BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7’s White Lies For Dark Times is a timeless rock record, with a cohesive collection of music that is raw, unrelenting and thunderous. In 2005, Harper began recording sessions that would become a double record entitled Both Sides of the Gun (2006, Virgin Records). He invited his long time friend Jason Mozersky to lay down some guitar work on a track. Upon invitation to continue recording the next day, Jason arrived at the studio with longtime friends, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls. In November 2008, the band debuted their new material on the Vote For Change Tour. They ended the year with a series of small club shows from famed venues such as Spaceland and The Mint in Los Angeles, to The Mercury Lounge and Kenny’s Castaway in NYC. The band is scheduled to tour extensively across the world in 2009.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.benharper.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/benharper', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'thepixies': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'PIXIES', 'bio': 'For more than ten years, since the Pixies ended their run with a meltdown that left pretty much everyone pissed off, the chances of this group ever getting back together were basically nil. All four members scattered: Frank Black embarked on a solo career that has produced ten albums, many of which were critical triumphs and all of them anticipated eagerly by long-time and new fans. Joey Santiago did session work and got into scoring television and film projects in L.A., and received critical kudos for the two albums he did with wife Linda Mallari as The Martinis. Kim Deal put together the Breeders who opened for Nirvana, headlined at Lollapalooza, and recorded a platinum album. After finding little satisfaction in studio work, Dave Lovering gave up music entirely and began a career as a professional magician.
But like star systems in an expanding universe, each of the Pixies would feel the pull, sooner or later, back toward the center, where once they had exploded and showered the musical vacuum with pointed, ironic, blackly humorous, and unforgettable songs. It took a few years - twelve, to be exact. But in late 2003, against all expectations, they did get there.
And once again, everything changed.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.pixiesmusic.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/pixies', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'franzferdinand': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'FRANZ FERDINAND', 'bio': 'The marquee of a theatre before a show.
It’s music of the night: to fling yourself around your room to as you psyche yourself for an evening of hedonism, for the dance-floor, flirtation, for your desolate heart-stop, for losing it and loving losing it, for the chemical surge in your bloodstream. It’s for that lonely hour gently rocking yourself, waiting for dawn and it all to be even again.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/franzferdinand', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'paolonutini': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'PAOLO NUTINI', 'bio': '"I\'ve never written a song that was hypothetical. They\'re all real and about my life," says Paolo Nutini. It\'s an approach that has served most of the great singer-songwriters down the years, whether they\'ve escaped from a dull mining town in Minnesota or been brought up - as in Paolo\'s case - in a chip shop in Paisley, near Glasgow.
At 19, his songs suggest he knows an awful lot about the vicissitudes of life and love. Let\'s not heap patronising platitudes upon him by calling him \'an old head on young shoulders\' or \'mature beyond his years\'.
