TheLiveLine.com – where fans and artists go to shoot the sh** (used with permission from Alternative Revolt Magazine)
One of the hardest working guys I know not only promotes several record companies and a number of artists but he also works for a very cool business, TheLiveLine.com. This company allows fans to call a number and listen to a recorded message left by an actual famous artist of their choice to see what the latest thing going on in their lives is. Not only that, but a fan can also receive a text by the artist of what they’re into or what they’re about to get into. To make it sweeter, sometimes the artist will answer the phone and talk to you if they’re super cool and not super busy. Want to know who some of these artists are? Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dez Fafara (DevilDriver), Burton C Bell (Fear Factory), Maria Brink (In This Moment), and many more.
Not only do they have an amazingly simple and effective idea for promoting businesses, their idea behind fan-to-artist mobile phone interaction is cool and unique which will probably be as important as society has made Twitter. Their press release sounds mighty inviting: “The website allows our talent to create AudioBlogs, and anyone can call them at a number we assign them for FREE. This itself is cool to be able to hear their actual voice, and interact with fans. Fans can even leave voice messages for the Artists, and you never know, the artist may just answer the phone and start talking to you! Every time an artist updates their AudioBlog, a text alert goes out.
Try it for yourself, and give Maria Brink a call for FREE: (877) 306-2742. Who is Maria Brink? The delicious singer of “In This Moment” who also was featured in Playboy.
TheLiveLine.com has an updated version which will go live very soon and you don’t want to miss out on this huge ordeal. You can see a glimpse now at http://www.theliveline.com
What interested me equally was a section they have called “Purgatory.” This is a cool concept where unknown artists get a chance to score a spot with the big boys on the site. Basically, an unknown artist tries to gain 1,000 fans. Until they do they stay in “purgatory” but once they get that number of fans they achieve a spot with the already-knowns. So, to get a bit more understanding here is an interview with someone who knows all about TheLiveLine.com, Scott Holmen.
THE INTERVIEW
Daniel/AR: The idea behind theliveline.com is very cool. It’s been tested for a couple years if my information is correct. What prompted the idea and how did it get moving so fast and successfully?
Scott/TheLiveLine: We were aware that the technology was available but mostly being applied to retail marketing. We approached our parent company with the idea of using their existing technology and applying it to the entertainment industry.
Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario how a fan could benefit from joining.
Scott/TheLiveLine: In addition to getting updates from Artists IN THE ARTISTS’ OWN VOICE, fans on TheLiveLine have access to exclusive contests, promotions, alerts and access to our “Talent Family”.
Daniel/AR: What is the cost to join?
Scott/TheLiveLine: It is absolutely FREE to be a fan or an artist on TheLiveLine.
Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario of how a business could benefit from this. Let’s say the name of the business was Envy Anna Jones or Eggshell White Castle.
Scott/TheLiveLine: The businesses that are coming alongside TheLiveLine see the value of several components that we produce. A business is able to access fans, via their mobile device, which is the most immediate and relevant way to reach their targeted demographic today. We are able to serve highly targeted text, voice and web communications on behalf of these businesses.
Daniel/AR: How would you compare this to Twitter which is what I thought of initially?
Scott/TheLiveLine: We are different than twitter in that we have incorporated an Audio component in TheLiveLine. On twitter, you can’t be too sure who is tweeting on behalf of an artist. Frequently, an administrator is generating the tweets. With TheLiveLine, you are HEARING your favorite artists voice SECONDS after they record their AudioBlog and are provided with a way to engage in 2-way communication with them.
Daniel/AR: When theliveline.com is complete what are all the great things one can expect from visiting it and being a member?
Scott/TheLiveLine: As we continue to build out TheLiveLine we expect to facilitate event based mobile experiences where we are at shows allowing fans to engage with the artists via picture 2 screen text to screen, voting, and providing mobile deals on merch, concessions, etc.
We will be able to provide fans and brands with highly relevant information that they will want based on some of the information that they request. For example, a metal fan will request and get information around metal music, metal merch, metal events, etc.
Daniel/AR: Your “purgatory” is a very cool idea. To what extent will theliveline.com go to make sure these artists get known?
