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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Released August 19, 2020 High Score is a Netflix docuseries created by Executive Producer & Director France Costrel that traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.

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Released August 19, 2020 High Score is a Netflix docuseries created by Executive Producer & Director France Costrel that traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life. France has developed, produced, directed and written documentary series for global streaming platforms, such as CNN, Showtime and Netflix. She has International experience working in Paris, London, Washington, D.C. New York and Los Angeles. Her list of movies and work can be found on IMDB.  The Netflix Series home page for High Score can be found here - https://www.netflix.com/title/81019087


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    Mar, 2020
Short article on making your own press pass or press badge.

Can I make my own press pass? Can I make my own press badge? We actually get these questions quite a bit from either prospective members or others that are simply curious about being able to cover an event they may be interested in. 

It's really not a difficult question to answer or to understand. 

While you may have the chops to create a really good looking press badge of sorts, the question is "what good will it really do"? Your press ID, press badge, press pass itself is not really what is going to get you considered for things like being able to photograph a concert or event. The question those decision makers are primarily concerned with is, "what website or publication are you part of" and "what is the number of daily/monthly viewers or readers"? If you have some slick looking press badge that you've created but no website or a website with 400 monthly visitors, chances are you're not going to be considered or receive a media pass for that particular venue or event, as they are looking for a larger number of viewers. Of course, if it is a relatively small or local gathering, there could be other considerations.

When it comes to the type of press pass that will be given to you if you are accepted for credentials, that would be a design that is unique to either the venue, event or management. And the answer to whether or not you can "make one of those" is NO. That is forgery and it is illegal. It would be blatant misrepresentation and unauthorized use of any trademarked or copyrighted names, art, symbols or material. Keep in mind too, that there is also a significant difference between the credentials that are issued to photographers, writers, bloggers and other types of "all access" passes (backstage passes) etc. Attempting to forge one of those could land you in some serious trouble as well.

So to sum it up, sure you can create your own badge of sorts but you do not want to misrepresent yourself, anyone or anything else. 

If you have a website, use the name of your website on your homemade badge.

Under no circumstances should you use the name, logo, symbol, artwork or anything else that does not belong to you.

When it comes to the primary consideration of most decision makers "the number of website visitors or viewers you have" see how the US Press Association can help you satisfy general requirements. The US Press Association can also customize business ID’s, press passes, press badges, event credentials, venue credentials, backstage passes, VIP passes for your business or event. Let us put two decades of experience making, issuing and tracking credentials to work for you.

Find out more HERE


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Queensryche hit Tempe again on "The Verdict" tour

Queensryche hit Tempe again on "The Verdict" tour

Photo Credits: Fred Kuhlman

   

There's one thing that is fairly certain about veteran progressive hard rock band Queensryche: they love playing Arizona.

After all, their show at Tempe's Marquee Theatre on Tuesday Jan. 28 marks the second time in under a year that they've visited us on their current tour supporting their latest album, 2019's The Verdict.

"We've been touring this album since March of last year", said lead guitarist and Queensryche founding member Michael Wilton a few hours before showtime.

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"We've worked hard over the past few years successfully rebuilding the band with our current lineup", which also includes original bassist Eddie Jackson, guitarist Parker Lundgren (since 2009), lead vocalist Todd La Torre (since 2012), and touring drummer Casey Grillo (since 2017).

When Queensryche hit the Marquee stage with Prophecy for a 90-minute, 17-song set, there was no stopping them. They meant business, and their loyal Arizona fans couldn't have been more welcoming.

Although the band utilizes video to enhance the music onstage, it's never a distraction. With Queensryche, the music always does the talking.

Fun fact: Prophecy was originally written during sessions for their 1984 album The Warning.

However, it wasn't recorded until 1986 during the Rage For Order sessions. It was eventually released as a bonus track on their self-titled 1983 EP that was re-issued on compact disc for the first time in late 1988. Confusing, isn't it?

Next up was the title track from 1988's landmark album Operation: mindcrime, widely considered Queensryche's finest creative achievement on record. Walk In The Shadows followed, while deep cut Resistance (from Empire, 1990) returned to their live set after a lengthy hiatus.

Speaking of deep cuts, the undisputed surprise of the night had to be No Sanctuary off The Warning. Truth be told, it hadn't been played at any Phoenix-area show since the Rage tour in Oct. 1986. That was also the first time they headlined here in the Valley of the Sun.

