Squidoo : Lenses by Groundswell

Facebook for Artists & Musicians

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:25:03 -0600

Artists and musicians utilize Facebook to promote your music and your muse. You love creating harmonies, mixing paints, or stringing jewelry, but the business end of things is just not something you're into. My goal with this page is to provide you with the tools you need to promote yourself on Facebook for whatever purpose you desire: expanded reach of your music, sales of your product, or a nice showplace for your creations. I love music and art and know that these tools can help you use Facebook to succeed while doing what you love. {EAV:e29477328bd0d5c9}

Guide to LinkedIn Company Profiles

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:10:59 -0600

Company Profiles is a research tool that helps users explore and find the right companies to work for and do business with. Company Profiles leverage LinkedIn's unique network data and surfaces the people you need to get business done. They can be used to view job opportunities in your field and better understand the types of roles companies hire for and the latest news on people that have recently joined the company. There are currently over 160,000 profiles of companies ranging from Fortune 500's to philanthropic organizations. Company profile information is separated into several modules including people in your network, new hires, recent promotions and changes in employment and most popular profiles. The new Company pages also includes key information modules such as related companies and key statistics.

A Montana Brewery Guide

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:23:51 -0600

Welcome to the Montana Brewery Guide. Montana has great water for making great beer! Sample the best Montana has to offer by visiting these fine Montana breweries. Enjoy responsibly.

Brennan's Wave Missoula, Montana

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:04:33 -0600

The newest addition to the Missoula Paddling Community, Brennan's wave is located in Missoula, Montana on the Clark Fork River at Caras Park. This moderate play spot is the perfect place to dial in a new play move. At most water levels, this wave will allow for surfing, spinning, cartwheels, loops, helixes, and anything else you might want to try. Plus, there is super-friendly eddy service. The Wave ©2007 Chris Lombardi Photographed at Brennan's Wave, Missoula, Montana, by Chris Lombardi.

LinkedIn Profile Findability & Optimization

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:41:53 -0600

If you want your efforts to extend beyond the LinkedIn social network to a more findable and larger audience than you need to optimize your LinkedIn profile for findability. The resources here will give you the knowledge and tools you need to customize your LinkedIn profile for optimal findability on LinkedIn.com and more importantly to rank in search engines. "FINDABILITY"; (v), refers to the quality of being locatable or navigable, particularly on the Internet .

Bob Marley

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:23:15 -0600

February 6, 1945 - May 11 1981

Facebook Fan Page Setup

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:40:11 -0600

Facebook pages allows brands to interact with existing customers and engage new ones. Essentially pages are profiles for brands on Facebook. Facebook pages provide real time news feeds to the walls of their fans. One of the most useful features of Facebook pages is the integration with other apps that can allow you to customize your fans experience.

Google+ Pages For Business

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:06:19 -0600

Google+ Pages is Google's answer for businesses to build relationships with people on Google+. Google+ Pages is similar to Facebook Pages in that it helps your business share content, promote itself using share buttons and measures interactions between followers. You access your page through your Google personal account and have the ability to choose whether you want to act as yourself or the business page. If you find this lens useful please add our Google+ page to your Circles: http://gplus.to/groundswell or find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groundswell.media.productions

Facebook for Business

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:40:27 -0600

When you think Facebook the first thing that comes to your mind probably isn't business. However what makes Facebook so engaging is the ability for users to network not only with other users, but events, businesses, products, musicians, and artists. The information here will guide you in helping find the right Facebook applications, spreading your message, and reaching your business potential. This lens is regularly updated with new Facebook business tips compiled by contributions from extensive offline and online research and input from other Facebook users and social media experts.

Rukavina Guitars

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:15:50 -0600

Owner Ryan Rukavina is a graduate of the Phoenix-based Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery (1996). After years of building, modifying, and repairing guitars while working as a woodworker and artisan baker, Ryan made the decision to pursue luthiery as his sole livelihood with the creation of Rukavina Guitars. Ryan is building self-designed semi-hollow and solid body electric guitars in his workshop in Missoula, Montana, and is interested in making tuneful guitars that compliment the natural charm and beauty of quality woods. Ryan, a guitar player for about 17 years now, rarley goes a day without grabbing his guitar, playing the drum kit, and doing a little home recording when he finds the time.

