July 14: Republican Hair Releases The Prince and The Duke

Nashville, TN -- May 19, 2017 -- Less than a year after their debut with the LP High and Tight, Nashville’s new wave pop band Republican Hair is back to pay homage to two legends. The Prince and The Duke, slated to release July 14, is not only musically inspired by its namesakes, but is lyrically centered around their lives-- and deaths. The album’s ultra-catchy first single, “Miss Prince” is slated for digital and vinyl release (it’s purple, of course) on Prince’s birthday, June 7. The second single, “Constellation” is a melodic reflection on David Bowie’s legacy and the lightning bolt-shaped constellation named for him posthumously. The track will be released on June 16, in celebration of Ziggy’s 25th anniversary.

Republican Hair is the newest side project from songwriter, filmmaker, and renaissance man Luke Dick. Most recently, Dick was nominated for ACM Song of The Year for Eric Church’s “Kill a Word”. In January, he spoke with Rolling Stone about songwriting and filming the documentary Red Dog, a memoir about his unconventional childhood and growing up as the son of an exotic dancer. In 2011, he co-wrote The Rolling Stones and Philosophy: It's Just a Thought Away and has a master’s in philosophy. He has taught at multiple institutions, including Nashville State, CUNY, St. Francis, St. John's, and even a stint in Singapore.

Although Dick is noted for writing multiple country hits, Republican Hair’s High and Tight (released late 2016) established a fresh sound somewhere between 80’s new wave punk and current upbeat indie pop. In April, the band was featured on Spotify’s “Garage Jams” playlist and is a recurring favorite on “Discover Weekly”. In addition to releasing two records within a year, the band started “Haircuts for Humans”, a Nashville charity that teams up with local barber shops to provide haircuts for the homeless and raises money for the Martha O’Bryan Organization.

The band will be touring with Wheeler Walker Jr. on the following dates:

June 2 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
June 6 - New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom
June 8 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour

For more information, visit http://republicanhair.org/.

Celebrating 50 Years of Polyrhythms

Peter Magadini's Polyrhythms - A Musician's Guide is acclaimed the world over and has been hailed by Modern Drummer  magazine as "by far the best book on the subject" and "a very important contribution" by Gunther Schuller. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, Hal Leonard has recently released a second edition of the title featuring online audio examples that include playback tools such as tempo adjustment and looping capabilities.

Written for instrumentalists and vocalists alike, this book contains excellent solos and exercises that feature polyrhythmic concepts. Topics covered include: 6 over 4, 5 over 4, 7 over 4, 3 over 4, 11 over 4, and other rhythmic ratios; combining various polyrhythms; polyrhythmic time signatures; and much more. The audio includes demos of the exercises and is accessed online using the unique code in each book. 

Peter Magadini (January 25, 1942) is an American jazz drummer, percussionist, educator and author of multiple books on drumming and drum technique. Magadini has recorded and performed with Diana Ross, Bobbie Gentry, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Don Menza, John Handy and Mose Allison. Magadini is widely known for his interest and expertise in polyrhythms as applied in western music and drum set. Originally inspired by his studies with tabla player Mahapurush Misra in 1966, he has published two major works on the subject: Polyrhythms for the Drumset and Polyrhythms: The Musicians Guide, (first published in two volumes in 1967) which Modern Drummer magazine ranked 6th in their survey of "The 25 Best Drum Books." In 2012 he published The Official 26 Polyrhythm Rudiments.

Polyrhythms - A Musician's Guide is available from music and bookstores or by visiting www.halleonard.com.

Native Instruments Releases MASCHINE Software Update 2.6.5

 

Free software update introduces new Ideas View for easy mixing and matching

May 18, 2017, Berlin - Native Instruments today releases the MASCHINE 2.6.5 software update, available free for all MASCHINE 2 customers. The update introduces Ideas View, a new layout that lets users build Scenes by mixing and matching patterns independent of the timeline. MASCHINE users can now experiment with new beats, vamps, and fills, or audition melodies and alternate between elements to find combinations they like. The update also features enhanced plug-in integration to trigger Scenes, making it easier than ever to try out ideas and find cool arrangements directly from the DAW via MIDI.

Additionally, in MASCHINE 2.6.5 users can load new Groups on the fly while audio and MIDI routings remain intact. Since every sound plays on its own previously mapped channel, users are now able to audition sounds for patterns or record alternate takes into a DAW, without losing settings.

MASCHINE 2.6.5 is available free for MASCHINE 2 owners to download via Native Access.

