EP

The Pretty Reckless GIVEAWAY!

June 22, 2010 By Cara Harrington 3 Comments

The Pretty Reckless’ debut EP is available today! Featuring their rocking single “Make Me Wanna Die,” Taylor Momsen and her band give fans a preview of what’s to come on their forthcoming full-length album. Enter here for your chance to win a signed glossy photo and a copy of the EP! Visit ThePrettyReckless.com for more info including their dates on Warped Tour 2010.

EP Track List

1. Make Me Wanna Die
2. My Medicine
3. Goin’ Down
4. Zombie – exclusive track

Hollywood Dame is giving away one copy of the The Pretty Reckless CD. Simply tell me why you love the band in the comment section below. Enter as many times as you like. Contest ends July 2nd! Can’t wait? You can buy it from iTunes and have it now! Click HERE to shop.

Filed Under: Contests, Music Tagged With: CD, EP, the pretty reckless, The Pretty Reckless GIVEAWAY!

New Music Friday – All Time Low

December 18, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Pop-punk foursome “All Time Low” formed in Baltimore in 2003 around singer/guitarist Alex Gaskarth and guitarist Jack Barakat before adding bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson to round out their band and rowdy live show, which often included silly string and beach balls. Balancing homework and other teenage adventures, the guys managed to tour across the east coast and the south during school breaks. They released the four-song EP “The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End” through the local label “Emerald Moon” in 2004 and followed up with a full-length album, “The Party Scene,” a year later. Before graduating high school in 2006, they signed a record deal with “Hopeless Records” and re-recorded songs from their debut album and included two new songs for their EP “Put Up or Shut Up.” The EP entered both the Top Independent Albums and Top Heatseekers charts. They’ve shared the stage with national headliners such as Motion City Soundtrack, Acceptance, The Early November, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Academy Is…, Plain White T’s, Spitalfied, and many more.

In 2007, All Time Low released “So Wrong, It’s Right,” which entered the Billboard 200 at number 62. The band was eventually selected as Alternative Press Magazine’s “Band of the Year” for 2008. While writing for a third album, they collaborated with Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus and a host of other producers. Their third album “Nothing Personal” was released in July, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200. It was revealed in November 2009 that the band had signed to major label “Interscope Records.” The band also announced that they would have a song featuring on the soundtrack for the upcoming film “Alice in Wonderland.”

“Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t)” is the second single from their new studio album, reaching as high as #21 on iTunes during its first week of availability. It also became their first Hot 100 charting song, debuting at #67. You can view the video above.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Movies, Music, Videos Tagged With: Acceptanc, Album, Alex Gaskarth, Alice In Wonderland Sountrack, All Time Low, Alternative Press Magazine, Baltimore, Band Of The Year, Billboard 200, blink 182, Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't), Emerald Moon, EP, Hopeless Records, Hot 100, Interscope Records, iTunes, Jack Barakat, Mark Hoppus, Motion City Soundtrack, Nothing Personal, Plain White T's, Put Up Or Shut Up, Rian Dawson, So Wrong Its Right, Spitalfied, The Academy Is, The Early November, The Party Scene, The Receiving End Of Sirens, The Three Words To Remember In Dealing With The End, Top Heatseekers, Top Independent Albums, Zack Merrick

Green River Ordinance’s Video For ‘Come On’

December 3, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

“Green River Ordinance” (GRO) is a 5-piece pop/rock band hailing from Fort Worth, TX. Their name refers to Green River Ordinances, laws which prohibit door-to-door sales unless the house’s owner gives permission to do so. GRO is not like other bands on the rise. Negativity isn’t their thing so you won’t find stories on them about trashing hotel rooms or being arrested for living a drug-crazed life. Shaped by frontman Josh Jenkins, along with bassist Geoff Ice, drummer Denton Hunker, and guitarists Josh Wilkerson and Jamey Ice, the band recorded its first EP in a church basement. They supported its release with a grassroots campaign, selling over 20,000 copies between their two independent releases, which led to shows alongside the likes of Bowling For Soup, Blue October, Simple Plan, and Mutemath. Their debut release for Virgin Records, “Out of My Hands,” was released in February and garnered them comparisons to Matchbox 20, Augustana, and The Fray. “Out of My Hands” peaked at #10 on the Billboard “Heatseekers” chart with their single “Come On” reaching #19 Billboard’s “Adult Top 40″ late in 2009. Several of their songs have been featured on shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and “MTV’s The Hills.”