Brad Postlethwaite

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:29:32 -0600

Brad Postlethwaite is a songwriter, based in Memphis, TN. He has played with a variety of bands over the years, most notably Snowglobe, and has released a number of solo records. A limited pressing of his first two albums, "Pretty Colors" and "Building up and Breaking Down" were made in 1998 and 2000, respectively. In 2002/2003, he recorded and released "Welcome to the Occupation" (WTTO), which was meant to be a protest of the then-pending invasion of Iraq, as well as his own personal perspective of the events leading up to and resulting from the tragedy of 9-11. WTTO was one of the most added records on college radio that summer, but the indie music community gave it, well...mixed reviews. Brad began working on his fourth solo-record in 2005 at Easley-McCain Studios. The album was almost finished, when the studio's lobby and control room sustained serious damage in a fire on March 2, 2005. His recordings were among those that survived, but further work on the album was delayed until recently. It is expected to be finished and available locally sometime in 2009.

Cloud Cult

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:34:15 -0600

Minneapolis, MN -- Cloud Cult’s unique sound has been called “insane genius” by Pitchforkmedia and has been compared to Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips, Neutral Milk Hotel and Beck. Cloud Cult’s live shows include elaborate theatrics that include live painters on stage, live video projection of audience and band, and back screen video. The live band includes cello, violin, trumpet, flute and percussion, along with the more standard guitar, bass, keys and drums line-up. On top of all of this, Cloud Cult has rejected major label record offers in favor of staying independent, so the band can do everything as environmentally friendly as possible. This includes making every concert “green” by purchasing green energy credits to pump wind power into the grid to compensate for energy used on stage and in travel. The band’s self-founded record label, Earthology Records, has been covered in major media everywhere from National Public Radio to the New York Times as “the world’s most environmentally friendly not-for-profit record label.” Members: Craig Minowa, Connie Minowa, Sarah Young, Scott West, Shannon Frid, Shawn Neary, Arlen Peiffer

Big Sky Brewing Company

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:28:27 -0600

Big Sky Brewing Company 5417 Trumpeter Way P.O. Box 17170 Missoula, Montana 59808 406-549-2777 (voice) 406-549-1919 (fax) 800-559-2774 General Information: info@bigskybrew.com Collector requests: tblyton@bigskybrew.com Distribution questions: bjorn@bigskybrew.com Merchandise questions: tblyton@bigskybrew.com

The Postal Service (Band)

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:08:11 -0600

Named for the way they traded sounds and ideas, the Postal Service is an electronica-meets-indie rock supergroup featuring Jimmy Tamborello (of Dntel and Figurine), and Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard; Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, and former Tattle Tale and solo artist Jen Wood provide backing vocals. Tamborello and Gibbard first worked together on the title track of Dntel's This Is the Dream of Evan and Chan EP; from there, the duo continued to collaborate via mail, with Tamborello sending electronic pieces and Gibbard adding guitars, vocals, and lyrics. The result, Give Up, were released in early 2003 by Sub Pop. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide Source: Amazon.com

AniMeals | Missoula, Montana USA

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:24:41 -0600

AniMeals is a not for profit animal food bank and shelter helping Dogs and Cats in Missoula, Montana. 1700 Rankin Street Missoula, MT 59808 406-721-4710 Fax:543-3876 www.AniMeals.com

The Flagship Program | because after school shouldn't be an after thought

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:08:19 -0600

The Flagship Program is a community school partnership that provides skill-building opportunities for Missoula's youth that help them succeed in school and become productive adults. Beneficiary: Donations to the cause benefit: Western Montana Mental Health Center A 501(c)(3) nonprofit Positions: Every child should have a safe place to go after school. A child can't have too many positive adults in their life.

