This last year has been a busy year for NoteworthyPR.  Essentially, a one-woman show, this year I have worked to promote more than hundred shows and events throughout the greater Capital Region of New York.  

Most of those being at Revolution Hall in Troy, New York.  For several years now Revolution Hall has continued to be selected as the regions hottest music venue for its incredible sound quality and unique feel and architectural presence.  In addition to sweet shows at the Hall this year, Revolution Hall undertook a huge event that we named Capital Region’s Got Talent (CRGT), a talent competition similar to American Idol, but with a regional focus.  The CRGT competition was successful beyond what we all had expected for the first attempt, garnering high levels of television and print media coverage, and to boot our gracious event sponsor Time Warner Cable televised the event and made it available On-Demand. Also our friends over at Fly92.3 (Baby Bear and Justin) and 518Fever.com (Anthony and Maria) were staunch in getting the word out via radio and online.  In the end, the final contestant was Danielle Gaudin.  She walked away winning the event with $5,000, a demo recording, and a future headline performance opportunity at the venue.  Special thanks to the team at Revolution Hall: Jared Kingsley, Pat McGowin, Clarke Foley, and Brian Gurtler.  Revolution Hall will be making some transitions for the new year to come.  Keep a look out for upcoming events at Revolution Hall at: www.revolutionhall.com.

In addition to promoting and marketing shows at Revolution Hall, NoteworthyPR worked throughout the year with Greg Bell of Guthrie/Bell Productions.  Guthrie/Bell Productions has had numerous regional and national talent come through the greater Capital Region such as moe., Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Roots, Dark Star Orchestra- including booking talented local up and coming bands like Timbre Coup, Dirty Paris, Alta Mira, and Deja to name a handful.  Guthrie/Bell continues to be on top of the hottest live acts out there, cultivating the successes of budding new music sensations like Connecticut-based jam band The McLovins as well as New York-based progressive power house Consider The Source. Greg Bell is a genuine force for the area’s live music scene and one of the most upstanding music promoters in the business.  See who Guthrie/Bell is bringing to town next at www.myspace.com/guthriebell.

On the campaign track, Eric Margan and The Red Lions released Midnight Book in the Spring.  A phenomenal first release.  Eric Margan crafted exceptional storytelling of love’s poetical journey through love at first sight to a unfortunate event.  Not only was the record a lyrical masterpiece, it also was strongly composed ,with Margan mastering every instrument and detail.  Midnight Book received numerous accolades from local and regional media outlets and was picked up by the Deli in NY and Neufutur Magazine to name a couple.  Eric Margan and the Red Lions (soon to be just: The Red Lions) are still gaining recognition for the Midnight Book release as well as for their live quality orchestral rock performances.  Eric Margan is an incredibly talented individual and the musicians he chooses to work with are no different.  A down-to-earth person, Eric is a warm and thoughtful individual and I look forward to seeing his successes for the new year and beyond.  Check out Eric Margan at www.theredlions.com or www.myspace.com/theredlions.  

Troy-New York based solo-artist Sean Rowe released Magic on the Collar City Records label in late Spring, which found success with a great amount of media coverage.  Sean Rowe has been writing and performing music for the last decade, perfecting his earthy baritone singing and street-beat inspired guitar playing. His percussive acoustic guitar technique mimics the downbeat of a kick drum, the backbeat of a snare drum, and the harmonic support of a bass player. Sean’s large repertoire of sounds coupled with the bottomless power and charming sensitivity of his dynamic singing voice make his live performances explosively sparkle.  An all around wonderful person, Sean Rowe, also a naturalist and survival man (think Bear Grils) took me out on a few guided educational sessions to identify plants and wild herbs (foraging), taught basic cordage skills and shelter-making.   Useful skills for anyone to have!  Not long after working with Sean, did he make some excellent connections and then took off on European tour.  I see the magic all around for Sean Rowe and you can definitely expect big things to come from him in the future.  Check out Sean Rowe and learn about naturalisicism and feel the power of his incredible voice at: www.seanrowe.net.

Renaissance-man Ben Karis-Nix had a huge year.  I often picture this multi-faceted musical being having octopus arms and a highly arranged cerebral canopy.  Of course, nothing like this, in person BKN is a handsome hipster-fastidious and very kind.  Ben Karis-Nix always has something up his sleeve and there is a lot to be learned from that.  In fact from the release of We Are Giants now EP,  Ben Karis-Nix has kept busy by performing out, creating art and silk screenings, developing and launching music videos for the likes of Ludo, working on his clothing line Run, We Must, and so on and so forth.  Check out what is new with Ben at: www.benkarisnix.com, www.runwemust.com, and www.thereverieofrubystar.com.

I also took on a few touring press campaigns to include San-Antonio rockers Ledaswan West Coast tour.  Ledaswan continues to carve out a successful foundation for the San-Antonio music scene and are garnering success from their live performances.  

2009 also took me to South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference in Austin, TX, where I took up residence for over a week and exhibited and promoted NoteworthyPR clients.  The conference and music events were all amazing.  Friends of NoteworthyPR came to perform for SXSW music showcases and also performed at the NoteworthyPR exhibit booth: Sean Rowe, John Brodeur, The City Lives, Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Banned.   Good times and great connections. 

What can you expect for 2010 for NoteworthyPR?