Paolo Nutini isn\'t really any of those things. Nor is he the latest Bob Dylan or the new Damien Rice. He\'s simply a sharp, open-hearted, hugely talented young man with a unique gift for expressing in song the typical attitudes and experiences of someone his age. He describes his debut album as nothing more or less than a record of the last two or three years of his life. Songs about leaving home, about missing friends and family, about the highs of being in love and the lows of falling out of love.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.paolonutini.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/paolonutini', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'grizzlybear': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'GRIZZLY BEAR', 'bio': 'Upon releasing their acclaimed debut album, Yellow House in 2006, Grizzly Bear - comprising of singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, woodwinds player/bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen – have become one of independent music’s most internationally-renowned talents. Tours opening for Radiohead, Feist and TV On The Radio, co-headlining a show with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, playing on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, participating in a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and performing their own BAM show with the Brooklyn Philharmonic solidified their well-deserved reputation as one of the most exciting, unique and truly adventurous bands to come out of New York City in years
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.grizzly-bear.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/grizzlybear', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'matesofstate': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'MATES OF STATE', 'bio': 'Though conceived as a duo, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel - the he and she music factory known as Mates of State - have never failed to generate a trademark wall of sound built on dozens of varied voicings of keys, drums, and alternately lushly layered and playfully dueling vocals. On their newest album, re-arrange us, they move beyond these boundaries (their traditional organ sound is a distant memory, replaced with organic piano and synth sounds) with additional instrumentation, not to mention a quantum leap in song craft apparent on instantly indelible gems like now, jigsaw and get better. Throughout the new album, Kori’s piano and the emergence of both Mates’ lead vocals from their trademark harmonizing signal the next stage of Mates of State$rsquo;s evolution.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.matesofstate.net', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/matesofstate', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'sloan': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'SLOAN', 'bio': 'Sloan is four distinct songwriting voices - guitarists Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson, bassist Chris Murphy and drummer Andrew Scott - that nonetheless form a cohesive collective. Long-time Toronto scenesters who will always call Halifax home.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.sloanmusic.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/sloan', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'lights': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'LIGHTS', 'bio': 'A prolific songwriter since her pre-teens, Lights is a multi-instrumentalist. Now in her early 20’s, she captures the attention of anyone who has heard her music. Hailing from a small town in Canada, she started writing and producing music in her attic bedroom at age 12, shaping her craft with each note that she wrote. Influenced by such artists as Bjork and Annie Lennox, her melodies and lyrics paint a musical landscape, that is both fresh and new. Her sound is electronica based pop, that demonstrates a maturity well beyond her years. This emerging songwriting revolution now based in Toronto, Canada consistently impresses listeners, and gathers new fans with every musical creation.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.iamlights.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/lights', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'plantsandanimals': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'PLANTS AND ANIMALS', 'bio': 'Plants and Animals are a rock band. The Montreal trio has received international acclaim since the release of their 2008 full-length debut, Parc Avenue. The album was nominated for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Prize, is up for two JUNO Awards, and has garnered praise from everyone from NPR to Danger Mouse. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Warren C. Spicer and Matthew ‘the Woodman’ Woodley met at a young age and played together in various bands all through high-school. Plants and Animals didn’t always make rock music. Their first entirely instrumental recording in 2003 was an experiment in sound and took almost three years to complete. By the time a record deal with Secret City Records was complete, the album was almost finished. In February 2008 Plants and Animals released Parc Avenue and spent most of the year touring, playing shows across Canada, the US and Europe.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.plantsandanimals.ca/', 'text':'OFFICAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/plantsandanimals', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'igluandhartly': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'IGLU & HARTLY', 'bio': 'With hundreds of shows played around the world, a top 5 single in the UK, and a brand-new, independently released album in the US, Iglu & Hartly are ready to put Los Angeles back on the musical map. The May 5th US release date of And Then Boom marks the culmination of a band-centered, worldwide marketing effort, including touring and promo activities in every major market in the world. Eleven songs, recorded in the living room of the Echo Park house they have lived in since moving to Los Angeles.
Welcome to the world of Iglu & Hartly. A world of hope driven by heavy synth. A world soaked in beer and sweat, borne from heart and soul. Uncompromising, undeniable, uncontrollable, unstoppable.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.igluandhartly.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/igluandhartly', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'nineinchnails': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'NINE INCH NAILS', 'bio': 'New NIN lineup to tour 2009. At the end of The Lights In The Sky Tour, Trent announces his plans to "deconstruct everything" and begin touring as a four piece. "We\'re going to do things from scratch". Trent is joined by Ilan Rubin (drums) and returning members Robin Finck (guitar) and Justin Meldal-Johnsen (bass) to make up the NIN quartet.
This is going to be the bands final festival performance before going on indefinite hiatus
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.nin.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/nin', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'petshopboys': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'PET SHOP BOYS', 'bio': 'Yes, that’s the name of Pet Shop Boys tenth studio album.
Yes, it’s their highest-charting record since 1993’s Very.
Yes, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe\'s career as Pet Shop Boys spans over two decades and they have sold over 30
million albums.
Yes, Pet Shop Boys will bring Pandemonium on tour to North America this Fall.