For the latest MASCHINE offers and updates head to
www.native-instruments.com/products/maschine/production-systems/maschine/

About Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and DJing. The company’s mission is to develop innovative, fully integrated solutions for all professions, styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike.

Native Instruments opened up the fascinating world of real-time sound synthesis on standard computers in 1996, and today offers an extensive product range for musicians, producers and DJs. The company currently employs more than 400 people in its six offices in Berlin, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Shenzhen and works closely with more than 40 international distribution partners to ensure its future growth and success.

Motion Notion 2017 - Phase II Lineup Drop

Bountiful basslines and tantalizing drops will echo throughout the picturesque Rocky Mountains of Golden, BC as the 18th annual Motion Notion Festival takes over this summer, August 24th-28th, 2017. Having already unveiled an impressive Phase I lineup, the masterminds behind Motion Notion have dreamt up a visionary Phase II, showcasing the elite of rising talent from Western North America to compliment headliners Datsik, Avalon, Dirtyphonics, Koan Sound, The M Machine and Minnesota alongside a diverse mix of international legends and underground acts -- totaling over 100!

For phase 2, Motion Notion is going deep with “Deep House’ favorites like Ben Annand. A resident DJ at Tropical and Moontribe in Los Angeles, Ben Annand can throw down on vinyl, CDJs, or both as he utilizes an incredibly aggressive and energetic mixing style with dreamy, atmospheric and deep beats. Recent years have cemented Freddy J as one of Canada's "must see" dj's and he’s sure to throw down a funky, whompy, groovy, crunky bass set. Having played Motion Notion many times over the years, Freddy J is a MoNo fan favorite. WMNSTUDIES has quickly risen to international recognition with his Nu-Disco, tropical storm of deep grooves and high energy DJ sets, leaving every person on the dance floor wanting more.

Winner of PLAY Motion Notion Alex Mei will make her festival debut, having beat out over 58 other worthy competitors in the recent contest held in conjunction with Do 604. Judge and Label Manager at Westwood Recordings, Jordan Hutchinson expands on his reasoning for choosing Mei as top winner, saying, “Super fresh style and quick transitions kept us grooving to the gritty, bass heavy sounds of Alex Mei from start to finish!” With so many amazing sets submitted, Motion Notion went one step further and made an offer to the 1st runner up: Vancouver legendary house duo Average Gypsy.

Entering its 18th season, under the direction of Motion Notion visionary Kevin Harper, the festival features 3 stunning festival-run stages including an all new beachfront stage, plus welcomes independant festival stage creators Turtle Island, Broken Motion and Flociety, who will be hosting their own interactive stages throughout the weekend. Encouraging attendees to become a part of the growing festival, Motion Notion invites both professional fire dancers, contortionists, hypnotists, magicians, aerialists, yogis and amateur flow artists alike to join the party.

Beyond the stellar musical additions, there are many features of the Motion Notion camping experience that set it apart from any other camping festival around. The Rocky Mountain location gives campers the chance to experience a location that is unparalleled in the world for clarity and depth. Camping alongside the Beaverfoot river offers plenty of late night stargazing and the chance to unplug and unwind. Getting lost amongst the pine trees will invigorate the spirit and the incredible nighttime sky will sooth the soul. Bordering the beautiful Yoho National Park, the mountainous backdrop becomes a work of art in any photo taken on site.

For the ultimate glamping experience attendees can add on a Luxury Tent Package. Amenities include a canvas tent in quiet camping, deluxe queen mattress and bedding for two, lighting and furniture included and set up inside the tent. Also included are: 6 shower passes, 2 Posh Potty passes, and a MoNo Swag pack.

Tickets for Motion Notion 2017 are moving fast - don’t delay on planning the adventure of a lifetime! Purchase your pass here

Stay Connected: Motion Notion Festival
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

