Nikia Performs Live @ Single Release Party

Nikia, a New York native, is releasing her fourth studio album titled “Forever” in summer 2015 through Og2Entertainment/ Sonic Flux Music and is a Khepera Group affiliate. Inspired by the emotions of the world and people around her, the album is a soulful experience and an inside look of the personal side of Nikia.

Born as Nikia Hughes, she was a star and dreaming big from the start. At age 3 she was singing professionally and by the time she was 16-years-old she had made her way to Hollywood with record deal in hand.

Singing professionally since 13 while attending Hollywood High School in California, she was surrounded by other talents including her uncle R&B singer Charlie Wilson. Since then Nikia has released three studio albums, “A Girl Like Me,” in 1997, “Open Book,” in 2003 and “Chapter II” in 2012.

“Forever” may be her most personal record yet, with the lead single “Maybe I” set to be released at the end of the month on February 27, 2015.

Nikia’s latest work will be debuted at her album release party/birthday bash on February 27th at The Lizzard Lounge, in Bohemia NY. Doors open at 9:00pm

For booking information contact Dee,
Nikia.og2entertainment@gmail.com
http://www.SoundsofNikia.com

http://instagram.com/teamnikia

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=181528

MusicDish Review: Rhea Francani Debut Single “Dizzy”

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180703

“I’m following my heart’s highway from NY to Nashville. My fans know me as a city girl with a country heart. I’m thriving in two completely different worlds!” This is how Country artist Rhea Francani describes herself. She will be releasing her first single “Dizzy” on January 20, 2015 and it perfectly represents the dichotomy Rhea feels deep down for all to listen. A New York attitude with with the soul of Nashville.

The song is about a girls night out drinking together, and that all too familiar feeling of having drunk a little too much is the result leading Rhea to be feeling ‘Dizzy’. The fact that the lyrics are so relatable… at least to a fellow millennials, adds to the experience. It is one thing to listen to a song, it is another to understand it.

The song starts off very intensely, with gospel organs building up to Rhea’s eloquently sweet voice, and soon the chorus is cheerfully blasting. The melodic song melds seamlessly between chorus and verse, leading the listener to yearn to sing along. Listening to Dizzy before knowing more about Rhea, one would assume she was part of the Nashville Country scene since childhood. But she is actually a New Yorker (Buffalo, NY native) who left to record with the talents of Nashville, the home of her heart. The result is a fresh wake up call to an otherwise stale NYC country scene.

Rhea Francani readily admits she’s not your typical country music artist and we quite agree. Dizzy has overtones of Michael Jackson-like Pop and Light Rock. “I am drawn to the southern charm of country music’s heartfelt lyrics – songs about love, life and good times,” Rhea explains. “I wanted to create an authentic country album drawing on the talents of the Nashville music industry, and those seasoned professionals that could bring my music to life.” After listening to the song one would have to agree that she has succeeded in this.

Her debut EP “I Want You To Know” will be due out in February 2015.

MarilynMusic Welcomes You To A Creative And Fruitful 2015

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180679

Latest recording projects include three new tracks featuring Australian top ten singer songwriter Thom Crawford. “No Reason No Rhyme,” “Smoke and Mirrors,” and “Just Say Yes” are all available on MarilynMusic.net.

“It’s been a privilege to work with and feature Sony recording artist Sera Burus, whom Michael Bolton has called the best singer he’s ever heard,” said MarilynMusics’ Casey Conrad from The Vertical Room studio in NYC. “You Loved Me Best” is a powerful pop country crossover.”It’s the perfect match for Sera’s incredible vocal chops,” Conrad explained.

A unique opportunity to create a “State song” for California was the genesis of “Golden State,” a rock anthem that evokes the power of Springsteen and Seger. Showcasing the talents of NYC based studio legend and Blues Brother’s lead singer Jonny Rosch, the song is like a trip along the California coast including a cool homage to the Beach Boys.

Continuing a longstanding working relationship with New York producer/writer Gary Haase, Conrad is currently in the studio using his engineering and mixing skills on projects for various artists including Paul Mcartney and Chaka Khan.

MarilynMusics’ Michael Gaines is busy in L.A. writing songs while also working on several film endeavors including “The Auctioneer,” a drama set in the early 60’s dealing with the seamy underbelly of the auction business.

Gaines and Conrad remain committed to their belief in the power of music to affect positive change.

You can access all of MarilynMusics’songs for licensing and purchase at MARILYNMUSIC.NET

A Family Valentine With Jon Samson And Lucy Kalantari At ShapeShifter Lab

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180537

Award winning children’s artist and music therapist, Jon Samson, has teamed up with Lucy Kalantari to deliver a rare and enchanting musical performance for families at ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY, February 15th at 11:00 am – Love & Joy: A Family Valentine.