Blind Pilot | Portland, Oregon

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:46:13 -0600

A Portland-based duo comprised of singer/guitarist Israel Nebeker and drummer Ryan Dobrowski, Blind Pilot strike a balance between mellow folk and West Coast indie pop. The two friends first banded together in college before combining their musical talents and touring the northwestern Oregon circuit. By 2006, however, they'd decided that a change of scenery might help fuel their songwriting. Blind Pilot consequently relocated 90 miles north, where they spent three months inside an Astoria warehouse while recording demos for a full-length album. Afterwards, Nebeker and Dobrowski launched a "bike tour" that saw them traveling from Vancouver to San Francisco via their bicycles, playing shows and selling EPs (not to mention saving gas money) along the way. They returned home to finalize their 3 Round and a Sound debut, which was released by Expunged Records in June 2008. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide

Death Cab For Cutie | a fan lens

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:45:07 -0600

Death Cab for Cutie's rise from small-time solo project to emotive, Grammy-nominated rock quartet is one of indie rock's greatest success stories. Launched in the bayside college town of Bellingham, WA, the group was originally a side project for singer/guitarist Ben Gibbard, an engineering student at Western Washington University who split his time between school and music. Taking a break from his local power pop band, Pinwheel, Gibbard began recording an album's worth of solo material in the summer of 1997. Producer Chris Walla lent his help to the recording sessions, which soon produced an eight-song cassette entitled You Can Play These Songs with Chords. When the tape proved to be a local hit, Gibbard reached into his circle of friends to assemble a band, hoping to play the new songs live. Bassist Nick Harmer (Gibbard's roommate) and drummer Nathan Good quickly climbed aboard, while Walla enlisted as the band's primary guitarist (he would also go on to produce most of the band's future releases). With a lineup now in place, Gibbard's group rechristened itself Death Cab for Cutie (named after a song by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band) and signed a contract with the Seattle-based Barsuk Records within a year's time. The quartet made its studio debut with 1998's Something About Airplanes, an album that featured several re-recorded tracks from the You Can Play These Songs with Chords cassette as well as a dreamy, pop-oriented sound reminiscent of Built to Spill. Although both Gibbard and Walla continued to pursue their own projects (including Gibbard's successful stint with the Postal Service), Death Cab for Cutie continued to rise in popularity, and the follow-up effort We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes was issued in 2000. Nathan Good exited the group just prior to the album's completion, and We Have the Facts introduced Michael Schorr as Death Cab's new drummer. The Forbidden Love EP arrived that same year, while a third full-length effort, The Photo Album, was released in 2001. By this time, a sizable audience had gathered around the band's emotional music, and Barsuk re-released You Can Play These Songs with Chords in 2002 with ten additional songs. The polished, hook-laden Transatlanticism arrived the following year and announced the arrival of drummer Jason McGerr, who had previously played in a band with Nick Harmer before Death Cab's formation. The album also proved to be a very important step in the band's career, gathering positive attention from consumers and industry execs (including television producer Josh Schwartz, who prominently featured the band's music throughout several seasons of The O.C.). With their popularity at an all-time high, the bandmates issued a live disc, The John Byrd E.P., and later signed a worldwide major-label deal with Atlantic Records in November 2004. Plans was released the following summer and debuted at number four, remaining on the Billboard charts for nearly one year and achieving gold status on the strength of three singles (including the acoustic ballad "I Will Follow You into the Dark"). Death Cab for Cutie graced the cover of Spin Magazine, appeared on an episode of Saturday Night Live, and earned a Grammy nomination for their major-label debut. Work on a follow-up album coincided with the release of Chris Walla's solo effort, Field Manual, and Death Cab returned in May 2008 with Narrow Stairs, a darker effort that debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide Content provided by All Music Guide Copyright � 2008 All Media Guide, LLC Source: Amazon.com

Michael Franti

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:37:54 -0600

"I was born in Oakland, California and grew up in Davis, CA. After high school I moved to San Francisco to play basketball at the University of San Francisco. While attending school there I lived above the college radio station and fell in love with the magic of music. In 1986 I started the afro-industrial band The Beatnigs and we put out one album on The Dead Kennedy’s label Alternative Tentacles. In 1991 I formed The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, with dancer percussionist Rono Tse and now legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter. We put out one album Hypocrisy is the Greatest luxury on Island records."