Motion Notion 2017 Phase II Release
Alex Mei ⬝ Arlen ⬝ Astrocolor ⬝ Audiowrx ⬝ Average Gypsy ⬝ Bass Panda ⬝ Bass Workshop ⬝ Ben Annand ⬝ Big Worm ⬝ Buck Wilde ⬝ Burchill ⬝ Cain.1 ⬝ Case of the Mondays ⬝ Das Booty ⬝ Deliverance ⬝ Disociate ⬝DJ Arktic ⬝ Donald Bump ⬝ Doprah Spinfree ⬝ Duplex ⬝ Freddy J ⬝ Gnumadayo ⬝ Groovy Cuvy ⬝ Heidrogen ⬝ Jams ⬝ J Feud ⬝ JGirl & Manousos ⬝ Mat B ⬝ Maxx Ammo ⬝ Michelle C ⬝ Mihajic Touch & DJ Three Sixty ⬝ MonkeyTwerk ⬝ Ninjette ⬝ Ohm Girl ⬝ Paperkrayne ⬝ Paradigm Theorem ⬝ Paul Who? ⬝ Phonotactic ⬝ Poeta ⬝ Robbie C ⬝ Rusty Meeks vs Kuana ⬝ Sam Klass ⬝ Schwag Dankus ⬝ Shylow ⬝ Sivz ⬝ Skuzz Sound ⬝Spiral Architects ⬝ SuperGNARLY ⬝ The Genesa Project & Kali Yuga ⬝ The Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness ⬝ Two Timer vs Wadjit ⬝ Wakcutt ⬝ Wakcutt ⬝ Wmnstudies

2017 Motion Notion Phase I Lineup [Previously Announced]
Datsik ⬝ Avalon ⬝ Dirtyphonics ⬝ Koan Sound ⬝ The M Machine ⬝ Minnesota
80Fitz ⬝ Abstrakt Sonance ⬝ Akasha ⬝ Amani ⬝ Au5 ⬝ Avalon ⬝ Birds of Paradise ⬝ Cheshire ⬝ Christian Martin ⬝ CloZee D-Funk ⬝ Defunk ⬝ Desert Dwellers ⬝ Doctor Werewolf ⬝ Drunken Masters ⬝ Flatland Funk ⬝ Flavours ⬝ Fort Knox Five ⬝ Grouch ⬝ Inf1n1te ⬝ IYFFE ⬝ John 00 Fleming ⬝ K+Lab ⬝ Kalya Scintilla & Eve Olution Kaminanda ⬝ Kytami ⬝ Landswitcher ⬝ Longwalkshortdock ⬝ Mark Instinct ⬝ Marten Hørger ⬝ Merkaba ⬝ Neighbor ⬝ Neon Steve ⬝ Peep This ⬝ Perkulat0r ⬝ PhaseOne ⬝ Quanta ⬝ S.P.Y. Shadow FX ⬝ Shlump ⬝ ShockOne ⬝ Slynk ⬝ Smalltown DJs ⬝ Space Jesus ⬝ Staunch ⬝ Stickybuds ⬝ Tha Funk Junkie ⬝ The Funk Hunters ⬝ Tom Collins ⬝ Treavor Moontribe ⬝ Whitebear ⬝ Worthy

About Motion Notion Festival
Now entering its 18th year in existence, Motion Notion Festival returns in 2017 to the historic Beaverfoot Lodge and Festival Grounds located 40km East of Golden BC, Canada. One of North America's most pristine and remote areas, Motion Notion Festival is bordered by Yoho National Park and features untouched forests, immense mountains, a clear glacial river and pond, inviting attendees to a blissful experience. Motion Notion Festival is globally-renowned for its vibrant festival history: consistently booking an eclectic mix of seasoned talent and the elite of the underground in electronic music, constructing prismatic stage design and offering a wealth of activities to explore. Motion Notion Festival returns August 24th - 28th, 2017

7th Annual Guitarfish Music Festival

The 7th Annual Guitarfish Music Festival is soon to approach on July 27-30, 2017 at the Cisco Grove Campground!

Antelope Audio Now Accepting Preorders on Goliath HD, Orion Studio 2017 Interface Now Shipping; Both with Latest FPGA-Based Real-Time FX

Santa Monica, Calif., May 11, 2017 — Antelope Audio, a leading interface company specializing in realtime FPGA-based vintage FX modeling, announces that its Goliath HD is now available for preorder and that its Orion Studio 2017 is now shipping and avaialble through the company's network of authorized dealers.

Priced at  $6,995, Antelope's flagship Goliath HD is the culmination of years of research and design, and is able to serve as the powerhouse centerpiece of any studio. The unit features 64 channels of high-quality audio I/O and includes powerful upgrades, including the adaptable new Accusonic preamps — along with a full suite of Antelope's groundbreaking FPGA-based FX.