Scott/TheLiveLine: We are huge proponents of the “up & comers”. We have already used our resources to book shows for some of these smaller bands. We truly believe that as Artists see a company in this “Dog Eat Dog” world that you so accurately describe come along side of them and help them with publicity, brand building, management, and bringing them into our network within the entertainment business they will reciprocate by providing TheLiveLine with new content, traffic and otherwise reciprocating. Scratching each others backs if you will.
Daniel/AR: Anything else you’d like to have everyone know?
Scott/TheLiveLine: We would love fan feedback on our TheLiveLine. We would love to know other bands that you would like to connect with through TheLiveLine. This site is meant to cater to the fans so I would hope that they would be generous in letting us know what they want. We will do everything we can to make this site the ultimate site for engaging with artists and gathering information about entertainment.
Daniel/AR: Even though this isn’t an artist interview I’ll throw you a famous question curve ball just the same. If theliveline.com dominated all businesses and could change the way people paid for services what would the change be, would Bill Gates care at all and would it affect the afterlife in any way?
Wow. That is a big question!
1. Ultimately , payment for services would be made by brands that see the tremendous return on getting targeted, relevant information in front of fans on TheLiveLine. This way, fans are only present with information/advertising that they would want to see and advertisers see a high rate of return on their advertising dollars because of this.
2. I hope that Bill Gates would care. If TheLiveLine is “dominating all businesses” we would likely come up on his radar in a meaningful way.
3. As to the afterlife, one can only hope that energy put forth in this life affects the afterlife but I am hardly in a position to speak to these mysteries with any definitive conviction. For now I’ll just trust that if we “do good then good will follow us”.
Daniel/AR: Thank you very much for talking a bit about this amazing concept. Being one for the major and not-so-major artists together in one place is worth telling people about. I wish you all the best.
This article will appear in Alternative Revolt Magazine in July. Since Soul River Brown is doing shows now I wanted to tell you about this masterpiece.
EYE ON YOU – SOUL RIVER BROWN – A River of Emotional Bliss
Last year when I first met Wes Simkins of Acoustic Alternative Radio, the guy who really gave my articles a way to shine, I met a sensational folk singer named Whitney Steele. Some of my fans may recall that fateful day. Well, on that same day fate was pouring all over the place and one of the seeds from that day was Soul River Brown.
Let’s fast forward to nearly a year later where I met him again at AcousticAlternative.com’s Hooters Acoustic Rock Series. In a glorified splendor Soul was there again and produced a powerful performance. How powerful? Well, let me say that I rarely see someone play the guitar and sing and flood with emotion. This is the kind of performance that makes you get up and cheer during the song and afterwards. Everyone did too!
Soul River Brown has the ability to play a cover song from his vast arsenal and make it his own. In fact, I had a hard time believing that he was covering Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Johnny Cash. His performance and delivery is so incredible and personal that I could swear it was all original music. His original music is masterful as well and his seamless blend is a treat.
Nicole Simone does a job on par with this amazing singer/guitar player by lighting up the atmosphere with powerful vocals that can bring chills. Even if the microphone disappeared you would still hear her and still be in awe. This duo is simply amazing.
Soul River Brown has some good original music too. You can sense the zone he goes into when you listen but seeing how he pours out his might in person is a real treat, especially if you like music, well, with soul. I was honored to receive a CD of one of his live shows and it is truly an inspiration. Obviously, it is so much so that I put him on my “recommended” list of musicians to take a listen to. On this CD you can truly tell that he lives what he’s playing and sometimes he lives it in another realm. In fact, you can experience this incredible man by going to www.SoulRiverBrown.com and also www.Nais1st.com. Not only that but check out the Facebook pages: Nais1stPoetry/Group and Terrance Nai Lee.
Soul River Brown and accompanying Nicole Simon, I am keeping my EYE ON YOU!
This band is currently playing in Louisville, KY. If you’re in the area come on out to Wick’s Pizza at Goose Creek this Saturday, June 12th at 9pm – flier to follow article.
Sometimes I come across bands that are so awesome and busy that they don’t have time for an interview right away. Sometimes I come across bands that are just starting out that just sound awesome. This section features such bands.
Let me tell you about a band from Louisville, KY that flat out rocks. They are called BOLT ACTION and I decided to accept an invite by their super cool Manager, Terry Rush, to check out a rehearsal and I nearly soiled myself. Sure, Terry is very well respected and liked in Louisville but I had to hear it to believe it.