With momentum building onstage, it wasn't until the seventh song in the set when the current lineup was represented. Man The Machine, from The Verdict received respectable applause. La Torre was in fine form vocally, especially on new songs Bent and Dark Reverie.

Interestingly, on this night there were no songs represented from the band's two previous albums, 2013's Queensryche and 2015's Condition Human.

I asked Wilton if he could ever envison an entire live set with "La Torre-era" material, especially considering the demand from many fans online to feature more of it live. Not to mention they're already looking forward to writing the next album later this year.

Would a Queensryche show be the same without any material from the original lineup that also included guitarist Chris DeGarmo, drummer Scott Rockenfield, and vocalist Geoff Tate? I'll let "Whip" tell you.

"Ummm....no", Wilton said after a brief pause.

"The albums (from the original lineup) are the band's legacy", he continued. "We wouldn't want to stop playing those songs, no matter how many more albums we do in the future", Wilton stated proudly.

"Having said that, we wouldn't mind splitting new and old material 50-50 eventually. It's very gratifying that people are enjoying what we're doing today, so that would be the ideal scenario."

If there's one criticism I have of the current lineup live, it would have to be the length of their set. Considering the amount of albums they have, it would be nice if they would play 20 songs minimum.

As strong as the current lineup is, I know they could pull it off with ease.

Back onstage, Queensryche winds down the main set with a blistering version of Screaming In Digital. By all appearances, that's one song where one can tell they have a blast playing, and rightly so. It's nothing less than quintessential Queensryche.

Next, La Torre asks the crowd if they're ready to "go old school"? They immediately tear into Queen Of The Reich (which concluded the main set), from the aforementioned debut EP.

The crowd wasn't quite ready to head home yet, so the band happily obliged with a three-song encore of Light years (the fourth new song played from The Verdict), Empire, and the mandatory Eyes Of A Stranger to close out the night.

I couldn't help but notice that Wilton seemed to be the proud papa onstage. When it comes to delivering the goods onstage, there's no question that Queensryche intend to continue doing just that for the forseeable future. Don't miss them when they pass through town.

-Val Tapia

Author's note: On Jan. 10, 2020 the music world received the sad and shocking news that Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart had passed away on Tues. Jan. 7 after a three-year long battle with brain cancer.

Knowing that Rush was a prime influence on Queensryche in their formative years, I asked Wilton to share his thoughts on this.

"Yeah, we definitely lost one of the greats in Neil", Wilton said somberly. "The music of Rush is just so amazing, it's so hard to pick  a favorite memory."

"I will say that I really loved Clockwork Angels though. I missed that tour unfortunately, which I really regret now", Wilton continued.

"They truly went out at the top of their game. He'll definitely be missed."


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Discover The Benefits Of A US Press Association Membership & Press Pass

Discover The Benefits Of A US Press Association Membership & Press Pass

The US Press Association is an independent, internationally recognized association of freelance and professional writers, photographers, videographers, editors, bloggers, radio personalities and others involved with traditional and new media.

  • Internationally Recognized Non-Union Association

  • Full And Unlimited Control Of Earning Potential From The Content You Post

  • 24/7 Membership Verification

  • Open to novice, freelancers and professionals (We offer support based upon your needs and provide the tools to help you learn and excel. We customize each members experience with the organization based upon individual needs.)

  • Submitted content offers members extensive viewer reach while promoting your work and your own site. 

  • 24/7 Access to site materials resources

  • 24/7 Access to credential assistance requests

  • Discounts to various retailers, hotels and auto rental

  • More members than all other new media organizations combined

  • Optional Newsletter Access

  • USPA Mentoring and Critique Program

  • Easy news, photo, video submission 24/7

  • Create personalized photo galleries (earn from selling your gallery work)

  • Searchable member profile page (control what you want visible)

RECAP:

  • The US Press Association is here to help YOU and promote you, your website, publication, galleries, blog and any body of work you produce unlike fake websites and organizations that hope people sign up so they lend credibility to the website. 
  • Your readers can subscribe directly to new articles you publish.
  • You are paid 100% of the revenue your stories generate.
  • You are free to cover the stories you want to cover, local, nationally or internationally.
  • You are joining a site that generates more SEO traffic than a single blog ever could.
  • Hosting is paid for, you just need to focus on what you love...
  • We guarantee 99.99% uptime, full security, and backup.
  • You are free to post stories you write on other sites and platforms AND the content is yours and does not become the property of the US Press Association.
  • Fully implemented SEO best practices to amplify visits to your articles.
  • We want to protect free speech, so primary editing is left to you but we are happy to help you shape and form a post for best results.
  • Let's not forget, the most trusted press pass for freelancers and professionals

Join Today - View Membership Options

More information on what sets us apart...


