no, really, I am. Anyhow, as I typed that frivolity I was definitely doing The Blue Van a disservice, because their chuggin’ rock-n-roll numbers have definitely been getting under my skin…so, excuse me for a moment…okay, I’m back. They just performed a shoutalong blues-based epic that had the audience stomping, clapping and howling for more through several false endings…truly awesome. If riding in The Blue Van is symptomatic of mental illness, count me in!

Funk You: Sorgente Funks Up The Viper

Manic Munich sextet Sorgente took over the Viper Room stage at...tennish (hey, we did mention the walk from Cravings earlier?) and immediately had the capacity Viper Room crowd bobbin' and boppin' to their funky grooves and smoother moves. I ran into the guys at the Cat Club after last night's showcases, where they'd apparently performed a "stealth set" in addition to tonight's gig; I found 'em to be quite personable and earlier this afternoon enjoyed listening to the six-song EP they gave me at the time. Their tune "Alive" provoked a strong response from the audience, and then they delved into a number that sounded not too unlike, dare I say, Prince (but without all that emphasis on purple...what's up with that, anyway?), delivering the grooves that can't help but make your booty move. Are these guys really from Munich, or some Borat-style impostors from Motown? Who knows for sure...but judging by the inadvertant "Wow!" we heard just as their last number concluded, does it really matter? They ended up closing their set with an honest-to-God drum solo that had the audience cheering, stomping and howling for more.

Floor Thirteen Takes it to Another Level

Next up at the Whisky is Canadian quartet Floor Thirteen, who have immediately launched the stomp tonight and started rocking the house. Lead singer Jeremy Koz, who first rose to fame as a contestant on “Canadian Idol” and “Rock Star: INXS,” definitely has an impressive set of pipes, ably complemented by a rock-solid rhythm section and wailing guitar player who know how to truly bring the noise. Their radio-ready hard rock is provoking an exceedingly positive response from the audience, who are crowding the stage as I tap out this missive from the Whisky balcony. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these guys rockin’ the main stage of summertime touring festivals soon with their thunderous riffage and heartfelt lyrics.

Gin Wigmore Charms the Viper

Following a glowing intro from Sat Bisla, the Viper Room audience was treated to a sumptuous set from New Zealand prodigy Gin Wigmore. Her engaging stage presence had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand before the start of the second song. Resembling a twisted mixture of Twiggy and pre-downfall Amy Winehouse, clad in a sleeveless pink onesie and black go-go boots, she exuded the natural charisma of a performer of far more experienced years, to the point where members of another MUSEXPO band (who shall remain nameless to protect the prurient) nearby were overheard offering their undying love...well, something along those lines, at least. A star may very well have been born at the Viper Room tonight!

Derek Miller Brings the Blues

...but only in the best possible way, of course. Kicking off our Monday evening entertainment at the Whisky is the man noted indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch admiringly referred to as, “He's like Hank Williams and Link Wray on peyote,” Derek Miller. The six-string slinger of Mohawk descent has won a slew of awards in his native Canada, including a couple of Juno Awards, most recently for his 2007 release The Dirty Looks. The nattily attired quartet, including bass, drums and keys, all wearing button-down shirts and ties (Derek added an elegant vest to the ensemble), bore a look somewhat reminiscent to Tin Machine…and rocked just as hard as that Bowie-led quartet did on their first album. Derek’s been working on a new album with the famed Stevie Ray Vaughan “Double Trouble” rhythm section, and after seeing him perform tonight, it’s obvious why those luminaries chose to work with him. A fine song from that collaboration called “Water Down the River” was introduced tonight; look for the album itself to hit retail sometime in early 2010. A highlight of the set was a Robert Johnson-inspired piece, “Devil Came Down Sunday,” during which Miller laid down a solid claim for admission into the exalted ranks of Guitar Hero…or at least have some of his tunes included on the next edition of the game!