“[Jon Samson] will get little heads bopping without alienating grown-up listeners.”
–Timeout NY Kids

Jon Samson, two-time ISC winner and NAPPA award winning artist, has moved the kindie community with his latest release, A New Kids Album. Featured in Time Magazine’s TFK Family Edition, A New Kids Album is a selection of original and familiar stories with an abundantly rich sound and an ingenious delivery that quickly becomes an addictive treat for children and adults alike.

“The best jazz album of the year brings forth the roaring 20′s with no prohibition on juice boxes.” –Jeff Bogle, Cooper & Kid

Lucy Kalantari’s newest release, Pockets Full of Joy has been making some noise. Earning a spot in The Best Kids Music of 2014 by Cooper & Kid, Pockets is a collection of ukulele ditties with a 1920s flair about being a mom, love and babies. Her sound is sophisticated for adults and irresistible to babies. She’ll perform with her full lineup of drums, upright bass and clarinet.

ShapeShifter Lab is a large, open space perfect for listeners of all ages to enjoy the fun sounds of these two dynamic performances while dancing about. Enjoy hot cocoa, valentine’s treats and a chance to win an autographed ukulele!

For tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1128853

Love & Joy: A Family Valentine
Sunday, February 15th
ShapeShifter Lab
18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215
$10 advanced tickets
$15 at the door
(Free for children under 2)
Doors: 11am
Show Time: 11:30am

Lucy Kalantari – http://www.LucyKalantari.com
Jon Samson – http://www.CoCreativeMusic.com

Cosmpolitan Country Artist, Rhea Francani, Releases Debut Single “Dizzy” To World Market January 20, 2015

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=180449

Rhea Francani bursts onto the music scene with the release of her first single “Dizzy” on January 20, 2015. The single, from the debut EP “I Want You To Know” due out in February 2015, is accompanied by a high-energy music video capturing the escapades of a girls’ night out. An interactive campaign coincides with the releases on Instagram inviting fans to share their favorite things about #DizzyNightOut.

Francani readily admits she’s not your typical country music artist as she was raised in Western NY and now lives in New York City. “I am drawn to the southern charm of country music’s heartfelt lyrics – songs about love, life and good times,” she explains. “I wanted to create an authentic country album drawing on the talents of the Nashville music industry, and those seasoned professionals that could bring my music to life.”

The finessed singer/songwriter/performer co-produced the four self-penned tracks at Omni Sound Studios in Nashville with Omni’s own Mike Walter, utilizing some of the industry’s top studio musicians. LA/Nashville-based music videographer, Jeff Johnson, shot the high-energy music video for “Dizzy” on the streets of Music City’s Lower Broad and its honky tonks and Karaoke bars. “I’m following my heart’s highway from NY to Nashville. My fans know me as a city girl with a country heart. I’m thriving in two completely different worlds!”

Rhea has performed various styles of music on numerous stages of theatre. She is an honors graduate of Wagner College, NYC in Musical Theatre Performance. She resides in New York City and is a soon-to-be alumna of Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC with a Master’s Degree in Music and Music Education. Upon graduating, May 2015, Rhea will look to reside in Nashville.

http://www.rheafrancani.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYPEwefwps64CN-KVppOcqA

Hip Hop Artist QUE QNA Releases New Single Don’t Hurt Me From His Highly Anticipated Release Love Of The Game Due 2-2-2015

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=179838

Hip Hop Artist QUE QNA Releases New Single DON’T HURT ME From the Highly Anticipated release LOVE OF THE GAME Due 2-2-2015

Dateline: L.A.

Global Hip Hop phenom in the making QUE QNA has released a new single DON’T HURT ME worldwide that is receiving rave reviews, airplay & video play worldwide. The NY born, Texas & Vegas based artist is turning heads for his lyrical ability & substance, bold style & charismatic performances. The DON’T HURT ME track, produced by acclaimed European producers SMITH MUSIX, is being played on radio stations, by club DJs & major online sites. The video was shot in Austin Texas while the artist was performing in the Lone Star state.

QUE QNE describes what the song’s all about “‘Don’t Hurt Me’ in a nutshell was a futuristic vision of my life being played out in my mind with a girl I just met, and weighing the pros and cons of the rare chance it actually happens with a boastful, sexual and comedic twist.” Further explaining what sets him apart in today’s marketplace & what he’s all about “I think what sets me apart is my ability to go far right then far left musically, and it still have a genuine feel, being as though I where so many different hats in real life, i try to convey that in my music. Having a wide range as far creating music, I think, is one of the most difficult things for most artist. People tend to put artist in categories and expect only that style from you and are disappointed if they don’t get that particular sound, but being able to fit in multiple categories or creating a new category gives me the ability to create what I feel without fear of being held to one style.”