Yes, The Pandemonium Tour is a multi-media show that will include Pet Shop Boys\' greatest hits and celebrate
the new album.
Yes, it will be directed by Es Devlin, choreographed by Lynne Page with live music produced by Stuart Price.
Yes, it\'s a very \'up\' show, one you won\'t want to sit down for....
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.petshopboys.co.uk', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }] }, 'ourladypeace': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'OUR LADY PEACE', 'bio': 'Self-produced in lead singer Raine Maida’s Los Angeles home studio, the release of Burn Burn, marks the longest period between studio albums for Our Lady Peace. The album is a return to what Maida terms “a proper, mature rock album.” They are trying to reinforce the notion that OLP now occupy a unique and enviable mind space. Having scattered in different directions after the release of 2005’s Healthy In Paranoid Times, all four members took on projects of their own, ranging from solo records, production and songwriting work, tours and guest performances. Over the last two years, Raine Maida, guitarist Steve Mazur, bassist Duncan Coutts and drummer Jeremy Taggart sporadically reconvened and lived at Maida’s home, creating what he calls their best effort to date. Our Lady Peace is also striking out on their own professionally this time around, opting for what the band terms a “true partnership” with both North American record labels.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.ourladypeace.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/ourladypeace', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'coldwarkids': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'COLD WAR KIDS', 'bio': 'COMING SOON
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.coldwarkids.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/coldwarkids', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'mutemath': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'MUTEMATH', 'bio': 'Since MUTEMATH released its first EP in late 2004 and hit the road in 2005, their inherent nature has challenged limitations and expanded parameters. By the time of the 2006 self-titled debut, their blending of adverse genres into its own innovative creation earned them a reputation as one of modern music’s most daring young groups. By 2007, they would find themselves Grammy nominated and declared by Alternative Press as “the #1 band you need to see live before you die.”
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.mutemath.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/mutemath', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'mew': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'MEW', 'bio': 'Their debut A Triumph For Man was released in 1997 and produced by Damon Tutunjian of the indie band the Swirlies. In 2000, Mew released Half The World Is Watching Me, which they produced themselves with the help of Flemming Rasmussen, who, quite possibly has the coolest name ever, and is most known for his work with Metallica in the 1980s. Excitement over their live performances finally reached outside Denmark and caught the attention of Epic Sony who signed them in 2001 to produce the band’s first international release. Collecting the best songs off their first two albums, plus writing a number of new compositions, the band went into the studio to record with Costey 2003’s Frengers. Two years later, critics around the world endorsed And the Glass Handed Kites. The songs “Zookeeper\'s Boy,” “Special" and “Why Are You Looking Grave” (with J Mascis) became international radio hits and led the band to sweep the 2006 Danish Music Awards in four categories, including Best Band and Best Album.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.mewsite.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/mew', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'thunderheist': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'THUNDERHEIST', 'bio': 'Tag team Thunderheist - front woman Isis and soundsmith Grahm Zilla - drop from the top rope and hit the stage, over and over again. Sinuous swagger seeps from Zilla\'s ominous basslines, while digi-horns blast the senses like homecoming marching bands and Moroder bears witness. Clutching the mic like a sceptre, African daughter Isis laces joints with lyrical angel dust, rich vocal foreplay brimming with braggadocio forte. You could be among thousands in a stadium, or intimate at your local bar... either way, if you\'re in the front row, expect to get wet. Thunderheist sweats Belvedere and Red Bull, and sprays more hooks than a heavyweight championship bout.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.thunderheist.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/thunderheist', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'vonbondies': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'THE VON BONDIES', 'bio': 'For the Von Bondies, the most important reason to make music isn’t a complicated one. “We’re here to entertain people so they forget that they have a 9 to 5 job to go to in the morning,” says Jason Stollsteimer, the Michigan-based band’s singer-songwriter-guitarist. “We love what we do or else we wouldn’t do it; it’s for us and the fans.”
