Sunday, May 27, 2012

Kids These Days (May 27, 2012)

There's something about Kids These Days (https://www.facebook.com/kidsthesedaysband) that just seems perfect for a hot Memorial Day weekend, whether you're hanging out by the beach, barbecuing in the backyard or just spending time with friends.  Their great mix of hip hop, alternative, funk and more is great for your holiday party and a fun kick off to summer.  Check out their "Hard Times" EP and head over to their website (http://www.kidsthesedaysband.com/) for a FREE download of "Summerscent," one of my favorite songs.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Sunday, May 20, 2012

The Weakenders (May 20, 2012)

There are so many different styles and genres of music that sometimes we forget to keep it simple and talk about good old fashioned "rock bands." This week's featured artist, The Weakenders (https://www.facebook.com/TheWeakenders), are a rock band. Not hard rock, not alternative rock - just a really good band that plays music with guitars, drums and really good vocals and lyrics.  They sound totally modern and fresh but clearly have their roots grounded in the great bands of the 70s.  Be sure to check out their song "I Get Down" (Free download: http://theweakenders.bandcamp.com/album/i-get-down-b-w-hazy-eyes-single) and "The Party's Over" from the Everything and Nothing EP as a few examples of their sound.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Maya Solovey (May 13, 2012)

Happy Mother's Day! On this special Sunday I want to share Maya Solovey (https://www.facebook.com/mayasoloveymusic) and her beautiful new song "Bigger Man." It is an absolutely gorgeous song and while much of it is about a woman wanting her man to commit to her it also explains that it...
Takes a bigger man to stand by his woman
When her heels stand taller than his boots,
Takes a bigger man to stand by his woman
When her dress shines brighter than his suit.
(Download the song and name your own price: http://mayasolovey.bandcamp.com/track/bigger-man)

On this mother's day I think all of us who love out moms and our wives/girlfriends, etc. need to remember that the biggest of men are those who let the women in their lives shine as brightly as possible and to not be afraid to let them shine brighter than us.  But mostly this is a gorgeous song and is just an introduction to this talented singer who has a new EP coming out in June.  You can also check out a video for her brand new song "Ring Ring Ring" http://youtu.be/jkXwmRx6vsU

Have a great Mother's Day! Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Composure (May 6, 2012)

Pittsburgh based The Composure (https://www.facebook.com/TheComposureRock) have recently released a great new EP with songs that are perfect as the weather changes from spring to summer.  This is the kind of upbeat fun music I think of when I think of summer concerts, festivals, etc.  It gets you singing along and clapping along and is just made for a good time.  I love "Out to Dry" and "The One" but there isn't a song on this 6 song EP that I don't like! 

While you're enjoying this great new band, please help me celebrate the upcoming 5 year anniversary of the Emerge Music Group by helping me build a school in Nicaragua through Pencils of Promise!  Read all about it here: http://pop.stayclassy.org/fundraise/pop?fcid=114523  Any donation helps!!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Celebrate 5 years of Emerge by helping me build a school!

Dear friends,

This July I will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Emerge Music Group, a group I started to help promote exciting up and coming bands and artists. During these 5 years several hundreds of bands have been featured and promoted to hundreds of potential new fans.

In honor of this anniversary, which also happens to coincide with a big birthday for me in June, I am undertaking a massive project and am asking for your help.  I am working with Pencils of Promise to build a new school in Nicaragua.  Pencils of Promise is an amazing non profit (or as they like to say a "for purpose") which in 3 short years has built 50 schools in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Laos.  They are trying to build 50 more in 2012!

It costs $25,000 to build a school so after all these years of trying to help so many bands and never asking for anything in return I am now asking for your help.  Here's how you can get involved and help build a school for children who otherwise would not have access to education.

1. Visit my fundraising page: http://pop.stayclassy.org/fundraise/pop?fcid=114523 and learn more about the project. If you are able to make a donation - any amount helps.

2. Consider a way that you can support this project through your music. Perhaps donate ONE night of a tour. Or proceeds from ONE day of T-shirt sales. Or offer fans an opportunity to donate and give them something for free in return.  I realize that many of your bands are just trying to stay afloat and pay the bills and I don't want to add to your hardship - but anything would help. If you choose one of these options please let me know so I can help promote whatever you're doing! And if anyone is interested in doing a benefit concert for this in the DC area PLEASE let me know as I would love to help make that happen!

3. Spread the word to your fans, friends and other bands.  Even if you are unable to donate anything maybe you can pass this on to someone else who can.

4. If you really want to get involved in a more serious way you can start your OWN fundraising page. To do this go to: http://pop.stayclassy.org/fundraise/pop-team?ftid=5920 and click the green box that says "Start Your Page."  Fans love to see their favorite bands get involved with a cool service project so set a goal for your band to raise money and it will all go towards this school project.

In case you were wondering $25,000 provides enough funding to physically build a school (using local resources) and to provide teachers and teacher training.

Also, just so you know, EVERY dollar donated online goes 100% to the school. NONE of it goes to administrative or overhead costs.

Finally, no matter where in the world you are you can help out.

If you have any questions please contact me at emergemusicgroup@gmail.com and thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

I am SO excited to get this project started and truly appreciate all the help I know I'll get!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira