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Reunited Punk Band REFUSED Announces Concert at Williamsburg Park July 18

Performance will be the band’s only outdoor show in NYC

First in a series of shows to be announced at the new Williamsburg Park

[March 28, 2012, New York, NY] – Swedish punk band REFUSED announces their first outdoor New York City show – to be held on July 18, 2012 at Williamsburg Park. The show is part of a series of ticketed and free concerts taking place this summer at the new outdoor concert venue.

Before splitting in 1998, REFUSED made their mark on the hardcore music scene with their LP “The Shape of Punk to Come,” which is considered to be one of the best punk albums of all-time. Joining REFUSED will be OFF!, an American hardcore super group made up of Circle Jerks/Black Flag singer Keith Morris, Burning Brides frontman Dimitri Coats, Redd Kross bassist Steven Shane McDonald, and Rocket From the Crypt/Hot Snakes drummer Mario Rubalcaba.

Williamsburg Park is the newest in a progression of great outdoor concert spaces that began with McCarren Park Pool and continued at the Williamsburg Waterfront. “We are enthusiastic about this first step in transforming the space into a park for our community,” said Stephanie Thayer, Executive Director for the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA), whose mission is to “green” North Brooklyn (www.osanb.org), The new concert and recreation space is located at North 12^th Street / Kent Avenue in Williamsburg. Brooklyn.

The attached photos are only conceptual artist renderings as there is a design competition underway. For more information on this contest please visit www.osanb.org/50kent/index.html

Tickets to the July 18 concert will be available on Friday, March 30 at 12pm EST via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone 800.745.3000, Service charge free tickets are available at the Best Buy Theater box office, 1515 Broadway at West 44^th Street, 212.930.1950, and Sound Fix Records, Williamsburg’s independent record store, located at 44 Berry Street in Brooklyn.

For More Information Visit: www.facebook.com/williamsburgparkbk

Contact: Cristina Parvu / parvupr@gmail.com / 347.727.9178

Why the Movement’s Message Hasn’t Found Its Rhythm – From A Music Public Relations Perspective.

There are a lot of opinions in regards to the Occupy Wall Street movement, and frankly I’m not really in support of any one of them simply because I’m not even sure what it is all about.  All I do know is that whatever this movement is, it’s in need of a public relations makeover.

Taking advantage of the mild weather, I decided to finally take a stroll downtown to see for myself and was surprised by what I saw.  I expected an unorganized and rowdy group of self-proclaimed protestors, reminiscent of what has been portrayed on FOX, CNN, and all the local New York City television stations.  In reality it appeared to be a lot quieter, a lot less angry, and lot more organized than the media has led me to believe.  Yet with all the literature distributed to passersby listing grievances, I still have not been able to find a clear message behind the whole movement: what do these Occupiers want and how do they want it?  Keeping this all in mind, I’ve decided to look at this movement from a music public relations perspective since that is what I do know.

An easy comparison to make is the effectiveness of the anti-war and civil rights movements in the 1960s.  It is undeniable that music is one of the reasons why they worked then and why, in fact, the current movement is not yet taking hold.

“We shall overcome.”

“No, no, we won’t go”

“What Do We Want?…When Do We Want It? Now!”

These chants, like the songs of the 1960s (Simon & Garfunkel, Country Joe and the Fish, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan among others), transcended the movements themselves – we can still hear these voices and know exactly what they were trying to say: Equality, Freedom, Peace.  So, what is it this time?  What is Occupy Wall Street trying to say?  Could it be “Accountability, Integrity, Opportunity”?  I’m still not sure what their message is and I guess that’s my point: if the Occupiers on Wall Street hope to succeed in what I believe is still an unclear call, they need to first start with a compelling, unified beat. Then, call in the musicians.

MAC WILL BE BACK FOR AN ENCORE NYC PERFORMANCE
AT BEST BUY THEATER THIS DECEMBER!

Rap sensation MAC MILLER will kick off his Blue Slide Park tour in NYC this September,
Will return for second show on December 2

CONTACT: Best Buy Theater / Cristina Parvu – (917) 310-8582 / parvupr@gmail.com

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BAND LINKIN PARK TO GIVE INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE at BEST BUY THEATER ON SEPTEMBER 14

Special Performance to mark release of new album, A Thousand Suns

TIMES SQUARE, NY– (August 19) – Grammy Award-winning band Linkin Park will celebrate the release of its eagerly-anticipated new album, A Thousand Suns (Machine Shop Recordings / Warner Bros), and help launch the new Best Buy Theater with an inaugural performance on September 14, 2010. The new name for Manhattan’s premiere concert and events showplace (formerly known as Nokia Theatre Times Square) comes after AEG Live and Best Buy announced a multi-year naming rights agreement for the venue which will continue to feature the hottest acts in the entertainment industry.

