The Method Fest to feature independent music and film

As South by Southwest and the Winter Music Conference get underway in coming weeks, music fans closer to home will find a similarly satisfying combination of independent music and film right here in Southern California with The Method Fest, unspooling on screens AND stages March 25-April 2 in Calabasas and Agoura Hills.

According to Executive Director Don Franken, “The Method Fest provides a home to independent musicians and exposes them to an eager audience that goes beyond the mainstream, offering a voice and an outlet for these selected artists across the spectrum of the entertainment industry.”

The Method Fest’s 2009 music program is directed by Toni Koch of TK Promotions with music programming assistance by Derek Horne and Steve Leavitt. Matt Hill of Echo Moon Drop will provide sound and original mixed media music. “For the 11th annual Method Fest, the musical lineup has proven to be an exceptional mix of artists from different cross sections of the music community,” Koch says. “From pop to electronica, new country to hard rock, each day promises a different, eclectic mix of top talent.”

Music programs begin Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00PM at Leonis Adobe (23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas 91302) with LA Music Award winner Lily Wilson; Bonne Musique Zydeco; San Diego’s husband-and-wife team Folding Mr. Lincoln; the Seth Freeman Band; and from Australia via Norway, contemporary country/rock/blues fusion Ann-Marita.

Thursday, March 26th, the party moves to Sagebrush Cantina (23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas 91302) for a music marathon on two stages from 8:00PM-1:30AM. Featured performers include Lisa Parade; British-influenced Budapest rockers Supersonic; Aussie LA club favorites AstralAliens; electric violin virtuoso James Sudakow; Tish Ciravolo’s Sassafrass; forceful rock quartet Shattered Atom; power popsters The Easy Marks and party band The Dirty Suits.

On March 29th at the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center, 27040 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas, Method Fest will host Youth Day which will include music performances 6:30-8:30PM performed by Tanner Richie Trio; Jamie Dahke; Lil’ Clip & Paulina; and brother/sister act Potential Lunatics. Admission is free.

Preston Smith, of Preston Smith and the Crocodiles, will perform at the Awards Ceremony and Evan Evans, son of legendary jazz musician Bill Evans, is a special guest composer of the 2009 The Method Fest.

The current comprehensive list of artists that have been selected to perform at the 2009 Method Fest is (in alphabetical order):

Amy Clarke - www.amyclarke.com (Fins)
Ann-Marita – www.annmarita.com (Leonis Adobe)
AstralAliens - www.myspace.com/astralaliens (Sagebrush Cantina)
Bonne Musique Zydeco; www.bonnemusiquezydeco.com (Leonis Adobe)
Coco O’Connor; www.cocooconnor.com (Fins)
The Easy Marks – www.theeasymarks.com (Sagebrush Cantina)
The Electones - www.theelectones.com (Monty’s)
The Eon Buchman Trio www.eonburchmantrio.com (Pierce College)
Folding Mr. Lincoln – www.foldingmrlincoln.com (Leonis Adobe)
Fumosonic - www.fumosonic.com (Agoura Hills Community Center)
Gaby Moreno – www.gaby-moreno.com (Monty’s)
Isa – www.myspace.com/isamusic (Sagebrush Cantina)
Jean Mazzei - www.jeanmazzei.com (Agoura Hills Community Center)
James Hurley – www.jameshurleymusic.com (Flemings)
James Sudakow - www.evexp.com (Sagebrush Cantina)
Jude Hernandez – www.myspace.com/listentoechoes (Regency Theatres)
Leah Rocks – www.leahrocks.com (Moz Buddha Lounge)
Lily Wilson - www.lilywilson.com (Leonis Adobe)
Marie Haddad – www.mariehaddad.com (Monty’s)
Michael-Ann & Michael Doman – www.myspace.com/michaelannmusic (Fins)
Midori and Audioclique – www.audioclique.net (AHCC)
Natural Incense – www.myspace.com/naturalincense (Moz Buddha Lounge)
Preston Smith – www.prestonsmith.com (Founders Hall Awards Ceremony)
Sassafrass – www.daisyrock.com (Sagebrush Cantina)
Seth Freeman – www.sethfreemanmusic.com (Leonis Adobe)
Shattered Atom - www.shatteredatom.com (Sagebrush Cantina)
Soulspeak – www.soulspeak.com (Moz Buddha Lounge)
Supersonic - www.myspace.com/supersonichu (Sagebrush Cantina)
Thelonious Dub - www.myspace.com/theloniousdub (AHCC)
Trevor Green - www.trevorgreen.com (Flemings)
Zen Boogie www.zenboogie.net (Monty’s)

Matt Hill will feature tracks of his original music during set breaks. Performances by these various artists will take place primarily at Sagebrush Cantina, Moz Buddha Lounge, Monty’s Steakhouse, The Rack and other venues TBD. For a full schedule of artists, locations and set times please visit www.methodfest.com.

About The Method Fest

The Method Fest was founded by a group of actors, filmmakers, and acting coaches to put the focus back on the core ingredients of quality films, strong acting and good stories. It is the only U.S. festival that puts its focus on acting.

Adam, starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, will be the Opening Night film on March 26, and Big Fan, with Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, and Kevin Corrigan, is the Closing Night film on April 1st.

Tickets are available for Indie Music Nights, and all festival screenings, at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Festival information and schedule is at www.methodfest.com.

The Method Fest is sponsored by platinum sponsor, Mercedes Benz of Calabasas. Lead sponsors include the City of Calabasas, presenting media sponsors Time Warner Cable, the Los Angeles Daily News, LA.COM, and Charter Communications. Sponsors include Sony, Christie Digital, Modern VideoFilm, Country Inn & Suites, Final Draft, 100.3 The Sound, SAG Indie, and Barefoot Winery. Festival supporters include Stella Artois, Stockholm Krystal, Leonis Adobe, Sagebrush Cantina, Film Finders, Fleming’s, Ice Age, Arnie Morton’s, IZZE, TK Promotions, Songsalive!, Money Mailer, Pierce College, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, Maggiano’s, LaraBar, Laemmle Theatres, Regency Theaters, (home of The Method Fest), Leonis Abode and the Valley of the Stars/The Valley Economic Alliance.