NASHVILLE |
DT: MARCH 11, 2014
ALOE BLACC AND ALLEN STONE
TO PERFORM AT
GRAMMY U® AMPLIFIER CENTER STAGE “SPOTLIGHT” DURING MUSIC WEEK IN AUSTIN
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
AT GIBSON SHOWROOM (5:30p)
(3601 S. Congress Ave., Austin)
KCRW DJ TO MODERATE INTIMATE
Q&A WITH ALOE BLACC AND ALLEN STONE
ALOE BLACC TO HEADLINE AND ALLEN STONE TO PERFORM INDIVIDUAL SETS BEFORE COLLABORATING TOGETHER ON A SPECIAL SET LIST OF INFLUENTIAL COVERS
AMPLIFIER CENTER STAGE 2014 WINNERS EYANGO, BONAVOX AND JESSICA FAITH TO OPEN
LOS ANGELES, CA + AUSTIN, TX, March 11, 2014-Introducing innovative artist development in the digital era, Amplifier Center Stage: A GRAMMY U® Initiative is the first-ever platform providing professional career mentoring–pairing young artists with established acts–and offering once-in-a-lifetime exposure opportunities for undiscovered musicians. On Friday, March 14 Amplifier Center Stage will be hosting an intimate 180 cap party at the Gibson Showroom in Austin (3601 S. Congress Ave., Austin).
Aloe Blacc will headline and Allen Stone will perform individual sets and then collaborate together on a set list of influential covers from GRAMMY®-winning artists that influenced their musical direction throughout their career. In addition, the 2014 Amplifier Center Stage winners: Eyango, Bonavox and Jessica Faith will open the show. A KCRW DJ will emcee the event and do a live Q&A with Aloe Blacc and Allen Stone at the show re their musical influences. Doors open: 5:30pm *No badges required, limited guest list available due to space, please RSVP below.
Amplifier Center Stage: A GRAMMY U Initiative is solely funded by Hyundai the “Official Vehicle Partner” of the GRAMMY Awards®. Hyundai teamed with The Recording Academy® looking for a special way for years to come to give support to young talent. The resulting Amplifier Center Stage allows Hyundai to directly connect with new musical talent and consider them for other programs/commercials and invest in their careers. Emerging musicians share songs via SoundCloud to www.grammy.com/amplifier. The songs are then evaluated by a panel of curators including the biggest names in music today. 2014 Amplifier Center Stage curators Hunter Hayes, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar and Robert Glasper selected the latest round of winners which will perform live at SXSW 2014. Amplifier Center Stage curators select talent based on quality as well as an emerging artists’ “amplification”–the amount of shares/likes they generate on www.grammy.com/amplifier. After the entrants are narrowed down to the top eight, the final three winners are chosen and assigned an award (see list below) which best matches their current needs as an artist. EYANGO (Florida), BONAVOX (California, formerly Reckoner) and JESSICA FAITH (Arkansas) will receive one of the three awards as well as mentoring (see full details: www.grammy.com/amplifier):
- A recording session and professionally produced track with a leading GRAMMY-winning producer.
- Production of a music video with a noted video producer and/or director.
- An opening performance slot on a major tour and/or music festival.
Last month it was announced that two-time GRAMMY winner David Guetta–the French music producer and DJ who has sold over six million albums and 15 million singles worldwide—will be the 2014 Amplifier Center Stage official Ambassador for the next run of the program. It is the Ambassador’s role to assign artists with the award package that best represents the artists’ current needs. From the launch date of November 4 to the closing date of December 20, 2013, Amplifier Center Stage received a record number of song entries to the online platform from over 5,000 new song submissions from musicians all over the world. For more information, visit: www.grammy.com/amplifier.
