StarPolish Newsletter

News Letter's 2003

Butterfield Herald - Dave's Newsletter
Nancy Zuniga - Peter Thompson - Star Polish Newsletter
Think Tank - Critic Trash Corner - Other


	Wed 12/31/2003 --> Danny Hest Joins StarPolish Management! --> Ari Hest to Headline NYC's Irving Plaza on January 23rd! --> Happy New Year! ========================================================== MANAGER DANNY HEST JOINS STARPOLISH MANAGEMENT! http://www.arihest.com StarPolish is very excited to announce that Danny Hest has joined the company as Vice President of Artist Development. In this position, Danny will help run and expand StarPolish Management with StarPolish founder and CEO Vivek J. Tiwary, and assist with building and developing the StarPolish Management roster. A former management consultant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers and business development executive in the Internet/telecommunications field, Danny made a career change in late 2001 when he began to co-manage his brother, singer-songwriter Ari Hest. Without the assistance of a record label or financial backing, Danny helped Ari build an impressive independent career, applying a grassroots marketing strategy that has resulted in sales of almost 20,000 CDs, the creation of a 1,000-plus member street team, and a significant national college and club touring presence. A pianist since age three and a recently self-taught bassist, Danny received a B.S. in Communication with a concentration in Marketing from Cornell University. StarPolish is very happy to welcome Danny -- and Ari -- into the fold! And to find out more about Ari, just click the link above. ARI HEST TO HEADLINE NYC'S IRVING PLAZA ON JANUARY 23RD! In other related news, Ari Hest will be headlining top-tier New York City venue Irving Plaza on January 23rd, 2004. Joining Ari on the bill are long-time StarPolish friends The Clarks, and Carbon Leaf. Tickets for the show, which kicks off at 8:15 p.m., are just $15. To find out more information about Ari's Irving Plaza show, just click this link: http://www.arihest.com/eposters/1-23.htm HAPPY NEW YEAR! All of us here at StarPolish are extremely grateful for all your support during 2003. Thanks to you, StarPolish has enjoyed its best year ever, and we look forward to even greater things in 2004. So it's with heartfelt gratitude that we wish all of you -- and those you love -- a very happy, safe and prosperous New Year! See you in 2004! The StarPolish Crew Wed 12/10/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Glen Philips, ex-Toad the Wet Sprockets --> New "Rubber Meets the Road," Part 3: Pseudopod --> Musicians On Call: Last Chance for Great Seats for Z100's Jingle --> Ball 2003 Event at Madison Square Garden --> New "From the Trenches" Column --> Member-Created StarPolish Radio Shows -- Made by You! --> New Column by Michael Goldberg -- Revisiting "Let It Be" --> Sign Up for the Upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits --> The StarPolish CD Store: Featured Artists -- Hidden Agenda, John --> Coster, One Light Out, and chapter seven --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Alexandru Boros, brandon schreeg, chris --> cannon, and Tiffany Riddick --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.shelsilverstein.com ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: GLEN PHILIPS http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=649 Glen Phillips, the singer-guitar player formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket, has been making his way across the country touring as a solo artist. With his album "Live at Largo" now in stores, Phillips recently spoke with StarPolish's Tracie Galinski about restarting his career as a solo artist, making records, and today's music business. NEW "RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD": PART 3, PSEUDOPOD http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=644 Pseudopod parlay their tight but loose mix of jazzy rhythms, classic rock riffage, and pop sensibilities into a fervent following of tape-trading, set-list-discussing and road-tripping fans. Having recently released their self-titled major-label debut, Pseudopod joined the 'Rubber Meets the Road' tour. Guitarist Ross Grant continues this four-part series of articles ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== ARE YOU UNDEREXPOSED? LET WWW.MUSICSUBMIT.COM HELP GET YOUR MUSIC NOTICED! Do you need music marketing for your website? Get exposure and traffic from 200+ music-specific resources. WWW.musicSUBMIT.com will submit you to hundreds of the best music-specific resources on the internet! These are resources that bring traffic and exposure to your music. To find out more about our services, visit http://www.musicSUBMIT.com "I just wanted to say that MusicSubmit.com is fantastic. Quite simply, you guys do exactly as advertised. I've had a whole lot of opportunity sent my way because of you. Thank you for a great service. I will spread the word." Marc Douglas Berardo, MarcDouglas.com ===================================================================== MUSICIANS ON CALL: LAST CHANCE FOR GREAT SEATS FOR Z100'S JINGLE BALL 2003 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN http://www.musiciansoncall.org http://z100.com/jingleball/ Musicians On Call (MOC), the Official Charity of Z100's Jingle Ball, has a limited number of seats on the floor in Sections 1 & 4. The group sold out its original tickets and now has a few additional choice seats. The price for these tickets is: $750 with the pre-show party or $500 for just the seats (no pre-show party). But don't wait: Jingle Ball is tomorrow night, Thursday, December 11th, at Madison Square Garden. The party starts at 6:00 p.m. at The Garden and some of the Jingle Ball artists will stop by to say hello. Last year John Mayer and Destiny's Child greeted guests. Please call MOC at 212-741-2709 for some great seats! Scheduled to appear at Z100's Jingle Ball: HOSTS -- JENNIFER LOPEZ, NICK & JESSICA, BEYONCE, MATCHBOX TWENTY, SEAN PAUL, MICHELLE BRANCH, JAY Z, 3 DOORS DOWN, HILARY DUFF, KELLY CLARKSON, JASON MRAZ and SIMPLE PLAN. NEW "FROM THE TRENCHES" COLUMN http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=648 In this new "as-it-happened" series, musician-producer Paul Geller will take us inside his world, explain a bit about his history with his old band, and talk about the decisions he has made and the day-to-day work he is now doing. In his first piece, he discusses the dissolution of his band and starting his work as a solo artist and producer. MEMBER-CREATED STARPOLISH RADIO SHOWS -- YOU MADE 'EM! http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp We asked -- and you responded! (Well, not you, Louie from Trumball, CT, who was too busy writing unrequited love haikus to your sister's friend, who had to get a restraining order keeping you at least 500 feet from her). But many of you actually took the time to create your own StarPolish radio shows -- and we'll be airing the first two radio shows, created by StarPolish members Chris Nelson and Dan Herman, tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 11) at two times during the day: one will air at 3:00 p.m. EST, the other at 4:00 p.m., then again at 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. later that night. So show your support by tuning in to see what these two StarPolish DJs created, then get working on your own shows! NEW COLUMN BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG - REVISITING "LET IT BE." In this week's column, Michael Goldberg discusses the new, revised release of the classic Beatles album and asks, "Is the stripped-down and rearranged album an improvement, or much ado about nothing?" Also tune in for reviews of albums by Oranger, Miles Davis, Brando, Stephin Merritt. SIGN UP FOR THE UPCOMING GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA SUMMITS IN NY & LA http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/ The Global Entertainment & Media Summit was created to empower emerging artists and film-makers -- and that's why attending the event makes so much sense for anyone involved in the film and music businesses (and why StarPolish has signed on as a main sponsor). The two upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits -- to be held in New York April 3rd and 4th, 2004 and in Los Angeles on June 12th and 13th, 2004 -- allow you to not only learn more about how the industry is changing, they enable you to become an active participant rather than an idle bystander. These events champion the change in the entertainment landscape, as it offers new opportunities for artists and the industry to come together to share their visions and creativity. It's a chance for you to meet with and hear from the people who are going to help make it happen. These two-day events, very affordably priced, brings together industry leaders from entertainment, media and technology companies, content creators, marketers, distributors and everyone in between that works in the Music, Film, DV, Media, New Media and Multimedia worlds. It's also a conference in which you can not only listen to others, but stand up and have your say. Anyway, we think that you should check out the event by clicking the above link. Also, StarPolish is able to offer its members a special $20-off discount ($79 instead of $99) for those who purchase their tickets to the New York City event early. To get the discount, just click this link: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=50776. StarPolish will have a booth at the event and will be running a panel, so make sure you stop by and say hi! CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE -- FEATURED ARTISTS: HIDDEN AGENDA, JOHN COSTER, ONE LIGHT OUT, AND CHAPTER SEVEN http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Here in New York last week, we got socked by an autumnal blizzard, which dumped a couple of feet of snow on the unsuspecting residents of the New York Metro area. That meant that for a few days, crime went down as the kindly citizens of Gotham stopped beating each other senseless while they communally but separately dug their automobiles and driveways out from the huge snow drifts left there by city plows. Once they were finished, they dragged their tired bodies inside, turned to their favorite beverages or cocktails, and slipped those shiny silver discs we call CDs into their stereo systems. Can you guess which ones were happiest? Yes -- the ones who had CDs by these promising StarPolish artists: Hidden Agenda, John Coster, One Light Out and Chapter Seven. So get up to the StarPolish CD store and check out the CDs offered by StarPolish member artists. CRITICS' CORNER: ALEXANDRU BOROS, BRANDON SCHREEG, CHRIS CANNON AND TIFFANY RIDDICK http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Now fully alert after a two-week turkey-induced tryptophan coma, StarPolish's Joe McCombs climbed back to the table and sunk his teeth into tracks from these StarPolish artists: Alexandru Boros, brandon schreeg, chris cannon, and Tiffany Riddick. See who Joe found tasty enough to warrant a second helping. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.shelsilverstein.com In the interest of full disclosure, StarPolish has a strong affinity for the multi-talented illustrator and author Shel Silverstein (the StarPolish name, in fact, comes from a line in a Silverstein children's poem). That said, you should still check out his children's website at www.shelsilverstein.com, which includes some great flash animations, awesome illustrations, and the typical Silverstein humor found in his books. There's even an area, called "Let's Have Some Fun," that lets kids make bookmarks, create and send E-cards, or download and print a fun drawing book. Thu 11/13/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Emmylou Harris! --> New Feature: Rubber Meets the Road: The Clarks, Part I --> New Column -- Moses Supposes --> The StarPolish CD Store: Featured Artists -- The Velmas, Shoot the --> Driver, Sunset Room, and KC Cherie --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Jenny Bruce, Jean-Pierre Simons, Cindi --> Taylor and Cheyenne, and Aisha Mike --> Cool Link O' the Week: --> http://www.angelfire.com/trek/3hmafianow/red/blank.html ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: EMMYLOU HARRIS http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?ID=637 Few artists enjoy the fan adulation, critical acclaim and peer admiration bestowed upon Emmylou Harris, a critical figure at the crossroads of where country, rock, folk and bluegrass first intersected. During her recent tour with Neil Young, Harris spoke with StarPolish editorial director Jim Willcox about her long career, the new album and her emergence as a songwriter of some distinction. NEW FEATURE: RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD -- THE CLARKS, PART I http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=638 The Clarks are an unprecedented rock phenomenon in their hometown of Pittsburgh, where the rock 'n' roll quartet regularly performs for crowds of 8,000 or more and where their last record outsold many of today's biggest music acts. The Clarks recently teamed up with Ari Hest, Pseudopod and Ingram Hill for the Rubber Meets The Road tour. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== Production Courses Available Online with Berklee College of Music Learn the skills you need to produce professional quality home recordings through Berklee College of Music's instructor-led online courses. Online courses begin on November 17th and cover a variety of music production areas including engineering, mixing, mastering, and MIDI recording / sequencing using Reason and other software applications. We've even teamed up with Digidesign to offer an online version of their official Pro Tools 101course, as well as a three-course Pro Tools suite that will teach you everything you need to know to become a Pro Tools expert. Study anywhere, anytime with Berklee's award-winning faculty. Take your production skills to a new level, with the recognized experts in contemporary music education. Registration is open now for November 17th online courses. Visit Berkleemusic.com to enroll: http://www.berkleemusic.com/school/courses?pid=464 ===================================================================== NEW COLUMN: MOSES SUPPOSES http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?id=636 In this month's column, Moses discusses the iTunes deal for indies, the case against Destiny's Child for pilfering tunes, and BMI's vigilance at karaoke bars, among other things. CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE -- FEATURED ARTISTS: THE VELMAS, SHOOT THE DRIVER, SUNSET ROOM, AND KC CHERIE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Things have been a little slow here at StarPolish, which is why this weekend a few of us are gathering at a local vegetarian restaurant for an inspiring hands-on class, "Tofurkey Success: The Right Condiments Can Make That Meat-Eater Melt" (and we can't wait for next week's class, "Turkey Basters: Not Just for Insemination Purposes Anymore!"), which -- we hope! -- is about keeping your Tofurkey moist and tender). Anyway, what better way to get in the mood -- for Tofurkey, dammit! -- than by listening to some great CDs... such as those from these great StarPolish artists: The Velmas, Shoot the Driver, Sunset Room, and KC Cherie. CRITICS' CORNER: JENNY BRUCE, JEAN-PIERRE SIMONS, CINDI TAYLOR AND CHEYENNE, AND AISHA MIKE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Lately, we've been receiving threatening letters from some anonymous (you know who you are, Louis!) StarPolish artists demanding that their CDs be reviewed. We'd like to say that's not the right tone to take -- and to prove it, Gentle Joe McCombs has selected music from these wonderful StarPolish member artists WHO ASKED NICELY: Jenny Bruce, Jean-Pierre Simons, Cindi Taylor and Cheyenne, and Aisha Mike. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/3hmafianow/red/blank.html Last week our link involved clown-faced crabs, Britney Spears (yes, there's a difference) and a techno rave. This week it's even more mindless fun as you have to click on (they say "kill," but that's such a harsh word) a gamekeeper to rack up points, being careful to avoid little radioactive glowsticks that will drain your soul (sort of like watching Jessica Simpson discuss current events). Good luck (no, not on your score -- on not having your boss catch you playing this game on company time and firing your goof-off ass). Mon 11/10/2003 Dear Friend, Do you want to win $35,000 in gear and prizes and showcase for industry? The deadline for the Southwest Independent Music World Series (IMWS) is November 13th, 2003, so don't delay, enter now! Visit: http://www.discmakers.com/sw04/. The IMWS will give six independent artists the chance to showcase in front of music industry and compete for over $35,000 in gear and prizes. Register at: http://www.discmakers.com/sw04/. Now, you can enter the IMWS online! Disc Makers has teamed up with Broadjam to make it easier than ever to enter the IMWS. Each new IMWS entrant receives: * 8 of your songs registered on our Musicians Catalog * Artist Web Page * Your songs reviewed and eligible for a Broadjam Top 10 * Listen to great music * Review great songs * Provide feedback to our artists A $29.95 value -- FREE for IMWS entrants! Artists living in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to enter for the Southwest showcase held at The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 15th, 2004. Deadline for entries is Thursday, November 13th, 2003! If you don't live in those states, you can still register for a future IMWS regional event--we have four of them a year: Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, and the Northeast. Visit: http://www.discmakers.com/sw04/ to register today. No matter what genre of music you play, if you are not currently signed to a major label, you can register for the Southeast IMWS: http://www.discmakers.com/sw04/. One act will walk away with a Grand Prize worth over $35,000! Prizes are provided by Alesis, Fender, Shure, DW, Sabian, Numark, Music 123, Remo, Disc Makers, Billboard Magazine, CD Baby, and TAXI. Go to http://www.discmakers.com/sw04 to learn more. It's easy to enter and you'll get a FREE copy of Electronic Musician and Billboards' Musicians' Guide to Touring and Promotion just for doing it! Thu 11/6/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Eric Johnson! --> New Column -- Ask the Doc: Dealing With Suicide and Grief --> Sign Up for the Upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits --> Save the Bottom Line, NYC's Legendary Club --> The StarPolish CD Store: Featured Artists -- August Christopher, --> Terran Spiral, Hug McKinney, Sabas Whittaker --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Bloodroot, Gina Cutillo, and Jess Domain --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.rathergood.com/vid/ ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: ERIC JOHNSON http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?ID=633 Few guitarists achieve the kind of critical acclaim and peer respect earned by Eric Johnson, a Texas native who broke into the mainstream with his album, "Ah Via Musicom." Recently, StarPolish's Jim Willcox spoke to Johnson about his new Internet-only album, "Souvenir," his long career, and keeping the joy in his music. NEW COLUMN: ASK THE DOC http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=635 In this month's Rx column, Dr. John Hipple responds to a letter from someone who says that the recent suicides by a number of well-known artists has caused a deep deprression. The column addresses the issue of suicide among performing artists, and offers suggestions on how to deal with the resultant grief -- and sometimes, guilt -- that follows. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== Production Courses Available Online with Berklee College of Music Learn the skills you need to produce professional quality home recordings through Berklee College of Music's instructor-led online courses. Online courses begin on November 17th and cover a variety of music production areas including engineering, mixing, mastering, and MIDI recording / sequencing using Reason and other software applications. We've even teamed up with Digidesign to offer an online version of their official Pro Tools 101 course, as well as a three-course Pro Tools suite that will teach you everything you need to know to become a Pro Tools expert. Study anywhere, anytime with Berklee's award-winning faculty. Take your production skills to a new level, with the recognized experts in contemporary music education. Registration is open now for November 17th online courses. Visit Berkleemusic.com to enroll: http://www.berkleemusic.com/school/courses?pid=464 ===================================================================== SIGN UP FOR THE UPCOMING GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA SUMMITS! http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/ To say that the music industry is in a state of upheaval is clearly an understatement, as we are now seeing the continuing decline of CD sales, an ever-growing blizzard of lawsuits and the continued consolidation among the largest companies in our industry. Doing business the same old way no longer makes sense, but its successor hasn't yet clearly emerged. And for those working in the film business, don't be complacent -- you're about to confront many of the same issues if you aren't already. That's why attending the Global Entertainment & Media Summit makes so much sense for anyone involved in either of these businesses -- and why StarPolish is one of the event's main sponsors. We've always been strong advocates of artists becoming better educated about their chosen fields and understanding how they work, because artist empowerment starts with education. The two upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits -- to be held in New York April 3rd and 4th, 2004 and in Los Angeles on June 12th and 13th, 2004 -- allow you to not only learn more about how the industry is changing, it allows you to become an active participant rather than an idle bystander. These events champion the change in the entertainment landscape, as it offers new opportunities for artists and the industry to come together to share their visions and creativity. It's a chance for you to meet with and hear from the people who are going to help make it happen. These two-day events, very affordably priced, bring together industry leaders from entertainment, media and technology companies, content creators, marketers, distributors and everyone in between that works in the Music, Film, DV, Media, New Media and Multimedia worlds. It's also a conference in which you can not only listen to others, but stand up and have your say. Anyway, we think that you should check out the event by clicking the above link. Also, StarPolish is able to offer its members a special $20-off discount ($79 instead of $99) for those who purchase their tickets to the New York City event early. To get the discount, just click this link: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=50776. StarPolish will have a booth at the event and will be running a panel, so make sure you stop by and say hi! SAVE THE BOTTOM LINE, NYC'S LEGENDARY CLUB http://www.savethebottomline.com/ As you may have heard, the legendary New York City club The Bottom Line is in danger of