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/vonbondies', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'datarock': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'DATAROCK', 'bio': 'Many moons ago, atop one of seven mountains surrounding a picturesque Norwegian countryside, two scruffy-faced individuals - Fredrik Saroea and the man known simply as Ket-Ill - made a pact to alter the face of contemporary music as we know it by single-handedly transforming themselves into what they called the peak of pop evolution
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.datarockmusic.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/datarock', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'hypercrush': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'HYPER CRUSH', 'bio': 'Live and Direct from the Honky Tonk of Electro. Behold the all time greatest Electro, Hip Hop Group from the 80\'s. Three shit-faced extra terrestrials known amongst the elite simply as Donny, Preston and Holly. A couple of real gentlemen and one broad with a steady diet of cotton candy and flat soda pop to calm the nerves.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.hypercrush.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/hypercrush', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'coeurdepirate': { 'stage':'stageone', 'name': 'COEUR DE PIRATE', 'bio': 'Cœur de Pirate is Béatrice Martin, a young woman who has played the piano since she was 3. After five years of conservatoire, she felt the urge to write her own songs to express her feelings, emotions and experiences and was quickly recruited by band Bonjour Brumaire as keyboard player. However, in spring 2008, she decided to concentrate on her solo project, Cœur de Pirate, inspired by the music she grew up to (French and folk music). With only 4 shows on her tour book and little help from myspace, she signed with Grosse Boîte (Dare To Care) and spent the summer recording her first album with David Brunet (Tricot machine, Daniel Boucher, etc…) and playing festivals such as Les Francofolies de Montreal and Osheaga. Her first album was released on September 16th and acclaimed by critics (including superstar blogger Perez Hilton). Over 27 000 copies later, the adventure continues as Coeur de Pirate is now sailing to Europe and will be released by Barclay/Universal in May 2009.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/coeurdepirate', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'durbervilles': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'D\'URBERVILLES', 'bio': 'The D\'Urbervilles began in the Toronto suburb of Oshawa, Ontario as a means for childhood friends and underagers Tim Bruton (guitar, synth) and John O\'Regan (vocals, guitar, synth) to see rock shows at local bars. Equipped with little more than a borrowed amplifier, an Echo and the Bunnymen cover, and a band name lifted from a 19th century English novel on their high school reading list, these enterprising young men played a few gigs and liked performing enough to keep the band together even after they had reached the legal drinking age. After a few months they had left town for arts school at the University of Guelph, Ontario, where they met future band member Kyle Donnelly (bass) and began to immerse themselves in a vibrant independent music scene that produced acts like Constantines, Gentleman Reg, and Royal City
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.thedurbs.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/thedurbervilles', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'seankingston': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'SEAN KINGSTON', 'bio': 'Sean Kingston, the 17 year-old Miami born, Jamaica bred artist, is not just a new face in popular music; he\'s accomplished the rare task of creating a new genre where rap, reggae, pop, doo-wop and remarkable songwriting all combine into something totally refreshing. Add in Sean\'s family roots, which cite Jamaican legendary producer Jack Ruby as his grandfather, and you have one of the most exciting debuts this year. And while hip-hop lyrics have sparked the biggest debate in years, Sean finds himself in the center of the controversy - but not where you might think. The teen prefers to show his creativity without using profanity.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.seankingston.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/seankingston', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'pitbull': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'PITBULL', 'bio': 'COMING SOON
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.planetpit.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/pitbull', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'anjulie': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'ANJULIE', 'nophoto' : 'true', 'bio': 'COMING SOON
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.anjuliemusic.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/anjulie', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'candycoatedkillahz': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'CANDY COATED KILLAHZ', 'bio': 'Toronto duo Candy Coated Killahz bang out heavy-hitting crowd-pleasers. With gritty rhymes and bouncy pop hooks, they skillfully pull together the most irreplaceable elements of hip-hop, electro-pop, and dance anthems. Frontgirl/producer Tosha Dash and vocalist Icon the Anomali, describe their sound as “a dance-off between 2Unlimited and the Black Eyed Peas, refereed by a naughty saw synth”. It is a sound that is infectiously accessible yet fully genrebending. Their electric sound has been compared to Gwen Stefani, Kelis, Outkast, and M.I.A.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.candycoatedkillahz.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/cckillahz', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'melaniefiona': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'MELANIE FIONA', 'bio': 'Don\'t ask her to define it. Singer/songwriter Melanie Fiona\'s debut album The Bridge reveals a sweet push-and-pull between countless elements of herself. At once Canadian and Caribbean, strong and sexy, contemplative and joyous, blending the sounds of pop and soul. Despite the many moods and musings of Melanie Fiona\'s debut, there is one defining element. The girl\'s got soul.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.melaniefiona.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/melaniefiona', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'thenewcities': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'THE NEW CITIES', 'bio': 'Blending the timeless tastiness of classic synth-pop to the intensity and dynamics of modern punk and the irrefutable rump mobilization of the recent dance-rock insurgence, the New Cities are primed to bring their own form of urban renewal to the Canadian pop-music scene and beyond as their first single, “Dead End, Countdown,” hits radio in February, with the full album set to hit in May.