The special intimate performance at Best Buy Theater will see Linkin Park performing material from the new album for the first time in public along with some of their best-known previous material, promising to be a near-impossible ticket to be had. This will be Linkin Park’s only public performance in the US in 2010. The band begins its worldwide arena tour in October, with North American dates expected in early 2011.

Presale for current LPU members (official Linkin Park fan club / www.linkinpark/lpu) as well as fans that pre-order LPUX by August 22nd will be able to purchase tickets first, beginning at 10:00am EST on August 23rd. Non-members that pre-order A Thousand Suns via the (www.linkinpark.com) online store by August 22nd, will also be invited to a presale the same day beginning at 3:00pm. The Best Buy exclusive version of the album including “The Catalyst” featuring NoBrain chosen by Linkin Park and MySpace music can also be pre-ordered on (www.bestbuy.com).

“As Best Buy’s biggest selling American band of all time, we are thrilled that Linkin Park will be the first to perform at the new Best Buy Theater, said Drew Panayiotou, chief marketing officer for Best Buy’s US-based operations. “The Best Buy Theater underscores our continuing commitment to being a leader in entertainment, and we look forward to a successful launch.”

Located at 1515 Broadway (at 44th Street) in world famous Times Square, Best Buy Theater has hosted a variety of performers since its grand opening on September 19, 2005 as Nokia Theatre Times Square. Artists that have played at the venue include Bon Jovi, John Legend, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Jay-Z, Sugarland, Prince, The Eagles, Alicia Keys, Sharon Jones & Dap Kings, and Phil Lesh & Friends who had an historic 14-night run in 2008. The 45,000-square foot theater has also hosted special events such as Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, Good Morning America concert series performances by Janet Jackson and Usher, Bruce Springsteen’s Gateway Schools Benefit, ESPN and Nickelodeon upfronts in addition to being the home of the annual Heisman Trophy presentation since 2005.

The Fall 2010 line-up at the Best Buy Theater continues to bring an eclectic mix of shows to the Times Square stage with acts that include rising R&B star Jason Derulo, Ingrid Michaelson, NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ Live, Gary Numan, Cypress Hill, a five-night run with rock legends The Black Crowes, Paul Weller, Grinderman, and four nights with superstar comedian Jim Gaffigan.

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**PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR A SAMPLING OF BIOS WRITTEN BY PARVU PR:

MONIQUE BAINES has spent her life listening to the love of her life, not unlike most women.
Everything she thought, touched, and talked about revolved around what could get her closer to her love, all the while always listening to all those that came before her for guidance. Those like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, and Whitney Houston inspired Monique as talented women that did all they could to keep that love in their lives.

As a vocalist and well-versed musician (Monique also plays the flute and drums), it’s no secret to those that meet her that the love of her life lies in the notes and beats that filter through her. And while Monique is certainly not the first, nor will she be the last, to personify the love of music in her life, what definitely makes Monique unique is her sound:

With clear vocals flowing over beats in natural synchronization, it has officially become Monique’s turn for us to “Listen, Listen” to her.

Setting the scene for her debut track dropping this spring, Monique’s background built up from solo choir performances to a first place win at a talent contest in 2002 as part of a female trio. A whirlwind of offers followed, and Monique was soon featured in several New York City showcases and prominent mix tapes. Meeting industry legends along the way, she honed in on her one-of-a-kind style and teamed up with the production team Roc Life to record her first songs which developed into a production deal with Full Force.

Full Force, the hit-makers behind N*SYNC, Selena, Britney Spears and Lisa Lisa, took on Monique as the resident R&B diva in a three-person group named Diamondz in the Dirt. Full Force member Paul Anthony was drawn to the ‘intonality’ of Monique’s voice, as well as her image. The group’s R&B/funk/hip-hop sound earned them label showcases in front of many record execs, including the legendary Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Larry Jackson and Barry Weiss.

“The main focus of the group was to bring a certain feeling back to R&B and pop that had been lost with live performances. Our stage show was high-energy and creative,” says Monique of her time with Diamondz in the Dirt.