being shut down by its landlord, New York University, for back payment of rent. Although some patrons -- ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Sirius Satellite Radio -- have come forward with donations, the club is in arrears and needs to raise additional money in order to survive. If you'd like to help, click the above link to get more information about how to contribute. If you'd just like to mail a check, you can send it to: Save The Bottom Line, 15 W. 4th Street, New York, NY 10012. CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE -- FEATURED ARTISTS: AUGUST CHRISTOPHER, TERRAN SPIRAL, HUG MCKINNEY, AND SABAS WHITTAKER http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ All of us at StarPolish were eagerly awaiting the next holiday, Veteran's Day, with dreams of a late rise, a day goofing off and watching stupid videos, and then going out and partying with our friends. Unfortunately, we just found out that StarPolish doesn't celebrate Veteran's Day, so that means an early rise and a full day of hard labor (in all fairness, listening to music, hanging with artists and helping out band members isn't exactly like stitching up Sean Jean apparel, if you know what we mean). So we thought we'd create our own Veteran's Day holiday here in the StarPolish store and celebrate it by asking you to check out the latest CD releases by these veteran StarPolish member artists: August Christopher, Terran Spiral, Hug McKinney, and Sabas Whittaker! CRITICS' CORNER: BLOODROOT, GINA CUTILLO, AND JESS DOMAIN http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Once again it's Joe McCombs' turn to make like Jeff Gordon, put his petal to the metal (or soft folk-rock or even New Age jazz) and take several new releases from StarPolish member artists for a spin around the track. Manning the pole positions in this week's race: Bloodroot, Gina Cutillo, and Jess Domain. See which artists get the checkered flag! COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.rathergood.com/vid/ We don't usually revisit sites, but there was so much happening on www.rathergood.com that we had to give them an encore. Click this link and view the rather operatic animation of A Frightened Boy, in which clown-faced crabs, Britney Spears and a techno rave all somehow intermingle. Check it out for yourself. Tue 10/28/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Ulpa - Now on Tour in the U.S.! --> Sign Up for the Upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits --> New Column -- The Worley Gig: A Band's Best Friend Is Its Publicist --> Free Audio and Video Streams & Contest: "Prey for Rock and Roll," "School of Rock," STP! --> The StarPolish CD Store: Featured Artists -- Tara Charles Band, Fat --> City Express, Steve Lieberman, and Hazie Maze --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Jen Porter, graze, Loudon Swain --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/ ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: ULPA - NOW TOURING THE U.S.! http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?ID=630 Icelandic indie rock band Ulpa is now in the States for four important tour dates, including three with the always-great Lake Trout. The band recently responded to several questions from StarPolish editorial director Jim Willcox about playing in the U.S., the Icelandic rock scene, and what they ultimately hope to achieve. SIGN UP FOR THE UPCOMING GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA SUMMITS! http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/ To say that the music industry is in a state of upheaval is clearly an understatement, as we are now seeing the continuing decline of CD sales, an ever-growing blizzard of lawsuits and the continued consolidation among the largest companies in our industry. Doing business the same old way no longer makes sense, but its successor hasn't yet clearly emerged. And for those working in the film business, don't be complacent -- you're about to confront many of the same issues if you aren't already. That's why attending the Global Entertainment & Media Summit makes so much sense for anyone involved in either of these businesses -- and why StarPolish is one of the event's main sponsors. We've always been strong advocates of artists becoming better educated about their chosen fields and understanding how they work, because artist empowerment starts with education. The two upcoming Global Entertainment & Media Summits -- to be held in New York April 3rd and 4th, 2004 and in Los Angeles on June 12th and 13th, 2004 -- allow you to not only learn more about how the industry is changing, it allows you to become an active participant rather than an idle bystander. These events champion the change in the entertainment landscape, as it offers new opportunities for artists and the industry to come together to share their visions and creativity. It's a chance for you to meet with and hear from the people who are going to help make it happen. These two-day events, very affordably priced, bring together industry leaders from entertainment, media and technology companies, content creators, marketers, distributors and everyone in between that works in the Music, Film, DV, Media, New Media and Multimedia worlds. It's also a conference in which you can not only listen to others, but stand up and have your say. Anyway, we think that you should check out the event by clicking the above link. Also, StarPolish is able to offer its members a special $20-off discount ($79 instead of $99) for those who purchase their tickets to the New York City event early. To get the discount, just click this link: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=50776. StarPolish will have a booth at the event and will be running a panel, so make sure you stop by and say hi! ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== BUILD YOUR CAREER. IMPROVE YOUR MUSIC. JOIN THE BERKLEEMUSIC COMMUNITY The online extension school and career center of Berklee College of Music, Berkleemusic.com offers a number of tools to help you succeed in this ever-changing music industry landscape. EXPAND YOUR NETWORK. Publicize yourself, your business, or your band through the Berkleemusic directory. Meet like-minded musicians from around the world, and search for teachers and music-related services. FIND JOBS AND GIGS. Build connections and get work through the fastest growing database in the industry. With a Berkleemusic Passport membership, you'll gain exclusive access to the latest job and gig postings, expanded career resources and a growing network of people looking to hire. TAKE A COURSE. Berkleemusic offers a number of online music courses to suit your interests, including courses in songwriting, production and technology, music business, music theory or performance - all taught by the world-renowned Berklee College of Music faculty Take your skills and career to the next level. Register now at: http://www.berkleemusic.com/?pid=455 ===================================================================== NEW COLUMN: THE WORLEY GIG -- A BAND'S BEST FRIEND IS ITS PUBLICIST http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=631 In this month's column, Gail Worley -- and a team of publicists -- discusses the importance of independent publicists in helping a band gain the exposure it needs to get the attention of fans, critics and record-label executives. Tight pants and MP3s, she says, will only get you so far. FREE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMS AND CONTEST: PREY FOR ROCK AND ROLL, SCHOOL OF ROCK, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS! http://www.starpolish.com That's right -- just go to the StarPolish homepage and check out some great audio and video streams from the new Gina Gershon movie, "Prey for Rock and Roll," Jack Black's outrageous comedy "School of Rock, and the new STP album. And in partnership with Atlantic Records, StarPolish is giving away two "Prey for Rock and Roll" soundtrack albums, plus one huge movie poster. All you have to do is email us at editorial@starpolish.com -- put Prey for Rock in the subject line -- and tell us in a few sentences about a great band you discovered on StarPolish (not your own, please!) and why you love their music. We'll draw the three winners from the entries. Good luck! CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE -- FEATURED ARTISTS: TARA CHARLES BAND, FAT CITY EXPRESS, STEVE LIEBERMAN, AND HAZIE MAZE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ As October nears its end, most of us up here in the North know that means we're probably only weeks away from fierce winds, bone-shilling cold, and the first snowfall of the season. The good news is that it will soon be sweater season, meaning that we can abandon that ridiculous South Beach diet and now pork up nicely with layers of fat that should remain hidden until sometime in April, except for that embarrassing week we have to spend in West Palm Beach visiting grandma for the holidays. Anyway, we'd like to suggest that in addition to that upcoming new diet of leftover Halloween candy, Buffalo wings and Jethro Clampett-size bowls of macaroni and cheese, you snack on a few nutritious CD releases from these great StarPolish artists: Tara Charles Band, Fat City Express, Steve Lieberman, and Hazie Maze. CRITICS' CORNER: JEN PORTER, GRAZE, ANF LOUDON SWAIN http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Getting ready for Halloween this week, resident critic Gail Worley decided to scare the bejeezus out of her neighbors by dying her trademark pink locks Autumn Auburn, rendering her almost invisible. In between each step of the procedure, she managed to review these emerging StarPolish member artists: Jen Porter, graze, and Loudon Swain. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/ The moon has inspired so many great, romantic songs -- and frankly, this isn't one of them. But, like Jessica Simpson, despite it being silly and devoid of any real meaning, it's still fun to look at. So check out this rather unusual duo for yet another example of what can be produced by someone having a bit too much free time. Thu 10/23/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Patrick Park --> New Buzzing Artist: ing! --> StarPolish Radio Hour: Become a DJ! --> New Column by Michael Goldberg --> The StarPolish CD Store: Featured Artists -- ing, Gregory Douglass, --> The Animators, and Ann Klein --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Lolett, MOTHERS FAVORITE CHILD, brando, and --> Matthew --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.roadie.net ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: PATRICK PARK http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=629 Moving from underground hero to commercial success is no easy transition, but up-and-coming singer-songwriter Patrick Park has the goods. Park recently spoke to StarPolish editorial director Jim Willcox about running his own label, his deal with Hollywood records, and his new album, "Loneliness Knows My Name." NEW BUZZING ARTIST: ING! http://www.starpolish.com/features/buzz/ After winning numerous Bay Area reader awards, San Francisco-based rock-pop act ing has followed up with a great new album – "Stagger and Belligerence" – and a deal with indie label HeyDay Records. To find out more about the band, click the link above, and make sure you visit the ing website --- http://www.ingdom.com -- to see their great new video. Let's welcome ing as the newest StarPolish Buzzing Artist! ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== GET A BERKLEE EDUCATION -- WITHOUT MOVING TO BOSTON! Find a Gig. Further your Musical Education. Join the Berkleemusic.com Community Berkleemusic.com is the online extension school and career center of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. For music industry professionals, Berkleemusic has one of the fastest growing jobs and gigs databases in the industry. For musicians, Berkleemusic offers a number of online music courses to suit your interests, including courses in songwriting, production and technology, music business, music theory or performance - all taught by the world-renowned Berklee College of Music faculty. So take your skills and career to the next level -- register now at: http://www.berkleemusic.com/?pid=363 ===================================================================== STARPOLISH RADIO HOUR: BE A GUEST DJ! http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp OK, that trickle of member-produced StarPolish radio shows has dwindled to a sad little drip. Maybe you think it's too complicated to put together your own hour of programming -- but nothing could be further than the truth! Even StarPolish interns -- who regularly burn tea water -- have been able to successfully do it! All you need is a good ear, a radio-friendly voice, and a microphone attached to your PC to do the voice-overs and lead-ins. So if you'd like to get your foot in the door of radio DJ-ing, just send us an email at DJ@starpolish.com and we'll send you the specifics. And to hear StarPolish artists on Internet radio, just click the above link! NEW COLUMN BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=627 In his new "The Drama You've Been Craving" column, Michael Goldberg discusses The Concretes, a Stockholm-based, new kind of 'girl group' rock 'n' roll collective whose eponymous release may well be one of the best albums of the year. CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: ING, GREGORY DOUGLASS, THE ANIMATORS, AND Ann Klein http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Our favorite time of year -- Halloween -- is fast approaching, giving us a great excuse to gorge ourselves on candy, scare little kids, and dress up like our favorite Backstreet Boy (and that's just the FEMALE StarPolish staffers). As this holiday that celebrates all things macabre and spooky approaches, do you know what's REALLY scary? The talent of the artists here at StarPolish! That's why you should immediately get up the StarPolish CD store and check out these great StarPolish member artists: ing, Gregory Douglass, The Animators and Ann Klein. We guarantee chills aplenty! CRITICS' CORNER: LOLETT, MOTHERS FAVORITE CHILD, BRANDO, AND MATTHEW http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Settled back in his apartment after a long weekend of pumpkin picking -- unfortunately, done in an aisle of a local Pathmark rather then in the sylvan environs just outside Manhattan -- resident StarPolish critic Joe McCombs stopped playing with his gourds long enough to review music from these promising StarPolish member artists: Lolett, MOTHERS FAVORITE CHILD, brando, and Matthew. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.roadie.net The truth is, not everyone has the skill and talent to become a rock star. However, almost anyone can become a roadie, which -- according to this roadie-centric website -- can be a "generally thankless job with long hard hours of grueling physical work, lightly mixed with some of the most rewarding moments a human being can ever experience." Our guess is that those "rewarding moments" have more to do with the rite of passage of fans, usually female, getting backstage access than it does being close to the musical magic of the performers. Anyway, before you gain an extra 200 pounds and let your beard grow, check out this site to get the skinny on what being a roadie is all about. You can also see cool photos of various things of roadie interest, such as the Christina Aguilera/Justin Timberlake Truss Collapse (we didn't even know they had hernias). Tue 10/14/2003 --> On the Road: The Working Title --> Ask the Artists: Billy Sheehan --> On the Road: Gooding --> StarPolish Radio Hour: Become a DJ! --> New Column by Michael Goldberg --> Featured in the StarPolish CD Store: The Clarks, Evil Jake, The --> Tuesday Suits, and The Manatees --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Buzz Poets, Eileen Balzano, Melodic, Model --> FM --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.rockontv.com/ ========================================================== ON THE ROAD: THE WORKING TITLE! http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=619 Now around for a little over a year, The Working Title, a Charleston, S.C.-based quartet made up of Joel Hamilton (lead singer), Adam Pavao (guitar), Ross Taylor (drums) and Chris Ginn (bass), are developing a strong local following. Set to release their new EP, "Everyone Here is Wrong," in October, The Working Title has hit the road and bassist Ginn offers up a new band's perspective on touring. ASK THE ARTISTS: BILLY SHEEHAN http://www.starpolish.com/news/interviews/ask.asp?id=622 >From a humble start in a Buffalo bar band through high-profile gigs with David Lee Roth and Mr. Big, Billy Sheehan has emerged as one of the most influential, highly regarded bassists of his generation. Sheehan recently spoke with StarPolish's Jim Willcox about leaping to the big time, his experience with big labels, and taking responsibility. ON THE ROAD: GOODING http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=624 Comprised of band namesake Gooding (guitars and vocals), Billy Driver (bass),and Jesse Reichenberger (drums), Gooding is a high-energy three-piece band blending rock, world and electronic flavors into a highly original mélange. Set to release an album entitled "Soldiermaking" in January, these road warriors check in with us during their current U.S. tour and share stories of fans, stolen guitars and good music. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== RAINMAKER PUBLICITY -- GIVE YOUR CAREER AN ADRENALIZED BOOST! Rainmaker Publicity is the premier public relations firm for independent musicians. Specializing in print, broadcast and electronic media, Rainmaker helps its client artists attract A&R attention, build their fan base, create and define niche markets, and garner bookings in select venues. Via previews, reviews and feature articles, special events, news items and other strategic campaign tactics, Rainmaker works to ensure that its artists gain maximum exposure as they propel their careers forward. After all, it's not ALL about the music... For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at www.rainmakerpublicity.com or call our toll-free number: 1-888-965-5556 ===================================================================== STARPOLISH RADIO HOUR: BE A GUEST DJ! http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp OK, that trickle of member-produced StarPolish radio shows has dwindled to a sad little drip. Maybe you think it's too complicated to put together your own hour of programming -- but nothing could be further than the truth! Even StarPolish interns -- who regularly burn tea water -- have been able to successfully do it! All you need is a good ear, a radio-friendly voice, and a microphone attached to your PC to do the voice-overs and lead-ins. So if you'd like to get your foot in the door of radio DJ-ing, just send us an email at DJ@starpolish.com and we'll send you the specifics. And to hear StarPolish artists on Internet radio, just click the above link! NEW COLUMN BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=621 In this week's "The Drama You've Been Craving" column, Michael Goldberg discusses New Jersey quartet The Wrens, who are returning to the scene after a seven-year hiatus -- and bringing with them what may well be the album of the year. CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: THE CLARKS, EVIL JAKE, THE TUESDAY SUITS, AND THE MANATEES http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ The poet Robert Frost famously wrote that "Nothing gold can stay," and obviously he was talking about ephemeral things such as youth and life, using the fall season as a metaphor. But some "gold" things -- like Pink Floyd's Dark Side of Moon and a bunch of Beatles and Elvis albums -- seem to go on forever. So that means that music, if not eternal, will at least last a very, very long time. So while you contemplate your own mortality, go out and buy CDs from these great StarPolish artists, knowing that long after you've "shuffled off this mortal coil" -- yes, Shakespeare -- your CDs will continue to provide years of enjoyment. And make sure you check out the latest CDs from these StarPolish artists: The Clarks, Evil Jake, The Tuesday Suits, and The Manatees. (And yes, this is the last time we're letting our English-majoring intern write any of this newsletter). CRITICS' CORNER: BUZZ POETS, EILEEN BALZANO, MELODIC, AND MODEL FM http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Thanks to a new gig at a VERY famous weekly New York-based publication, resident StarPolish critic Joe McCombs now has several new, even more colorful excuses for missing his review deadlines. Oddly, he didn't use one of them and even turned his reviews in early, which makes us think we should contact his new editors to let them know he's obviously considerably underworked. In any event, this week the upwardly mobile Mr. McCombs turned his attention to music from these StarPolish member artists: Buzz Poets, Eileen Balzano, Melodic, and Model FM. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.rockontv.com/ Tired of the gang gathering in the lunchroom everyday to discuss their favorite band's amazing performance on Letterman, and all you can lamely contribute is how Dave's hair is receding in a really odd fashion? Well, get on over to RockOnTV.com, enter your favorite artist in the search box, and in an instant you'll get a complete listing of all their upcoming television appearances. Why seethe in envy when everybody else laughingly recalls how the band's guitarist made weird sex faces during his guitar solo on Conan last night? Thanks to RockOnTV.com, you, too, can join the laughter! Wed 9/17/2003 "Here Comes the Fuzz," for Elektra. The StarPolish crew will be there, so stop by and say hi! ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== RAINMAKER PUBLICITY -- GIVE YOUR CAREER AN ADRENALIZED BOOST! Rainmaker Publicity is the premier public relations firm for independent musicians. Specializing in print, broadcast and electronic media, Rainmaker helps its client artists attract A&R attention, build their fan base, create and define niche markets, and garner bookings in select venues. Via previews, reviews and feature articles, special events, news items and other strategic campaign tactics, Rainmaker works to ensure that its artists gain maximum exposure as they propel their careers forward. After all, it's not ALL about the music... For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at www.rainmakerpublicity.com or call our toll-free number: 1-888-965-5556 ===================================================================== STARPOLISH RADIO HOUR http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp Thanks to our last newsletter, the first member-produced StarPolish radio shows are starting to trickle in. If you think you have what it takes to put together your own hour of programming -- and you have a microphone attached to your PC to do the voice-overs, lead-ins and such -- just send us an email at DJ@starpolish.com and we'll send you the specifics. And to hear StarPolish artists on Internet radio, just click the above link! NEW COLUMN BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=618 In this week's "The Drama You've Been Craving" column, Michael Goldberg discusses Terence Blanchard, a veteran jazzman who helps keep the music vital -- and who can withstand the inevitable comparison to Miles. CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: THE ANIMATORS, MONIQUE BERRY, HAZY MAZE, AND AMBER TERRELL http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Labor Day has come and gone like last week's paycheck, but a good CD will stay with you like a humongous student loan. So why don't you get up to the StarPolish CD Store and get some stick-to-your-ribs nourishment from these happening StarPolish member artists: The Animators, Monique Berry, Hazy Maze, and Amber Terrell. CRITICS' CORNER: MCASH (MY CAT'S A SUPER HERO), MARLY HORNIK, WONDERLIFE, AND THE LONELY SAMOANS http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Thankfully, resident StarPolish critic Joe McCombs has repaired his home computer and put down his leaky pen, meaning that this week we're actually able to read and accurately post his reviews of these promising StarPolish member artists: McAsh (My Cat's A Super Hero), Marly Hornik, Wonderlife, and The Lonely Samoans. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.capsteps.com/ Tired of turning on the TV news at 11:00 and hearing the same tired faces reading off a Teleprompter every night? What the news really needs is... a soundtrack! Even better, wouldn't it be great if the news were done as a Broadway musical? That's sort of what the people at The Capital Steps musical troupe have done in their mission "to be even funnier than the Congress!" Just click the above link, and in no time at all you'll hear a rollicking version of "Uday Qusay," a paean to bounty hunting sung to the Stones' tune, "Ruby Tuesday," or a musical take on the California recall effort ("Super California Recall") that sound a lot like the Mary Poppins favorite, "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." 8/27/2003 OK, let's try this a second time, as one weird and unexpected effect of our inpenetrable new firewall was to turn yesterday's newlsetter into a "Can You Read This?" contest (and all of us here applaud those of you who were nonetheless able to decipher enough of yesterday's newsletter to write to us about becoming a StarPolish Radio DJ. So without further ado, here's our new readable StarPolish newsletter! --> StarPolish Interview: Marc Broussard --> Springsteen Charity Ticket Auction! --> StarPolish Interview: Endo's Gil Bitton --> New Rx Column: Can't Stop Drinking? --> StarPolish Interview: Bleu --> StarPolish Radio Hour - Become a DJ! --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: NanyaNa, Yaya Diallo, MAMA ZEUS, and --> Mia Skye --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Adrianne, Aimee Pettersen, Anthemic Pop --> Wonder, and Francis Jocky --> Cool Link O' the Week: ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: MARC BROUSSARD http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=603 Taking his brand of “white soul” on the road, Marc Broussard’s outstanding live performances are creating new fans every night. Recently, Broussard spoke with StarPolish's Tracie Galinski about building a team to help guide his career, constant touring, a growing fan base and taking things to the next level. SPRINGSTEEN CHARITY TICKET AUCTION! http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.asp Three of StarPolish's favorite charities, Musicians On Call ( http://www.musiciansoncall.org/), The Kristen Ann Carr Fund ( http://www.sarcoma.com/), and the Michael Stabile Scholarship Fund are auctioning two front row tickets and E Street Lounge Passes for selected shows on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's sold-out U.S. Summer Tour! Funds raised from these auctions will directly support all three charities. Follow the link to find out how you can participate: http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.asp STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: ENDO'S GIL BITTON http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=609 For their second major-label release, "Songs for the Restless," Endo traded their nu-metal rap-rock for still-intense but emotionally deeper, more melodic rock. Prior to heading out with Ozzfest, lead vocalist Gil Bitton spoke to StarPolish's Jim Willcox about the new album, changing musically and preparing for the blizzard of Ozz. ========================ADVERTISEMENT================================ NASHVILLE NEW MUSIC CONFERENCE (2NMC) - SEPT. 10-14 Major Music Connections or Your Money Back! Network with major label executives, publishing companies, and 2500 other music business professionals. Ask around, we're the best...and we guarantee it. The 2NMC is coming in two weeks... visit http://www.2nmc.com/ for complete details, and http://www.2nmc.com/deadline/ to get your cheap pass ==================================================================== NEW RX COLUMN: CAN'T STOP DRINKING? http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=607 In this month's Rx column, "Ask the Doc: Controlling Your Drinking, or I'm Not Ready to Stop," Dr. John Hipple tackles the ever-present issue of drinking and music, and offers some tips to determine whether you're in -- or have lost -- control. STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: BLEU http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=604 Bleu made an unusual debut breaking into (and out of) the Boston music scene with a 1999 independent holiday album comprised of original tunes, seasonal favorites and many notable guests. With his new album, "Redhead" -- which showcases his signature power-rock/pop tunes -- now in stores, Bleu recently spoke with StarPolish's Tracie Galinski about his new album, creating a unique experience through live performances, and achieving your goals. STARPOLISH RADIO HOUR http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp Once again, StarPolish is bringing the music to the people! Our staff has put together an hour of some of the best music StarPolish artists have to offer. Just click the link above and give it a listen. We'll also soon be giving StarPolish members the chance to create their own hour of programming (you'll need a microphone attached to your PC to do the intros and voice-overs). If you're interested in acting as the DJ for an hour of programming, just send us an email at DJ@starpolish.com and we'll send you the specifics! CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: NANYANA, YAYA DIALLO, MAMA ZEUS, AND MIA SKYE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Summer -- like youth -- is too quickly over, but music -- like taxes -- is forever. So one great way to grab immortality is to get up to the StarPolish CD Store and buy some music from these great featured StarPolish member artists: NanyaNa, Yaya Diallo, MAMA ZEUS, and Mia Skye. So maybe you won't live forever -- but at least you'll live happily while you're here, and make a few StarPolish member artists happy along the way! CRITICS' CORNER: ADRIANNE, AIMEE PETTERSEN, ANTHEMIC POP WONDER, AND FRANCIS JOCKY http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Based on the handwritten letter we received this week containing his reviews, resident StarPolish critic Joe McCombs either hasn't yet recovered from the NYC blackout or he's once again going through a Sir Francis Drake phase. In any event, whether it be quill or keyboard, Joe's always on top of music by StarPolish artists -- so check in this week and see what Joe has to say about these promising StarPolihs member artists: Adrianne, Aimee Pettersen, Anthemic Pop Wonder, and Francis Jocky. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.zefrank.com/ An oldie, but a goodie... we felt it was time to re-visit this site. In need of some dancing lessons or dating tips? Ever wonder what a giraffe sounds like or what happens when office supplies attack? Curious about how to make use of the CD-Rs your burner spits out? Perhaps you're just looking for a good, old-fashioned game of memory. Ze Frank has all the answers -- and we have all the fun! 8/26/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Marc Broussard --> Springsteen Charity Ticket Auction! --> StarPolish Interview: Bleu --> New Rx Column: Can't Stop Drinking? --> StarPolish Interview: Endo's Gil Bitton --> StarPolish Radio Hour --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: NanyaNa, Yaya Diallo, MAMA ZEUS, and Mia Skye --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Adrianne, Aimee Pettersen, Anthemic Pop Wonder, and Francis Jocky --> Cool Link O' the Week: ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: MARC BROUSSARD http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=603 Taking his brand of "white soul" on the road, Marc Broussard's outstanding live performances are creating new fans every night. Recently, Broussard spoke with StarPolish's Tracie Galinski about building a team to help guide his career, constant touring, a growing fan base and taking things to the next level. SPRINGSTEEN CHARITY TICKET AUCTION! http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.asp Three of StarPolish's favorite charities, Musicians On Call ( http://www.musiciansoncall.org/), The Kristen Ann Carr Fund ( http://www.sarcoma.com/), and the Michael Stabile Scholarship Fund are auctioning two front row tickets and E Street Lounge Passes for selected shows on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's sold-out U.S. Summer Tour! Funds raised from these auctions will directly support all three charities. Follow the link to find out how you can participate: http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.asp STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: BLEU http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=604 Bleu made an unusual debut breaking into (and out of) the Boston music scene with a 1999 independent holiday album comprised of original tunes, seasonal favorites and many notable guests. With his new album, Redhead -- which showcases his signature power-rock/pop tunes -- now in stores, Bleu recently spoke with StarPolish's Tracie Galinski about his new album, creating a unique experience through live performances, and achieving your goals. ========================ADVERTISEMENT================================ NASHVILLE NEW MUSIC CONFERENCE (2NMC) - SEPT. 10-14 Major Music Connections or Your Money Back! Network with major label executives, publishing companies, and 2500 other music business professionals. Ask around, we're the best...and we guarantee it. The 2NMC is coming in two weeks... visit http://www.2nmc.com/ for complete details, and http://www.2nmc.com/deadline/ to get your cheap pass. =================================================================== NEW RX COLUMN: CAN'T STOP DRINKING? http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=607 In this month's Rx column, "Ask the Doc: Controlling Your Drinking, or I'm Not Ready to Stop," Dr. John Hipple tackles the ever-present issue of drinking and music, and offers some tips to determine whether you're in -- or have lost -- control. STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: ENDO'S GIL BITTON http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=609 For their second major-label release, Songs for the Restless, Endo traded their nu-metal rap-rock for still-intense but emotionally deeper, more melodic rock. Prior to heading out with Ozzfest, lead vocalist Gil Bitton spoke to StarPolish's Jim Willcox about the new album, changing musically and preparing for the blizzard of Ozz. STARPOLISH RADIO HOUR http://www.starpolish.com/radio/index.asp Once again, StarPolish is bringing the music to the people! Our staff has put together an hour of some of the best music StarPolish artists have to offer. Just click the link above and give it a listen. We'll also soon be giving StarPolish members the chance to put together their own hour of programming (you'll need a microphone attached to your PC to do the intros and voice-overs). If you're interested in acting as the DJ for an hour of programming, just send us and email at DJ@starpolish.com and we'll send you the specifics! CHECK OUT THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: NANYANA, YAYA DIALLO, MAMA ZEUS, AND MIA SKYE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Summer -- like youth -- is too quickly over, but music -- like taxes -- is forever. So one great way to grab immortality is to get up the StarPolish CD Store and buy some music from these great featured StarPolish member artists: NanyaNa, Yaya Diallo, MAMA ZEUS, and Mia Skye. So maybe you won't live forever -- but at least you'll live happily while you're here, and make a few StarPolish member artists happy along the way! CRITICS' CORNER: ADRIANNE, AIMEE PETTERSEN, ANTHEMIC POP WONDER, AND FRANCIS JOCKY http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Based on the handwritten letter we received this week containing his reviews, resident StarPolish critic Joe McCombs either hasn't yet recovered from the NYC blackout or he's once again going through a Sir Francis Drake phase. In any event, whether it be quill or keyboard, Joe's always on top of music by StarPolish artists -- so check in this week and see what Joe has to say about Adrianne, Aimee Pettersen, Anthemic Pop Wonder, and Francis Jocky. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.zefrank.com/ An oldie, but a goodie... we felt it was time to re-visit this site. In need of some dancing lessons or dating tips? Ever wonder what a giraffe sounds like or what happens when office supplies attack? Curious about how to make use of the CD-Rs your burner spits out? Perhaps you're just looking for a good, old-fashioned game of memory. Ze Frank has all the answers -- and we have all the fun! ========================================================= You are receiving this as a subscriber to the StarPolish newsletter. If you would like to be excluded from future mailings, send an email with the word "unsubscribe" as the subject from the email account you are unsubscribing to nikki@starpolish.com - please allow 2 weeks for processing. 8/13/2003 This week's newsletter is dedicated to informing our community of the site's recent technical problems that many of you experienced last week, and to letting everyone in the NYC metropolitan area know about a great benefit show at which three of our artists will be performing. StarPolish Website Problems -- What's Going On As many of you already know, last week the StarPolish website was maliciously attacked and rendered inoperable for several days. Since then we -- and our amazing developers, D2 Media -- have feverishly worked to restore the site and all its functionality. That involved completely rebuilding the server from scratch and transferring all the relevant data. Although the StarPolish website has been successfully restored, we are still dealing with a few issues that have arisen from having to adopt a more robust firewall to protect us from future attacks. The primary remaining problem is that many artists have not been able to use the StarPolish email tool to send outbound communications to their fans (and StarPolish has not been able to send you all an email to let you know what's going on!) The other unresolved issue relates to our ability to make changes to our home page and refresh the content in a typically timely fashion. The good news is that we have created a temporary email fix, which means that artists can now send out emails to their fans. However, the solution is a temporary one, and to make it permanent will require us to lose this functionality again for several days in the near future. So right now it's operational, but we will need to take it down at some point soon to create a long-term solution. If we shut down the email client, it will be obvious when you try and send an email (i.e. a message will replace the link that you would ordinarily click!) We are truly and deeply sorry for the inconvenience this has caused, but we are doing everything in our power to not only fix the current problems, but to prevent them from ever occurring again in the future. We'd also like to say that we are deeply grateful for the support and understanding we've received from all of you during this trying period. Because we, too, lost our ability to communicate on a mass level with all of you, we've tried to answer every individual email we've received to explain what's been going on. We hope that our response has been satisfactory, and we appreciate how great you all have been during this process. You guys rock! StarPolish Artists Unite for a Cause on Aug. 14th StarPolish artists Kenli Mattus, Mile 35, and Fat City Express will play a benefit show -- Musicians On Call Rocks -- this Thursday (tomorrow, Aug. 14th) at NYC's newest venue, The Canal Room (formerly Shine, 285 West Broadway between Canal Street and Lispenard Street). Tickets are $10 and benefit Musicians on Call. Doors open at 7 pm. Special thanks to these StarPolish artists, as well as organizers The Jesters Guild and Deneen Johnson, for supporting StarPolish's favorite charity, Musicians on Call, which brings live music to the bedsides of patients at numerous healthcare facilities. There will also be raffle prizes including a DVD Player. For more information, contact MOC at: www.musiciansoncall.org or (212)741-2709. Thanks again for your continuing support! 6/17/2003 --> StarPolish Interview & CD Giveaway: The Jealous Sound! --> New Advice Article: Analysis of a Recording Contract --> Got It Going On? Then Become a StarPolish "Buzzing Artist!" --> StarPolish Interview: 3 Doors Down! --> Charity Auction for Bruce Springsteen Tickets! --> New Column by Michael Goldberg! --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: Shoot the Driver, Steve Austin, DISTILLED, and Tropical Flavor --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Alice Lee, Christina Bulatao, Code --> Sunshine, and Holiday the Adventure Pop Collective --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.illmitch.com/ ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW AND CD GIVEAWAY: THE JEALOUS SOUND! http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=586 Now on top of the world with a new CD and a tour opening for the Foo Fighters, The Jealous Sound hasn't always had it so easy. StarPolish editorial director James K. Willcox recently spoke to bassist John McGinnis about the new album, touring with the Foos and overcoming adversity. And as part of a month-long celebration of the band's great new album, "Kill Them With Kindness" and supporting tour, StarPolish and the band are teaming up to give away signed CDs and posters -- just click the above link to get all the details. NEW STARPOLISH ADVICE ARTICLE: ANALYSIS OF A RECORDING CONTRACT! In perhaps the longest, most comprehensive StarPolish advice article published to date, attorney Andrea Goode Barber offers an in-depth analysis of a standard recording contract, breaking down each clause and explaining what it really means to you as an artist -- and what you and your attorney will likely want see included or excluded. GOT IT GOING ON? THEN BECOME A STARPOLISH "BUZZING ARTIST!" http://www.starpolish.com/features/buzz/ Are you an artist that's gaining momentum? Or is your band really finally starting to make things happen? If so, StarPolish wants you to let us know and we'll consider you for our monthly "Buzzing Artist!" Not only do Buzzi ng Artists get additional exposure within the StarPolish community, every few months we send the StarPolish A&R Panel, Attorney Panel and Advisory Boards, which are all looking for promising artists to sign and develop, exclusive info about each of the Buzzing Artists. And since we only select one per month, you'll belong to an exclusive community. If you'd like to be considered, just update your StarPolish page with all your latest info and send an email to us at at mybuzz@starpolish.com. If you're not already a StarPolish member artist, just click this link -- http://www.starpolish.com/account/index.asp?step=-1-- to sign up. Good Luck! STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: 3 DOORS DOWN http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=588 How do you follow up a smash debut album that sells 6 million copies? If you're 3 Doors Down, you release a sophomore effort that seems destined to replicate the success of its predecessor. StarPolish's Chris Mugno talks to guitarist Matt Roberts about the new album, touring and playing on an aircraft carrier. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== STARPOLISH SUMMER SPECIAL -- HALF OFF BELOW-THE-FOLD BANNER ADS! That's right -- to celebrate the true arrival of summer -- not that cheap rainy approximation that's ruined every weekend since tax day -- StarPolish has slashed prices on its banner ads. That means that for the month of June you can get a below-the-fold banner ad at a rate of $1 per thousand impressions! If you'd like to take advantage pf this great offer -- or if you'd just like to find out what the heck a below-the-fold banner ad IS and why you REALLY NEED ONE -- contact either Gary ( Gary@starpolish.com ) or Jim ( Jim@starpolish.com) . Next time we're hanging out below the fold on our website, we want to see your banner ad there! =================================================================== CHARITY AUCTION FOR BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS! http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.asp Tickets to this great show are selling out fast, but here's a chance to win a great pair of tickets, E Street Lounge tickets and support great charities all at the same time! Three of StarPolish's favorite charities -- Musicians On Call (MOC), The Kristen Ann Carr Fund (KACF), and the Michael Stabile Scholarship Fund (MSSF) -- have secured 2 front-row tickets and E Street Lounge Passes for selected shows on the Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band's U.S. Summer Tour. Funds raised from these auctions will directly support all three charities. All winning bids will be tax deductible above the face value of the tickets. In order to bid on these tickets, please send your bid to: bruce.bids@musiciansoncall.org. Please submit separate email bids for each auction. Musicians On Call will update its homepage throughout the day with the current bids, so please visit http://www.musiciansoncall.org prior to bidding. When bidding, please be sure to send: · Your full name · Your daytime phone number · Your bid amount · Which concert (Date and City) For complete details of the auction, visit http://www.starpolish.com/springsteentix/index.as. Good Luck! NEW COLUMN FROM MICHAEL GOLDBERG http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=587 In this week's "The Drama You've Been Craving," Michael Goldberg delves into the second edition of "Spiels of a Minuteman," the book by Mike Watt, bassist of the Minutemen and a StarPolish Advisory Board member. See why Goldberg calls the book "a beautiful document of an important band," and why you should dig out your old Minutemen albums -- or head out and buy some if you're not familiar with the hugely influential band. CHECK THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: SHOOT THE DRIVER, STEVE AUSTIN, DISTILLED, AND TROPICAL FLAVOR http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ For those of you in the know, the Summer Solstice will quickly be upon us, meaning that it's not only the official start of Summer, but the longest day of the year (yes, we know that the day your Auntie Maude came and visited and talked about her bunion problems for six hours SEEMED like the longest day, but trust us on this one). Anyway, that calls for a celebration, and since some of us misbehaved over Memorial Day and are on now on probation, all we can imbibe is great music. Fortunately, there's an embarrassment of aural riches available in the StarPolish CD stores, so get thee hither, click the above link and check out music from these great StarPolish member artists: Shoot the Driver, Steve Austin, Distilled, and Tropical Flavor. CRITICS'CORNER: ALICE LEE, CHRISTINA BULATAO, CODE SUNSHINE, AND HOLIDAY THE ADVENTURE Pop COLLECTIVE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Now that Joe McCombs has been warned by the City of New York that his constant Super-Soaker water gun fights are putting Gotham perilously close to another drought condition -- despite the fact that it, like, rains here every day -- he's put down his weapons and picked up his headphones to review music by these up-and-coming StarPolish artists: Alice Lee, Christina Bulatao, Code Sunshine, and Holiday the Adventure Pop Collective. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.illmitch.com/ If you thought Vanilla Ice was the whitest rapper ever, get ready for ILL Mitch. He's so white he's, well, Russian. But don't worry, with sentences like, "This board is danger..." you just know ILL Mitch will serve up a verbal beatdown every time he raps. And in the slim chance you get tired of songs like "Hey Ladies Fans," you can browse his website to check out his many hip-hop-certified poses. And if no one's "pressing you up" for cash, you can "drop a dime" on the cool ILL Mitch CD. Word! 5/27/2003 --> Junior Rocks World Cafe on May 28th! --> StarPolish Interview: Steel Guitar Wiz Robert Randolph --> Sell Your CDs at StarPolish & CD Baby -- Set-Up Fee Waived Until --> 5/31! --> New Column by Michael Goldberg! --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: Marly Hornik, 1 Plus 1, Smooth Approach, and Walker and the Brotherhood of the Grape --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Slim, Aida Zilelian, Su8ck, and Dave's Gone Mad --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.muffinfilms.com/ ========================================================== JUNIOR ROCKS WORLD CAFE ON MAY 28TH! http://www.worldcafe.org/julia/story_details.php?story_id=2 During Junior's recent tour of the U.S., they recorded a performance and interview with WXPN's David Dye, host of World Cafe, which is syndicated to hundreds of radio stations worldwide. Junior's performance will air on Wed., May 28th. For a listing of stations that will be carrying the show -- and the times that it will be broadcast locally -- visit the World Cafe website at http://www.worldcafe.org/julia/story_details.php?story_id=2. If you'd like to catch the show's webcast, you can tune into to the stream on WXPN at http://xpn.org/xpnv7/index.php?parent_id=122&end_node=. The WXPN radio show and webcast begins at 2 p.m. E.S.T. STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: STEEL GUITAR WIZ ROBERT RANDOLPH http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=582 Steel guitar wiz Robert Randolph is exposing legions of fans not only to the pedal steel guitar, but to the Sacred Steel guitar tradition that comes out of the church. Check out this recent interview with Robert -- and click the link on the home page for a chance to win a Harmos steel guitar! SELL YOUR CDS AT STARPOLISH AND CD BABY -- $35 SET-UP FEE WAIVED THROUGH 5/31! http://cdbaby.net/submit.htm/from/starpolish Now you can sell your CDs at CD Baby and StarPolish with a single sign-up, and if you act now (and we mean that), CD Baby will waive their $35 set-up fee. YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER, AND YOUR PACKAGE NEEDS TO BE POSTMARKED BY MAY 31ST!. Here's how you will get your sign-up fee waived: * If you're not already a member, go to http://cdbaby.net/submit.htm/from/starpolish - and sign up. * For every CD you want them to sell, click "ADD NEW ALBUM" inside your members login area, and give CD Baby ALL of the information about it. * Mail them 5 copies of each title before May 31, with a big picture of a smiley-face instead of a $35 check. Yes, you actually have to draw a big smiley face on a piece of paper or they won't waive your $35 fee. It is crucial that your package containing the CDs and smiley face is postmarked NO LATER THAN MAY 31. * After you see your CDs up for sale at CD Baby, shoot an email over to support@starpolish.com and we'll include your albums in the StarPolish Store, which is powered by CD Baby. For more information about this promotion, please visit http://www.cdbaby.org/mayspecial. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== STARPOLISH SUMMER SPECIAL -- HALF OFF BELOW-THE-FOLD BANNER ADS! That's right -- to celebrate the true arrival of summer -- not that cheap rainy approximation that's ruined every weekend since tax day -- StarPolish has slashed prices on its banner ads. That means that for the month of June you can get a below-the-fold banner ad at a rate of $1 per thousand impressions! If you'd like to take advantage of this great offer -- or if you'd just like to find out what the heck a below-the-fold banner ad IS and why you REALLY NEED ONE -- contact either Gary ( Gary@starpolish.com ) or Jim ( Jim@starpolish.com ). Next time we're hanging out below the fold on our website, we want to see your banner ad there! ===================================================================== NEW COLUMN FROM MICHAEL GOLDBERG http://www.starpolish.com/features/columns/article.asp?ID=583 In this week's "The Drama You've Been Craving," Michael Goldberg reviews Jeff Tamarkin's in-depth biography of the Jefferson Airplane, "Got a Revolution! The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane," slated to debut next month. In addition, Goldberg offers up his opinion of a recent live show by bluesman John Hammond, and two new albums: Singapore Sling, "The Curse of Singapore Sling," and "It'll Come to You... The Songs of John Hiatt." CHECK THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: MARLY HORNIK, 1 PLUS 1, SMOOTH APPROACH, AND WALKER AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE GRAPE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Now that the Memorial Day weekend has passed and the prospect of having to wait more than a month for the next legitimate holiday is staring at you like a disapproving school librarian, we'd like to remind you that discovering great new music can be just LIKE a holiday (but one without a drunken, overfed Uncle Ernie passing out in a snoring heap on the couch in front of your new girlfriend/boyfriend). So why wait until July when you can embark on a refreshing vacation right now by checking out music from these great StarPolish member artists: Marly Hornick, 1 Plus 1, Smooth Approach, and Walker and the Brotherhood of the Grape. CRITICS'CORNER: SLIM, AIDA ZILELIAN, SU8CK, AND DAVE'S GONE MAD http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ In her typically iconoclastic fashion -- for example, she bypassed both "The Matrix: Reloaded" and "X2: X-Men United" in favor of seeing a matinee showing of "Daddy Day Care" -- StarPolish reviewer and nightlife diva Gail Worley skipped through tired major-label releases to uncover homegrown gems from these StarPolish member artists: Slim, Aida Zilelian, Su8ck, and Dave's Gone Mad. COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.muffinfilms.com/ Maybe you think of muffins as a somewhat humdrum if delectable breakfast treat. Or maybe you don't even think of muffins at all (or maybe you think about muffins QUITE A LOT but won't publicly admit to it). Well, one quick visit to this original, quirky website will have you thinking of muffins in an entirely new light -- as high-wattage movie stars in feature films all their own! 5/13/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Depswa's Jeremy Penick --> Coming Soon: New StarPolish Advice Article: "Analysis of a Recording Contract" --> New Buzzing Artist: The Stretchmarxxx --> StarPolish Interview: MC Paul Barman --> First Scene Film & Music Expo - May 21st in NYC --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: sciflyer, David Wilner, Nathan Cade, and Ed Harrington --> Critic's Corner Reviews: REFLECTOR, Scott Landers, Paul Turvey, and Courage Band --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.thecia.net/users/stewarte/realhussein.swf ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: DEPSWA'S JEREMY PENICK http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=572 Now on tour with Mudvayne, Depswa is winning over new fans with every high-voltage show they give. Recently, StarPolish staffer Chris Mugno spoke to lead singer Jeremy Penick about touring, the band's evolution, and its upcoming debut album for Geffen Records. COMING SOON: NEW STARPOLISH ADVICE LIBRARY ARTICLE: "ANALYSIS OF A RECORD CONTRACT" http://www.starpolish.com/advice/ In what promises to be the longest, most comprehensive StarPolish advice article to date, attorney Andrea Goode Barber offers an in-depth analysis of a standard recording contract, breaking down each clause and explaining what it really means -- and what you and your attorney will likely want see included or excluded. NEW BUZZING ARTIST: STRETCHMARXXX http://www.starpolish.com/features/buzz/ Take Camilla Medulla Oblongata and Venus A.M. Gold Starr -- two of Kansas City's sweethearts of down-n-dirty, raunchy, trash-punk-rock-n-roll -- and pair them up with the slightly less sexily named but still dangerous duo Brian Sutton and Brian Nail, musicians extraordinaire, and the result is Kansas City's homegrown punk band, The Stretchmarxxx - the latest StarPolish "Buzzing" Artist! ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== RAINMAKER PUBLICITY -- GIVE YOUR CAREER AN ADRENALIZED BOOST! Rainmaker Publicity is the premier public relations firm for independent musicians. Specializing in print, broadcast and electronic media, Rainmaker helps its client artists attract A&R attention, build their fan base, create and define niche markets, and garner bookings in select venues. Via previews, reviews and feature articles, special events, news items and other strategic campaign tactics, Rainmaker works to ensure that its artists gain maximum exposure as they propel their careers forward. After all, it's not ALL about the music... For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at www.rainmakerpublicity.com or call our toll-free number: 1-888-965-5556 =================================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: MC BARMAN http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=578 Although his press often makes him out to be a clown, crossover hip-hop artist MC Paul Barman is, in fact, an accomplished, Brown-educated artist and writer. StarPolish staffer Alee Hoffman recently spoke to Barman about getting started, working with Prince Paul, and balancing the serious with the silly. FIRST SCENE FILM & MUSIC EXPO IN NYC ON MAY 21ST http://www.nycastings.com/firstscene.htm The First Scene Film & Music Expo, sponsored in part by StarPolish, is a premier monthly platform for emerging filmmakers and other artists to debut their projects while giving influential members of the New York film/Arts community a first look at exceptional new work. In addition, musicians and songwriters will have a chance to learn more about how to get their music into films, as First Scene is also a networking/showcase venue for Film/Video Makers, Music Artists, Writers, Producers, and Fashion & Media movers and shakers. The inaugural First Scene Film & Music Expo, produced by Aaron Seals of NY Casting.com and The Global Entertainment & Media Summit's Steve Zuckerman, is being held at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21st, at Pressure (110 University Place, between 12th and 13th Streets), the fifth-floor club above the Bowlmor Lanes. Admission is $8 before 10 p.m., and $10 thereafter. Artists wishing to submit music for consideration in movies or at showcases are invited to bring CDs -- and there are no entry or submission fees of any kind. For more information, call 201 288-5201. CHECK THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: SCIFLYER, DAVID WILNER, NATHAN CADE AND ED HARRINGTON OK, you forgot Mother's Day last weekend and now mom's on the warpath, threatening to make you move your framed collection of discarded Yngwie Malmsteen guitar picks out of the rec room. Nothing soothes the savage beast like music -- and the StarPolish CD store -- and your salvation -- is just a few mouse clicks away. Check out the CDs from these Featured CD Store artists: sciflyer, David Wilner, Nathan Cade and Ed Harrington. CRITICS'CORNER: REFLECTOR, SCOTT LANDERS, COURAGE BAND, AND PAUL TURVEY http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Fresh from an all-night listening party in which each participant had to dress like their favorite Osborne, StarPolish critic Joe McCombs downed a few mocha javas and listened to songs from these StarPolish member artists: Reflector, Scott Landers, Courage Band, and Paul Turvey -- and find out which band's review contains the word "appalling." COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.thecia.net/users/stewarte/realhussein.swf It was only a matter of time before SOMEONE figured out the link between hip-hop and Saddam (and no, it's not that they both rule). 