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The marvelous Miles Davis finally gets a way cool biopic that exhumes the truth about the legendary man of jazz and more. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool directed by Emmy Award-winning Director Stanley Nelson tells the true tale behind his music and legacy

The marvelous Miles Davis finally gets a way cool biopic that exhumes the truth about the legendary man of jazz and more. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool directed by Emmy Award-winning Director Stanley Nelson tells the true tale behind the music and legacy of the renowned horn player and composer who Socially Sparked® our lives.

The movie’s New York City debut weekend of August 23rd thru August 25th held special event screenings in the form of Q & As with various affiliates of the film and bandmates of the jazz master. The screening I attended had Director, Stanley Nelson, Miles’ nephew/bandmate Vince Wilburn, Jr. and bandmate James Mtume present.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE FROM STANLEY NELSON

“An elegant man who could render ballads with such tenderness yet hold rage in his heart from the racism he faced throughout his life. At times his persona eclipsed his music. He was known as a ladies man and abusive womanizer. An intellectual and a junkie. A good friend and a bad father. Glamorous, reclusive, and vain.” — Stanley Nelson, Director, Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool

Miles Davis: BIrth of the Cool is a documentary that paints the portrait of a hardworking, educated, middle class man honing his craft. It also portrays a  troubled soul who repeatedly — with each journey re-invented himself — simultaneously setting new trends that turned the jazz world upside down and inside out. He was notorious for his out of the box genius thinking – marrying jazz with the unthinkable — other music genres.
The central theme of Miles Davis’s life and this biopic was his restless determination to break boundaries and live life on his own terms. It made him a star—it also made him incredibly difficult to live with for the people who loved him most.
Nelson’s directorial take simply educates us as to how each of Miles’ experiences and journeys along with his different collaborators influenced his trumpet playing that changed jazz forever.

The marvelous Miles Davis has been making music for 50 years. This biopic gives you a glimpse into the genius work he created in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – which is all very different. Jazz historians,, musicologists and fans say the spotlight shines brightest on Kind of Blue (1959), the biggest selling jazz album of all time and Bitches Brew (1970), the electric years.

Initially shown in New York City, next stop is Los Angeles at The Landmark (8/30-9/5)  before opening in more cities around the country. For a complete list of cities and dates visit www.milesdavismovie.com

One of the things which makes this Miles Davis film version so unique is that it’s narrated by Miles (sort of).  The actor Carl Lumbly, who has a raspy Miles-like voice reads from Miles’ own words.  The effect: his voice interspersed with footage of different historical moments create the feeling that Miles is narrating his own life. This tactic works extremely well in this case – you get a keen insight into what the magnificent jazz artist was feeling and thinking at the time.  It’s completely believable. It’s Way Cool. It’s the Marvelous Miles Davis. -- Abbe is Socially Sparked! — Abbe Sparks, Socially Sparked News
[Submitted by Abbe Sparks]

---

Boost


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With a relative resurgence in pop culture, new generations are being turned on to the sounds of bluegrass and traditional music.

With a relative resurgence in pop culture, new generations are being turned on to the sounds of bluegrass and traditional music. Bluegrass in its modern form is capturing those seeking out both its traditional and a more modern jamband style of the genre. Enter Songs From The Road Band.

 

Songs From The Road Band is an Asheville, NC based band whose members each have an impressive musical background. In their current form, the bands members are Charles Humphrey III, Sam Wharton, Mark Schmick and James Schlender. Their roles are as follows: Charles Humphrey III (bass), Mark Schimick (mandolin), Sam Wharton (guitar), James Schlender (fiddle) and Ryan Cavanaugh is a guest on the album playing banjo.

