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Lay Low - 8:00 PM Viper Room
www.laylow.is
Lay Low is the musical alter-ego of Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir, who was born in London but relocated
to Iceland at an early age. In early 2006 she was contacted by a local label that had heard one of her
demos on MySpace and within a few short months Lay Low had released its first album, Please Don't Hate Me,
which was the best-selling original album in Iceland that year. Lay Low's new album, Farewell Good Night's
Sleep (available in North America May 26), shows influences of seminal artists such as Patsy Cline and Dolly
Parton and splashes of her own unique personality, resulting in the music team at iTunes hailing Lay Low as
one of the best discoveries of this year.
Our Lunar Activities - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
myspace.com/ourlunaractivities
Our Lunar Activities was formed by brothers Kevin and Charles Clark from Stornoway, UK. Their first single,
"She Cried"/"Diamond," produced by Mogwai's Barry Burns, received critical praise and opened the door for O.L.A.
to support the likes of Snow Patrol. It was while touring Europe with +44 that Our Lunar Activities attracted the
attention of frontman Mark Hoppus (also of blink-182), who was so impressed by the group's sound that he invited them
to Los Angeles to record in December 2007 and ended up producing their self-titled debut record. Now with the album
finished, 2009 is set to be a busy year for the band including a set of showcase gigs and a planned worldwide tour.
Black Room - 9:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/blackroomtheband
This rising young Norwegian trio got their name from a most unfortunate circumstance: the house they rehearsed in burned to the ground,
leaving little behind but songs for an album. Undeterred, singer Ole, guitarist Anders and synth-man Paal relocated to a room without
windows but overflowing with guitars, synthesizers, records and computers, working on their debut album, Pop Noir--which also serves as
a perfect two-word description of their music, which is reminiscent of some of Elbow's darker moments while also containing hints of
artists such as U2, Coldplay and Snow Patrol.
Dead Letter Circus -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
deadlettercircus.com
In less than two years, Dead Letter Circus has risen to the forefront of promising Australian rock acts. In 2007 the group
released their eponymous debut EP and the reaction was immediately positive, with it being deemed "Album of the Week" by Sydney's
Brag magazine and Melbourne's Beat magazine. By September 2007 they were on the Triple J Presents national tour and had signed a
worldwide publishing deal with Universal. Last year the group sought to publicize their forthcoming 2009 debut album by allowing
free downloads of the song "Reaction." In November 2008 they released a new single, "Next in Line," which debuted at No.1 on the
AIR charts and also was playlisted at Triple J.
Purple Melon - 10:00 PM Viper Room
purplemelon.co.uk
Hailing from Birmingham, England, early in 2006 the group met a trio of young filmmakers and together they came up
with the idea of filming the group's journey (teaser snippets of the footage can be viewed on YouTube, MySpace, Vuze and
their web site). Soon the group relocated to London they attracted the attention of many leading producers, ultimately
deciding to work with Paul Stacey (Oasis, Black Crowes). Currently the band is in Los Angeles putting the finishing touches
on their debut album with the intent of winning over North American fans through extensive gigging.
Bigelf - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
bigelf.com
With the release of their Closer to Doom EP in 1995, SoCal quartet Bigelf established themselves as founding fathers of
the "psychedelic doom movement" that paved the way for the Los Angeles stoner-rock scene. In the years since vocalist/keyboardist
Damon Fox, guitarist Ace Mark, bassist Duffy Snowhill and drummer Froth have released two full-length albums and achieved cult status
overseas. Now the group has released a new album, their first for Linda Perry's Custard Records, aptly titled Cheat the Gallows,
which has drawn critical praise from media outlets such as Artsitdirect.com as one of the best rock records of the year.
Tigarah - 11:00 PM Viper Room
tigarah.co.uk
Needless to say, the electro-dance realm isn't exactly overflowing with political science majors who once aspired to
public office... but then again, Japanese sensation Tigarah isn't your typical poli-sci major. In 2003 she formed a duo
with Swiss/German DJ/producer Mr. D and began performing under Tigarah's name; three years later they were signed to Universal Music.
Tigarah (which means "girl like a Tiger" in Japanese) has received quite a bit of positive press in the US, and her music has been
featured on the American TV shows "Numb3rs" and "The L Word," as well as the EA Sports games "Need for Speed: Carbon," "FIFA 07" and "FIFA 08."
