Q&A with Ilona!

1) Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I'm Ilona, a singer and writer of songs from Bulgaria, living in London. I started my music career 9 months ago after being discovered by producer Tony Moore.

2) When did you first take an interest in music?
From the age of 6, I've always been interested in music and art in any form. I used to imitate the big American divas and choreograph and perform concerts for friends and neighbours.

3) What artists would you compare your sound to?
Other professional ears have likened my voice to Shania Twain, Karen Carpenter and Kiki Dee, which is very kind.

4) On your recent US tour, what did you find surprising or unexpected?
I was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and incredible passion with which US audiences receive good music. One thing that shocked me a little were the food portions in restaurants!

5) How do you feel about your rapid insurgence into music?
Very excited, grateful for the opportunity, and ready to take on bigger stages.

6) Can you tell our readers a bit about the new CD?
It will feature original songs with big anthemic choruses and a universal, positive message. It carries the spirit of endurance, finding your passion and holding on to it, and believing in yourself despite trouble and pain.

7) Do you plan to do more touring? Any dates?
Definitely! Once the album is recorded, I plan to release a single and tour the UK and the US, this year.

8) Describe a day of fun in Bulgaria.
The ultimate day of fun in Bulgaria would be spending time on the beach with my friends.

9) Your favorite thing about America was... The SXSW Festival. It was an intense week!

10) Where can people find more info about you?
Follow me on facebook at www.facebook.com/ilonaartist and twitter on www.twitter.com/ilonatmusic

Tunes in Towns UK Music Series Expands World-Wide

Dr. Isabel Aimee along with LadyLake Music
invite you to experience an exciting new music festival series combining arts with commerce called
♫ Tunes in Towns ♫
of which Shepton Shops Soulstisss will be the first event.
We are using musicians as instruments of change to rejuvenate the spirit and boost the economy of business districts in local towns. On Thursday 21st June, the Summer Solstice, musicians will be hosted in Shepton Mallet by the High Street Shops, play from the Town Square and from the town theatre, and are proposed to play from Collett Park and Kilver Court. The festival will begin at 2PM and events will continue until 12.30AM with music, food, art, shopping and fun for all ages.
Isabel’s Shepton Shop ‘The Art Tree’ which she built up with her business partner Nick Bradbury of Bradbury House, will be orchestrating an arts competition created with local sustainable design in mind. Contest winners’ designs will be featured on festival merchandise. The Art Tree will also become the headquarters for the event, with business directories and discounts available and festival music and merchandise for sale. Vacant High Street storefronts will receive temporary festival shops based on a local interest survey such as: a chocolatier, Rita Hraiz's cashmere clothing, men's clothing, record shop, milk bar, cop shop and lingerie boutique. Entry to the festival will be free and donations expected.

‘Tunes in Towns’ began with a little music festival last year, promoted by LadyLake Music’s singer/songwriter, Isabel Aimee, on the day before the 2011 Glastonbury Festival in the neighboring town of Shepton Mallet. "Singing Musicians in Shops" was the aim, to bring back love and life into the High Street. This year, the town council asked Isabel to put it on again- but bigger, thus ‘Tunes in Towns’ was launched- a five year project of inner urban regeneration, bringing music into the high street of five Somerset towns, one new festival each year from 2012 to 2016, starting in Shepton Mallet. Two charities are to benefit from the fundraising on the day: The Shepton Mallet Forest School and Theartree Creative Scholarships for Children.

Isabel Aimee is the project’s composer, coming from a rich artistic heritage of the Whistlers, and the holder of a PhD in sustainable development. She is most keen that the emphasis of the whole festival should be about organic, sustainable development, beginning locally and branching out to interface with the wider economic and cultural region.

The Shepton Shops Soulstisss line up of diverse musical talent unites three tiers of the music industry: internationally known artists from Italy, Denmark, and the USA; national artists, and local artists working together in harmony towards a common goal of urban regeneration and musical inspiration. High notes of the event include Michael Eavis of the Glastonbury Festival- graciously giving his mentoring skills and radio endorsement; Stuart Epps - producer to Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Kate Bush- has happily endorsed the festival; Tony Moore has added his name to festival supporters and FANNY - the first all-female rock band- are crossing the ocean from the USA as festival headliners. We are currently being promoted by LadyLake Music, Coral Rose Radio and five other radio stations with local politicians and officials championing this dynamic concept.