Taken from his forthcoming EP release “LOVE OF THE GAME” to be released worldwide on 2-2-2 015 (February 2) on the ATTAIN label, through INDIEPOWER & INGROOVES. INDIEPOWER is spearheading a global campaign to bring QUE QNA to the industry & music lovers everywhere. With a lot to say, the articulate ‘Q’ has appearances booked on an array of Radio & TV shows, many of which will include spontaneous live performances. INDIEPOWER CEO & industry leader JAY WARSINSKE has assembled a great team to build on Film / TV / Games / Commercials, International Markets (including Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada & Latin America), & Publishing areas (aligning with HARMONIOUS MUSIC through MADELEINE SMITH – credits include running Publishing for DR.DRE, 2PAC, EAZY-E, BONE THUGS, ICE CUBE among many). Tours being booked & appearances at industry hotspots SXSW, IES : INDIE ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT in L.A. in August, WARPED TOUR, BET AWARDS, Spring Break concerts, Summer Tour stops & much more to be announced.

“To have the powerhouses INDIEPOWER, INGROOVES & MADELINE SMITH MUSIC on my side is honestly flattering”, states QUE, “knowing how long all 3 have been in the game and there over all knowledge of business and there track records speak for themselves – so being a new artist supported by these guys is very flattering and really strengthens belief in myself and my team at Attain Media Group that we’re going in the right direction!”

“Having been a part of breaking iconic artists since the mid-70’s & since Hip Hop was born, “says INDIEPOWER & IES Founder JAY WARSINSKE, “you get a instinctual sense on who’s the ‘Real Deal’ and have the talent & mindset to have a chance in this incredibly demanding & complex entertainment business – & QUE has that ‘It’ factor! Seeing him grow & build in the world’s expanding markets & opportunities will be a lot of fun!”

QUE QNA is available for Phone Interviews for Talk Shows, Radio Programs, Online TV Shows, Media – Email Interviews for blogs & journalists.
Contact: INDIEPOWER: 818-505-1836 info@IndiePower.com

SEVEN-TIME GRAMMY AWARD -WINNER PAUL WINTER PRESENTS 19TH ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION AT NYC’S ST. JOHN THE DIVINE CATHEDRAL

Intimate Sunrise Concert Welcomes the Dawning of Summer in the World’s Largest Gothic Cathedral

NEW YORK – The 19th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration by the Paul Winter Consort with special guests trombonist Chris Brubeck (The Brubeck Brothers Quartet/Triple Play), multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless (Oregon/Pat Metheny) and world-renowned pipe organist Timothy Brumfield will once again welcome the summer on June 21st in the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, St. John the Divine located at Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street. Winter and colleagues will premiere a new work, “Morning of the Phoenix,” inspired by the two spectacular 100-foot long bird sculptures, entitled Phoenix, by renowned Chinese artist Xu Bing that were recently installed in nave of the Cathedral. Beginning in complete darkness at 4:30 AM, musicians play for two hours as the sun gradually illuminates the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows. 
Immediately following the concert, the entire audience is invited to a tea and coffee reception in the Crossing of the Cathedral, during which members of the audience can meet each other along with the musicians.

“This may well be our most revolutionary event yet in the Cathedral,” says seven-time Grammy-winning soprano saxophonist Winter, “given the unique spatial placement of the players, the visual dimension that will emerge, and the nature of our performing ‘partners.’ For we and the audience members alike will be ‘consorting’ with these two gigantic birds suspended above us.”

The Paul Winter Consort first performed Summer Solstice in 1994 as a counterpoint to its popular Winter Solstice concert series, which attracts 10,000 audience members and is broadcast on 300 National Public Radio stations. 

The Cathedral has recently mounted what perhaps is the most colossal exhibit of an artistic work that New York has ever seen. Over the course of two years, pioneering Chinese contemporary artist Xu Bing culled detritus from construction sites across the rapidly changing urban landscape of Beijing, and transformed it into his most monumental project to date: Phoenix (2008-10). An engineering feat, Phoenix is composed of a male and a female bird whose combined weight exceeds 12 tons. 

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.solsticeconcert.com 
or call 866.811.4111.
sion

 

Bronx Rapper Produkt Forced To Wrestle With A Horrible Admission

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=174213

 

Growing up in the Bronx, career paths aren’t often chosen from a textbook or pamphlet. Sometimes the streets are the only trade school available for a struggling young man with no direction and no supervision to help shape his future.

