Eric Whitacre talks about forming virtual choir

With Eric Whitacre’s second virtual choir video, “Sleep,” premiering live at the Paley Center next Thursday, this TED Talk that just went live online today: http://on.ted.com/Whitacre. In it, Whitacre discusses how he created a “virtual” YouTube choir of thousands from around the world – it’s pretty incredible, and worth a watch.

Lee Scratch Perry releases new album

Lee Scratch Perry, Bill Laswell and All-star performers team up on RISE AGAIN Eleven all-new songs, mixed in the dub style by Bill Laswell and featuring: Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio) Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw (Ethiopian superstar) Hawkman (Methods Of Defiance, Tricky) Jahdan Blakkamoore Bernie Worrell (P-Funk legend) Josh Werner (Matisyahu, Wu-Tang) Sly Dunbar (Sly and Robbie) Hamid Drake (master drummer/percussionist) Aiyb Dieng (Senegalese percussionist) Dominick James (Angelique Kidjo, Shakira) + More Lee Scratch Perry “Rise Again” May 10, 2011 MOD Technologies File under: crucial dub reggae MOD Technologies Lee Scratch Perry As one of the most prolific, influential and irretrievably eccentric record producers ever, Lee “Scratch” Perry continues to reshape and refine an adventurous style all his own with his latest studio outing, Rise Again. A long-awaited collaboration with New York-based producer Bill Laswell (and a team of talented musicians), the album marks a milestone in the careers of both artists, arriving as it does on the heels of Perry’s 75th birthday, and as a flagship release on Laswell’s own M.O.D. Technologies imprint. To mark the occasion, Laswell has recruited an A-list of talented musicians who each adds their own unique flavor to the project. This diverse line-up includes vocalists Tunde Adebimpe (frontman for Brooklyn art punks TV On The Radio), Gigi Shibabaw (whose Mesgana Ethiopia was released last year) and Hawkman (co-lead throat for the Laswell-founded group Method Of Defiance); P-Funk legend Bernie Worrell (keyboards); Peter Apfelbaum (tenor sax & flute); Steven Bernstein (trumpet); Josh Werner (bass); and Hamid Drake (drums). It’s a killer studio ensemble that could give Perry’s original Upsetters band (with the Wailers’ Family Man and Carly Barrett) a serious battle for the backbeat. “I really should have connected with Scratch a long time ago,” Laswell told Bass Player magazine last December. “A lot of it is just about a contact. [Matisyahu bassist] Josh Werner was playing in Scratch’s band, and I had worked with Josh. He suggested trying to create something with Scratch, and I was certain no record company in their right mind would touch it, which is why we’re doing it ourselves. It’s a real production, and really conscious of bringing out Lee Perry. It’s his presence that keeps this thing moving. Is the whole idea crazy? That’s part of what makes it worth doing.” On Rise Again, Perry still sounds strangely at home on a microphone—a move he first made on the 1978 classic Roast Fish, Collie Weed & Corn Bread, even though he’d produced countless classic records in Jamaica for more than ten years before that. But Scratch is a natural storyteller, a soothsayer, a space-time traveler and a truth revealer—all aspects of a complex persona he has cultivated over the years, shrouded in Rasta mysticism and church catechism, but completely original and unbeholden to any rules or customs. Scratch does his own thing, on his own time, and if songs like “Scratch Message” and “Wake the Dead” and the title track “Rise Again” are any indication, the quickest way to the center of Scratch’s ethos is to give up trying to understand him and just let his lyrics wash over you. Meanwhile, Laswell’s tripped-out soundscapes recall the vintage dub sound Perry himself perfected in the ’70s, but with the stereo thickness, clarity and warmth of a true state-of-the-art recording. It’s still amazing to consider that some of Perry’s best dub mixes, like the indispensable Heart Of The Congos album from 1977, were created using a 4-track tape machine, and yet there’s a distinctly analog flavor to much of Rise Again, evident in Bernie Worrell’s organ lines on “Japanese Food,” in the echo-kissed horns and Minimoog belches on “Dancehall Kung Fu,” or in the chimes, flute and found sounds that weave their way through the opening track “Higher Level.” In the 1990s, Perry became a mentor figure for the Beastie Boys and enjoyed a renaissance with American fans. Since then, he has toured the globe relentlessly as a solo performer, selling out shows from San Francisco to Sydney, New York to Nice. In 2003, he won the Grammy Award® for Best Reggae Album, an honor he was nominated for again in 2008. No doubt he’ll be so recognized this year for Rise Again. Lee Perry’s documentary portrait The Upsetter, narrated by Benicio Del Toro, will be released in theaters and on DVD in 2011. David Katz’s definitive biography People Funny Boy is currently available worldwide. Tracklisting 1 Higher Level 2 Scratch Message 3 Orthodox 4 Wake the Dead 5 Rise Again 6 African Revolution 7 Dancehall Kung Fu 8 E.T. 9 House of God 10 Butterfly 11 Inakaya (Japanese Food) Featured musicians Bernie Worrell (organ, clavinet, synths) Peter Apfelbaum (tenor sax, flute) Steven Bernstein (trumpet) Josh Werner (bass) Hamid Drake (drums) I rise again I rise again to victory with history, mystery and prophecy… — Lee “Scratch” Perry