Bolt Action is a cover band that is putting final touches on their original music. They nailed a variety of cover songs not normally done. Troy nailed the singing of “Annie Are You OK” and Soundgarden’s “Mailman” which is a sure sign of great talent. How many singers do you know can get Chris Cornell sound out of their vocal chords and not cry? Then he changed it up with some perfectly cloned Rage Against the Machine and busted out Zeppelin. Impressive.
Next, I couldn’t help but notice Kyle busting out the drums in fashion that dropped my jaw. He made his 5 piece set sound like something Jeremy Hummel or Matt Cameron would play. Drummers are usually entertaining to watch if they’re more than just rhythm but something about the passion that young Kyle had was incredible. In fact, I think he went into another dimension while he played.
Lead guitarist Jimmy was smoking out leads that were, to me, too impressive for an 18 year old. Just imagine what he’ll be like in the years to come. He gets compared to Jimmy Page and although it seems to be in a joking manner because of his name I will go as far as to say this simple joke may very well someday be the truth!
Joey smoked the bass right along with Jimmy and was as natural playing the bass as sleeping is to someone with narcolepsy. Even more impressive was the bass riffs during the original music. Then he busts out some lead vocals and suddenly he is two different people in one.
Then I was privileged to be one of the first to hear a couple of their original tunes and obviously, it impressed me enough to write this about them. When BOLT ACTION is ready to have their original music reviewed you will read about it here in Alternative Revolt. Although their singer, Troy, is 3 months with the band you can hear some covers on their website at http://www.bandmix.com/trush but it barely gives them justice in the humble, intelligence, and focused department. This band will be an inspiration on how to do things the right way. Just wait and see. In the meantime: BOLT ACTION, I have an EYE ON YOU!
Daniel C. Morrison
- Hit Man
Bolt Action is:
Jimi Rush, Joey Rush, Kyle Haywood and Troy Mercer!
THE FLIER
“This is a very special event for us . . . we’ve teamed up with a recording studio that will be helping us to cut a live show recording and there’s gonna be press coverage of the show – so we’re asking our great fans to come out and support us again – scream your heads off and make sure to bring the whole family – PIZZA – BEER – ROCK! . . . We’ll be releasing several songs from our new CD that is in production now. You’ll be the first to hear our originals and also have an opportunity to sign up for a FREE CD of the show,” Troy Mercer.
Wick’s Pizza – Goose Creek
2927 Goose Creek Road
Louisville, KY 40241
502-327-9425
Home of the BIG WICK – COLD BEER SPECIALS
and a GREAT ROCK & ROLL SHOW BAND -
WE PROMISE TO ROCK YOU!
The Patchwork Quilt Fallacy is currently playing shows to promote their first full-length album, “(r) evolution”, which is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other on-line music retailers. “(r) evolution” has received an exceptional response composed of rising download sales and heartfelt fan comments and stories. Recently, the song “13 Cities in 13 Days” was featured on MTV’s “Teen Mom”.
Defining their line-up– which currently includes vocalist/pianist Shelah Kelso, guitarist Karl Strauss, bassist Hanna Kondo and drummer Christopher Schnack, this enthusiastic and hard-working group continues to keep moving their career forward by playing shows and gaining exposure to reach their goal of touring the US and overseas.
My Take
It’s true, what this bio says but please let me break it down for you in a different way. It all started with a cool cat names Karl. Traveling the road of life with a necessarily deep passion for music and treading through different facets he stumbled upon Shelah, a visual and lyrical persona of what is now the easily recognizable Patchwork Quilt Fallacy. Sprinkle in the majesty of Hanna and the backbone of Christopher and you get a blend of fantasy, a feeling that you are in a surreal world with a spectrum of emotions often found in your own personal DVD collection.
I read an article that brags on their sound and Shelah’s beauty. It’s pretty descriptive and full of analogies so I’ll ask them to provide the link in the exclusive interview you are about to read. I would rather get into their psyche and soul to see what makes this awesome foursome a fantasy-filled force to reckon with.
Q1: Ok, I have to know; what is the meaning behind the name “The Patchwork Quilt Fallacy?