The Belle & Sebastian Fan Lens

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:31:04 -0600

A band that takes its name from a French children's television series about a boy and his dog would almost have to be precious, and to be certain, Belle & Sebastian are precious. But precious can be a damning word, and Belle & Sebastian don't have the negative qualities that the word connotes -- they are private but not insular, pretty but not wimpy; they make gorgeous, delicate melodies sound full-bodied. Led by guitarist/vocalist Stuart Murdoch, the seven-piece band has an intimate, majestic sound that is equal parts folk-rock and '60s pop, but Murdoch's gift for not only whimsy and surrealism, but also for odd, unsettling lyrical detail keeps the songs grounded in a tangible reality. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Belle & Sebastian released their first two albums in 1996 at the peak of the chamber pop movement. At first, some critics in Britain's music weeklies tied the band into the subgenre, yet the group was too pretty, too delicate, to bear that label. Through their first two years of public existence, the band shielded their personalities, submitting publicity photos featuring a girl that wasn't in the band and reluctantly posing for photo shoots. Furthermore, they performed in odd venues, playing not only the standard coffeehouses and cafes, but also homes, church halls, and libraries. The idiosyncratic approach to building their career isn't surprising given Murdoch's approach toward beginning a band. A longtime fan of Felt, Murdoch left Glasgow for London in the early '90s in hopes of finding the group's leader, Lawrence Hayward, but he never found his idol. Upon his return to Glasgow he enrolled in university and he began writing songs and short stories. While at school, he took a music business course where he decided to form a band and release a record for his final project (he had tried to form a band before to no success). For the project, he assembled the seven-piece Belle & Sebastian, featuring himself on guitar and vocals, choosing and recruiting members by instinct in a local all-night cafe in late 1995. He eventually found Sarah Martin (violin), Stevie Jackson (guitar), Chris Geddes (keyboards), Stuart David (bass), Richard Colburn (drums), and Isobel Campbell (cello). All seven members were college students, and all agreed that the idea behind the band was to stay on a small scale, to keep it as a project and not let the band run their lives; they even assumed they would release two albums and break up. In May of 1996, Belle & Sebastian self-released their debut album, Tigermilk, on Electric Honey Records. Only 1,000 copies of the album, which was only pressed on vinyl, were released, but it unexpectedly became a sensation, earning terrific word of mouth throughout England. As a result, the band became slightly more than a school project -- it became an actual band. If You're Feeling Sinister, released on the independent Jeepster label, followed in November of 1996. By the time the album was released in America on the EMI subsidiary The Enclave, it had earned considerable critical acclaim in the U.K. -- not only from music weeklies, but from newspapers like The Sunday Times and magazines like The Face -- and a large cult following; by some accounts, Tigermilk was being sold for as much as 75 pounds. Over the course of 1997, word of mouth continued to grow in America, even as the band pulled out of an American tour because The Enclave went bankrupt and closed. As the band cult continued to build in 1997, Belle & Sebastian released three EPs -- Dog on Wheels (May), Lazy Line Painter Jane (July), and 3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light (October). Each subsequent EP placed higher on the indie charts and received great critical acclaim. By the end of the year, the group finalized an American deal with Matador Records, issuing The Boy With the Arab Strap in September 1998. The following year saw the eagerly anticipated wide re-release of Tigermilk, the album that started it all. Following completion of 2000's Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant, Stuart David left Belle & Sebastian to focus full-time on his solo project, Looper. In 2001, the group released two EPs -- Jonathan David and I'm Waking Up to Us -- and recorded the soundtrack for Todd Solondz's film Storytelling. Just before the soundtrack's release in spring 2002, Belle & Sebastian embarked on a comprehensive tour of the United States and Canada before returning to Europe for the summer festival season. Midway through the tour, Isobel Campbell left the band, citing the usual differences. Another major change that soon took place was the band leaving Jeepster and Matador to sign with Rough Trade, with their next record, late 2003's Dear Catastrophe Waitress, produced by the inimitable Trevor Horn (who also produced Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Yes, and scores of others). The record spawned the brilliant "Step into My Office" and "I'm a Cuckoo" singles, the latter of which was the group's biggest U.K. hit, reaching number 14 in early 2004. After a long worldwide tour that found Belle & Sebastian reaching new levels of success, they retired to Scotland and began preparing for the recording of their fifth album, The Life Pursuit, released in 2006. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Lolo Peak