With a diverse background, Monique looks to make her love, music, her playground, releasing all of life’s lessons, struggles and experiences into her music. Her vocal prowess ranges from jazzy to R&B to pop, and can be described as soothing in its strength. Monique embraces her artistry by doing what comes naturally – in turn filling a void in the ever-evolving music scene.
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“A party ain’t a party ‘til CRAM has come through it!”

You may not have heard of Kevin Henderson aka DJ CRAM “ROQ MAJOR” just yet, but it is likely that if you are among the elite party-goers from New York to Las Vegas that you will soon find yourself bouncing along to one of his eclectic sets wondering: “Who is this guy and how can I get him to my next party??”

Known for the incomparable energy that he is able to channel into the crowds he spins for, word on the street and in the industry is that the key to making a party a “party” is CRAM on the turntables.  CRAM, with over 20 years of DJ experience, has worked high-profile events for MCA, RCA, VIBE Magazine, The Source, Video Music Box, Coors Lite, Jack Daniels, Hip Hop 4 Life, and can be found getting things started weekly at Cornerstone in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

CRAM was exposed to a diversity of music as a result of growing up all along the east coast from NYC to Georgia, and after meeting B.R. (now the owner of FrontLiners Entertainment) he began to learn the art of DJing when he was just 9-years-old. Studying greats like Premo, Kid Capri, Scratch, Jazzy Jeff, Ron G, Red Alert, Cut Creator, KG, Reg, Mustafah and Crime, while getting hands-on experience with DJs like Potter Esquire, Nando Nice, Choc, and DJ  Monty, CRAM soon developed a unique style that has him continuing to make a name for himself in the tri-state area and beyond.

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Who is DJ INTENCE aka Mr. International?

If determination, passion, and a whatever-it-takes attitude are indicators of what it takes to be a success, then Kevin “DJ Intence” Fraser also known as Mr. International is surely on his way to becoming one of the greatest DJ’s of all time.  Not confined to any one style or genre, Intence aspires to cross musical boundaries and get diverse crowds going to artists’ that run the full hip-hop, reggae, rock, and house gamut.

Mentored by top DJ’s in the tri-state area (DJ Sho [who discovered Intence]; DJ @-One; DJ Cram; Catch 22 [Words of Wisdom]; DJ Dalyte), Intence is now a mainstay in the New York/New Jersey party scene as part of the Blackout Boys (B.O.B.), the DJ Crew within the Frontliners Entertainment Family, and Infinite Sounds.  His fan-base continues to grow internationally as his aka suggests, and Intence’s DJ skills have even brought him across the water to Jamaica.

Constantly aiming to improve his craft, DJ Intence is currently earning his B.A. In Mass Communications at Five Towns College whose past attendees includes Island Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele, Nicole Albino of Nina Sky, Olivia of G-Unit, and Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael of Maroon 5.

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K-AOS:  “THINKING OUT LOUD”
—>  “Bicoastal” hip-hop artist, hip-hop and r&b lyricist/producer

Isiah “K-aos” Echevarria is not a “stereo-typical” artist born and bred in the NYC area. With a “Bicoastal” sound unheard of on the radio right now,     K-aos is set to bring “chaos” into the industry as he merges East, South, and West Coast beats with story-telling that combines the realist of life experiences with the truest of American dreams.

Having performed throughout the New York tri-state area, K-aos has been the featured artist at numerous concert venues including NYC’s China Club and the famed Nuyorican Poets Café.  K-aos has a fast-growing fan base, and his music has garnered attention and airplay via the Desert Storm team of DJs at the top-rated NYC hip-hop stations Hot 97 and Power 105.1.

As a hip-hop artist/lyricist/producer on the rise, K-aos remains on his grind promoting his first solo project released in 2009, “Thinking Out Loud.”  With the title track serving as an autobiographical taste of what    K-aos has to offer, “Thinking Out Loud” goes on to showcase his unique lyrical prowess with a range of anthem tracks (“Bicoastal,” “71(8)45”) and party-starters (“Nightspot,”“Swagg On High”).  K-aos stays in the studio as well, and is currently working on four albums, all set to drop in the Spring/Summer of 2010.