Monday April 27th, 2009
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Andrew Paul Woodworth - 8:00 PM Viper Room
andrewpaulwoodworth.com
Legendary Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones once said of Andrew Paul Woodworth, "He's the best lyricist I
have ever worked with," and then went on to produce the album of Woodworth's then-band, Elephant Ride. However,
the band broke up and APW hit the studio in the spring of 2005 to record his first solo efforts. An alumnus of
MUSEXPO 2006, he caught the attention of the discerning ears at Rodeostar Records in Germany during that year's
conference and was promptly signed to the label. His first full-length, Eddy Ate Dynamite, features the song that first
catapulted Andrew to attention: a slowed-down, acoustic take of the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right to Party"!
Derek Miller - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
derekmillermusic.com
Singer/songwriter Derek Miller has been making quite a name for himself on the Canadian and international music scenes for the past
decade. By the age of 25 in 1999 he'd won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award and toured with icon Buffy Saint-Marie, who said, "Derek
is like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristofferson--but better--he's got a Mohawk heart." His first solo album, Music is the Medicine,
earned him his first Juno Award in 2002, while his most recent album, The Dirty Looks, received the award for Best Rock CD at the 2007
Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Derek is currently finishing an album with Texas rhythm section Double Trouble of Stevie Ray Vaughan
fame, set for an early 2010 release
Gin Wigmore - 9:00 PM Viper Room
ginwigmore.com
Gin Wigmore is a precocious singer/songwriter from the southern hemisphere, having been born in New Zealand but also spending
significant time in Argentina and Australia. It was while in Buenos Aires that 16-year-old Gin learned of the passing of her
father due to cancer. She responded by writing a song, "Hallelujah," to articulate her pain. Two years later, the song won the
2005 International Songwriting Contest, making Gin the youngest winner ever. In August 2008 Gin was signed by Motown President
Sylvia Rhone and undertook her first promo tour, mesmerizing media and music industry audiences in San Francisco, Los Angeles
and New York. Currently, she is in preparation for recording her debut full-length album.
Floor Thirteen -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
floor13.ca
In recent years the music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has been producing some exciting new artists, but few with as much potential
as Floor Thirteen. Their hard-rockin' sound has drawn comparisons to such luminaries as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, along with newcomers like
Wolfmother and Jet, helping them land a slot on Mazda's online "Campus Joyride" game with their song "Night Train." They also had their song
"Bright Lights Rockin' City" included in the soundtrack of the Sci-Fi Channel movie "Grizzly Rage." Floor Thirteen has toured extensively
throughout their native land, sharing the stages with the likes of Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman,
along with such bands as Buckcherry,
Default and Our Lady Peace.
Sorgente - 10:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/sorgentemusic
Sorgente is six guys from Munich, Germany whose music is an amazing amalgam of '90s Lenny Kravitz and '80s Prince melded with
the soulful sounds of the '60s-era Isley Brothers. Their most recent album, Let Me In, is an erotically charged concept piece
about excess, destruction and the calm that comes after the storm. But when it comes to classifying their unique sound, even the
band members themselves are a bit stumped. "As long as we don't have to read the designations 'reggae,' 'ska,' 'Latin' or 'world'
in relation to our music anymore, we don't mind," says Mr. Jacobsen, slyly adding, "'Psychedelic Disco-Rock' or 'Psychedelic Groove-Pop'
could probably hit the mark best."
The Blue Van - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
thebluevan.com
Growing up in Denmark's Jutland peninsula with nothing to do, the four members of The Blue Van formed the band when they were all
in the sixth grade. After adopting the name The Blue Van (Danish slang for the ambulance that transports patients to mental institutions),
they relocated to Copenhagen. They recorded their debut full-length, The Art of Rolling, live in the studio adding in vocals later in order
to capitalize on the band's live strengths. The album landed them an American deal with TVT Records and recorded their second album, Dear
Independence, in Brooklyn. Now with indie Iceberg Records, The Blue Van just released their third album, Man Up, which has already spawned
the hit "Silly Boy."
Addeboy Vs. Cliff (Feat. Adam Tensta) - 11:00 PM Viper Room
addeboyvscliff.com
The constellation, Addeboy Vs Cliff and Adam Tensta, bodes for world class entertainment and promises high energy, danceable hip-hop and rocking
house beats. What started as an artist-producer relationship is now headed up on stage in a joint effort to turn it up a notch in Los Angeles.
Adam Tensta has made dance floors from Stockholm to Dakar, from Paris to Los Angeles, sizzle with his electro/house influenced sound & Bloc Pop.
As producers and artists, Addeboy Vs Cliff, have created remixes, released independent singles and have an album in the cooker. They are a rocking
house duo that have been compared to Daft Punk and Justice and gotten a whole music industry chasing their beats!