Talia Segal - Best Folk-Pop Album for 'The Thing Itself'

Talia Segal is an independent singer/songwriter from Washington, DC. She has released two albums to date, and has been on the road since early 2007, playing solo-acoustic shows all over the country in support of her original music. Talia's songs have received nods from several nationally-recognized songwriting contests including the 2010 Telluride Troubador Songwriting Contest (Finalist); and the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Finalist), and garnered licensing contracts with MTV, Oxygen Network, Indesit, and E! Television. Talia just completed a cross-country, "Free CD" tour in support of her new album, "The Thing Itself", which is due for release in early 2012. For more information, please visit www.taliasegalmusic.com.

The Plastic Revolution - Indie CD of the Year for 'Postmodern Medicine'

The music of The Plastic Revolution (TPR) is riddled with substance and is undeniably poignant. Characterized by untraditional song-structure, fantastically catchy hooks, and explosive exploratory lyrics, this music is truly a “revolution” of dynamic proportions.This kind of insight is what the pop-loving, everyday people of the world crave. It is music that is a social necessity in contemporary life: breaking all constraints and categorizations. Ultimately, no subject is taboo and this music is not merely pop/punk/electronica/hardcore or any other characterization. The Plastic Revolution is what we all are, a rough collection of the constant bombardment of stimuli thrown at us at all times; sometimes passionate and sometimes perverse, but always emotive. TPR is currently touring the US 2011-12 and scheduled for a return European Tour later in 2012.

More info at:
http://www.theplasticrevolution.com
http://mannequinvanityrecords.com

The Tangibles - Best Up and Coming Rock Band for 'New Frankenstein'

The winner of this year’s Best Up and Coming Rock Band are The Tangibles, a forward thinking alt-rock, jazz, funk and electronic foursome that hails from the great state of New Jersey. Similar to their homestate, they make no apologies for being loud and bringing their distinct personality to their music. Comprised of Brianna Ryder (vocals), Mike Sheffer (guitar/drums/synth), Derek Ouimet (bass/guitar) and Doron Sheffer (guitar/keys), the band is fresh off the press with their formation in early 2011.The Tangibles’ eclectic indie inspiration by artists like Joy Division, John Frusciante, Aesop Rock and Rx Bandits create an individual sound that is multifaceted (with the chaotically beautiful guitar riffs of Sheffer/Ouimet and smoothed over by soulful vocal styling of Ryder.) Their love for true creative expression and each other is prominent from all the sounds they cultivate. As a collective they wish to create honest music by experimenting with noise and life. You can find them at their band pages http://www.facebook.com/TheTangibles, http://thetangibles.bandcamp.com/ , http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTangibles or touring throughout the tri-state area. The Tangibles will be reentering the studio in Jan 2012. Their debut EP “Almost” is available for download now on iTunes and Bandcamp.

McAlister Drive - Best Potential Hit Single for 'Hands In Your Pockets'

McAlister Drive is ROCK for people who like Folk, Soul, and Pop. With a modern sound that inspires Jet and Tom Petty to walk down the aisle during an Arcade Fire song, you might find McAlister Drive to be the newborn lovechild… or participating in the open bar at the reception. With roots from New Orleans, Boston, and Brooklyn, this band is now corrupting the better part of the US and Canada to believe in an infused genre mindset. They have been called “chameleons of the stage” and an “organic chaos,” which might be confusing at first, but will certainly confirm your agreement when you step into any McAlister Drive concert. There are mustaches, grooves, serious personalities, and special guests at every show that will make you question your ability to be popular. Expect a lot out of MD in 2012, as there will be a new full length record release, an extensive US and Canada tour, a live record, and a bunch of spontaneous other releases!

More info at:
www.facebook.com/mcalisterdrive
www.twitter.com/mcalisterdrive
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/missing-figures/id384321562
www.youtube.com/mcalisterdrivevideos

The Beautiful Word - Best Folk Single for 'Emily'

The Beautiful Word are an experimental folk pop 5 piece who have so far been Glastonbury Emerging Talent Finalists, supported the likes of Ellie Goulding, been introduced by Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music, performed live on BBC Introducing radio and wowed onlookers at the Great Escape Festival amongst others, all as a DIY unsigned band. The band create music that teams joyous and raucous aggression with sweet and personal vocals: the purity of British folk with a more powerful sound.

More info at:
www.thebeautifulword.co.uk
www.facebook.com/thebeautifulword