Shakira's Pies Descalzos Foundation to help rebuild school in Haiti

The Interamerican Development Bank and Colombian artist Shakira's Pies Descalzos Foundation announced today that they will support the Haitian government in the reconstruction of the historic public school in the Haitian capital. The Elie Dubois school, located in the center of Port au Prince, suffered serious damage due to the earthquake last year. Founded in 1913, they have offered secondary education and vocational training to generations of young Haitians under the guidance of the Catholic order Daughters of Mary. The announcement of the contributions of a total of US$800,000 for reconstruction and new supplies to the school took place during a ceremony in the courtyard of the institution, with the participation of Haitian governmental authorities, guests of the international community, professors and students. "Education is critical to the future of Haiti", affirmed the President of the IDB, Luis Alberto Moreno. "Today we are here not only to support the reconstruction of a school, but to manifest our support for the efforts of Haiti towards transforming its entire educational system". The minister of Education, Joel Desrosiers Jean-Pierre, stressed that with international aid, Haiti has been able to resume classes for more than a million students following the earthquake, which destroyed or damaged thousands of schools. "I am convinced that the only thing that will change the fate of Latin America and the Caribbean will be governments placing themselves at the center of the investment towards a quality education for all boys and girls, from birth and thereon in", said Shakira. The singer shares with the IDB a special interest in the integral development of early childhood development beginning in infancy. Through her foundation she promotes and implements educational, nutritional, and health-related programs for boys and girls affected by the poverty and violence in Colombia. Pies Descalzos has built 5 schools that serve over 6,000 children as well as their families and communities. Architecture for Humanity (AfH), an NGO that specializes in the design and construction of schools, clinics and homes in areas afflicted by natural disasters, is also working on the Elie Dubois project. This project was made a reality thanks to the donation of funds raised by Shakira and the Pies Descalzos Foundation with the Freixenet Christmas campaign in Spain, the Interamerican Development Bank, the CINA Foundation (Cement Company of Argos Colombia and of the Haitian government); Unesco, the NGO Architecture for Humanity (AfH), among other donors and benefactors.

Eric Johnson effort to be released on vinyl

Eric Johnson's latest release, 'Up Close,' was a long time in the making (five and a half years). But as evidenced by its reception (All Music Guide pointed out that "[Johnson] continues to find interesting ways to hone his specific craft on 'Up Close'") and its impressive list of special guests (Sonny Landreth, Steve Miller, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jonny Lang), the wait was well worth it. Fortunately, fans will not have to wait long at all for a vinyl version of 'Up Close,' which is slated for release on April 19th, via EMI Records and Vortexan Music. The album will be issued on 180 gram vinyl, and housed in a beautiful special double LP gatefold package with printed sleeves. Additionally, 'Up Close' was remastered specially for this vinyl release by Jim Wilson. Johnson has long been considered one of rock's most talented six-string players, as evidenced by his platinum-certified 1990 release, 'Ah Via Musicom," its hit single "Cliffs of Dover," as well as a Grammy Award win for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" in 1991. Additionally, Johnson graced the cover of the March issue of Guitar Player Magazine, was recently named Guitar International's "Guitarist of the year," and won an unprecedented 33 awards at the Austin Music Awards since 1982, including taking home "Best Electric Guitar," "Best Acoustic Guitar," and "Best Instrumental Band" awards at this year's ceremony. For more information, visit: www.ericjohnson.com

