NEWSDESK, 10th May 2010
> INTRODUCING THE PROJEKT PROJECT
Projekt is a 4-piece rocknroll band based in London. Hailing from four corners of the UK, the band came together through fateful paths in London. They quickly started writing and creating the Projekt sound and soon had enough material to perform their first gig in Jan 2009 at Tommy Flynn’s, Camden.
Little did the band know that word would spread amongst the live circuit so quickly and they would end up performing 50 shows all over the country. Venues included O2 Islington Academy, Monto Water Rats, Proud Galleries, The Dublin Castle, 93 Feet East and the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool.
A successful debut year for the band saw their track ‘Desert Storm’ being named as track of the week on the BBC Introducing London show, ‘London Calling’. The bandwagon continued with the release of their first single, ‘Ocean Passage’, which was made available on Tourdates as a free download. This entered the Tourdates Unsigned chart at number 11 and after a steady 3 week climb hit the number 1 spot; at the time of writing it still sits on top of the chart.
The band show no signs of sitting on their laurels in 2010 with the planned release of The Compass on May 4th produced by Paul Tipler (The Charlatans and Idlewild) and a huge number of live shows...
Dates:
Mar 20 - Maggie Mays, Glasgow
Mar 25 - Glasswerk @ The Purple Turtle, Camden
Mar 31 - HELP FOR HEROES CHARITY GIG
Apr 2 - Zanzibar, Liverpool
Apr 4 - The Clarendon, Hartlepool
Apr 8 - Walkabout, Reading
Apr 29 - 30/04/10 THE COMPASS SINGLE LAUNCH @ TOMMY FLYNNS
Projekt write songs created from long jams in the practice room, each member contributing to the sound. The first batch of songs all have a recurring theme of traveling and getting to where you need and want to be. This is evident with the navigational theme in ‘Ocean Passage’, ‘Desert Storm’ and now ‘The Compass.’ Front man Rob Powell says: "I think all great albums sound like a family of songs. Not necessarily all sounding the same musically but all having some kind of link, some kind of cement that bonds them together. This is where the messages of compasses and maps crop up throughout the Projekt sound. We want to take people on a journey and I think our songs can do that judging by the reaction so far."
As a ‘live act’ Projekt like to get hot and sweaty and do it all with a smile on their face! A dazzling array of influences and energy combine to produce a spiraling high-octane live show leaving the audience in a spin. Let’s hope The Compass can show them the right way.
> NEW WISHBONE ASH SINGLE & VIDEO
Wishbone Ash are set to release their first single in over twenty years. Following a fan-based Facebook campaign the band went into the studio and recorded 'Reason to Believe'. A dance/pop and radio edit will be released on 17th May 2010.
'Reason to Believe' lays down a marker to a whole new set of fans. Though aware of the band's iconic name many may not realise that Wishbone Ash are still tearing it up musically and continuing to take it to the streets with over 150 live dates worldwide this year alone. The single brings together the traditional aspects of Wishbone Ash including the twin guitar attack but the production adds a modern twist. The result? An über radio friendly single that hooks the listener on first play.
The band's previous official single 'Cosmic Jazz / T Bone Shuffle' was released in 1989. In the intervening years Wishbone Ash has been touring relentlessly as well as releasing new albums and DVDs to an ever growing army of fans new and old. Last year the band celebrated 40 years of making music, embarking on a full European tour to promote their anniversary DVD Live in London. Lead singer and Flying V guitar supremo Andy Powell appeared on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6 Show as well as numerous Rock stations including Planet Rock, Rock Radio, Total Rock Radio and BBC radio shows. The anniversary was also marked with a feature on Andy in The Word magazine and this year sees Andy Powell feature in Classic Rock magazine.
2010 again will see Wishbone Ash on the road around the world including a UK tour in April to promote 'Reason to Believe'. You can follow the band’s every move via their interactive and highly addictive website, http://www.wishboneash.com/, and you can catch the band live in the UK on a full UK tour.
As part of last year’s anniversary celebrations the band played an exclusive show and party at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Special guests (and former band members) Ben Granfelt, Mark Birch & Mervyn Spence did an incredible job and their contributions to the long history of Wishbone Ash can be seen and heard on the current DVD. The Shepherd’s Bush show was more than a party, it was a celebration of the rich 40 year history of Wishbone Ash and a thank you to the fans who have supported Andy and the guys over the years. A lot has changed since the band’s inception back in 1969, but the one constant? Andy Powell & his dedication to the music and the fans. It has never wavered. He may be the soul & inspiration of the band, but due credit must be given to Bob Skeat, Muddy Manninen, and Joe Crabtree, for they are most certainly the heart.
> EMPIRES OF EDEN ADD CARLOS ZEMA
Empires of Eden is very proud to announce Carlos Zema as one of the feature artists on the upcoming album Reborn in Fire. The Brazilian native has come to the focus of the metal public through his time in the band Outworld and South American heavyweights Vougan.
From Stu Marshall, "Working with Carlos is one of those experiences that really blew my mind. The song 'Rising' featured is one of Carlo’s tunes as whole so I can honestly say I am a fan of the song. Initially we created a super heavy tune, and while we both really liked it, found it was missing something that the rest of the album had. So, to continue the melodic feel of the album, Carlos sent me his song 'Rising' to work on and we both agreed it worked well on the album... and 'Rising' is a killer song. This guy is an incredible songwriter, vocalist and talent."
The new album from Empires of Eden - Reborn in Fire - will feature some of the world’s most respected heavy metal voices. Already announced are Mike Vescera, Zak Stevens and Steve Grimmett with further announcements due.