Several months ago when Produkt was wrongly accused of a crime, he knew that he would forever be a target because of his prior convictions and brushes with the law. Facing a minimum sentence of 10 years, he began to reflect on his life and the undo burden he was about to inflict on his children due to an aggressive prosecutor who’s ambitions were clearly to advance her career off what she saw as an easy target. 

As he felt his freedom slipping from his grasp, his life came full circle when he recalled the day his 6 year old daughter approached him and asked “daddy, why when you say you’re working you leave and come right back”. He began to realize that even though he was no longer hustling in the streets that the past always had a way of rearing it’s ugly head. He knew that the time would come when his secret would one day come out and forever shape how she felt about him. 

Explaining to his daughter that he was an up & coming Hip Hop artist didn’t ease the pain of knowing that he could only prey on her naiveté for so long. She was 11 years old now; closer to him than ever. Now she was asking lots of questions. Growing up fearless on the streets of the Bronx did nothing to ease his angst. He was afraid of the Pandora’s box that was slowly starting to open. 

With no clear way to broach the subject, Produkt did what he does best, he wrote. He walked into the recording booth and repented, but it never felt right. After 2 hours of trying to apologize through his art, he scrapped all plans and decided to own it. The result is a heart-wrenching, unapologetic account of what his life was like hustling on the streets to feed his family.

His daughter is growing older and wiser every day. She’s still young enough to abide by the restrictions her father places on online media content. One day she will be old enough to defy him and see this video. More questions will arise. “Curiosity awakens every secret. How do I tell my daughter Daddy was a Dope boy”? Perhaps he just did. 

 

Bronx Rapper Produkt Forced To Wrestle With A Horrible Admission

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=174213

 

Growing up in the Bronx, career paths aren’t often chosen from a textbook or pamphlet. Sometimes the streets are the only trade school available for a struggling young man with no direction and no supervision to help shape his future.

Several months ago when Produkt was wrongly accused of a crime, he knew that he would forever be a target because of his prior convictions and brushes with the law. Facing a minimum sentence of 10 years, he began to reflect on his life and the undo burden he was about to inflict on his children due to an aggressive prosecutor who’s ambitions were clearly to advance her career off what she saw as an easy target. 

As he felt his freedom slipping from his grasp, his life came full circle when he recalled the day his 6 year old daughter approached him and asked “daddy, why when you say you’re working you leave and come right back”. He began to realize that even though he was no longer hustling in the streets that the past always had a way of rearing it’s ugly head. He knew that the time would come when his secret would one day come out and forever shape how she felt about him. 

Explaining to his daughter that he was an up & coming Hip Hop artist didn’t ease the pain of knowing that he could only prey on her naiveté for so long. She was 11 years old now; closer to him than ever. Now she was asking lots of questions. Growing up fearless on the streets of the Bronx did nothing to ease his angst. He was afraid of the Pandora’s box that was slowly starting to open. 

With no clear way to broach the subject, Produkt did what he does best, he wrote. He walked into the recording booth and repented, but it never felt right. After 2 hours of trying to apologize through his art, he scrapped all plans and decided to own it. The result is a heart-wrenching, unapologetic account of what his life was like hustling on the streets to feed his family.

His daughter is growing older and wiser every day. She’s still young enough to abide by the restrictions her father places on online media content. One day she will be old enough to defy him and see this video. More questions will arise. “Curiosity awakens every secret. How do I tell my daughter Daddy was a Dope boy”? Perhaps he just did. 

Tony Adamo Stir-Fried Funk/Soul in Manhattan

Tony Adamo Mike Clark Tim Ouimette Jerry Z

Stir-Fried Funk/Soul in Manhattan

August 26 & 27th @ Ultra Sound New York City,NY

Tony Adamo/”Sort of a deconstructed Miles Davis Birth Of The Cool amped up to the new millennium. Adamo is much in the same way as Miles, a visionary. Tony’s unique vision has opened up yet another sub genre on the jazz family tree being commonly referred to as ” Vocal/HipSpokenWord.”@CriticalJazz

MIKE CLARK/ gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock’s group in the early 1970’s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock’s Thrust album. Tim Ouimette/ has played trumpet for The Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Charles, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Ray Barretto.

Jerry Z/ Sought after as a sideman,with Delbert McClinton, Hiram Bullock, John Scofield, Bernard Purdy, Fred Wesley, Mike Clark.

Tony Adamo /Vocal Hipspoken Word

Mike Clark/ Drums,Producer

Tim Ouimette/Horns, Music Director

Jerry Z/Organ

http://www.ultrasoundrehearsal.com/

http://randomactrecords.com/product/tony-adamo-miles-of-blu/