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 It may come as a surprise to hear the foot-stomping strains of Appalachian bluegrass channeled through a rock band in Los Angeles - but heartache, loss, and regret have always been the cornerstones of great music, and L.A has its share. With an arsenal of banjos, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, pedal steel, upright bass, and thundering drums, Rose's Pawn Shop is a mishmash of creek mud, rock, rusty nails, country, bluegrass, punk, and your mom's cooking. RPS fearlessly combines traditional country music themes with bluegrass instrumentation, 4-part harmonies, and lyrics that'll break your heart. |
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In 2003, in a chance meeting backstage at Cincinnati's Music Hall, music legend Prince asked Mark Lorenzo, "Do you believe the cream will rise to the top?" After responding that he did, Prince continued, "Then you have nothing to worry about." Things have since taken off for Lorenzo. The band is touring in support of their release, Love Shape Bruise, recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and Sin Studio with producer, Kevin Churko, Mutt Lange's engineer/programmer in recent years. Ironically, it's the exact same studio that Prince recorded all of his albums up to and including Purple Rain. Lorenzo became the first unsigned band to ever play the 20,000-plus seat RiverbendMusic Center when they opened for 3 Doors Down and Shinedown. They have also played with countless other acts including Default, Poison and Dark New Day. They also co-headlined the Labor Day Fireworks show for over 50,000 in Cincinnati with Hinder. In the band's first 21 shows, they have played for over an estimated 200,000 people. |
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Comprised of two young men who grew up exposed to vastly different parts of America, Fresh Air's brand of hip hop is a common, bonding force. With Fresh Air, Khalil (emcee and producer) and DJ Frank(E) look to enlighten people with their collective perspective. Khalil and Frank are building a bridge for people on every side of hip hop, America, and the world to find their common bond and realize that no matter how different we may seem to each other, we still breathe. |
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As a child growing up in Montana, Evan loved to play piano. She pursued her music career throughout school, nourishing her remarkable talent and growing as a musician. Eager to cultivate her natural abilities, Evan began to participate in local San Diego bands, where she met Greg Laswell. Greg was blown away by Evans voice and insisted she create a record with him. It'll Be Alright is no ordinary debut album. With songs ranging in emotion, it beautifully portrays many touching moments from Evan's life, with gutsy lyrics paired with her loveable smile. |
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The Le Boeuf brothers are part of a growing jazz scene characterized by odd time signatures, shifting harmonies, and the influences of hip hop, R&B, and alternative rock. The San Francisco Chronicle describes their music as "a rich brand of modern jazz, with performances and compositions that display an impressive level of sophistication. Textured harmonies and shifting time signatures are handled with aplomb." In the molds of Chris Potter, Geri Allen, and Brian Blade, the Le Boeuf Brothers are on the cutting edge of progressive jazz. |
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Voted Best Female Hip Hop Artist in 2003 at the New York International Music Festival, Mad Mary is a hip hop veteran equally comfortable performing and producing. Her name is taken from a comic strip character she created, and she lists Tupac and MC Lyte among her strongest musical influences. |
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Our A&R screeners worked through 1,200 impressive submissions and selected these artists based on Overall Vibe, Songwriting, Vocal/Lead Instrument Performance, and Talent/Performance. These six artists performed at The Knitting Factory on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006.
Register for the 2007 IMWS
If you register now, we'll mail you an official IMWS Entry Form when we open the submission period in January 2007. Click here to register. |
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| WEST SEMIFINALISTS |
| Aaron Aranita |
Aaron Lopez |
Akil |
Amateur |
Amy Kuney |
Andrew Scott Potter |
Antonio Sol System |
Arkaik |
Atmos Trio |
Banshee in the Kitchen |
Barry Rillera Band |
Before Braille |
Blood Wire |
Bmains |
Bradley Leighton |
Brainpool |
Brother Phil |
Bryan Free |
Buck Page |
Calico Ridaz |
Charity Chapman |
Christian Anthony |
Clockwork |
Correo Aereo |
Cosmo |
Courtney Jones |
Creeping Lovely |
Dave Scott Jazz Ensemble |
David Patrone |
Debbie Zepick |
DeCal |
Duce Boys |
Eddie Reyes |
Esther Celebrini |
Evan Bethany |
Fishe |
Fresh Air |
Hazmat |
House of Legends |
Isaac Hayden |
Jakkal The Dog |
Jan Fanucchi |
JB Saxx |
Jeff Eaton |
Jeff Larson |
Jeni Fleming Trio |
Jessy Moss |
| John Stowers |
John William Gordon |
| Julia Othmer |
Justice |
| Karen Blixt |
Katrina Parker |
Kerosene Sky |
| Kevin Joyce |
Kiff |
Kitka |
Krell |
Last Day Lost |
Last Ditch Remedy |
Last Stanza |
Lastonedone |
Leila Florentino |
Lily Wilson |
Logan Heftel |
Madd Mary |
Magdalena |
Mandi Perkins Band |
Marion Walsh |
Mark Melni |
Marla Sokoloff |
Mehrey |
Mello-Mar |
Michael Halaas |
Michelle Lang and Stillwater |
| Misa Music |
| Namoli Brennet |
Nicki Love |
| Nuffsed |
| Oliver Future |
| Omnivoid |
| Optimus |
| Pali |
| Pamela Shane |
| Pedalsped |
| Phoenix |
| Pufferbilly |
| Q Dot |
| Quick and the Dead |
| Raistalla Moise |
| Razer |
| Reesso & Clueless |
| Retrograde |
| Robert Vaughn |
| Rose's Pawn Shop |
| Rychyrd |
| SFCJC |
| Sidestory |
| Sila and the Afrofunk Experience |
| Sister Soul |
| Skelpin |
| Slajo |
| Spoaty Mac |
| Stephen Minor |
| Steve Cannon & the Blowhard Big Band |
| SUPERMAC |
| Sweating Honey |
| Switchyard |
| Sympatico |
| System Kid |
| TCT - Wisdom Productions |
| Tee Jay |
| Ten Ways From Sunday |
| The Beautiful Mothers |
| The Drop |
| The Flairs |
| The Good Listeners |
| The Le Bouef Brothers |
| The Leperkhanz |
| The Neon Calm |
| The Removal Act |
| The Ruse |
| Tillt |
| Tobias & LA |
| Tomboy |
| Tony Lindsay |
| Twila |
| Upper Structure |
| Victor Fields |
| Waztid Will |
| Weathervane |
| Witherspoon |
| Zach Broocke |
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