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:48:13 -0600

"Lolo" probably evolved from "Lou-Lou", a pronunciation of "Lawrence," a French-Canadian fur trapper killed by a grizzly bear and buried at Grave Creek. The first written evidence of the name "Lolo" appears in 1831 when fur trader John Work refers in his journal to Lolo Creek as "Lou Lou." In an 1853 railroad survey and map, Lieutenant John Mullan spelled the creek and trail "Lou Lou." However, by 1865 the name was shortened to Lolo and is currently the name of a national forest, town, creek, mountain peak, mountain pass and historic trail in west central Montana.

Missoula, Montana

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:51:31 -0600

Missoula is a city in and the county seat of Missoula County GR6 in western Montana, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 57,053, with more than 100,000 in the metropolitan area making it the second-largest city in Montana, behind Billings. Missoula is the home of the University of Montana. It is the birthplace of Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973), the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Missoula is nicknamed the Garden City. The state flower of Montana, the bitterroot, grows near Missoula. Local newspapers include the Missoulian and the Missoula Independent. Data: provided by Wikipedia.org "The world is full of bastards, the number increasing rapidly the further one gets from Missoula, Montana." Norman Maclean (A River Runs Through It)

Star Wars Game Front

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:58:54 -0600

Coming May 2008: Star Wars "The Force Unleashed". The next chapter of the Star Wars saga. Unleash the power of the force. http://www.theforceunleashed.com Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an upcoming multimedia project developed and published by LucasArts along with Dark Horse Comics, Lego, Hasbro, and Del Rey. It consists of a video game, a tie-in novel by Sean Williams, action figures, a comic book, a reference book and a role-playing game supplement. The materials are scheduled for release in Spring 2008. The game will be released on the seventh generation consoles PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS as well as PlayStation 2; Amazon.com lists The Force Unleashed as a Windows XP release. "I can't even tell you how excited I am about a new Star Wars game coming out next year. I've been waiting to get a Playstation 3, holding out on a glimmer of hope that Lucas will create a Battlefront 3, but The Force Unleashed exceeded all my expectations. I am truly holding my breath for this release! " ~Groundswell Now Available: Playstation presents Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, the previously untold story of a ragtag ensemble of battle-hardened rogues and scoundrels assembled by Han Solo. Gathered to execute some of the most secretive operations in the Rebel Alliance's war against the Galactic Empire, the Renegade Squadron participates in battles spanning the galaxy. From the Valley of the Sith on Korriban to a dogfight in space through the remains of Alderaan, Solo directs the team on missions of sabotage, rescue and retrieval.

Missoula Skate Park | Missoula, MT

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:51:22 -0600

Grindline arrived in March 2006 for what would be a 6-month construction schedule. By early April the kidney bowl was in place and work began on the 'Big Bowl'. Summer construction progressed and the MSA was able to raise enough money to build the entire park, including the street course, when previously it seemed that the project would need to be split into 2 phases. A sprint to the finish was required in order to prepare for a surprise visit by Tony Hawk and company on September 24th, 2006. The MSA has been renamed the Montana Skatepark Association in 2007 and are pressing on with a new mission to help other Montana communities build and develop free, public skateparks. Development of the Missoula Skatepark (MOBASH) and the website are finished.

