Koffeehouse Sessions continues July 2 at Harvelle's

After a successful debut event in June, Koffeehouse Music Productions returns on Thursday, July 2 with another amazing lineup of talented bands and singer-songwriters for Koffeehouse Sessions, the Westside’s newest music industry showcase. The July 2 event will feature performances by Keaton Simons, Ernie Halter, Lelia Broussard, and Erick Macek along with DJ Audiodice on the turntables. Tickets are $10.00 and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net ). Doors open at 7:30pm. Harvelle’s is located at 1432 4th Street in Santa Monica, CA. For more info, call (310) 395-1676.

Who: Koffeehouse, SPIN PR & Harvelle’s

What: Koffeehouse Sessions: A monthly musicians showcase featuring the best in emerging bands and singer/songwriters providing the Westside with best in up-and-coming acts each month and aims to become a staple music industry showcase in Los Angeles. July’s event will feature performances by Keaton Simons, Ernie Halter, Lelia Broussard, and Erick Macek.

When: Thursday, July 2, 2009, (and continuing the first Thursday of every month … Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1) Doors @ 7:30PM, 21+

Where: 1432 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Tickets: $10.00. A portion of proceeds go to the Donate Life America. To reserve a table, call (310) 395-1676.

11PM: ERNIE HALTER (www.myspace.com/erniehalter)

Singer-songwriter Ernie Halter’s new record is called ‘Starting Over’ for a reason,” says Halter. “I wanted the title to be direct, simple, and set the tone for the album. In this past year, I experienced the ending of a marriage and the birth of my first son. It was during this year that I wrote the material for the new record and performed over 150 shows.” “Starting Over” was recorded in early 2008 in New York City and is the follow-up to 2007’s “Congress Hotel.” On the eleven-track new album, Ernie mixes blue-eyed soul, pop, and rock in a style that is both familiar, unique and always inimitably Halter. His vocal delivery is percussive and smooth, raw and real, his phrasing often an instrument itself. From “Different Lives” to “Try” (a song co-written with tour mate Josh Hoge about balancing a life at home with a life on the road), to the plaintive, piano-driven ballad “Lighthouse” (“a song about friends who love you unconditionally”), Halter explores real life in ways he hopes will resonate with his listeners.

10PM: KEATON SIMONS (www.myspace.com/keatonsimons)

When considering the roll call of rock’s most influential icons, those rare artists that pose a triple threat are the ones that consistently stand out, musicians that seize the spotlight through their singing, songwriting and instrumental prowess. That hallowed breed of musician has become increasingly less common in popular music, so it’s especially worth noting that Keaton Simons also qualifies as a triple threat, given that his multifaceted talents have garnered him a presence on radio, television, film and the national concert circuit including performing for Desmond Tutu at an United Nations event with members of Paul Simon, Toto, and John Mayer's band. His album "Can You Hear Me" on CBS Records has made a powerful impact on the music community in the short year it has been out, with placements on American Dad, Harper's Island, NCIS, and The Cleaner, just to name a few.

9PM: LELIA BROUSSARD (www.myspace.com/leliabroussard)

Insightful yet completely irreverent, awkward yet elegant, contemporary yet unfazed to wander off the beaten path, there really is something about Lelia. Lelia has seemingly had a lifetime career in the music industry. From her early beginnings at age 14, writing and recording her first song Secrets (from the EP "Louisiana Soul") which was picked up by the popular Joan of Arcadia CBS television show, along with the famed college radio station WXPN in Philadelphia to her soon to be, third independently released record, "Waiting on the 9", Lelia has proven to be all these things. She has toured extensively across the US as an independent artist on the TGIF tour, her new EP has already been picked up for distribution in Japan, and her music has been featured in several television shows and movies, yet the one thing that remains is her consistent grass roots efforts to reach her fans and keeping true to her own sound. Her song, "Don't Let Go" has proven to be an instant hit with over one million YouTube views and is also a fan favorite at her shows.

8PM: ERICK MACEK (www.myspace.com/macek)

Erick Macek’s high-energy performances forge themselves into the minds of listeners with his ambitious guitar-playing and melodic grooves. Incorporating a wide array of musical styles ranging from jazz and funk to folk, pop and soul; Macek meanders his way into the music scene as he is often caught in the same sentences as Dave Matthews, John Mayer and Jack Johnson. Macek has been honored "Best Male Vocalist of the Year" at the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards, along with "Best Overall Singer" at AMTC's worldwide talent competition. Coming back from performances such as the Sundance Film Festival, Academy Awards Gifting Lounge, SXSW and touring, Erick Macek is a name to remember and one to watch as his music, energy and passion is addicting and catching on nationally.

ABOUT KOFFEEHOUSE:

Koffeehouse Music Productions, LLC is Los Angeles’ premier, grassroots live music production company, best known for creating unique outdoor performance spaces for the most talented emerging singer-songwriters and bands. Koffeehouse takes pride in giving these artists a platform to share their extraordinary ability with music industry executives and music lovers alike. Koffeehouse won the 2006 Community Service Award from the LA Music Awards, and in beginning of 2008 became an official partner of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, in connection of the Ford Amphitheatre 2008 and 2009 Seasons. www.koffeehouse.com

ABOUT SPIN PUBLIC RELATIONS:

SPIN Public Relations is a boutique public relations firm with large firm experience. The team of passionate publicists specialize in live music venues and music related events, nightclubs and bars, restaurants, bands, action sporting events, charities, red carpet events and just about everything entertainment. Created by publicist/promoter Kim Koury, SPIN PR is an eclectic group of individuals who share a strong bond to one common philosophy and vision, coming together to create dynamic and powerful public relations, marketing and special events campaigns. For more info go to www.spinprgroup.com or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/spinprgroup.

ABOUT DONATE LIFE:

The mission of Donate Life American is to serve as a national voice and inspire all people to save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. Donate Life assists in mobilizing the transplant community to educate the American public on the need for organ, eye and tissue donation and motivating the public to make an actionable donor designation. The organization publishes brochures, program kits and other materials; provides technical assistance and referral services; coordinates the national campaign for organ, eye and tissue donation; identifies measurable best practices and leads the Donor Designation Collaborative. It is comprised of national organizations and 47 local affiliates across the US that coordinate donation related activities at the grassroots level. www.donatelife.net

ABOUT HARVELLE'S:

Harvelle's is the Westside's oldest live music venue (1931) and is legendary for its blues and jazz. This dark, sexy room is the perfect spot for listening dancing and drinking to the best local, national and international artists. www.Harvelles.com