Andrew Paul Woodworth Kicks Things Off Right at the Viper

After a nice walk back from the cocktail party at Cravings, with plenty of time to have a smoke along the way (or two), kicking off the entertainment at the Viper Room is the man legendary Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones deemed "the best lyricist I have ever worked with," Andrew Paul Woodworth. Backed by a great band that included bass, sax, keys and drums, Woodworth, who occasionally chipped in on acoustic guitar himself, delivered an impassioned set that clearly inspired the rapidly increasing crowd as the show went on. His awe-inspiring vocal ability drew repeated shouts and whistles from an ecstatic audience hellbent on showing its appreciation. It was easy to see why Rodeostar Records in Germany jumped at the chance to sign him after Woodworth played at MUSEXPO in 2006! A nice moment toward the end, when Woodworth announced that his mother, visiting from Oregon, was in the crowd...and encouraged folks to buy her a shot or two.

Hey, feel free to hit up the blogger, too....

THE DIGITAL SUMMIT

The first full day of panels ended with The Digital Summit, moderated by
John Lenac (Head Of Programming & Artist/Label Relations, Yahoo! Music) and featuring panelists Adam Mirabella (Director, Global Digital Music Retail, Nokia); Ian C. Rogers (CEO, Topspin); Mike Doernberg (CEO, ReverbNation); Paul Menes (Special Counsel, Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLC); Scott Murphy (Founder/CEO, D:Net) and Vince Bannon (Vice President, Entertainment Partnerships & Development, Getty Images).

Each of the panelists (with the exception of Mr. Menes) represented a different approach to the many new platforms that have come about as a result of the new technology. The first part of the panel was largely devoted to the mobile space. It hasn't happened yet, but the handheld device is predicted to become the primary destination for music consumers. Mr. Mirabella went into great detail about the wonderful new possibilities that have come with Nokia's "Comes With Music" program, in which devices are sold with music included

Some of the other panelists discussed exciting new opportunities in dealing directly with fans, and Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor's multi-tiered approach to his latest releases.

As the day came to an end, it was obvious that there is no limit to what the future can bring for the music business. 

Now, on to a night of showcases!

GLOBAL PUBLISHING FORUM

"As the music business continues to redefine itself...." The opening words of Global Publishing Forum co-moderator Ritch Esra (Publisher, The Music Registry) could be applied to every panel so far. With the help of co-moderator Keith Welsh (Chairman, Australian Music Publishers Association & Managing Director, Rough Cut Music Publishing), panelists Jay Faires (President of Music & Publishing, Lionsgate Entertainment); Julie Enzer (Sr. Vice President & General Manager, Disney Music Publishing); Justin Kalifowitz (President, Downtown Music Publishing); Kenny MacPherson (President & Sr. Executive, Chrysalis Music Group, N. America); Scott Francis (President, Warner-Chappell Music & Chairman/CEO, Warner-Chappell U.S.) and Jens-Markus Wegener (MD, AMV TALPA GMBH, Germany) guided attendees through the latest landscape changes facing the publishing industry in 2009. With new platforms come new opportunities.  Most of the members of the panel (with the exception of Ms. Enzer) spoke of the decline of mechanicals and an increased reliance on sync and performance royalties. Other topics touched upon included new methods of artist development which the publishers are utilizing as the labels do less, from shopping finished masters to actually pressing their own CDs and acting as the de facto label. Although it wasn't the last thing said in the panel, Scott Francis's statement--"There's more work than ever before, and it's more challenging, but it's also more exciting"--sums up this panel perfectly. 

Just one more panel this afternoon, then it's off to a night of music, music, music...

Monday Night Music Preview

Kicking off the Monday evening entertainment at the Viper Room at 8pm is Andrew Paul Woodworth, who also played at the second MUSEXPO in 2006. The Los Angeles resident caught the attention of the discerning ears at Rodeostar Records in Germany during that year's conference and was promptly signed to the label. His first full-length, Eddy Ate Dynamite, was produced by Evan Frankfort (Wallflowers, Jayhawks, Rancid) and features the song that first catapulted Andrew to attention: a slowed-down, acoustic take of the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right to Party"!

Leading off at the Whisky at 8:30 is Canadian singer/songwriter Derek Miller, who has been making quite a name for himself on the Canadian and international music scenes for the past decade. By the age of 25 in 1999 he'd won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award and toured with icon Buffy Saint-Marie, who said, "Derek is like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristofferson - but better - he's got a Mohawk heart." In 2007 the guitar slinger recorded his most recent album, The Dirty Looks, which received the award for Best Rock CD at both the 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards and the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards. He also won a Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year.