The band says “It took three years but everything is falling into place,” talking about the New Cities’ steady rise through the ranks, of course—the Quebec band’s initial, independent forays into recording, releasing and touring to test the waters, through their serendipitous hook-up with producer and manager Greig Nori, their baptism of fire in Toronto, their signing to the Sony label and the ever more high-profile gigs they’ve snagged even before their first single hits the radio waves.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.thenewcities.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/thenewcities', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'downwithwebster': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'DOWN WITH WEBSTER', 'bio': 'As long as any of us can remember, all we wanted to do was make music. While we came from different backgrounds, found inspiration from different influences, and developed different styles; we were united by our love of music. It’s the reason we saved all of our money to buy albums, memorized every word, learned each chord, bass line and beat. It’s the reason we spent all of our time together writing, playing and producing in a garage. It’s the reason we sleep in the studio and live on stage.
Down With Webster officially formed for a junior high talent show (we won). Since then, we have played more concerts than we can count (hundreds and hundreds). Every show is a party and we dare the audience to have more fun than us (usually it’s a tie).
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/downwithwebster', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'troubleandrew': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'TROUBLE ANDREW', 'bio': 'Trouble Andrew is a world-renowned professional snowboarder for Burton with two Olympic stints, numerous World Cup wins, and several national titles under his belt. But Trouble - a.k.a. Trevor Andrew - is adding another title to his credits: musician. His debut CD, Trouble Andrew, is out February 10, 2009 via Virgin Records. The 10-song electropunk / synth pop-rock CD, produced by Shitaki Monkey, features nine songs (remixed and remastered) from his 2007 EP of the same name, plus one newly recorded song, "What\'s So Strange About Me," which is a cover of ex-pro skateboarder Clause Grabke\'s 1987 song by his band Eight Dayz. Another standout track is "Bang Bang," a pop-infused, rump-shaking synth-punk ditty featuring Trouble\'s fiance Santi White, better known as Santogold, on backing vocals. Trouble can also be heard on Santogold\'s "I\'m a Lady" from her 2008 selftitled release. The artist, who has opened for GZA, De La Soul, Lady Sovereign, and others, plans to tour in 2009.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.troubleandrew.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/troubleandrew', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'silverstarling': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'SILVER STARLING', 'bio': 'After 15 years of collaborating on recordings, producing, engineering and mastering an innumerable amount of music projects (Dr. Noh, Stars, Torngat, Arcade Fire) Montreal\'s gentle giant, Marcus Paquin, decided it was time to lock himself in his studio and dedicate himself to his own.
Silver Starling is:
Marcus Paquin: vocals, guitars, bass
Liam O\'Neil: drums, percussion, ukelele, vocals
Marika Anthony-Shaw: keyboards, viola, violin, vocals
Peter X: bass, banjo
Be ready. N*E*R*D* is coming.