Monte Bear

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:54:14 -0600

About Monte "Monte" (short for Montana) was born in the mountains of Missoula in the Fall of 1991. The 2002-03 and 2004-05 National Champion Mascot of the Year (Capital One/ESPN) has evolved into a motorcycle riding, break dancing, back flipping, slam dunking, movie making, crowd surfing, goal post smashing, prank pulling superstar that makes the women of Montana swoon. Monte's charitable and community service activities are unmatched in college athletics. Raising thousands of "fur made" dollars for local children's charities keeps this bear quite busy all year round, and that's how he likes it. Source:Wednesday, September 12, 2007 11:38 PM http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/content/boosters/monte.htm

Kettlehouse Brewing Company

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:48:00 -0600

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00pm-9:00pm (Pints served til 8, growlers til 9) Phone: 406-728-1660 Location: 602 Myrtle St. Missoula, MT 59801 www.kettlehouse.com At Kettlehouse Brewery we have one goal...HAVE FUN, which for us means making the best beer. After all, life is too short to drink bad beer. It also means enjoying the great outdoors. They say in Montana that "you can't eat the scenery." Yeah, but you can sure drink a good beer while enjoying the scenery. Owner Tim O'Leary started the Kettlehouse in 1995 as a brew on premise. We have since grown and evolved to be a small microbrewery serving western Montana. Tim, with a B.S. in Physics from Montana State University, got his start homebrewing in Boulder, Colorado. The entrepreneurial spirit drove him home to Montana to start the state's only brew on premise. While the business was in its fledgling stages, Tim discovered a demand for fresh beer in reusable take-out containers. Cold Smoke Wins Gold At the recent North American Brewer's Awards, Cold Smoke Scotch Ale took gold in the Scottish Export category. Every time we've entered our Cold Smoke it has medaled at this competition. This is the first time we've struck gold. We submitted our beers for judging in our 16 oz. aluminum cans proving that canned beers are world class.

La Push, Washington USA

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:39:14 -0600

One of the most popular beaches on the Olympic Peninsula, Rialto Beach boasts some of the most awesome views of the Pacific Coast with the easiest access. Just a few miles away from the small town of La Push, Rialto Beach is an easy hike, with Hole-in-the-Wall a popular destination.

Missoula BarCamp

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:14:13 -0600

Missoula BarCamp is about making a difference with art and technology in Missoula using the unconference format of Open Space Technology to meet and collaborate. Missoula BarCamp is a self-organizing conference for Missoula and Western Montana aimed at serving the needs of technology professionals, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and enthusiastic users for education and networking.

iPad Advice

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:39:14 -0600

iPad is touted as a magical and revolutionary product. In my quest to research which iPad I should buy I began to realize that there are several models with different options. Do I want an iPad with 3G and Wifi, or do I just need Wifi? How many gigabytes of storage would be appropriate for someone like me who might want to store his entire music collection on his iPad? In the search to purchase the iPad that will best address my needs I've created this lens to ask for input on the iPad. Please join the conversation and thank you for your input!