At the Viper Room at 9pm is Gin Wigmore, a precocious singer/songwriter from the southern hemisphere, having been born in New Zealand but also spending significant time in Argentina and Australia. It was while in Buenos Aires that 16-year-old Gin learned of the passing of her father due to cancer. She responded by writing a song, "Hallelujah," to articulate her pain. Two years later, the song won the 2005 International Songwriting Contest, making Gin the youngest winner ever - and the first to be unsigned. In August 2008 Gin was signed by Motown President Sylvia Rhone and undertook her first promo tour, mesmerizing media and music industry audiences in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York before sharing the stage with John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow during their December tour.

In recent years the music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has been producing some exciting new artists, but few with as much potential as Floor Thirteen, who take the Whisky stage at 9:30. Floor Thirteen really started to take off after vocalist Jeremy Koz joined the band in 2003. He has quite a set of pipes: he reached the Top 20 during the 2006 "Canadian Idol" competition and landed in the Top 30 (out of thousands of aspirants) on the "Rock Star: INXS" program later that year. Not that the rest of the guys in the band are slouches; their hard-rockin' sound has drawn comparisons to such luminaries as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, along with newcomers like Wolfmother and Jet.

Back at the Viper at 10pm for Sorgente, six guys from Munich, Germany whose music is an amazing amalgam of '90s Lenny Kravitz and '80s Prince melded with the soulful sounds of the '60s-era Isley Brothers. The result, a funky stew incorporating all those disparate elements plus more, is quite unlike anything else that's emerged from Bavaria thus far this century. Their most recent album, Let Me In, is an erotically charged concept piece about excess, destruction and the calm that comes after the storm. I ran into the likeable lads at the Cat Club after last night's showcases and just finished listening to their six-song promo EP--great stuff! PS: Be sure to wish lead guitarist Mr. Jacobsen a happy birthday tonight!

Closing out Monday’s entertainment at the Whisky at 10:30 is Denmark’s The Blue Van, who took their name from Danish slang for the ambulance that transports patients to mental institutions. They recorded their debut full-length, The Art of Rolling, in Hamburg, opting to record live in the studio and only adding in vocals later, in order to capitalize on the band's live strengths. The album landed them an American deal with TVT Records and the group started splitting time between Denmark and the Bed/Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn while recording their second album, Dear Independence. Now with indie Iceberg Records, The Blue Van returned to Hamburg to record their third album, Man Up, which has already spawned a hit with the song "Silly Boy."

Wrapping things up at the Viper Room at 11pm is Sweden’s Addeboy vs. Cliff featuring Adam Tensta. Tensta, Sweden’s hottest hip-hop artist of 2008, is putting the final touches on an international version of his debut, the award-winning album It’s a Tensta Thing. Addeboy Vs. Cliff played key roles in producing Tensta’s album with their unique hybrid of electronica, urban, rock and pop. Together they have received numerous nominations and awards, including a Grammis (the Swedish equivalent to a Grammy) for It’s a Tensta Thing as the best Dance/Hip-Hop/Soul album of 2008. Addeboy Vs. Cliff has gone on to earn comparisons to such luminaries as Daft Punk, Justice and the Chemical Brothers, inspiring a mad rush for their beats.

2009 GLOBAL MANAGERS FORUM

This year's Global Managers Forum was co-moderated by Emmanuel Legrand (editor, Impact) and 
Safta Jaffrey (Managing Director, Taste Music [UK]) and featured an extremely distinguished panel which included Amos Newman (GSA Music & Management); Andre Recke (President, Boo Management); Larry Jacobson (The Collective Music Group); Spencer D. Proffer – CEO, Music & Media Producer, Strategist & Partner McGhee/Proffer); Ted Chung (Chairman, Cashmere Agency & Stampede Management) and Kai Robole (Waterfall Music, Oslo, Norway) who was kind enough to hop on the panel as a last-minute substitute.

