News, Reviews, and Interviews
Volume 4, Issue 10/Volume 4, Issue 11 May/June 2009
LooseyLucy's Headquarters Newswire Music Industry News
Indie News Beat Interview of the Month
News
Toward the second week of autumn, songwriters gather from all points north, south, east and west. The Songwriter's Festival at Loretta Lynn's Ranch is several events in one. Live original music performances, classes, contest, open sing rings, plus Ranch amenities, accommodations and more. It's part fest, part music conference, part business networking and part gathering of old friends held in Hurricane Mills, TN October 2-4, 2009.
Tune smiths from the novice to the pro share their songs on multiple outdoor stages nestled within hundreds of acres of rolling hills, pasture and a winding creek. Hit Writers from the past, present and future will be contributing their talents with live music. The Song Fest at the Ranch welcome all forms of songwriting. Writers are encouraged to come as they are and be themselves. The laid back country atmosphere inspires and invigorates.
Everyone who comes will have an opportunity to share their original lyrics, songs or music. There are no set pre qualifications to attend all or parts of the Festival. There are Open Sing Rings that "Song Wranglers" can join in or start. There is a Co-writers Corner for on the spot writing and sharing a new tune. If ya still can't sleep after all the stages close their is an after hour "Camp Fire Sing Ring" down by the creek. So don't be shy.
Friday, October 2nd, Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday October 4th, tunesmiths can attend classes all about the craft of songwriting. Pro Instructors who have been there, done that, will share their secrets and personal experiences about what it takes to be successful in the business of music.
There is a songwriting & lyric Challenge with over $25,000 in Prizes. These challenges are designed to highlight new or undiscovered talent and just great commercial music for today's market. A distinguished panel of judges such as Sure Fire Music, one of Nashville's oldest publishers who has many of Loretta's songs in their catalog. Some of the winning entry's will receive publishing & song pitching agreements along with cash prizes, professional pitch demos and more.
And if that weren't enough to do... Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch is complete with a Full Service RV Park, Cabin & Campsites, Swimming Pool, Playgrounds, Canoeing, Paddle Boats, Nature Trails, Mini-Theater and more. Durring the fest tours will also be offered to Lynn's Plantation Home, Recording Studio, Loretta's Butcher Holler Home Place, "Coal Miners Daughter Museum." The Old Grist Mill Water Wheel Houses, Fan Museum, Western Town & Jessie James Cabin.
So come hang with the gang for the three day weekend & find your place in the mix. We are located about 65 miles due west from Nashville TN. The Songwriter's Festival at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in now accepting sign ups for performing & non performing songwriters, classes and general admissions for the October 2-4, '09 happening. For more information visit www.Songwritersfestival.com or call 615-424-1491 / 931-296-4067 or email Ranch@Songwritersfestival.com Pet friendly. Open to public.Free Parking!
NASHVILLE, TN -- The SongDoor 2009 International Songwriting Competition is now open for submissions. Awards totaling more than $40,000 (including a single-song publishing contract) and two new judges have also been announced. Complete information is available at SongDoor's new website: http://www.songdoor.com.
"This year we have upped the ante and added a single-song publishing contract to our Awards package," said SongDoor president, Tony Zotta. "The total awards value is now up to more than $40,000, and we have two new top-shelf judges and a hot new recording facility providing the winner's demo." Zotta adds that the website has undergone a complete renovation and now offers many interactive features, special discounts, free MP3 downloads and more.
This year's competition, in partnership with SongU.com, 16 Ton Studios, Hard Twist Music-BMI, MasterWriter, Spring Hill Studio Productions, Broadjam and Tanager Audioworks, kicks off today and runs through November 15. Last year's Grand Award winner Anthony (http:/www.anthonysnape.com), an Aussie transplant who won with his perfect rocker "Disappearing Day," is currently considering booking agents, and just appeared at SXSW in March. Anthony also won the Singer/Songwriter category with "Stronger" as well as the Pop category for the song "A Little Piece of Love," a feat never before accomplished in SongDoor's history. Fifteen other entries are currently being represented to Nashville publishers and producers as this goes to press.