For more on K-aos and his music, check out www.myspace.com/therealkaos <http://www.myspace.com/therealkaos>

What better time could there be than 2pm on the second Saturday of the second month of the second decade of this new millennium…to kickoff a Second Saturday Sing-along event!  Join us on Saturday, February 13, 2010 by holding your own Second Saturday <http://elfenworks.org/project_saturdaysingalong.html> event.  We invite you to record it and put it on YouTube as a response to the original sing-along video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL_-UJGKhIo>.  Read more here… <http://elfenworks.org/project_saturdaysingalong.html>

NYC MAINSTAY JACK GRACE BAND TO NATIONALLY RELEASE

"DRINKING SONGS FOR LOVERS"

First single "It Was a Really Bad Year" impacting AAA radio February 22

NEW YORK (February 2, 2010) – For the past decade, Jack Grace and his band have been packing venues throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and upstate New York with a sound that is not quite country, not quite rock’n’roll, but definitely entertaining.  Though The Jack Grace Band is not new to fans across the country with songs that have been featured in cult films Super Troopers and Beerfest, the group is now set to continue sharing their genre-bending, party-starting anthems with the rest of America as they release the first single off of their new album Drinking Songs for Lovers (Radia Records/May 4) in February.

Impacting AAA radio on February 22, “It Was a Really Bad Year” typifies why The Jack Grace Band is impossible to label.  With a mariachi-beat leading the way, this first single reflects the drunken tale telling, toe-tapping, country/rock/blues-infused music that makes Jack Grace not just a band, but also an experience.

“I consider myself an entertainer, not necessarily a musician,” says Jack Grace. “As a band, we love our music but even more than that we love having a good time.  I think that’s why we have been able to keep fans coming to our shows year after year.  They are guaranteed a good time, with of course some good music on the side.”

Drinking Songs for Lovers will appropriately be out in time for one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year – Cinco de Mayo – and with the South of the Border influence felt right from the start with the song “Morning Margaritas,” The Jack Grace Band Featuring the Broken Mariachi Horns is behind what will surely be a party album like no other.  Finding inspiration from members Jack and Daria’s yearly pilgrimage to Tulum, Mexico, the album lives up to its title as it goes through the different stages of intoxication, from playful (“If You’re Gonna Raise a Drunk”), to regret (“I Drank Too Much Again”), disapproval (“Drank Yourself into a Corner”) to elegiac (“Still Can’t Believe That You’re Gone”).  Further drinking rituals are reflected in “Drinkin’ and Gamblin’” and “Drink a Little Hooch,” and Jack even tackles the open road in “The Worst Truck Driver.”

The Jack Grace Band plays shows year-round with a well-rounded mix of artists that includes Alex Battles, Jack Hardy, The Buzzards, and Luther Wright and the Wrongs.  Upcoming performances are scheduled at the following venues:

Feb. 12–Brooklyn, NY–Barbes

Feb. 13–New York, NY–Rodeo Bar

Feb. 14–Brooklyn, NY–Superfine

Feb. 19–Beacon, NY–The Piggy Bank

Feb. 22–New York, NY–The Ear Inn

Feb. 26–Ithaca, NY–The Nines

Feb. 27–Buffalo, NY–Sportsmen Tavern

Mar. 5– Tivoli, NY–The Black Swan

Mar. 6–Troy, NY–Ale House

Mar. 7–Brooklyn, NY–Jalopy

Mar. 8–New York, NY–The Ear Inn

Mar. 12–New York, NY–Rodeo Bar

Mar. 13–New Paltz, NY–The Oasis Cafe

Mar. 16–Austin, TX–Swollen Circus @ Hole In The Wall

Mar. 26– Tivoli, NY–The Black Swan

Apr. 2–Brooklyn, NY–Barbes

Apr. 9–Asbury Park, NJ–Landslide Saloon

Apr. 10– Asbury Park, NJ–Landslide Saloon

Apr. 12–New York, NY–The Ear Inn

Apr. 22–Picton, Canada–The Acoustic Grill

Apr. 24–Toronto, Canada–The Silver Dollar

Apr. 25–London, Ontario–The Richmond Tavern

May 7–Brooklyn, NY–Barbes

May 10–New York, NY–The Ear Inn

May 12–New York, NY–Hill Country

May 13–New York, NY–Rodeo Bar

July 2–Andes, NY–Andes Hotel

The Jack Grace Band comes from all walks of life:  jazz, rock, country and, well, other.  Along with Jack Grace on guitar and vocal, there is bassist, vocalist and wife Daria (Melomane, Pre-war Ponies), rotating drummers Russ Meissner, Jason “J-Bird” Bowman and Bruce Martin (Tom Tom Club), Mike Neer (lap steel) and Bill Malchow (keyboards).