Much of the discussion revolved around the state of the art of artist management in the 21st century. As the major labels' roles continue to shift, management companies are finding themselves needing to pick up the slack, so to speak. New opportunities for artists make it necessary for managers to be more knowledgeable and able to deal with every aspect of the entertainment industry which their clients' may get involved with, in many cases doing work that once would have been handled by the labels. As artists have more control of their destiny, it is the manager's job to plug the holes and do more than was ever required before, including marketing, promotion, merchandising, licensing, publishing and more. The role of the manager in the modern age is greater than ever before.

And now, off to a magnificent rooftop luncheon....

MINI-KEYNOTE

After the opening panel, Sat Bisla (president/founder, A&R Worldwide) sat down for a few minutes to talk about some of the new initiatives that A&R Worldwide, MUSEXPO and Pangaea Entertainment Group will be undertaking in the not-too-distant future, including the upcoming MUSEXPO Europe (6/29-7/1), the opening of a new A&R Worldwide branch in Toronto, Canada, under the auspices of Brandon Friesen (Arbor Records) and vague insinuations of a business partnership with Sat and his longtime friend (and Coldplay manager) Dave Holmes. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time before the stage had to be given up for the next panel. For more on the Global Management Forum, read our next exciting blog! 

2009 MUSEXPO KEYNOTE PANEL

The 2009 MUSEXPO Los Angeles conference kicked off this year's series of panels with a keynote panel
moderated by Nic Harcourt (SamLuna Media, Inc.) and featuring a "who's who" of heavy hitters from nearly every corner of the music industry, including Dave Holmes (Founder, 3D Management [Coldplay, Interpol, etc.]); David Renzer (Chairman/CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group); Doug Frank (President, Music Operations, Warner Bros. Pictures); Michael Guido (Partner, Carroll, Guido & Groffman, LLP [Jay Z, Outkast]) and Simon Wright (President & CEO, Virgin Entertainment Group). 

After being introduced, each member of the panel described the unique challenges they are currently facing, and the various ways in which they have been forced to adjust their focus. Perhaps most telling was the absence of any representative of a major record label. Indeed, nearly every panelist indicated that the role of major labels has changed considerably over the past few years, and that they were finding themselves having to perform functions that would have been handled by labels in the past.

All in all, the concensus seemed to be that more people are listening to music than ever before, and it's merely a matter of finding new ways to take advantage of the modern methods that music fans are using to hear their favorite tunes. The future looks brighter than ever!

Konichiwa Bitches!

Our final act of the evening is Tokyo tigress Tigarah, who has the late-night revelers movin'-n-groovin' to the steamy, sensuous sounds of her Brazilian Baile Funk concoctions as we close out the Viper Room and tonight's entertainment. Her outfit is certainly arresting: a bright yellow jacket over an acid green and black striped pattern overall/dress, nicely accessorized by oversized hot-pink earrings and black lace stockings...giving the Bigelf frontman's Coolest Professor at Hogwarts look a serious run for the money in Most Memorable Outfit competition. And with that, we close out this evening's blogging...time to dance!

Bigelf Blazes at the Whisky

Back to the Whisky for the final act of the evening at that locale, the glorious guitar-laden rock of Los Angeles’ own Bigelf. Opening with a doom-driven synth that smoothly segued into a spooky, carnivalesque fugue followed by a burst of monolithic metal guitar, booming bass and classic drum runs…yep, this is a Bigelf show, all right! Surrounded by an array of keyboards, frontman Damon Fox was whirling like a veritable dervish, punctuating his manic two-handed dual keyboard runs with vocal gymnastics of the highest order…the glow from camera phones below my balcony perch almost eclipses the light from the stage. Long regarded as forefathers of the LA stoner-rock scene, it would be nice to see their new release on Linda Perry’s Custard Records, Cheat the Gallows, bring them the attention they so richly deserve after more than a decade of slugging it out in the trenches of the oft-times treacherous Tinseltown scene. Perhaps new single “Money, It’s Pure Evil” will turn the trick; it was certainly a show-stopping finale tonight!