Esotouric offers Tom Waits bus tour May 28

Once-A-Year L.A. Bus Tour Follows in Tom Waits' Youthful Footsteps WHAT: 2011 edition of "Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits' Los Angeles" bus tour WHEN: Saturday, May 28, noon-4pm WHERE: Bus tour departs from The King Edward Saloon, 131 E 5th Street, Los Angeles 90013 COST: $62/person MORE INFO: visit http://www.esotouric.com/waits or call 323-223-2767 Fans of the legendary musician Tom Waits just don't get a lot of chances to get together. Last time he toured, fans in his old hometown of L.A. were out of luck-- all the dates were in the South. So once each year, Esotouric, the bus adventure company whose offbeat tours expose LA's secret history, offers a bus tour celebrating the life and work of Waits, a rare opportunity for fans to scratch that gravelly voiced itch in good company. CRAWLING DOWN CAHUENGA: TOM WAITS' LOS ANGELES is the definitive tour of Tom Waits' formative creative life and the people, places and late night pastries that shaped it. Calling all rain dogs, gin-soaked boys and Gun Street girls! Climb aboard as your hosts David Smay (author of the acclaimed 33 1/3 series book on Tom Waits' "Swordfishtrombones" album) and Esotouric's Kim Cooper (a Zoetrope Studios intern who'll tell how she used teenage subterfuge to arrange a private concert by the man) lead you on a scrupulously researched ride through Waits' epic misdeeds and shenanigans, from the Trashing of theTroubadour to epic nights at the Tropicana. And oh, there are such tales to tell, from food fights with L.A. Punks and smackdowns with L.A. Police. We'll crawl through the Sewers of Paris, tattle on the Ivar Theater, and get the lowdown on Waits' legendary performances at the Wiltern and elsewhere. Before departing for points rural, Tom Waits left his mark all over L.A., from Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Studios to Sunset Sound to Skid Row. We'll show you where he found his true love and collaborator, Kathleen Brennan, and how all the pieces came together to transform a drunken, desperate singer into the multi-faceted, multi-media artist he'd become. Raised near San Diego, Tom Waits launched his musical career in L.A., signing with David Geffen's Asylum Records in 1972, living in a famously cluttered room in the raunchy Tropicana Hotel (where he sawed off the kitchen drain board so his piano would fit), and building a reputation as a songwriter willing to risk his own health and sanity to get inside the sadsack characters that peopled songs like "The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)," "On The Nickel" and "Pasties And A G-string (At The Two O'clock Club)." By 1980, Waits was 31 and starting to feel the effects of his hard living. While scoring the music to Francis Ford Coppola's "One From The Heart," hemet Kathleen Brennan, whose influence would completely transform his life and his art. After a whirlwind courtship the pair married and began a 30-year creative and personal partnership, beginning with the revolutionary album "Swordfishtrombones," the subject of tour host David Smay's latest book. Passengers gather in the historic King Edward Saloon, the last surviving Skid Row bar since the 2007 closure of Craby Joe's, before boarding Esotouric's luxury coach class bus, where the mood is set with vintage photos and live footage. CRAWLING DOWN CAHUENGA spans Tom's personal city, from The Nickel (aka Skid Row) to once-ratty West Hollywood, favorite strip clubs and midnight diners, recording studios, night clubs, record labels and film studios, before rolling back downtown for a last bottle of beer at the King Eddy. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Longtime collaborators David Smay and Kim Cooper co-edited the books "Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth" ("quite simply the most fun music book I have ever read." -Bucketfull of Brains) and "Lost in the Grooves: Scram's Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed" ("the perfect book for the advanced record collector" -Ear Candy) before penning their solo 33 1/3 series books on Tom Waits and Neutral Milk Hotel. Kim host Esotouric's true crime and occasional rock and roll history tours. David Smay lives in San Francisco, where he is working on a history of the Beats. For more info on Esotouric, visit http://www.esotouric.com Upcoming Esotouric bus tour and special event schedule Sat April 9 ­ John Fante's Dreams from Bunker Hill (weekend package available) Sun April 10 - Haunts of a Dirty Old Man: Charles Bukowski's L.A (weekend package available) Sat April 16 - The Real Black Dahlia crime bus tour Sun April 17 - Trace: inside the world of Lynne Herold, Criminalist (info at www.lavatransforms.org) Sat April 23 - In A Lonely Place: Raymond Chandler's L.A. Sun April 24 - LAVA's free Sunday Salon (info at www.lavatransforms.org) Sat April 30 - Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles: Route 66 (weekend package available) Sun May 1 - Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles: South L.A. (weekend package available) Sat May 14 - Weird West Adams crime bus tour Sat May 28 - Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits' L.A. Sun May 29 - LAVA's free Sunday Salon (info at www.lavatransforms.org) Sat June 4 - Hotel Horrors & Main Street Vice crime bus tour Sat June 18 - Pasadena Confidential crime bus tour (weekend pass available) Sun June 19 - Eastside Babylon crime bus tour (weekend pass available) Sun June 26 - LAVA's free Sunday Salon (info at www.lavatransforms.org) Sat July 9 - The Real Black Dahlia crime bus tour Sat July 16 - Raymond Chandler's L.A. Sat July 30 - Maja's Mysteries: Rapture & Release Sun July 31 - LAVA's free Sunday Salon (info at www.lavatransforms.org) Esotouric's Kim Cooper and Richard Schave are proud members of LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association. http://www.lavatransforms.org For more info on Esotouric, visit http://www.esotouric.com For more info on David and Kim's previous books, visit http://www.bubblegum-music.com http://www.lostinthegrooves.com