Tuesday April 28th, 2009
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Jessie J - 8:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/musicjessiej
Jessie J is a pop-soul singer from London, England who is creating quite a buzz in her hometown and abroad with her unique style
and quirky voice. Previously signed to UK indie label Gut Records, she is now inked to Universal Republic Records/Lava for her
album releases and signed to Sony ATV for publishing. With a slate of gigs and an album release on the horizon, Jessie J is definitely
an artist to watch for in 2009.
Ruby Tigers - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
rubytigers.com
In just a couple of years Australian quartet Ruby Tigers has amassed an impressive array of well-connected friends and business contacts.
The group spent the majority of 2007 ensconced in Powderfinger's Airlock Studios Brisbane, emerging with a collection of songs that not
only pleased current fans, but garnered them new ones including famed producer/mixer Mark Needham (The Killers, My Chemical Romance), who
promptly agreed to mix their album after hearing the demos on MySpace. Thus inspired, the band went back into the studio with American
producer/songwriter Marc Swersky and produced an album that showcases their world-class talent alongside radio-ready tunes.
Chris Pickering - 9:00 PM Viper Room
chrispickering.net
In a mere five years Australian artist Chris Pickering has utilized his insightful lyrical sense, magical melodies and natural good looks to help
redefine the alt-country genre. During that time he's released a pair of EPs and two critically acclaimed albums and won over audiences throughout
Australia and America. His most recent effort, Excuses Excuses, was picked by Australia's Fuse Music Group for re-release in 2009; of the album,
the Courier Mail enthused, "Excuses Excuses reveals considerable growth in Pickering as an artist who touches on a refreshing array of styles while
developing a strong musical identity of his own."
Domenica -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
domenica.ca
Domenica is a hard-rockin' four-piece from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that is fronted by the gorgeous Bekki, a former teen model who opted
for the passion of performing onstage over the cool attitude require on the catwalk. Domenica's song "Luxury" has enjoyed heavy rotation on
Canadian Active Rock stations and "I Love My Gun" was licensed to a number of primetime television shows. During the spring/summer of 2008
Bekki tracked a trio of new songs in Matt Sorum's (Guns 'N' Roses/Velvet Revolver) studio for their forthcoming full-length album. Essentially,
Domenica represents a perfect balance between beauty and aggression:
metal with pop hooks and the good looks of Bekki.
Yves Klein Blue - 10:00 PM Viper Room
yveskleinblue.com
Australian act Yves Klein Blue takes their moniker from the famed artist Yves Klein, whose "Yves Klein Blue" is a blue shade
that doesn't fade over time, forever appearing wet and freshly applied; and thus serving as a metaphor for the group's goal of
creating music that is timeless and won't fade with age. They released a five-song EP in April 2008, Yves Klein Blue Draw Attention
to Themselves. A joyous melding of classic pop, old-school punk, gypsy-tinted jazz and indie rock, it swiftly received positive response.
"Yves Klein Blue are a bunch of 19-and-20-year-olds from Brisbane who are grabbing the chance of playing the Big Day Out by the neck,"
stated Robert Forster in The Monthly.
Young Love - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
myspace.com/younglove
Less than three years ago, Dan Keyes was a member of the up-and-coming melodic post-punk Austin, Texas band Recover, which landed a
major label deal, a national fanbase and gigabytes of critical acclaim. However, much as Keyes loved and respected his fellow band members,
he had other songs buzzing around his brain, songs that didn't fit in with Recover's sound. He also had some rough demos of the new music he
was hearing in his head: catchy and danceable, yet unpredictable, they would form the basis of the sound that would evolve into Young Love.
The results are already being favorably received on the New York club scene, where several leaked songs are generating dance floor requests
well before the April 28 release of his new album One of Us.
Salem - 11:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/SALEM
Salem is a Stockholm, Sweden native born of a Syrian father and Swedish mother whose wistful soul/pop confections are proving
increasingly popular in his native land and beyond. Salem began his musical training at age four on the violin; by age 14 he was
accomplished enough to perform on a solo tour of Russia. He then went on to release his debut full-length, This Is Who I Am, in January
2007 to great critical acclaim: the Obscure Sound music blog stated, "Salem has to be one of the most individually talented artists I
have come across, playing literally every instrument on the album, whether it is classic '70s pop, soul, blues, or folk, Salem has the
sort of musical grasp that is both easy to envy and adore."
Wednesday April 29th, 2009
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Fabienne Holloway - 8:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/fabienneuk
In the 21st Century, everything old is new again... especially to impressionable young ears rediscovering the joys of Sixties-style soul
and R&B and updating those classic sounds for their own generation. One of the brightest new contenders on the scene is Fabienne Holloway,
who at the tender age of 13 in 2005 wowed the judges at the Stafford Borough Council Raw Talent competition. Shortly thereafter she was
signed to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam and played some gigs in New York City, but she's now a free agent again. "Music wasn't something I was born
into, just something I luckily found--and now something which influences and revolves around everything I do," says Fabienne.