Because of the changes we are going through with the advances in technologies over the last decade, the music industry has been desperately clinging on to old models while trying to adapt to new ways.  This affects everything from the artist, the record labels, and even media outlets (who are now being barraged by the usual suspects and in addition a boat load of DIY’ers).  So much talent out there?  But how can one get noticed? 

Over the next year, NoteworthyPR will be conducting field research and interviews with well-known musical acts to look at successful integrated marketing strategies/campaigns for comprehensive case management studies.  Along with this research, NoteworthyPR will be conducting surveys of music editors for their preferences for collaterals and communication methods and to also ask what in particular stands out for them.  We know for instance, based on past surveys of what music editors prefer, but this is constantly changing due to the influences of the digital age.

What will NoteworthyPR be doing with all of this information?  The overall goal with researching, tracking, and identifying this data will be to create a reference guide for the musician/band/entrepreneur.  So in essence, when all is said and done, there will be a book.  

This will change gears for NoteworthyPR a bit, however NoteworthyPR will continue to provide regular PR services including:

• National Press
• Touring Press
• Radio Campaigns
• Branding
• Digital Marketing Plans
• Social Media Management
• Blogging/Microblogging Management
• Graphic Design
• Website Evaluation and Testing
• Web Analytics
• Ala Carte Press Release Writing & Distribution
• Consulting Services for DIY

So all in all a big year ahead is planned, of course there will also be special events thrown in the mix (here and there in and around the Upstate, NY-region).  Thanks to all for a great 2009 and I wish all a very prosperous 2010!

Yours in music,

Franesa Liebich-Pyle

Principal Publicist

NoteworthyPR

E-mail me at: NoteworthyPR@gmail.com

(c) Paul Cisneros.

 

LEDASWAN ANNOUNCE WEST COAST SUMMER TOUR

IN ANTICIPATION OF UPCOMING ALBUM THIS FALL 2009

 
San Antonio, Texas, July 1, 2009-San-Antonio based rock band Ledaswan heads out on a West Coast tour beginning this July in support of the band’s upcoming album due out the fall of 2009.  Fans will be able to preview the new material from forthcoming album during the tour.
 
Ledaswan produces and records their own music, which paid off with Verse of Truth, Trash and Beauty (Airport Goodbye Records, 2008). Verse of Truth, Trash and Beauty, the band’s debut album won Best Album of 2007, as voted by readers of the San Antonio Current.
 
From Verse of Truth, Trash and Beauty’s first track “U vs The City,” the music explodes as a pulsing, gritty intro to the record, creating the anthem: “Every day is not the same in the city.”  It is this spirit of struggle that carries through the whole record, both lyrically and musically, blending the ethereal vocals of lead-singer Erica Gutierrez with layers of guitar grunge and the thunderous Pixies-style drumming. 
 
Ledaswan came together over an urgent love for The Jesus and Mary Chain’s echoed-stoned “Psychocandy,” the fractured bass melodies of Joy Division’s “Day of Lords,” and the sinister charm of Mazzy Star’s “Halah.”
 
The band is led by Erica Guitierrez, whose vocal range varies from ethereal to haunting, a talent which led to her winning the 2007 San Antonio Current Best Singer-Songwriter award. Ledaswan‘s deeply textured music is rounded out by brothers Jaime and David Monzon on guitar, Jackee Flores on bass/backup vocals and Delrick Colwell on drums. 

 Performing their very first show when they were invited to play at Emo’s in Austin, Texas, for Ladyfest 2004, they have since performed with the likes of Veruca Salt, the Umbrellas, Susan Gibson, Jim Ward, Jeremy Enigk, and indie rockers Lydia.

Ledaswan’s summer  2009 tour schedule is as follows: 

July 15, Ohagans, El Paso, TX, w/Ralpheene, Jayden’s Playground and BB Gun Johnny. Set-time: 11:00pm, free show, 21+

July 17, Blue Café, Long Beach, CA. Set-time: 10:00pm, Tickets $10.00, 21+

July 19, The Knitting Factory’s Alterknit Lounge, Hollywood, CA, w/ the Happy Casualties, The Kris Special and Shotgun Showdown. Set-time: 8:00pm, tickets $7.00, all ages show.

July 20, The Viper Room, West Hollywood, CA, w/Murder FM, Juke Kartel, Taking Dawn, and Cassie Steele. Set-Time:12:00am, tickets: $10.00, 21+

July 21, The Scene, Glendale CA, w/Honey and Hotsauce, Somerset West, and Joie/Dead Blonde Girlfriend. Set-time: 10:00pm, 21+

July 22, Cheyenne Saloon, Las Vegas, NV, w/Voyeur, Sonic Stream, Extaza, Set-time: 8:00pm, tickets $5.00, 21+

July 23, Hollywood Alley, Phoenix, AZ, w/ Miss Derringer and Girl in a Coma. Set-time: 8:00pm, tickets $10.00, 21+

July 25, Zeppelins Underground, El Paso, TX w/ Girl in a Coma. Set-time: 9:00pm, tickets $5.00, 18+.

August 20, Rock Bottom, San Antonio, TX, w/The Start and Normandie, Set-time: 9:00pm, tickets $8.00, all ages show

For more information about Ledaswan visit: www.ledaswanmusic.net or www.myspace.com/ledaswan. Media inquiries may be directed to Franesa Pyle by email at noteworthypr@gmail.com or by calling (518) 852-1591.         

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