Iron & Wine

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:49:20 -0600

Over the course of his ten-year career, Iron and Wine's Sam Beam has become one of today's greatest story tellers, crafting meticulous tales full of forlorn love, religious imagery and wistful dreams. Many fell in love with Iron and Wine Beam's tender and spare rendering of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" was featured on the Garden State soundtrack in 2002. That same year, the South Carolina-born, Texas-based Beam announced himself as a classic American tunesmith with a precocious musical signature on Iron and Wine's epically sparse debut album The Creek Drank the Cradle, followed by 2003's The Sea & The Rhythm EP, 2004's full-length Our Endless Numbered Days, 2005's Woman King EP, as well as In the Reins, a collaboration with rock band Calexico. In 2007, Iron and Wine released the lyrically evocative, casually atmospheric The Shepherd's Dog, which debuted at No. 24 on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart and earned praise from critics, who hailed as a major musical leap forward. In 2008, Iron and Wine's song "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was featured on the best-selling soundtrack to the movie Twilight. It's been more than three years since Iron and Wine's last studio effort, The Shepherd's Dog, which was widely praised by fans and critics alike. While Beam's early albums were sparse, intimate solo affairs, Shepherd's introduced layered textures and poly-rhythmic sounds that allowed his lyrics to spring to life. It's only natural then, that Beam took this sonic collage and built upon it for his new album, Kiss Each Other Clean. The result is a brighter, more focused record that retains the idiosyncratic elements that make Iron & Wine such an engaging band. Beam continued to mine folk, African, rock, country, and Jamaican musical traditions, but switched the focus of his studio lens to 60s and 70s pop influences for the Kiss Each Other Clean sessions. Mingling memories of his parents' record collection and hits heard between the static of scanning the car radio on family drives for inspiration, Iron & Wine is once again pushed into new territory. Multi-part vocal arrangements reminiscent of Buckingham / Nicks era Fleetwood Mac albums and classic Motown singles permeate "Half Moon" and "Godless Brother." Electronic synthesizer sounds percolate through "Monkeys Uptown" and "Glad Man Singing" recalling the adventures of Elton John and Stevie Wonder. The horn sections on "Big Burned Hand" and "Lazarus" match the confidence of Beam's vocal delivery and bring an entirely new dimension to Iron & Wine. Kiss Each Other Clean's dynamics and surprises are the latest chapter in Beam's studio collaborations. Producer Brian Deck returned for the Kiss Each Other Clean sessions, continuing the creative partnership that he and Beam have developed over the course of three albums. The comfort level and respect found between Deck and Beam allows for a unique working relationship where they push each other to experiment, while still letting the songs naturally evolve in the studio. The Shepherd's touring rhythm section Matt Lux, Ben Massarella (Califone), and Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground Duo) arrived early for live recording of basic tracks at Chicago's Engine Studios and overdubs continued for about a year. Joe Adamik (Califone), Jim Becker (Califone), Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), Stuart Bogie (Antibalas), Rob Burger and Sarah Simpson round out the other musicians brought into the sessions to complement and fully realize the songs on Kiss Each Other Clean. Kiss Each Other Clean's profound artistic statement continues to move the listener's expectation forward with regard to what one can expect from Iron & Wine. Beam's masterful storytelling and musical experimentation relies on the conflict from combining the happy and the sad, the heavy and the light, and creating an ongoing narrative between the artist and the listener. It's the blending of all of these elements that allows Kiss Each Other Clean the versatility to paint a true portrait of life. This biography was provided by the artist or their representative.

Dave Manning

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:58:59 -0600

He's played Folsom Prison. He's opened for the likes of Dan Bern, Mose Allison, and Squirrel Nut Zippers frontman James Mathus. He's held up traffic all over the west puttering along in an old VW Microbus that Arlo Guthrie autographed. Dave is living his life in the old tradition of the traveling-storytelling songwriters. Dave is a two-time finalist in the Alaska Song of the Year Contest in the "Alaska Songs" category. He also received an honorable mention in the 2001 Anchorage "Press Picks" for his excellent songwriting. The Anchorage Press called his CD "a treat from beginning to end." Dave tours in "Vincent" his '65 Microbus. In a time when the traveling storyteller and songwriter have long been replaced by television and Karaoke, Dave is still out there with the last of them. Cruising at a lazy 50mph and playing in a different town every few days, Dave isn't afraid of "paying his dues." His bus is full of stories of the road from AK to the high deserts of Arizona and everywhere between. Dave's previous job as a documentary videographer for Heartbeat Alaska; a show specializing in bush Alaska, allowed him into the lives of amazing people from all over the North. You may have seen his work on PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX and the Discovery Channel. The people and places he sees first hand ring out in his songs, (sometimes they don't tell you the whole story on TV.) Dave's voice is most often compared to Tom Waits, and his style on the piano varies widely from soulful ballads to blues, country to boogie-woogie. He is the definition of an engaging performer; even improvising songs based on audience members' names. He always brings along his fist-full of blues harmonicas that round out his sound. He is also an award-winning published poet, and has both spoken word and music releases.