Karl: I heard the term in a Paranormal Psychology class in college and it really stuck in my head. The actual definition is a little confusing but basically it’s when you piece together bits of information you have (like a quilt) to explain something, but the explanation is wrong because the bits of information are all biased.
Q2: That is very clever. Gold star for you! What were some other names you had considered?
Shelah: None. Karl mentioned using his old band name for our new stuff and I jumped at the chance.
Q3: I like acronyms. PQF, Patchwork Quilt Fallacy. As fast as possible come up with two other acronyms for PQF. I’ll start.
Q3: It seems that the meeting between Karl and Shelah was inevitable. The sound of the band hits a lot of right notes. How much different was the band’s sound before the Irish charm of Shelah was added to it?
Karl: The music was similar because I do write a lot of the music in the band, but Shelah’s piano playing and singing take the songs to a whole new level and add an epic-ness I could never achieve on my own.
Q4: Shelah has a voice compared to Sarah McLaughlin. Nice. However, I only slightly agree. A vocal attack, as I like to call it, is always something I look forward to, unless it sucks. Shelah has an awesome vocal delivery. So for Shelah, whom do you feel you sound more like than McLaughlin?
Shelah: I think Sarah McLachlan comes the closest. She has been my inspiration since I was 16. Other singers have been my inspirations (i.e Tori Amos, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Dido) but nobody inspires me more vocally than Sarah.
Q5: Who would make you punch someone for saying you sound like? For example, if someone said I sound like King Diamond when I sing I might take a swing or two.
Shelah: Very few people have told me I sound like Alanis Morrisette. I don’t think I sound anything like her and I’m very offended that somebody would think that I do. I don’t hear it.
Q6: 2006 is the year that the magic combination happened. What are some of your greatest successes since that fateful meeting?
Shelah: Having our song “13 Cities in 13 Days” on the MTV show “Teen Mom”, getting airplay on several radio stations on the east coast, making our first music video (for “Singing to the Lonely”), playing so many shows, selling a lot of CDs and receiving such an awesome fan response to our music. It’s amazing when people like what you do. There just really aren’t any words to truly describe how grateful I am.
Q7: What major bands have you played alongside to date?
Karl: If by “major bands” you mean signed bands, then we haven’t played alongside any. But we have played on the same bill with some amazing bands including Dream of Fire, Eric Becker, and EverBlu.
Q8: Let’s say you found a genie lamp and a genie popped out and said “Screw the wishes, I’m going to tell you what to wish for! Wish for the top 5 bands you would like to tour with.” What would you tell that genie?
Karl: The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, 10 Years, Third Eye Blind, Evanescence
Q9: I don’t think I look too bad being a big dude but do you think big dude’s with long hair look silly? I was thinking about getting a wig or shaving bald and getting a tattoo of a toboggan on my head. Your answer may very well give me some direction on this thought.
Shelah: I’ve never thought long hair on a guy looked silly. Being big or small doesn’t change that. As far as getting a wig, shaving your head bald and tattooing a toboggan on your head… I say go for it. Follow your dreams, dude!
Q9: Where can people to go read more about you and listen to more of your stuff?
Karl: You can check out our music and pics on our myspace page (www.myspace.com/thepatchworkquiltfallacy). If you’d like to check out our videos, stop by our YouTube page (www.youtube.com/pqfallacy13). We have a really cool write up about us at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll.
Q10: Ok, I’ll put the obligatory influence question here. What are your influences? I, personally would also like to know of any particular personal influence on your lives thus far.
Shelah: Tori Amos. She is my all time greatest influence. Also 1990’s alternative rock music and music videos. One of my favorite inspirational music videos is Nine Inch Nails’ “The Perfect Drug”. I used to be obsessed with Silverchair. I think I’m the female equivalent of Daniel Johns’ (singer of Silverchair) voice.
Q11: Is there anything else you would like to add that was not covered?
Shelah: At some point I would love to hold a baby tiger cub. I would love to have little baby tiger cubs playing all around me.
Karl: I think it’s important for people to know how much I really want to see the Earth from space. How cool would that be??
Q12: This last question is going to take some thought. If you had a chance to be able to change the color of penguins what would you change them to and would you give them opposable thumbs as well as little flipper arms?