Orion Studio 2017 Now Shipping
Released in April 2017 and priced at $2,595, Orion Studio 2017 features brand new analog to digital converters allowing it to deliver an unparalleled 124 decibels of dynamic range along with Antelope’s groundbreaking suite of real-time FPGA-based FX. Boasting a sleek carbon grey faceplate, the updated interface continues its predecessor’s penchant for extensive connectivity and best in class performance, including 12 high-quality microphone preamps and 16 analog outputs.
A pioneer in the field of analog to digital conversion, Antelope’s Orion Studio 2017 features new A/D conversion chips capable of 124 decibels of dynamic range when converting audio. This allows users to capture every sonic nuance of a performance as faithfully as possible. The combination of these new innovations along with Antelope’s renowned 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) jitter-management technology makes the Orion Studio 2017 poised to deliver industry-leading fidelity in just about any recording application.

FPGA-based FX and Vast Connectivity Options
Antelope has added several new compressors to its growing library of FPGA-based FX, and Orion Studio 2017 allows for simultaneous use of up to 32 compressors —without sacrificing the 40 EQ instances the hardware offers. Ideal for tracking or mixing, these ultra-realistic realtime FX are handled within the interface itself and do not tax the host DAW system, expanding the sonic palette.
Controllable via a desktop app for Mac or PC, Antelope’s session preset and routing software gives users complete control over signal flow, enabling powerful FX chains, faithful monitor mixes and easy outboard hardware integration. The new Matrix View, available in Orion Studio 2017 and all Antelope Thunderbolt & HDX Audio Interfaces, offers a detailed alternative to Antelope’s classic drag-and-drop routing interface, while the new Session Presets lets users instantaneously recall settings at any time, speeding up sessions and allowing them to be shared across multiple studio rooms or facilities.

Meantime, the 12-built in preamps in Orion Studio 2017 is able to easily accommodate complex multi-microphone setups, while 16 analog outputs offer plenty of signal distribution capabilities for outboard gear integration or summing. Dual-mastering-grade monitor outputs maintain signal integrity all the way to the monitoring stage, while also allowing easy switching between two speaker pairs.

For more information on the Orion Studio 2017, please visit:
http://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/orion-studio-rev-2017/

For more information on the Goliath HD, please visit:
http://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/goliath-hd/#overview

For more information on Antelope Audio’s real-time FX and a full list of available FX, please visit:
http://en.antelopeaudio.com/hardware-based-fpga-effects/

John Dennis Turns Tragedy Into Hope With Sophomore Album

 Second Wind to be released July 28th

Nashville, TN -- May 9, 2017 -- John Dennis tells his own story of hope, healing, and rebirth with this summer's Second Wind, the second album from the young Americana musician.

Releasing July 28th, the album finds Dennis sharpening his mix of folk, southern soul, and stripped-down country. It's a warm album, punctuated by swells of pedal steel and swirls of B3 organ. At the center of the sound is Dennis himself: a clear-headed singer, songwriter, and storyteller who's coming to terms with the tragedy that sent him spiraling into a period of depression and addiction.
A songwriter since the age of 13, Dennis found a lifelong muse in his high-school sweetheart, Adrienne, who shared his love of the Beatles and Tom Petty. The two were inseparable for years. Tragedy struck during Dennis' first semester as a music student at Nashville's Belmont University, when Adrienne was involved in a fatal car accident. Left without his partner, Dennis threw himself into songwriting, earning a record contract with Dr. Bryan Clark's Rainfeather Records in the process. Meanwhile, he coped with Adrienne's loss by leaning heavily on the numbing effects of alcohol.
Eternity Tree, his first collection of honest, heart-baring songs, arrived in 2014. The album dealt heavily with Adrienne's loss, but it did little to cure Dennis' drinking habit. By the following year, he was a full-blown alcoholic. During the months that followed, he bottomed out, cleaned up, relapsed, and cleaned up once again, this time committing to sobriety for good. He owed it to Adrienne. And he owed it to himself. 

"For five or six months after getting sober, I worked a day job at a craft store, picked up a guitar every few days, and rediscovered music without drinking," he explains. Most of Second Wind's songs were written during that period, while Dennis pieced his life — and his art — back together. "I allowed music to be a healing thing," he adds, "and found my footing both in my artistic life and personal life. I'd gotten to the bottom and realized there was another way of doing things. It's a second wind."

One month before Second Wind's summertime release, Dennis will celebrate two years of sobriety. The timing couldn't be better. Second Wind is an album about hope, reconciling love, and giving love — as well as life — a new shot. Intimate, human, and unflinchingly honest, it's a battle cry from an artist who, after successful fending off his demons, isn't too proud to show off his scars.