This song will shortly be added to my iPod and will be stuck on repeat for hours on end. Great song! You can watch their video “Come On” above, then head on over to iTunes to pick up their album.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Music, Videos Tagged With: Adult Top 40, Augustana, Band, Billboard, Blue October, Bowling For Soup, Come On, Denton Hunker, EP, Geoff Ice, Green River Ordinance, GRO, Heatseekers, Independent Rleases, Jamey Ice, Josh Jenkins, Josh Wilkerson, Matchbox 20, MTV, Mutemath, Out Of My Hands, Simple Plan, so you think you can dance, The Fray, The Hills, Virgin Records

Artist Interview – Matt Dragstrem

November 30, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Chicago Tour from Matt Dragstrem on Vimeo.

A little while ago we featured an article on Matt Dragstrem, an up-and-coming songwriter, who is rapidly gaining recognition with his melodic songs paired with simplistic, yet compelling lyrics. Having just released a behind the scenes video from his most recent tour throughout the Chicago and Nashville areas, Dragstrem is being deemed as an audience favorite and hailed as the new talent in town to write with by respected Nashville songwriters. He is currently in the process of recording for his upcoming full-length album, after receiving great reviews on the release of his EP “Heritage.” Recently, we’ve had the chance to throw out a couple of questions for Matt about things such as his influences and what he hopes are for the upcoming year. Our mini-interview is below. Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite places to have played?

Rockwood Music Hall in New York City has always been one of my favorite places to play. There’s such a great energy in that little hall. Everyone is straight up crazy and I love it. The audience at Rockwood typically sing and often scream my songs much louder than me. Another favorite of mine is the Elbo Room in Chicago. It’s my home town hang out. I love seeing the familiar faces.

What is one of your most bizarre fan encounters?

Well I have a lot of fans from Ireland and England who email telling me all the time how much they love my record. Not really a bizarre encounter but a cool thought that people from overseas are jamming my record. Id love to play over there soon.

Who are some of your inspirations?

I would say my current inspirations: (sifting through iPod) I have Jay-Z’s new record, One Republic’s, John Mayer’s, and the new Norah Jones. But my biggest influence stylistically are Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald primarily for there approach on singing. These two sing behind the beat and add a little improve to every performance without being forced.

Where do you get your song inspirations from, lyrically speaking?

I am a very in the moment kind of writer. I don’t plan on writing about someone or something specifically that day. I think if you’re honest with yourself in the moment and how you are really feeling about a situation the words (and melody) flow easily. So to answer your question the inspiration in my writing comes from a real place. A side note, when I write don’t know if it’ll be a pop, ballad, or country song. You can’t plan songs out like that but you can focus on creating something great.

What are some of your passions outside of music?

Lately I’ve been obsessing over vintage Ford and Chevrolet trucks. I might cave-in and buy one soon here. Im a fan of road trips and redvines (hopefully at the same time). I’m also crazy about Great Danes though I’m not sure how that beast will fit in the truck.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing?

Well in the beginning Genesis 1 (bad joke) but really in fall 2007 when i started writing songs i didn’t have a focus on my sound. I really played and wrote songs for fun because some of my friends liked what i did. But now after touring, writing, and recording my music has naturally developed into a organic pop sound. And while my voice is more ‘organic’ I’ve always desired to write big songs. Songs that could reach people everywhere.

What are your hopes for the upcoming year?

