Indie Hotspot

Raw Artists Los Angeles “Marvel” at the Belasco Theater – A Fun, Edgy, Uninhibited Display of Unfettered Expression!

Raw Artists Los Angeles “Marvel” at the Belasco Theater – A Fun, Edgy, Uninhibited Display of Unfettered Expression!

When you hear the mission statement that one grass roots organization educates, connects, and exposes emerging artists in 54 artistic communities across the USA and Australia, you just have to take notice. Raw Natural Born Artists practices what they preach with true reckless abandon!

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Oleander Wows Fans at Ace of Spades for SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL Official CD Release Concert

Oleander Wows Fans at Ace of Spades for SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL Official CD Release Concert

Opening with the song “Fight,” the crowd went crazy as the band chanted the hook, “fight, fight, fight!” The high energy song was the perfect opener, and if screaming fans and a packed house were any indicator for the success of a band, then Oleander’s come back fits the bill.

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Oleander Is Back Stronger Than Ever, Releasing a Fifth Album, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Oleander Is Back Stronger Than Ever, Releasing a Fifth Album, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Oleander’s fifth album SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL has just the right number of ballads, including two heart-wrenching power ballads; several high-energy, driving tracks; and really “vibey” mid-tempo songs to just sit back and zone out to. Something about this album really resonates.

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A Close Look at the 21st Anniversary of the Pan African Film Festival

A Close Look at the 21st Anniversary of the Pan African Film Festival

In February 2013, the Pan African Film Festival, America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival, celebrated its 21st anniversary, as it screened more than 150 films representing 34 countries: U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific, and Canada, with entries from Egypt, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania, Guadeloupe, South Africa, Kenya, and Brazil. The films include 23 documentaries, 13 short documentaries, 67 narrative features, and 51 narrative shorts.

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KAMASI WASHINGTON: YOUNG JAZZ GIANT

KAMASI WASHINGTON: YOUNG JAZZ GIANT

Kamasi Washington was born in Los Angeles at the start of the 80s into a family where music was akin to breathing. His mother, an accomplished flutist, taught chemistry in high school, and his father, who plays with him in some concerts, was a professional saxophonist by night and high school music teacher by day. By two years old, Kamasi had already started playing the drums and the piano, and by seven he started playing the clarinet.

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Lisa Hilton Discusses Her Musicial Beginnings

Check out this great interview with musician Lisa Hilton by iRockJazz!

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An Interview with Lalah Hathaway: A Modern Day Legend

An Interview with Lalah Hathaway: A Modern Day Legend

In the era when Hathaway was growing up, children used to aspire to become astronauts, a seemingly glamorous occupation that actually requires an unmatched application of ingenuity, intelligence, discipline and nerves that few can achieve or sustain. However, for the few that do, the payoff of traversing the spectacular unknowns of outer space or gazing upon the surface of the planet from the weightless confines of a space shuttle is well worth the preparation and pitfalls.

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Legendary Drummer Jack DeJohnette – Celebrating His 70 Years

Legendary Drummer Jack DeJohnette – Celebrating His 70 Years

I had the good fortune to watch three legends perform together at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, CA, on May 15, 2012. They were drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Stanley Clarke, and pianist Chick Corea; and they were in concert celebrating Jack DeJohnette’s 70th birthday. The sounds coming from Catalina’s stage that evening could send a jazz lover straight to heaven.

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Esperanza Spalding: Music for Everyone’s Palate

Esperanza Spalding: Music for Everyone’s Palate

“The point is there’s so much going on; and if you only had a chance to experience it and taste it, you may to have the opportunity to—not convert—but become more open to what else is out there.” —Esperanza Spaulding

Watch the Esperanza Spaulding interview from iRock Jazz.

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The Secrets to Distribution Part 3 – Genres and Niches

Kaylene Peoples interviews Jerome Courshon, creator of “Secrets to Distribution,” who talks about genres and a niche within a niche with the idea of writing your script for distribution before you even shoot the movie.

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