Mother's Day concert in Long Beach May 7

Rainbow Promotions presents a Neo-Soul/R&B Mother’s Day Concert featuring artists Tank, Avant, Goapele, and Eric B. at the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 7PM. TANK Grammy Award-nominated R&B singer/songwriter/producer Tank, just released a new album entitled, "Sex Music." The long awaited album follows a series of successful records including his 2001 RIAA gold-certified debut album, "FORCE OF NATURE." The record included his first Top 10 R&B hit, "Maybe I Deserve." It was also Tank’s first #1 debut on Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart. The artist has also lent his distinctive vocals to tracks by Kelly Rowland, while continuing to help create hit records for an array of top artists, including Keri Hilson, Pleasure P, Omarion, Chris Brown, and Jamie Foxx. AVANT Avant is now considered the “new voice of modern soul.” His sixth album set to release this December, entitled “The Letter,” will feature radio-friendly yet relatable introspections about romance/love, commitment, and other realities of life. “The Letter” finds singer/songwriter Avant ready to ascend into music’s mainstream ranks, joining such predecessors as Maxwell, Marvin Gaye, and D’Angelo. GOAPELE Possessing one of the most alluring and powerful voices within the soul genre, Goapele sings with both passion and substance. Her sound is quietly seductive, sexy, galvanizing, and sweet. The Oakland-based songstress broke into the Bay Area music scene in 2001 with the ethereal “Even Closer.” Her indie masterpiece went on to sell an unprecedented number of units, largely based on the success of the smash hit single “Closer.” Goapele's latest project, “Milk & Honey,” pushes the artist outside her comfort zone. At Prince’s suggestion she began recording alone to capture her most honest emotions and inflections, unfettered by self-censorship. ERIC B. Successful singer, songwriter, vocal producer, and engineer Eric Bellinger is an all-star talent who continues to deliver thought provoking lyrics with beautiful melodies. A Los Angeles native and Grandson to Jackson 5 songwriter Bobby Day, Bellinger has been singing since he could speak. After high school Bellinger joined and experienced success with R&B group AKNU (A Kind Never Understood). Through this experience he discovered his passion for songwriting. To date, his songs have been recorded by Chris Brown, Mario, Latoya Luckett, Boyz II Men, Carl Thomas, Big Sean, and UK rapper Chipmunk. "This show is jam packed with some of the most talented artists in R&B and is sure to please any Mother who receives tickets," said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. "We are excited to host these artists in Long Beach and tremendously honored to have Al Williams’ Rainbow Promotions choose the Terrace Theater for this special production.” Tickets will be on sale beginning today, March 30, 2011, at 10AM. Ticket prices range from $40 to $60. Tickets can be purchased through Rainbow Promotions, ticketmaster, or the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center Box Office. To purchase through Rainbow promotions please call 562-424-0013. To charge by phone, please call TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard, and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