4/17/2003 All of us here at StarPolish wish our friend Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls a Happy Birthday! --> StarPolish Interview: Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca --> StarPolish Sponsors Fighting Gravity Show in NYC on April 18th --> New StarPolish Advice Piece: Analysis of an Internal Band Contract --> StarPolish Sponsors 4/24, 4/29 NYC Shows by The Gift! --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: The Gift (Portugal), Goodbye Girl Friday, OHO, and dAZE alONE. --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Gregory Paul, 6 PM Groove, Anya Singelton, and Gypsy Sullivan --> Artist's ToolKit: Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts! --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.airsicknessbags.com/ ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: DIGABLE PLANETS' LADYBUG MECCA http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=570 As part of Digable Planets, Ladybug Mecca had a taste of fame and the upper regions of the charts. Now, 10 years later, she has a new album slated for release this fall. StarPolish contributor Joe McCombs recently spoke to Ladybug about her absence, dealing with a label that folded, and her new album. NEW STARPOLISH ADVICE LIBRARY ARTICLE: "ANALYSIS OF AN INTERNAL BAND CONTRACT" http://www.starpolish.com/advice/ Once you've formed a band, it is highly recommended that all the band members get together and create an Internal Group Contract, which will early on establish each member's rights to everything from income to the band name. In this Advice Library article by attorney Wallace Collins, you'll find out why it's important to create the document early in the band's career, the fundamental issues it should address, and how to deal with the possibility of one or more members of the band departing. To help illustrate what an interband agreement should look like, Collins provides a sample contract for you to peruse. STARPOLISH SPONSORS FIGHTING GRAVITY SHOW AT NYC'S LION'S DEN ON APRIL 18TH http://www.starpolish.com/fighting gravity For those of you located in and about the NYC metro area, Fighting Gravity brings its energetic, well-honed, ska-influenced brand of rock 'n' roll to New York City's Lion's Den (214 Sullivan Street, between Bleecker and W.3rd St.) this Friday, April 18th -- and StarPolish is sponsoring the show. If you're already a fan, you'll know not to miss this show (Fighting Gravity takes the stage at 11:30 p.m.). If you've never seen this road-ready band (250-plus shows a year), you're in for a treat. For ticket info, call the club at 212 477-2782. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== PUT YOUR LOGO ON SOAP? Want the most unique band or company merchandise ever? Creative Suds takes your logo, picture or name, and creates customized SOAPS -- that's right, SOAPS! Now your fans, friends, or customers can stay "so fresh and so clean" while thinking of you or your band. Customized soaps are the perfect merch for bands and companies alike. For more information, contact Rachel at (631) 580-9826 or email creativesuds@aol.com. =================================================================== STARPOLISH SPONSORS 4/24, 4/29 NYC SHOWS BY THE GIFT http://www.starpolish.com/thegift(portugal) http://www.thegift.pt Already superstars in their native Portugal, The Gift's unique, genre-defying electronic pop is now captivating fans around the world, which has helped to propel its debut release, "Vinyl" to platinum status in Europe. Now, with a new album under its belt - the gold-selling "Film" - the group is headed to New York City for a series of New York-area shows and label showcases before heading to LA -- and StarPolish is proud to be sponsoring two of their New York shows! So come out and catch the band at their 9:00 p.m. Knitting Factory show on April 24th, or at their 7:30 show at the Mercury Lounge on April 29th. Before heading to LA for their May 6th showcase at Spaceland, The Gift will be playing several other shows in the NY/NJ area and Philadelphia, so check out the complete tour schedule at either http://www.thegift.pt, or at http://www.tangerayproductions.com/gift/index.html. And to find out more about the band and its exciting, eclectic music, check out the StarPolish interview by clicking this link: http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?ID=488. And if you like the band, visit the StarPolish CD Store, where you can buy their albums! NEW IN THE STARPOLISH CD STORE: THE GIFT (PORTUGAL), GOODBYE GIRL FRIDAY, OHO, AND DAZE ALONE http://www.starpolish.com/artists/store/ Before scooting off to a sybaritic week of Spring Break craziness, Nikki sat down and picked some of her favorite artists to be featured in the StarPolish CD store (we insisted, since last year she returned tanned, pierced and almost useless for nearly two full weeks). So check out Nikki's picks for this week: The Gift (Portugal), Goodbye Girl Friday, OHO, and dAZE alONE. CRITICS' CORNER: GREGORY PAUL, 6 PM GROOVE, ANYA SINGLETON, GYPSY SULLIVAN http://www.starpolish.com/artists/critics/ Once again it's Joe McCombs' turn to snap on his unusual headphones -- actually, two small Paradigm Atom speakers and a pillow tied together with rope -- and check out tunes from these promising StarPolish artists: Gregory Paul, 6 PM Groove, Anya Singelton, and Gypsy Sullivan. Check out Joe's reviews -- and see who gets taken to task for spelling and grammar mistakes on their StarPolish site! ARTIST'S TOOLKIT: VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS http://www.starpolish.com/artists/toolkit/ Sure, there are some nasty lawyers that chase ambulances, or who defend corporate criminals that have stolen people's 401k retirement plans and then buy big houses in Florida where real estate can't be seized. But there are also some wonderful, giving lawyers who do great, selfless things -- like helping emerging artists deal with the complex legal issues that regularly confront them. The VLA -- Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts -- is comprised of those kind of lawyers (the good ones!), who provide free legal services (legal representation for Art-Related Issues), mediation services, educational programs and publications, and advocacy to the arts community in several major metro areas within the US. To find out more about the VLA, or to locate a representative in your area, just click this link: http://arts.endow.gov/artforms/Manage/VLA2.html COOL LINK O' THE WEEK: http://www.airsicknessbags.com/ Proving that one person's barf bag is another's collectible art, this website serves as a virtual museum of, well, puke bags. Air sickness, car sickness, sea sickness, movie sickess -- all these and more are represented in full glorious color. You'll be thrilled to learn that pilots call air sickness bags "Happy Sacks" (a perfect final resting place for those hideous airline "Happy Meals," if you ask us), and that the 1972 Republican convention had their own puke bag. Check out the Odd/Special area, where you can find not only an anti-smoking ralph-sack made out of an empty Marlboro pack (Barfboro), but the highly collectible Boot Factor Five bag -- an accessory that came with a book about beer-drinking games. That bag comes emblazoned with five toilet seats and the warning: "The Surgeon General has determined that the volume of this bag may may not be adequate for a major game of Boot-A-Bout." 4/8/2003 --> StarPolish Interview: Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls! --> Indigo Girls/Junior Mountain Stage Performance Airs Starting April 11th! --> StarPolish Sponsors Fighting Gravity Show in NYC on April 18th --> New in the StarPolish CD Store: White Knuckle Trip, Perfect Gnats, Regenerated Headpiece, and John Martin. --> New Column by Michael Goldberg --> Critic's Corner Reviews: Lithium, Heaven, Evil Jake, and Nadine Goellner --> Artist's ToolKit: Great Deals for Musicians! --> Cool Link O' the Week: http://www.acidtrip.com/ ========================================================== STARPOLISH INTERVIEW: AMY RAY http://www.starpolish.com/features/article.asp?id=565 As both one-half of the Indigo Girls and as a solo artist, Amy Ray has stayed true to her musical vision while carving a two-decade-long career in the music business. She also launched her own record label, Daemon Records, to help artists not being served by the major labels. Ray recently spoke to StarPolish CEO Vivek J. Tiwary about a variety of topics, including her label, her career, the importance of touring, and the issues related to performing as a gay or bisexual artist. INDIGO GIRLS/JUNIOR MOUNTAIN STAGE PERFORMANCE AIRS STARTING APRIL 11TH! Speaking of the Indigo Girls, StarPolish Management's Junior recently opened up for the girls during their Mountain Stage performance. The Indigo Girls even invited Junior to sing harmony with them during an encore of a Bob Dylan song! And you can hear the show yourself starting THIS FRIDAY, April 11th, when Mountain Stage begins airing the show on hundreds of radio stations and websites across the U.S. and in 50 foreign countries. While most stations will air the show this Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, check the Mountain Stage website at http://www.mountainstage.org/msstations2.htm for exact dates, times, and stations near you. The show also features great opening performances from Richard Julian, Lucy Kaplansky and The Kennedys, so check it out! We'd also like to give props to our friends at WXPN, who continue to be Junior's biggest supporters on U.S. radio. XPN will be streaming the Indigo Girls/Junior show THIS SATURDAY APRIL 12 at 6:00pm E.S.T. at http://xpn.org/stream.shtml. XPN is still playing Junior's "Into the Blue," so we're asking all Junior fans to continue calling or emailing them to request the song. You can reach WXPN's request line 24/7 via phone at 215.573.WXPN (9976), or online at xpnair@pobox.upenn.edu And if you haven't heard Junior yet, check out some free music at www.starpolish.com/junior. ========================ADVERTISEMENT=============================== TOP L.A. PRODUCER/MIXER NOW LOOKING FOR SELECT LABEL & INDEPENDE