Snowglobe (Band) | Memphis, TN

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:38:32 -0600

Memphis' Snowglobe plays an entrancing blend of cosmic American music that owes as much to pioneering psychedelic country/pop legends like the Byrds and Gram Parsons as it does to modern-day fellow travelers like the Flaming Lips. Having played together since high school, the members of snowglobe have a unique ability create complex songs with a rich pallet of sounds in a seemingly nonchalant way. The Memphis based band continues the long lasting tradition of playing honest music for the right reasons. Many comparisons to Neutral Milk Hotel, and Elephant 6 recording company have been made to Snowglobe, and as natural as that comparison seems, it seems to be an easy way out, but Snowglobe has advanced far beyond this. Snowglobe sounds like Mercury Rev, the piano balladry of Tim Hardin, early 70s Beach Boys, and the Kinks. Snowglobe is a band that takes from past genres and pushes those influences as step or two forward. This is a very song oriented band. The noises and kitchen sink extremities arent thrown in nonchalantly, they are precise and subtle flourishes that add texture. On Doing the Distance Snowglobe, (August 2nd, makeshift music) has made great steps forward since its debut Our Land Brains on Bardot Records. The sheer wealth of instruments the band uses creates moments as jam packed as rush hour. Principal songwriters Regan and Postlethwaite manage to keep the music unpretentious with a homey, lived-in quality and a gentle, unassuming lilt. Infectious songs like regime, changes, ms. June, Rock song , set the pace for an eclectic but cohesive mixture of pop gems. Snowglobe recently released their new record in March 2010 titled "Little More Lived In" and is available now.

Ben Gibbard

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:28:13 -0600

Born August 11, 1976 in Bremerton, Washington, Benjamin Gibbard is most notable as the lead singer of 'Death Cab for Cutie'. Ben currently lives in Seattle, Washington and recently became engaged to actor / singer Zooey Deschanel of the band She & Him. Ben side projects include 'The Postal Service' and 'All-Time Quarterback'. He has also created music under his name and under the band Pinwheel. Ben recently finished a nationwide solo tour featuring David Bazan of 'Pedro The Lion' and Jonathan Rice. Ben is currently on a nationwide tour with Death Cab for Cutie. For tour dates, tickets and more information click here

American Museum of Radio and Electricity

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:24:24 -0600

Location: 1312 Bay St, Bellingham, WA(360) 738-3886 Website: http://www.amre.us The American Museum of Radio and Electricity offers an exciting and educational experience for audiences of all ages. Compelling, interactive exhibits spanning four centuries of scientific achievement and cultural heritage are featured in a world-class collection of unique objects. The American Museum of Radio and Electricity displays the inventions and innovations that changed the course of human history. Your imagination is sure to be sparked at the American Museum of Radio and Electricity!

A Carousel for Missoula

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:23:32 -0600

A Carousel for Missoula is one of the first fully hand-carved carousels to be built in the United States since the Great Depression. From little more than dreams, hard work and love, a carousel was created by hundreds of volunteers. The Carousel has 38 horses and two chariots. The chariots allow easy access for wheelchairs; people with disabilities are always welcome to ride free on the Carousel. Between August of 1991, when the Carousel project went from being one man's dream to become a community project, until its grand opening on May 27, 1995, over 100,000 hours of volunteer time were dedicated to carving, sanding, painting, creating stainglass windows, restoring an antique carousel frame, organizing and fund raising. The Carousel sits in a circular enclosure surrounded by roll up door. In fine weather, the doors are open so riders can enjoy all Caras Park has to offer. In inclement weather the doors are down and the Carousel is heated. The Carousel is open daily, year-round. The Gift Shop at the Carousel is a primary source of income for the Carousel, and all proceeds help feed the ponies. The gift shop features Carousel wearables and souvenirs, local and Montana-made items, as well as toys, games and candy with lots of 'kid appeal.' The Carousel's restoration shop is used to restore or repair the Carousel's own ponies and ponies for other carousels, and to build new ponies for carousels-in-the-making and other not-for-profits. The Carousel's band organ is the largest band organ in continuous use in the United States. Its' 400 square wooden pipes make the music of 23 instruments and 45 musicians. In the spring of 2001 over 4,000 volunteers gathered to build a play area next to the Carousel. In just nine days a magical play land was created, complete with a three-headed dragon, numerous slides (one over 25 feet tall), musical instruments, an obstacle course and a variety of kid-created artwork. The Carousel and Dragon Hollow are terrific venues for birthday parties and the Carousel can be rented before or after operating hours for private use. SOURCE: Montana Official State Travel Information Site, 10-26-2007 1:12 AM M MST http://travel.state.mt.us/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordId=10844&SiteId=1