Purple Melon Takes a Bite Out of the Viper

For a foursome with three members aged 21 or younger, Purple Melon has gone through an inordinate amount of lineup changes, including a trio of guitarists, a pair of drummers and an ex-keyboard player. The current lineup has certainly gelled together quite well, though, as evidenced by their rockin' 10pm set at the Viper Room. Though the quartet hails from Birmingham, England, their sound seems more influenced by '70s-style American arena rock, with a nod to the seminal strains of AC/DC added to the mix. Their raucous guitar boogie has attracted the most packed stage area at the Viper Room tonight, which might explain why producer Paul Stacey (Oasis, Black Crowes) has signed on to produce their debut disc, for which the quartet has relocated to Los Angeles. Alas, their effort proved a tad too strenuous, as the drummer totalled his snare drum three songs in...fortunately, a backup was quickly produced and the show went on, much to the delight of a crowd that was begging for more.

Dead Letter Circus Delivers the Goods

Next up at the Whisky is Brisbane, Australia’s Dead Letter Circus, whose explosive rock sound is quickly proving an audience favorite. Clad all in black aside from the shirtless drummer, the four-piece forms a frantic, frenetic sound composed of percussion pyrotechnics backed by bombing-run bass lines and gritty guitar work, overarched by the yowls and yelps of the charismatic frontman. Fists are pumping and heads are banging by the Whisky stage…it’s almost enough to take one back to the halcyon Sunset Strip days of the late ’80s! This is one “dead letter” that delivers.

Black Room Lights Up Viper

Coming at things from a decidedly darker perspective is Norwegian act Black Room, who quickly enchant the Viper Room audience with material from their debut disc, Pop Noir--a most fitting appellation, nicely summing up the sound of Black Room in but a pair of words. Muscular guitar work is ably abetted by some soaring synth sounds and the vivid vocal theatrics of singer Ole, backed by a rock-solid rhythm that had a packed house moving in time and bobbing heads in unison. You could call their sound Kasabian on steroids, if you were an especially lazy aficionado of indie rock and the American national pasttime...but miserable musical metaphors aside, there is one definitive way to refer to Black Room: awesome.

To the Moon: Our Lunar Activities Rocks the Whisky

Kicking off the Sunday evening entertainment at the world famous Whisky a Go Go is Our Lunar Activities, who apparently brought the weather from the Isle of Lewis with them to Los Angeles after last week’s scorching triple-digit temperatures. Nevertheless, their up-tempo guitar rock quickly heats up the atmosphere, with a sound that should be appreciated by fans of solid indie rock. A nice touch midway through the set by the vocalist, who dedicated a number to his Los Angeles-born fiancée…good lookin’ out, lad! They turned it up another notch with the propulsive “It Comes in Waves,” inspiring the audience to crowd the stage area and rock out. A nice start to the evening’s Whisky groups!

Lay Low Kicks Things Off at the Viper Room

After another glorious Los Angeles evening atop the London West Hollywood, MUSEXPO delegates were ready to check out the fantastic old-school country stylings of Lay Low at the Viper Room at 8pm (actually, 8:10...typical of the first night, we're already running 10 minutes late, despite Sat Bisla's best exhortations to the rooftop laggards). Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir, the primary force, plays a great acoustic guitar whilst mesmerizing the crowd with her lovely voice and lilting lyrical sense. Nashville just may have a new star on its hands soon...who could've guessed that she'd hail from Reykjavik? The title track of her debut album, "Please Don't Hate Me," was particularly impressive, garnering an appreciative hushed silence for this 21st century heir to the throne once inhabited by the likes of Hank Williams Sr., Lefty Frizell and Patsy Cline. Joined by an electric guitarist and drummer, the stark simplicity of the arrangements recalls a more innocent era of simpler pleasures.