Two new judges join the SongDoor panel this year: Robert Reynolds and Tony Raine. Robert is a pure-country bass slinger and founding member of the Grammy Award-winning band, The Mavericks, who released six albums, selling over four million copies worldwide. Tony Raine, SongDoor's other new judge, has been in the entertainment business for more than 35 years. As General Manager and Production Manager of the Cape Cod Melody Tent, he managed more than 600 shows over 14 summer seasons, featuring national and international acts such as Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, The Black Crowes, The Moody Blues, Hootie and the Blowfish, LeAnn Rimes, Willie Nelson and many, many more. Tony also runs Whistling Dixie Tours and MusicTreks, both of which conduct tours for musicphiles. Judges Brady Seals, Joe Beck, Jason Blume, Dennis Winters and Steve Avedis are with SongDoor again this year.
SongDoor is still the only songwriting competition where nobody loses. All entrants receive a free DIY SongU.com songwriting course and free melody-writing software, valuable tools worth $70. The entry fee is $10. "It's our way of demonstrating that we really do care about helping songwriters be better at what they do," says Zotta.
Entrants are eligible to win the Grand Award, valued at approximately USD $7,745 in music merchandise and services, including a single-song publishing contract with Hard Twist Music-BMI (owned by mega-hit songwriter Bill Shore), a full-band private session demo at 16 Ton Studios, Music Row's hottest recording facility, a one-year full-access membership to SongU.com, a copy of MasterWriter songwriting software, a suite of songwriting software from Tanager Audioworks, a Primo MoB membership to Broadjam, a leather gear bag and an autographed copy of two of hitmaker Jason Blume's best-selling songwriting books. Six Category Winners each receive a valuable package of awards valued at almost $4,670 including a first-rate guitar or vocal production demo and memberships to both SongU.com and Broadjam.
Songs may be entered in six different categories: Christian, Country, Pop, Rock/Alt, Soft Rock and Instrumental. Entries are accepted online or by mail through November 15, 2009.
About SongDoor
The SongDoor International Songwriting Competition is an annual event, open to amateur and professional songwriters worldwide. Entries are accepted online or by mail from April 15 through November 15. The entry fee is just $10. Judges include seasoned music industry producers, artists and engineers who have worked with such artists as Britney Spears, Neil Young, Keith Urban, Cheap Trick, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and a host of others. For complete information, visit: http://www.songdoor.com.
Reviews
Intelligent lyrics and a diverse musical style are what make Caustic Casanova's Imminent Eminence incomparable. The album begins with a noisy, eccentric instrumental entitled, "Are We Doing This?" The alt-rock song, "I Hate Everyone I Want to Like," is a scathing commentary on the shallowness of 21st century existence. "Little White Lie" is loud, heavy, and fast, and "Titian Titillation" is a likeable pop-punk tune about a rocky relationship. Caustic Casanova ventures into acoustic folk rock territory with "Mythical July" and does a decent job of it. On the high energy and slightly funky, "The Milieu of Effete Weaponry" and some of the other tracks, the lead vocalist sounds exactly like Frank Black. The heavy rockin' "The Town Crier" is a song about gossip and features attention-grabbing, contrasting rhythmic changes. "Five Flag Forest" has a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe to it, and "Regolithic Rachel" is a semi-mellow rock tune about growing apart from someone. The lyrics are particularly effective at getthing their point across. "It's the people who love us the most that we never seem to notice. And so to characterize my love, I'd have to say it's hopeless." Other heavy hitters include "Glossolalia," "Anhedonia," "The Soft Machinery of Success," "The March to the Sky (Softshell)," and the most radio-friendly song on the album (if there is one), "Baby Fat." If you like heavy rock, art rock, and noise bands, you will love Caustic Casanova.
The pop/folk rock duo, Zen Boy & Karma Girl, deliver friendly melodies, lush harmonies and accompaniments, and thoughtful lyrics on their EP, Earth vs. Zen Boy & Karma Girl. The spacey intro, "Let's Get Ready," sets an ethereal tone for the entire CD. "Earth vs. You" has a great '60's folk feel with Simon & Garfunkel-like vocals hamonies. Their fun, folk rock rendition of the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right to Party" is a pleasant surprise, and "Off We Go" will have you dancing and twirling around in a circle. "Clowns of Yesteryear" is cosmic and mellow, while "Human Error" is a beautifully simple song with a lovely melody and gorgeous harmonies. The earth-bound alien duo even have their own quirky theme song, "Zen Boy & Karma Girl Theme Song." Good sound and great out-of-this world character concept!
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