Kingsfall - 8:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
KingsfallMusic.com
When Larry Leicht (bass), Devin Dean (guitars/vocals), Daniel Lopez (drums), and Joshua Dufrene (guitars/vocals) came together in
2006 to form Kingsfall they all had a common vision of taking their unique sound to the masses. "We want to share positive moral values
and ethics, impacting people's lives and challenging their minds", lead singer Josh Dufrene says. Kingsfall won the 2008 Famecast December
Rock Stage title by defeating over 17,934 other artists to win grand prize and an upcoming feature article in Spin Magazine. Based in Dallas,
this exciting and energetic band with their own distinct sound has been compared to Mutemath, Coldplay,Third Eye Blind, U2 and Switchfoot,
who they opened up for this past year.
Samantha Heard - 9:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/samanthaheard
In the buzz-and-bling world of the 21st Century, there seemingly isn't room for those who prefer to put the song and performance first.
Providing a refreshing counterpoint to that view is 22-year-old Samantha Heard, who has poured over eight years of songwriting into the 12
wholly self-penned songs on her debut album, Headsketches. While playing solo shows in London she quickly attracted the attention of producer
Robin Millar (Sade), one of Britain's most successful record producers. Millar then brought in John Reynolds (Sinead O'Connor), giving
Headsketches a production team who had between them recorded two of the most successful and iconic female artists of the last 25 years.
Hey Ocean -
9:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
heyocean.com
Hailing from the gorgeous environs of Vancouver, Canada is Hey Ocean, a four-piece featuring vocalist/flutist Ashleigh Ball, guitarist/vocalist
David Beckingham, bassist Dave Vertessi and drummer Dan Klenner. The quartet released their first album, Stop Looking like Music, in 2006 and
swiftly became one of Western Canada's most popular touring acts. In 2008 they self-released their sophomore effort, It's Easier to Be Someone
Else, including the tune "A Song about California," a bouncy, jazz-inflected piece of pop that
can't help but get toes a-tappin'. The sound of
Hey Ocean
also contains elements of several world music genres,
inspired by the three years Beckingham spent in Kenya and
the other bandmembers'
travels in Central America, Asia and Europe.
Lovebugs - 10:00 PM Viper Room
lovebugs.com
Swiss quintet Lovebugs are celebrating their 15th year together this year, coinciding with the release of their tenth album
(three of their previous efforts hit No.1 in their native land, where they routinely sell Platinum). Their latest album, the
aptly titled The Highest Heights, brings their sunny, dancefloor-ready take on Britpop to a new level; in fact, the title track
was chosen as Switzerland's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest. "For our new album, we've combined our love of big melodies,
atmospheric sounds and hypnotic beats with the possibilities that a rock band has at its disposal."
Rebelution - 10:30 PM Whiskey A Go Go
rebelutionmusic.com
Since initially getting together while attending music classes at the University of California-Santa Barbara in 2004, the members of
Rebelution--have racked up an enviable record of success throughout the state of California and beyond. Their roots-reggae stylings
quickly won a following not only among aficionados of the genre, but also more mainstream music fans. The group's debut album, Courage to Grow,
received airplay on major market stations like KROQ Los Angeles, 91X San Diego and KITS "Live 105." To top it all off, the album remains in the
Top 10 Reggae albums on iTunes and is now the second most downloaded of the genre.
On Blast - 11:00 PM Viper Room
myspace.com/onblastmusic
Long Beach-based quartet On Blast boasts a most unique sound, a mashup of influences ranging from the Doors to Portishead that's been
rapidly winning over converts throughout the Golden State. The group first attracted attention when "World Famous" KROQ Los Angeles DJ
Stryker introduced listeners to their music during drive time. The song became their first single, "Wanna Lose Control," and inspired a
mad scramble from a variety of A&R sources. The winner was new startup Streetlife Records, which is helmed by Pablito Vasquez and Jerry
Heller--the latter of whom was the mastermind of the
Eazy-E/NWA/Ruthless Records empire--and will be releasing
On Blast's debut album this summer.
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Please email
Josh@passportapproved.com for guest list information. Tickets are on a first-come basis. There are age minimums at both venues.
Thanks for listening to Passport Approved and we look forward to speaking with you again very soon.
Best Regards,
Sat Bisla (host/music director) and Josh Woodard (producer)
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