 

Waiting On A Ride is their fifth studio album. They say “every good story has a good beginning, middle and end”, well Waiting On A Ride has a great beginning, middle and end! From the moment I started listening to their new album, I knew this was something new and fresh yet at the same time familiar and comforting. Waiting On A Ride begins with the track Any Highway. This song sets the scene for the album and draws you into the music without delay.

 

To me this is the mark of great music, when you hear new songs yet it’s as if you’ve been familiar with them for years. The composition and arrangements bring bluegrass and Americana into the present without abandoning the traditional roots of this great music.

 

The lyrics are smart, witty, easy to relate to and thread a constant theme throughout the whole album. Whether you are or have been a musician playing out on the road or not, I believe you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement with the heartfelt lyrics and delivery of these songs. The album also contains some instrumentals, of which “Thunderstorm Serenade” is nothing short of brilliant and could easily be a memorable cinematic score.

 

In addition to picking up this album, I’d highly recommend catching a show if you find Songs From The Road Band anywhere near your town. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find them delivering tight, seamless jams and improv.

 

To me it’s a pretty safe bet that Songs From The Road Band and Waiting On A Ride, will surely fill in some spots on your favorite playlist.

Glenn DePretis
Picker Magazine

Buy Waiting On A Ride

Find A Tour Date Near You...


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David Crosby takes the stage on the 50th anniversary of playing at Woodstock

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of his playing at Woodstock, Davis Crosby and the Sky Trails Band put on a memorable performance at the 58th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival.

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The crowd at the Philadelphia Folk Festival was eager to see the two time Grammy winner perform. Crosby was engaging and offered up conversation as well as his signature sound for all to enjoy. Crosby and the band mesh well and deliver a sound that to long time listeners and fans is both familiar yet fresh.

Crosby treated everyone to a classic setlist of songs. You can check out the setlist here - https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/david-crosby/2019/old-pool-farm-schwenksville-pa-b9fcd26.html


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No Encore!

No Encore!

Musicians Reveal Their Weirdest, Wildest, Most Embarrassing Gigs

Drew's book features never-before-told stories, No Encore! takes you on tour with over sixty iconic musicians as they relive their weirdest, wildest, most embarrassing gigs.

No Encore! is an unflinchingly honest account of the shows that tested the dedication to a dream—from Alice Cooper’s python having a violent, gastric malfunction on stage to Lou Barlow’s disastrous attempt to sober up at Glastonbury, from Shirley Manson’s desperate search for a bathroom to the extraordinary effort made to awaken Al Jourgenson as Ministry was taking the stage. As Hunter S. Thompson famously wrote, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” 

You can pre-order Drew's book now on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2N3rQNE



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BSA announces a huge success for the international open call for the mural and residency in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain).

BSA announces a huge success for the international open call for the mural and residency in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain).

BSA is partnering with Contorno Urbano Foundation on this massive and sweet 400 square meter wall - and 284 artists from 42 countries have applied to win the competition to paint it!

BSA has been helping hundreds of artists to connect with opportunities for a decade, and we like this people-powered non-commercial organization that actively sponsors Street Artists, graffiti artists, conceptual artists, mural artists to paint walls in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, an industrial city and municipality in Catalonia, Spain, in the province of Barcelona.

Next Step: Pre-Selection

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Elevationa and photos of the wall.

Next step is the pre-selection of the 12 finalists by a committee made by members of the City Council, 2 curators and a street art specialist.

In October the names of the 12 finalists will be revealed and they will create a sketch for the ultimate selection in November.

Members of the jury: 
Jaime Rojo (co-founder Brooklyn Street Art, curator), 
Fernando Figueroa (PHD in History of Art, Independent researcher specialized in graffiti and urban art), 
Veronica Werckmeister (painter and muralist, curator) 
Yasha Young (Director of Urban Nation, curator).

Creation of the mural: The artist chosen will win a 7000€ prize and all the fees will be covered. The wall will be paint in Spring 2018 after an artistic residency in order the artist knows the historic context and the city.

The mural will represent the neighbors’ fight 30 years ago to have this public square created instead of a gas station.

In Spring 2018 the selected winning artist will have a residency in Barcelona so you can get to know the city, the people and the context for creating the mural.

This is a WIN-WIN opportunity for the winning artist to create something meaningful and lasting for a community and to meet some really amazing people here and in Barcelona, the vibrant Spanish city that has played an important role in the rise of the global Street Art scene.

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