ACM Awards Red Carpet on Livestream Sunday

The “Ram Red Carpet Live! @ The 2011 ACM Awards” live stream, begins at 6:15pm ET / 3:15pm PT on Sunday April 3rd leading up to the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards telecast at 8pm ET. The broadcast will feature the hosts, Walker Hayes, Jana Kramer and Stuart Brazell asking viewer questions submitted via Twitter (marked with #ACMAwards) to country’s biggest stars as they walk down the carpet. Fans will also have access to extensive on-demand coverage with behind the scenes segments including rehearsal interviews, fashion commentary, and exclusive backstage interviews the day of the event. Viewers can submit questions and watch the full webcast at http://www.livestream.com/acmawards.

Masterworks Broadway to reissue classic cast recordings

Masterworks Broadway continues to make good on its promise to open the vault of its unparalleled musical theater catalog with a full slate of releases this spring including three classic cast recordings previously unavailable in the CD era. On Your Toes (1953 Studio Cast), Carousel (1955 Studio Cast) and The Merry Widow (1964 Revival Cast) will be available as downloads through all major digital service providers and as disc-on-demand, with the original cover art and liner notes, via Arkivmusic.com and Amazon.com. Also coming this spring are twelve recordings available digitally for the first time utilizing the approved master tapes, including Christine, Juno and Runaways. All releases will be accompanied by new album pages and photos on MasterworksBroadway.com. The April 26 reissue of the 1953 Studio Cast of On Your Toes features Tony-winner Jack Cassidy and singer/actress Portia Nelson delivering beautifully sung performances as the young lovers in Rodgers and Hart’s zesty musical comedy. Newly transferred and restored from the original mono masters, the recording includes the golden-age standards “There’s a Small Hotel,” “Glad To Be Unhappy,” “Quiet Night,” “It’s Got to Be Love” and the title song. Conducted by Tony-winning Broadway maestro Lehman Engel, On Your Toes features the first complete recording of the climactic ballet sequence “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.” The reissue of the 1964 Music Theater of Lincoln Center Recording of The Merry Widow features American soprano and Metropolitan Opera star Patrice Munsel singing the title role, with a supporting cast that includes singers Bob Wright, Joan Weldon and Frank Poretta, plus the legendary character actors, Oscar nominee Mischa Auer andTony nominee Sig Arno. The most of popular of all Viennese operettas, TheMerry Widow features a richly melodic score including the beloved “Vilja” and a bouquet of unforgettable waltzes. Produced by Richard Rodgers, The Merry Widow was conducted by the Tony-winning maestro and operetta specialist, Franz Allers (My Fair Lady, Camelot) and will be available May 17. The June 14 reissue of 1955 Studio Cast of Carousel was the first comprehensive recording of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s great score. Metropolitan Opera stars Patrice Munsel and Robert Merrill bring their sumptuous voices to the roles of Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow plus a cast that includes the future “Mrs. Brady,” Florence Henderson, Tony-winner George S. Irving, Gloria Lane and Herbert Banke. Legendary Broadway maestro Lehman Engel conducts this recording, of which Richard Rodgers wrote, “It is my hope that you will enjoy the splendid artists who have made this album as much as I enjoy them.” Beginning April 5, Masterworks Broadway will also release authorized master recordings as digital downloads for the first time: April 5 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Christine, First Impressions, Juno and Oh, Captain! May 17 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Mr. President and The Happiest Girl in the World, the 1964 New York World’s Fair Cast Recording of To Broadway, With Love and the 1957 Studio Recording of Brigadoon June 28 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of The Girl in Pink Tights, Kean, Maggie Flynn and Runaways Masterworks Broadway is a label of Sony Masterworks. For email updates and information on Masterworks Broadway please visit www.masterworksbroadway.com.