Sunday Night Music Preview

Welcome to the music portion of MUSEXPO 2009, where we’ll be both previewing and blogging live from the nightly music showcases at the world famous Viper Room and Whisky A Go Go. Kicking off the festivities on Sunday night at 8pm at the Viper Room will be Lay Low, the musical alter-ego of Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir, who was born in London to a Sri Lankan father and Icelandic mother but relocated to Reykjavik, Iceland at an early age. Her first album, Please Don’t Hate Me, was the best-selling original album in Iceland in 2006 and was nominated for four Icelandic Music Awards, winning three. n early 2008 Lay Low returned to London to work on the follow-up album with producer Liam Watson (White Stripes, Pete Molinari, Holly Golightly). The resulting effort, Farewell Good Night's Sleep (available in North America May 26), reflects Sigrunardottir's affection for the honky-tonk sounds of such seminal artists as Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizell, Dolly Parton and Ernest Tubb, among others, while imprinting her own personality upon the songs, resulting in the music team at iTunes hailing Lay Low as one of the best discoveries of 2008.

Leading off the entertainment at the Whisky at 8:30 is Our Lunar Activities, which was formed by brothers Kevin and Charles Clark on the Isle of Lewis, an island off the northwest coast of Scotland near where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea. It was while touring Europe with +44 that Our Lunar Activities attracted the attention of frontman Mark Hoppus (also of Blink-182), who was so impressed by the group's sound that he invited them to Los Angeles to record in December 2007 and ended up producing the album himself, utilizing engineering aid from Christopher Holmes (Red Hot Chili Peppers) to capture the raw energy of the group's scintillating live performances.

Back at the Viper Room at 9pm for Black Room, a rising young Norwegian trio who got their name from a most unfortunate circumstance: the house they rehearsed in burned to the ground, leaving little behind but songs for an album. Undeterred, singer Ole, guitarist Anders and synth-man Paal relocated to a room without windows but overflowing with guitars, synthesizers, records and computers, working on their debut album, Pop Noir--which also serves as a perfect two-word description of their music, which is reminiscent of some of Elbow's darker moments while also containing hints of artists such as U2, Coldplay and Snow Patrol.

At the Whisky at 9:30 we’ll be treated to a set from Dead Letter Circus, who in less than two years have risen to the forefront of promising Australian rock acts. In 2007 the group released their eponymous debut EP and the reaction was immediately positive, with it being deemed "Album of the Week" by Sydney's Brag magazine and Melbourne's Beat magazine that May, with the latter describing it as, "Epic, immeasurable and downright frightening, it is an EP which pulls a loaded gun, pushes it to your temple, forces you in the car, then drives at dizzying speeds on the freeway." By September 2007 they were on the Triple J Presents national tour and had signed a worldwide publishing deal with Universal, which was followed by an incendiary performance at the hometown stop of the Big Day Out tour in January 2008. In November 2008 they released a new single, "Next in Line," which debuted at No.1 on the AIR charts and also was playlisted at Triple J.

In the last four years the British band Purple Melon, which takes the Viper Room stage at 10pm, has changed guitarists three times, drummers twice and decided against keeping their keyboard player. Happily, though, they now feel they have the perfect lineup: Tom Hill (age 20) on vocals and guitar, Eric Joyce (19) on bass, Owen Barry (24) on guitar and Jason Ganberg (21) on drums. After relocating from Birmingham to London the group attracted the attention of many leading producers, ultimately deciding to work with Paul Stacey (Oasis, Black Crowes). They recently relocated to Los Angeles to put the finishing touches on the album and begin winning over North American fans through extensive gigging.

Taking the stage at the Whisky at 10:30 is Los Angeles’ own Bigelf, who with the release of their 1995 EP Closer to Doom established themselves as founding fathers of the "psychedelic doom movement" that paved the way for the Los Angeles stoner-rock scene. The group, whose sound is an astounding amalgam of the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath, recently released a new album, the aptly titled Cheat the Gallows, their first for Linda Perry's Custard Records.

Closing out the evening’s entertainment at 11pm at the Viper Room will be Tigarah, who was attending Tokyo's prestigious Keio University when some Brazilian classmates introduced her to the steamy sounds of Brazilian Baile Funk music (an offshoot of the Miami Bass sound). She rapidly became enraptured with the music, eventually journeying to Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro in order to fully immerse herself in the culture. It was while in Rio that she met the mysterious Mr. D, a Swiss/German DJ/producer who splits his time between Brazil and Los Angeles. In 2003 they decided to form a duo performing under Tigarah's name and three years later were signed to Universal Music.