Well ill share a few things that are going down this year. I’m working on a new EP as we speak. Ive actually got a friend coming over to overdub vocals in a few moments. The EP is going to be sick and have been youtubing my progress on my page (youtube.com/mattofthedrag). I have hopes to write for other people’s records as well, to be touring, and just to be mad busy with what i love to do. Writing, playing, and eating redvines.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Quotes, John Mayer, Music Tagged With: Album, Audience, Ballad, Bizzare, Chevrolet, Chevy, Chicago, country, Elbo Room, Ella Fitzgerald, Email, England, EP, Favorite, Ford, Frank Sinatra, Great Danes, Heritage, inspiration, Interview, Ireland, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Matt Dragstrem, Melody, Nashville, new york city, Norah Jones, NYC, One Republic, Organic, Passion, Performance, Pop, recording, Redvines, Roadtrips, Rockwood Music Hall, Singer, Songwriter, talent, Touring, Write, Youtube

New Music Friday – There For Tomorrow

November 20, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

“There for Tomorrow” is a band from Orlando Florida that formed in 2003 at a time when all of its members were teenagers. They combine alternative rock with a hardcore music sound that includes adrenaline filled lyrics. Originally named “The Kick Off,” the band consists of members Maika Maile, Christian Climer, Jay Enriquez, and Chris Kamrada. The band’s debut album “Point of Origin” was released in 2004 and they began playing local radio station showcase concerts, which led to stints on the southeastern leg of the Vans Warped Tour in 2006 and 2007, attracting the attention of the alternative rock label Hopeless Records. Their self titled EP released in 2008 featured the first single “No More Room to Breathe,” and they won the “MTVU Woodie Award” for breakout artist of the year just three months later. “A Little Faster,” There for Tomorrow’s debut full-length album on Hopeless Records, was released in June and features the single by the same name. You can watch the video for “A Little Faster” above.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Music Tagged With: A Little Faster, Album, Alternative Rock, Breakout Artist, Chris Kamrada, Christian Climer, Concert, EP, florida, Hardcore Music, Hopeless Records, Jay Enruquez, Maika Maile, MTVU Woodie Award, No MOre Room To Breathe, Orlando, Point Of Origin, radio, record, single, The Kick Off, There For Tomorrow, Vans Warped Tour

Upcoming Artist Matt Dragstrem

November 20, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Chicago Tour from Matt Dragstrem on Vimeo.

Matt Dragstrem, an up-and-coming songwriter, is rapidly gaining recognition with his melodic songs paired with simplistic, yet compelling lyrics. He has just released a behind the scenes video from his most recent tour throughout the Chicago and Nashville areas, showcasing his love of music. When asked to describe how he feels his music sounds, Matt thinks its if Tom Petty and Rod Stewart had a child and Frank Sinatra was the Godfather.’ Being deemed as an audience favorite and hailed as the new talent in town to write with by respected Nashville songwriters, Matt currently is in the process of recording for his upcoming full-length album, after receiving great reviews on the release of his EP “Heritage.”

Per Myspace:

“With an impending debut EP set for release in the coming weeks, Matt Dragstrem stands at the forefront of something potentially very special. Inspired by folk-rock greats of the past, Dragstrem seems to have inherited the best elements of his heroes work before moulding them into a sound of purity and innocence all his own. Born in Chicago, Dragstrem underwent a musical education whilst developing his talent in Nashville some years later. His subtle, dulcet vocal style favours the playful, finger-picking way he approaches his guitar work – similarities with a young, raw Rod Stewart aren’t too far wide of the mark. At only twenty-one years of age, Matt Dragstrem possesses a future of immeasurable promise.” -JOEL CRANE (NME, Q, Mojo)

The video above proves that Matt is so much more than a pretty face and an unstoppable personality, but a genre-defying voice whose unique quality finds a comfortable spot in any style of music. Keep an eye on this one, kiddos. He’s sure to become a household name in no time.