"What is a N*E*R*D*? N*E*R*D* stands for No One Ever Really Dies. The Neptunes is what we do, but N*E*R*D* is who we are. It\'s our life. N*E*R*D* is just a basic belief, man. People\'s energies are made of their souls. When you die, that energy may disperse but it isn\'t destroyed. Energy cannot be destroyed. It can manifest in a different way but even then it\'s like their souls are going somewhere. If it\'s going to heaven or hell or even if it\'s going into a fog or somewhere in the atmosphere to lurk unbeknownst to itself, it\'s going somewhere." - Pharrell Williams, 2000
', 'links':[] }, 'danielmerriweather': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'DANIEL MERRIWEATHER', 'bio': 'You may already be familiar with the powerhouse pipes of Daniel Merriweather, the 27-year-old Australian who lends his old-soul voice to "Stop Me" - an ingenious mash-up of The Smiths\' "Stop Me If You Think You\'ve Heard This One Before" and The Supremes\' "You Keep Me Hangin\' On" that appears on DJ/producer Mark Ronson\'s eclectic album Version. The track soared to the top of the airplay charts in the UK in April 2007 and led the British press to tout Merriweather as an artist to watch.
', 'links':[] }, 'fritz': { 'stage':'stagethree', 'name': 'FRITZ HELDER & THE PHANTOMS', 'bio': 'Fritz Helder & The Phantoms bring new meaning to the words pop couture. One listen to their debut disc, Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition, is like having an all-access pass to the fetes and front-rows of Paris, New York, Milan and London Fashion week. Threading together rich runway references, hip-hop-induced street cred and a multi-fierceited sound that blends electronic music\'s past and future-the Toronto-born band is as rare as the vintage Yves Saint Laurent collections that inspire them. Led by chameleon-like front-man Fritz Helder-a keytar wielding, contralto vocalist whose grandiose presence can only be described as fourth dimensional- with bandmates like the glamorous Pastel Supernova (vocals), the cunning Diego Superstar (beats / keys / vocals) and electric-guitar player and vocals, Silk Helder—aren\'t about fitting in at all. The quartet\'s energy is as tremendous in-studio as it is on-stage. Blending funk, disco, hip-hop, punk, and ska, into their first album\'s tracklist . Mixing energetic choreography and envelope-pushing costume work into their live performances, the band breaks conventions effortlessly. Fritz Helder & The Phantoms stand apart, producing an all-style, all-substance brand that will undoubtedly be making a scene for years to come.
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.fritzhelder.com/', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/fritzhelderandthephantoms', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'ruralalbertaadvantage': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE', 'bio': 'The Rural Alberta Advantage (Nils Edenloff, Amy Cole, and Paul Banwatt) play songs about hometowns and heartbreak, born out of images from Edenloff\'s childhood in Central and Northern Alberta. Formed in 2005, the trio was long known in indie-rock circles as "Canada\'s best unsigned band" before joining US label Saddle Creek (Tokyo Police Club, Bright Eyes) in 2009. After a successful North American tour, the band\'s critically-acclaimed debut record, Hometowns, was released by Saddle Creek in the US and by their own label (John, Dear Records) in Canada in July
', 'links':[{ 'link':'http://www.theraa.com', 'text':'OFFICIAL SITE' }, { 'link':'http://www.myspace.com/theraa', 'text':'MYSPACE' }] }, 'superstitions': { 'stage':'stagetwo', 'name': 'THE SUPERSTITIONS', 'bio': 'Friends from birth, Nyssa, Harry and Zack have always played together. Whether raising hell at the neighbourhood dancehall, duking it out with the local gang of toughs or cutting class to play cards and throw rocks through glass windows, they\'ve done everything together. They\'ve only ever been apart from each other in their musical endeavours. The Brothers Burgess, Harry and Zack, dabbled in punk rock, whilst Nyssa cut her teeth on an acoustic guitar and simple, heartfelt songs.
', 'links':[] } }