Aloe Blacc and Allen Stone To Perform at
GRAMMY U® AMPLIFIER CENTER STAGE “SPOTLIGHT” DURING MUSIC WEEK IN AUSTIN
Friday, March 14, @ Gibson Showroom (3601 S. Congress Ave., Austin)
Doors: 5:30p
KCRW DJ To Moderate Intimate Q&A with Aloe Blacc and Allen Stone
Aloe Blacc to Headline and Allen Stone To Perform Individual Sets Before Collaborating Together On A Special Set of Influential Covers
Amplifier Center Stage 2014 Winners: Eyango, Bonavox and Jessica Faith To Open
Aloe Blacc: Born in Southern California to Panamanian parents, Blacc released his first hip-hop mixtape in 1996, then became part of the rap duo Emanon, before going solo in 2006, when he signed to acclaimed indie label Stones Throw Records. He released his genre-defying solo debut, Shine Through, following it up with 2010’s Good Things, which sold more than a million units world-wide, and was certified gold in France, Germany and the U.K., thanks to his first international hit in the two-million-selling “I Need a Dollar,” which became the theme to the HBO series, How to Make it in America. Blacc was featured as vocalist and co-writer on well-known DJ/producer Avicii’s track “Wake Me Up,” a song that hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on its Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs charts, as well as in 102 countries around the world, including the U.K., where it was the fastest-selling single of the year. Blacc’s five-track Wake Me Up EP came out last September and included an acoustic version of the title track. Blacc released his major label debut Lift Your Spirit (XIX/Interscope) this week. On the new album, Blacc worked with such standout songwriters and producers as Pharrell Williams, DJ Khalil and Harold Lilly, among others, and offers a compendium of his own influences, including R&B legends like Marvin Gaye, Gil Scott-Heron, Sly Stone, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder. Blacc will be touring the U.S. this summer with Bruno Mars. Click here for all upcoming tour dates.
Allen Stone: is a soul musician from Chewelah, Washington. Allen began his career singing at his father’s church and he sang in the church since he was 3 years old. By 14, Stone was leading worship at his church and playing the guitar. Stone has been influenced by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Meters, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Jamie Lidell and James Morrison. The New York Times compared his socially conscious music to the likes of Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers and two of his musical influences Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He has self-released two records, Last To Speak (2010) and the self-titled Allen Stone (2011). Stone had been touring cross-country for a few years and sold a self-released album on the Internet. However, it was not until October 2011, when his second album was released, that his career began to truly kick off. On this album, he was backed by Raphael Saadiq’s rhythm section and Miles Davis’ keyboardist Deron Johnson. Allen Stone peaked at the number 2 spot on the R&B/Soul charts on iTunes and hit #9 and #35 on the Billboard Heatseekers and R&B/Hip Hop Album charts, respectively. USA Today called Allen Stone a “pitch-perfect powerhouse”. In 2011, he performed his song “Unaware” on Conan. In 2012, he was featured on the song “Neon Cathedral” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis off of their album The Heist. On January 3, 2013, he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and sang “Sleep”. Allen is currently working on a new album for release in mid 2014. www.allenstone.com
Eyango: Born near Paris, to a Cameroonian father and French Mother, Guillaume was introduced to music by the door of a Gospel choir. His musical tastes are influenced by such artists as Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin and Take 6 and is pursuing a career as a vocalist/arranger/composer. http://grammyuamplifier.com/geyango.
Bonavox: Inspired by bands like Coldplay, U2 and Kings of Leon, Bonavox has its unique sound with lyrics that send the message of love, and hope to the world. With members from all over the world, the band is now recording their first EP in Los Angeles. http://grammyuamplifier.com/reckoner-official
Jessica Faith: Singer/songwriter Jessica Faith, from a small town in Arkansas, captivates with awe-inspiring melodies. Her pop, jazzy style and unique voice convey universal emotions via lush lyics and memorable melodies. http://grammyuamplifier.com/jessica-faith-music.
http://www.grammyuamplifier.com
MSO PR Press Releases & Assets:
http://www.msopr.com/n/client-roster/amplifier-center-stage-a-grammy-u-initia
MEDIA RSVP to attend or request GRAMMY AMPLIFIER CENTER STAGE “Spotlight” interviews/photo shoots, contact:
Libby Coffey/MSO PR
818-380-0400 x224,
lcoffey@msopr.com;
cell onsite in Austin: 626-676-4993