For more on The Jack Grace Band and Drinking Songs for Lovers, visit http://jackgrace.com/

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PARVU PR LAUNCHES WITH AYLA BROWN, DOUBLE DEAL BRAND RECORDS,

AND JACK GRACE BAND

“Public Relations for the Music Conscience”

NEW YORK (January 26, 2010) – PARVU PR has announced its official launch today with an eclectic debut client roster that includes American Idol semifinalist and daughter of Senator Scott Brown, Ayla Brown, along with her label Double Deal Brand Records; NYC’s favorite boozing-band, the Jack Grace Band; Commodore Callahan, Elfenworks Productions and The ‘Second Saturdays’ Campaign; Ducky Music; and up-and-coming hip-hop artist/lyricist/producer Isiah “K-aos” Echevarria.

As our new social media world gets bigger, the direct line between artists and their followers is getting shorter, and PARVU PR aspires to foster this connection with the personalized and 360-degree public relations support necessary for keeping up with the new music business model.

PARVU PR founder Cristina Parvu has led entertainment, branding and personality campaigns since her venture into public relations after graduating from Syracuse University.  First delving into live music PR by assisting with the Summer Concert Series for ABC’s Good Morning America under the mentorship of Bridgette Maney, Cristina went on to work with PR legends Joe Dera and Chris Roslan at DRC Public Relations and exclusively handled national tour press for a diverse set of Grammy-winning acts including The Chieftains and Mannheim Steamroller.

Cristina has also handled tours for Disco Queen Gloria Gaynor, actor-turned-blues performer Steven Seagal, and Elfenworks – San Francisco’s premier independent jazz and classical label.  Cristina has worked on CD launches and campaigns for EMI, as well as contributed to the press launch of the innovative music technology, BlingTones — the world’s first wireless record label.  Specializing in the music industry in NYC, Cristina prides herself on her work with NOKIA Theatre Times Square and AEG, having assisted on press for artists like Jordin Sparks, Jesse McCartney, Wyclef Jean, Bon Jovi, LL Cool J, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, and Britney Spears.

For more information on PARVU PR and/or for inquiries about representation, visit http://parvupr.com or call 347-727-9178 / 845-300-2523.

AYLA BROWN TO RELEASE NEW EP “CIRCLES” JANUARY 26

NEW YORK (January 26, 2010) – Double Deal Brand Records has announced that it will move up the release date of recording artist Ayla Brown’s latest EP, Circles, from April 2010 to this Tuesday, January 26.  Following the momentum sparked by her semifinalist status during the fifth season of American Idol, Brown is set to take her musical career to the next level in 2010 with this new five-track, r&b/dance-infused EP, a strong follow up to her acclaimed debut album Forward.

On this new EP, Brown showcases her songwriting abilities on the breakup track “No More” and the bubbly “I’m So Happy” which were co-penned by Brown’s producer, Jim McGregor.  Brown also co-wrote the club themed “Tonight,” with the fourth original song, “Pick It Up,” co-written by fellow American Idol Season 5 semifinalist Will Makar and Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Leigh Jones.

Rounding out Circles is “Absolutely Everybody,” previously recorded by Australian pop singer Vanessa Amorosi.  Brown takes a more soulful spin on this upbeat anthem, with added percussion-based instrumentation adding to her fresh interpretation.  Fans can also anticipate a unique blues/funk effort with The James Montgomery Blues Band and The Uptown Horns, Ayla Brown Live!  (November 2010).

According to Brown, the decision to go with a five-song EP this time around has to do with the direction the music industry is going in.

“Over the past few years it’s become apparent that traditional means of releasing music is changing as more people transition to digital music buying,” Brown says. “As an artist, I think releasing an EP instead of a full-length album makes more sense because it allows me to connect more frequently with fans.  I believe as a writer it puts less pressure on me to come up with so many songs at once, and I think my songs are better because of the pacing.”

Circles, recorded at A-Pawling studio in Pawling, NY, was produced by Jim McGregor and mixed by Peter Moshay, with Wayne Laakko as Executive Producer.  A physical release of the EP is slated for later this spring and will be supported with national performances to be announced.

For more information on the release, visit aylabrown.com.