Thursday to release new album

New Jersey's passionate rock band Thursday returns on April 12 with their most dynamic album to date, No Devolución. On their sixth studio album, Thursday explores elements of post-rock, indie, art and experimental styles, blending it all with their post-hardcore roots for a beautifully cathartic experience unlike anything they’ve done before. Check the stream of “Magnets Caught in a Metal Heart” at SPIN.com (http://www.spin.com/articles/hear-music-thursday-reveal-edgy-new-album) and “Past and Future Ruins” at Absolutepunk.net (http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2186502). "This is a really different record and we thought we should just come out of the gates with a really different song," Rickly tells SPIN.com. “We were always tempering our desire to make something that was more graceful, more sweeping, and this record was the first one where we said, 'You know what? Who cares? Let's say our career is over tomorrow, who fucking cares? Let's make something beautiful.'” Emotionally charged atmospheric guitars, rhythm and keyboards swirl in unison with Rickly’s inimitably intense vocals, painting a powerful cinematic-like soundscape and grabbing hold of listeners with each twisting turn. No longer merely the “screamo” band of yore, Thursday has transcended the genre they helped to spark with No Devolución, which translates to “No Returns,” an appropriate title for a band consistently moving forward. No Devolución wastes no time with the frantic urgency of “Fast to the End,” which strikes a perfect balance between new and old styles. Tom Keeley and Steve Pedulla’s elaborate guitar work, Tucker Rule’s driving percussion, Tim Payne’s rhythmic bass and Andrew Everding’s powerful keyboards fuel the narrative for Rickly’s deeply personal tales of undying devotion, a theme found throughout the album. “Records are always written about new love or break-ups but no one ever writes records about long term devotion,” says Rickly. “After 13 years as a band, this theme seemed self-evident.” No Devolución’s theme of devotion can be felt as the dramatic arc of the album unfolds. Segueing seamlessly from one to another, “No Answers” and “A Darker Forest” find Thursday at their most vulnerable place ever. Rickly’s haunting vocals float through fields of atmospheric guitars and keyboards, building to the album’s first single “Magnets Caught in a Metal Heart,” a stunning and memorable song of love’s bittersweet attraction. Thursday continues the intensity with “Past & Future Ruins,” a surging blast of post-rock, slowing only momentarily for the somber “Empty Glass,” an emotionally raw song set to an organ that tears at the heart with every word of Rickly’s vocals. “Open Quotes” races back cutting sharp turns with intricate guitars under Rickly’s echoing vocals, right into the searing indie rock anthem “Millimeter.” Rule’s rhythm provides the backbone to Keeley, Pedulla, Everding and Payne’s sonic landscape on “A Gun in the First Act” and “Sparks Against The Sun” while Keeley and Pedulla lead the rhythmic assault on “Turnpike Divides,” which is sure to be a fan favorite. Thursday’s parting salvo on No Devolución is “Stay True,” a stunning post-rock track that evokes the epic sweep of Explosions in the Sky and the powerful intensity of Mogwai all the while maintaining a sound which is distinctly Thursday. Rickly sings “We've all got a lot to lose. Whatever else you do, Stay True.” And that is exactly what the band has done here. Moving forward yet staying true to themselves along the way. Upon completing the album, Rickly says he searched for the perfect artwork to capture the record’s evolving sound and eventually stumbled on artist Mia Pearlman. “I saw an image of Mia Pearlman's "Eye" which is a giant white paper installation and kept thinking about it,” says Rickly. “Eventually, I realized she lived near me and approached her about making a cut paper piece as our album artwork. We're thrilled. The record sounds like her work looks.” No Devolución Track Listing: 1. Fast to the End - 3:21 2. No Answers - 4:53 3. A Darker Forest - 3:40 4. Sparks Against the Sun - 4:47 5. Open Quotes - 2:55 6. Past and Future Ruins - 4:15 7. Magnets Caught in a Metal Heart - 3:42 8. Empty Glass - 4:59 9. A Gun in the First Act - 5:02 10. Millimeter - 2:48 11. Turnpike Divides - 4:54 12. Stay True - 7:53 For More Information: www.Epitaph.com www.Thursday.net www.myspace.com/thursday

StartingAClothingLine.com launches fashion contest

StartingAClothingLine.com, the leading source of how-to industry information for aspiring fashion designers, is seeking the world’s future stars during its own Fashion Awareness Week (May 9th - May 15th). The creators of Digital Fashion Pro (DFP) software announce its own contest designed to empower individuals aiming to start their own clothing line. The contest will provide participants with a chance to submit their unique story about why they want to be a success in fashion on either YouTube or on the Facebook.com/DigitalFashionPro page. A Grand Prize of $250 and a StartingAClothingLine.com Industry Leader Package (valued at $675) will be awarded to the “Most Promising Female Designer” and “Most Promising Male Designer” and the twelve semi-finalists will each win the basic Digital Fashion Pro software (valued at $199). Additionally, StartingAClothingLine.com will give away its $49 E-Book, “The Guide to Starting and Designing a Line,” to all contest entrants. For more information, please visit FashionAwarenessWeek.com. During DFP Fashion Awareness Week (May 9th - May 15th), the company will donate a portion of its net proceeds from the sales of its books and software to the non-profit organization Dress for Success. www.dressforsuccess.org StartingAClothingLine.com is seeking entries on YouTube or Facebook that best showcase the individual’s dreams of and efforts towards launching a fashion career. One entry is allowed per person. Submissions MUST BE RECEIVED by MAY 1, 2011. Entries will be judged by StartingAClothingLine.com’s prestigious advisory board that will select the 12 semi-finalists and post them online at FashionAwarenessWeek.com on May 9th. The winners will be determined by the number of votes that each finalist garners on YouTube and Facebook during the week of May 9th - May 15th. The winners will be announced on May 16th. StartingAClothingLine.com addresses myths and misconceptions for beginners and fashion graduates alike. Offering a three-book course and Digital Fashion Pro software that covers everything from design training, financial strategies, manufacturing approaches and retailer relations, users are equipped with the tools they need to start their own clothing line. StartingAClothingLine.com’s co-Founder Michael Harper said, "Many individuals with creative fashion ideas are afraid to follow their dreams and instead work at traditional jobs. We created FashionAwarenessWeek.com to show them that anything is possible. We want to awaken those who are frustrated because of a lack of drawing ability, knowledge, formal education or contacts and hand them an opportunity on a silver platter. We believe in them.” In fact, some of the most renowned designers in the world pursued their dreams without a formal fashion degree including Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Christian Dior and Fubu. After graduating high school, Tommy Hilfiger began customizing jeans at home which ultimately led him to launch the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. Liz Claiborne and Christian Dior started two of the largest fashion houses without even completing high school. The nationally successful brand FUBU was started when a young and entrepreneurial Daymond John left high school and mortgaged his family’s home to help fund his brand that he had begun in their basement. Today, FUBU is one of the most recognized urban brands in the United States. Always a champion of men and women working against the odds to fulfill their dreams, StartingAClothingLine.com will donate a portion of its net proceeds during DFP Fashion Awareness Week to Dress for Success. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that offers services that are designed to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Since 1997, Dress for Success has served more than 550,000 women around the world. StartingAClothingLine.com promotes career success for individuals of all backgrounds. With state-of-the-art fashion design software and interactive tools, StartingAClothingLine.com takes fashion sketches from your imagination to your computer to the runway.