Shelah: Rainbow colored. I love Lisa Frank stickers and folders and I had tons of them when I was 12. So if I could make any animal any color, the default would be rainbow colored. No opposable thumbs because that’s weird. Plus they use their beaks to catch fish so well, why would I want to take that skill away from them?
Like frosted Lucky Charms, this interview and your music is magically delicious. Thanks for the time and I wish you all the very best. Now, it’s time to contact my barber!
Evolving from previous projects, BLIND started playing as a group in the mid-90’s after the previous project The Crocodile Nasty’s which included both Marty and Jim tragically ended with a death of a member.
Marty and Jim added a new drummer and began an 8 year stretch of countless shows and a debut CD in 1999. Work was nearly complete on the followup album when they disbanded in 2001.
Seven years later, Marty and Jim, still playing together in a local cover band “A-Town Unplugged” for the love of music, occasionally performing a requested Blind song or two were asked repeatedly by fans to play a rock show again with the Blind catalog of songs as a setlist.
Since they had Pat from A-town on drums that knew many of the songs, and was available, they worked on putting a new twist on the old lineup including working on some new songs and retooling some of the unfinished 2001 material.
This new incarnation, now called LEADING THE BLIND, has all that the fans loved from the past but benefits from years of various projects that each member has participated in since 2001.
The new songs that have been played live since reforming has increased the hopes that a new album will not be far off!
Listen to the Rising Star Spotlight on this great band:
Be sure to make your comments and let the know what you think.
This Las Vegas original rock act is assembled by determination, motivation, and the love of music. Driven by different influences, Left Standing transforms into one energy on stage. The band consists of 5 members, Danny Pino (lead vocals), Chris Pino (bass, vocals), Beau Stewart (guitar, vocals), Jesse Pino (guitar, vocals), Zak Weidle (drums).
Left Standing serves up a welcome dose of rock & roll. The performance and sound production of the guitars, bass and drums are first-rate and create vibrant and memorable rock rhythms.. They are a group that knows no boundaries and whose apparent mission is to entertain their audience. This act puts their mark on several different styles, making each their own. Definably a rock act, they also venture into pop, alternative, punk and even a little blues. However, what’s most impressive is that there strong in every style and give their all on every song.
“We set out to make music we enjoy and can feel proud of playing — music that we like and want to listen to. As soon as you start thinking beyond that —about wanting to keep up with the Joneses or about fitting in with somebody else’s format — that’s when you lose the map. So we’ve just done what we do, and tried to have fun doing it.”
Left Standing is endlessly new and unique as time goes by. Always delivering for the fans, show after show. They are one of the few groups whose versatility does not hurt them. Indeed, it makes them a phenomenon and a must see act.
Listen to the Rising Star Spotlight on this great artist:
Once you have listened be sure and leave your comments on this post so the band can see what you think.
Massive success and its aftermath have sent many artists into oblivion, forever trying to recapture the moment when the world first bowed at their feet. That moment came for Brian Vander Ark when, as the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Verve Pipe, he sold more than 3 million albums worldwide and produced a string of hit singles, including the #1 song ‘The Freshmen.’
More than just the frontman, Vander Ark was its literal and figurative voice, providing the creative spark and writing songs that gave the band its devoted following. Although the songs were cast in the style of the era, they remain singular and special. His gift is one of tremendous storytelling clarity expressed through melodies and rhythms that are unique, riveting, intensely personal and entirely gripping.
Rather than blindly attempt to reclaim a throne that was fleeting at best, the Michigan native struck out on his own, sold all his possessions, hit the road and released his acclaimed debut solo CD, Resurrection, in 2005. This inspired collection of original songs recalls an era when artists were not afraid to express their hearts direction and soul’s design. Vander Ark continues that commitment with the release of his latest solo CD, Angel, Put Your Face On. Both earnest and reflective, this music once again takes an intimate look at life while exploring themes of family, love and loss.
His journey has resulted in a lyrical, engrossing collection of songs wrought from an experience that many have dreamed of but few have faced. On the way, Brian rediscovered his love for performing and now revels in a freedom that few can claim as he travels the road playing his songs and connecting with audiences.
Listen to the Rising Star Spotlight on this great artist:
Once you have listened be sure and leave your comments on this post so the band can see what you think.
